As the first light of dawn bathed the Eternal Daoist Sect in a golden glow, Zhang Liwei stirred from his slumber, a mix of anticipation and nervous energy thrumming through his veins. Today marked his first official day as an Outer Disciple, an honor that had come not just from his inherent talent but also from relentless dedication. He rose swiftly, his movements crisp and deliberate, echoing the quiet resolve that had brought him this far.
Around him, the shared quarter buzzed with activity as twenty-four other senior brothers prepared for the day. Despite the communal atmosphere, each disciple moved with focus, a testament to the discipline instilled by the sect. The air was filled with a low murmur of conversation and the soft rustling of robes.
Wang Lei, his mentor, approached with a serene expression. "Junior Brother Zhang, I'll accompany you to Verdant Harmony Peak today," he announced, his voice steady and reassuring. "After today, you'll make the journey on your own."
Liwei nodded in acknowledgment, his face a mask of quiet determination. Together, they stepped out into the crisp morning air, the stone pathway beneath their feet leading them through the sprawling sect grounds.
As they walked, Liwei's curiosity bubbled to the surface. "Senior Brother Wang, why don't the disciples travel together as we did during the initiates' training?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.
Wang Lei considered the question, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Cultivators, Junior Brother, have diverse paths and necessities. Some immerse themselves in seclusion to enhance their Qi, others might frequent the Martial Training Grounds, or seek solitude to break through cultivation bottlenecks," he explained. "The sect’s structure is designed to be flexible, accommodating the individual journeys of its disciples. It's crucial for cultivating not just strength, but also self-reliance."
Liwei absorbed the words, a sense of relief washing over him. The sect’s philosophy resonated deeply with his own beliefs. True cultivation was about personal growth and discovery, about navigating the path to immortality in one’s unique way.
As they neared a fork in the path, memories of the previous day's exploration flickered through Liwei's mind. The road to the north led to Celestial Unity Summit—the heart of the sect, home to its most revered leaders. However, Wang Lei steered them southeast, towards their destination.
After a serene walk, they arrived at a robust stone gateway marked with the words "Verdant Harmony Peak." The gate stood as a silent sentinel, its ancient stones whispering tales of countless disciples who had passed through, each embarking on their own quest for enlightenment.
Wang Lei gestured towards the gateway with a smile. "Welcome to Verdant Harmony Peak, Liwei. Here, you will be nurtured and tested, and it is here that your journey as an Outer Disciple truly begins."
Liwei took a deep breath, the cool mountain air filling his lungs and steeling his spirit. Crossing the threshold, he stepped into a new chapter of his life, his heart alight with the fires of ambition and the quiet strength of his resolve. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but it was his to walk, and he was ready.
As Zhang Liwei stepped into the Verdant Harmony Peak, the beauty of the landscape immediately captivated him. The serene environment, far removed from the imposing grandeur of the Celestial Unity Summit, seemed to embrace the essence of nature itself. Towering pavilions entwined with green vines and dense foliage blended seamlessly with their surroundings, presenting a harmonious marriage of architecture and nature.
Wang Lei, noting Liwei's awe, began pointing out significant landmarks. His finger first directed Liwei’s gaze towards a towering pagoda, its sides lush with a tapestry of vines and bright green leaves. "That," Wang Lei explained, "is our library. Inside, you'll find a vast collection of tomes on geomancy and formations, resources that will prove invaluable to your training."
Beside the leaf-enshrouded pagoda lay a modestly sized structure, somewhat plain when compared to its majestic neighbors. Wang Lei saw Liwei's puzzled look and smiled knowingly. "That is the mission hall for the Division of Natural Harmony," he said. Liwei's eyes widened in surprise, questioning why such a critical facility appeared underwhelming in size.
"You'll understand shortly," Wang Lei chuckled, leading Liwei towards the mission hall. As they crossed the threshold, Liwei was met not with an expansive room, but a staircase descending into the earth. The real essence of the mission hall, it seemed, was not above ground but below.
Descending the finely crafted stone stairs, Wang Lei continued to impart wisdom about the sect’s structure. "Each peak is helmed by a unique division, led by a Supreme Elder and supported by ranks of elders," he explained. "The sect grants each division autonomy over their environment, which is why each peak has its unique flair."
After a descent of what felt like a hundred steps, they reached the base. The underground hall that unfolded before Liwei was a dome-shaped marvel, surprisingly well-lit despite its subterranean location. The source of light came from luminescent stones embedded in the walls, casting a gentle glow over the numerous tables and stone steles scattered throughout the hall.
The space buzzed with activity; disciples of varying ranks engaged in discussions or poring over the intricate details etched into the steles. Wang Lei guided Liwei to a quieter part of the hall and explained the organizational structure visible around them. "This hall is divided into sections for each disciple grade, from first-grade to twelfth-grade," he said, observing Liwei's intrigued expression.
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Liwei, who had only ever heard of a six-grade system, couldn’t hide his confusion. Sensing this, Wang Lei patiently elucidated, "The first six grades are for Outer Disciples like ourselves. The next three are for Inner Disciples, and the final three for Core Disciples. Each promotion moves a disciple up a grade, across these divisions."
Liwei nodded, the pieces of this complex hierarchical puzzle beginning to fall into place. Understanding the progression system not only framed his immediate goals but also outlined the long path ahead in his cultivation journey. As he stood in the mission hall, surrounded by the buzz of dedicated cultivators, Liwei felt a renewed sense of purpose. Here, in the bowels of Verdant Harmony Peak, lay the heart of their day-to-day striving for advancement, each disciple navigating their unique path toward greater mastery and understanding. The journey was long, and the challenges many, but for Liwei, this was another step in his relentless pursuit of the Dao.
Amid the hum of activity in the mission hall, Zhang Liwei's thoughts drifted to Jin Sun, his Circle Leader, a figure who seemed to defy the usual aging seen in cultivators. "Senior Brother Wang, Circle Leader Jin Sun... he looks so young, yet he's at least a seventh-grader. That must mean he’s been with the sect for quite some time, no?" Liwei asked, his curiosity piqued by the apparent contradiction.
Wang Lei chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to echo off the underground walls. "Ah, Circle Leader Jin Sun is indeed a remarkable cultivator," he replied. "He reached the seventh grade in just fifteen years, an impressive feat even by our sect’s standards."
"Fifteen years?" Liwei echoed, his brow furrowing in thought. "How is that possible?"
Wang Lei leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a sect secret. "There’s actually no fixed limit on how quickly you can advance in grade. While there is a standard three-year period for promotion opportunities, prodigies can request to take their examinations more frequently. Of course, this comes at a cost, paid in contribution points, since holding an examination requires substantial resources."
Liwei nodded, absorbing the information. "So, every three years, the sect provides a promotion exam for free, but if I want to advance sooner, I'd need to pay for it with my contribution points?"
"Exactly," Wang Lei confirmed with a nod. His expression then turned serious, observing the eagerness in Liwei's eyes. "But remember, Liwei, advancing rapidly through the grades is a formidable challenge. Most of us here were the best in our villages or local realms. Yet here, we are all in competition with equally skilled talents. Advancing once every three years is already an achievement."
Liwei's smile did not wane at the sobering reality. "I understand, Senior Brother. I may not be the most talented here, but knowing there’s a possibility to progress faster gives me something to strive for. It motivates me, regardless of the outcome."
Pleased by Liwei's mature response, Wang Lei clapped him on the shoulder. "That’s the spirit. Let’s go see what missions are available for you."
They moved to a corner of the hall, where a large stone stele stood, its surface engraved with details of first-grade missions. Several other first-graders and their mentors were already gathered around, engaged in discussions about the tasks listed. As Liwei approached, he scanned the stele, his eyes swiftly taking in the array of missions. These ranged from gathering rare herbs in a perilous forest to assisting in the construction of new training grounds.
The range of tasks listed on the mission stele was extensive, with each designed to embed new disciples more deeply into the sect’s life. While many of the missions seemed to be of a more menial nature, Zhang Liwei understood their purpose. These initial tasks were meant to shield first-graders from undue risk and to help them acclimate to the sect’s operations and expectations.
Wang Lei observed quietly as Liwei absorbed the details of each mission, his gaze thoughtful and patient. When he sensed that Liwei had a firm grasp of the expectations for a first-grader, he spoke up. "Once you've chosen a mission in the future, you'll need to report to the disciple overseeing these tasks for your grade. Also, remember that you need to complete at least one mission every six months," he explained. Before Liwei could respond, Wang Lei added, "However, today is different. All new first-graders have a specific mission to start with."
He led Liwei over to a table where a familiar female cultivator was seated. Liwei recognized her from his cadre orientation—her sharp features and the confident air she carried were memorable. Wang Lei greeted her warmly as Hu Wei, introducing her to Liwei.
"Hu Wei is in her second grade," Wang Lei said, his tone indicating mutual respect. Hu Wei returned Liwei's salute with a bright, encouraging smile.
"The first mission for all new disciples," Hu Wei began, her voice clear and authoritative, "is to master a foundational tome on formations within six months. This knowledge is crucial for fulfilling your basic duties in the Division of Natural Harmony." She explained that Wang Lei would take Liwei to the library to secure his copy of the tome. Furthermore, she informed him that upon completion, his mastery would be tested through an examination to ensure he understood the core concepts deeply. For subsequent missions, Liwei should consult the stele and check in with her before departure.
Liwei nodded, his mind busy with the new information, committing every detail to memory. After expressing his thanks and bidding farewell to Senior Sister Hu Wei, he followed Wang Lei back towards the surface.
As they ascended the long staircase out of the mission hall, Wang Lei shared more about Hu Wei's background and her impending promotion examination. "She joined the sect two years before me and is due for her next promotion. Should she succeed, she'll move up to third grade, and I will need to address her as Senior Sister."
This detail struck Liwei particularly, the realization dawning on him about the dynamic nature of sect hierarchy. It underscored the fact that one's standing within the sect was always in flux, dependent not on age or tenure but on continual progress and achievement. The thought of potentially having to address former juniors as seniors was both a motivation and a stark reminder of the cultivation world's competitive nature.
Wang Lei also explained that serving in the mission hall, like Hu Wei was doing, was itself considered a mission, which could earn a disciple valuable contribution points. "Every role you take on here, every task you complete, contributes not just to your growth but also to your standing within the sect," he concluded as they stepped out into the daylight, making their way towards the library.
The conversation left Liwei contemplating the intricate balance of personal advancement and the collective needs of the sect. As they approached the library, his thoughts were a blend of excitement for the knowledge he was about to acquire and determination to navigate the complexities of his new life as an Outer Disciple.