After leaving Feng Ling behind, Zhen breathed a sigh of relief as he clutched his Loan Agreement. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. This cultivation world seemed surprisingly advanced with believing in future promises. Wasn't the path to immortality supposed to be riddled with constant danger and frequent death? Could the Abyssal Harmony Sect be this stable, or was there something he was missing?
The previous Li Zhen had taken these questions at face value, leaving him with more questions than answers.
As he walked, he felt the qi coursing through his body, a sensation both thrilling and strange. He remembered martial arts moves he had seen in movies, and though he knew he couldn't fly, he felt an irresistible urge to test his limits. With a quick look around the deserted path, he decided to indulge his curiosity. He bent his knees slightly, gathering qi into his legs, and leaped into the air.
The burst of energy sent him soaring a good ten feet into the air, covering a distance of about twenty feet. The sensation was exhilarating—his heart raced as the air rushed past his face, the ground rapidly shrinking beneath him. This is insane! I’m really flying—well, sort of. For a moment, he felt invincible, a broad grin spreading across his face.
However, as he began to descend, the ground seemed to rush toward him with alarming speed, and panic set in as his grin faltered. Wait, how do I land? He flailed his arms, trying to regain balance, but his body was still unfamiliar with controlling qi. I didn’t think this through!
Steady, steady... I can do this! His legs stiffened in preparation for the landing, but he misjudged the force and the strength of his new body. He hit the ground hard, stumbling forward as his feet skidded on the dirt path.
He managed to regain his balance after a few awkward steps, his heart pounding in his chest. Ouch! Okay, maybe not my finest moment. He looked around, hoping no one had seen his less-than-graceful landing.
Phew, that was close. Gotta practice that more. Despite the rough ending, a part of him buzzed with excitement at the possibilities of what he could achieve with more practice.
Walking towards the Outer Sect Hall, he noticed something different in the air— it felt heavier and more alive with qi. The feeling returned to the time when he was in the cave. Though it was still far away from the qi-saturated cave, it was more substantial than the Nominal Sect Area.
The path to the Outer Sect Hall was lined with other disciples wearing various color robes. In contrast, he wore the simple gray robes of a nominal disciple, marking him as a newcomer, a fresh face among seasoned practitioners.
He sifted through the memories of the previous Li Zhen, realizing that nominal disciples rarely ran errands. It was a menial task that could be pretty profitable if one had a powerful backer. But I don’t. The supply of tasks from the outer disciples was far fewer than the number of nominal disciples.
He could feel the weight of their stares. He tried to read the people around him, deciphering the subtle cues to survive. The other disciples looked at him like he was an easy target, someone they could push around. They stood taller, their backs straight, trying to intimidate him with their presence whenever he made eye contact. He knew they saw him as weak, just another stepping stone in their path to power. My robes might as well be a bullseye on my back.
But he didn’t let it show that he was bothered. He kept his face calm and walked steadily. Inside, though, he was alert and cautious.
Just as he was nearing the Hall, a figure in bright emerald robes, denoting her higher status, stepped gracefully toward him. She was a Senior Sister, her face framed by a friendly smile that contrasted starkly with the intense scrutiny of the others.
She had delicate features, a serene expression, and long black hair that flowed like silk down her back and contrasted nicely with her fair skin. Her eyes, though friendly, held a depth that suggested she was not to be underestimated.
A jade beauty, huh? Maybe not. He didn't feel the loss of reason or infatuation, so perhaps she wasn't that beautiful to him. While she was attractive, his expectations were relatively high in this regard for the cultivation world. However, he was wary of her seemingly kind demeanor. Better stay on guard. You never know what kind of shenanigans might be at play here.
"Junior Brother," she greeted warmly, offering a slight nod. "You must be new. I'm Lian. It can be a bit overwhelming here, but you'll get used to it."
Did my confident stride fool no one? He was confused as to why she thought he was new but returned the greeting with a bow. "Thank you, Senior Sister Lian. I'm Li Zhen. It's a lot to take in."
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Lian chuckled lightly, her eyes twinkling. "I remember my first day; it felt like walking into a den of lions. You're going to the hall, right? "
Zhen nodded, cautious but polite. “Yes, Senior. I’m trying to find my way around.”
“Come, I’ll show you to the hall,” Senior Sister Lian offered with a friendly smile.
As they walked together, Lian's easy manner helped dissolve some of the tension Li Zhen had felt. Okay, maybe she's genuinely nice, but better safe than sorry. Her robes swished gently around her ankles, her stride confident. "We're having a little gathering tomorrow night for a few of the newer disciples," she mentioned casually as they approached the massive doors of the hall. "It's nothing formal, just a chance to relax and meet everyone. You should come."
Now she knew I was newly promoted too? He was surprised by the invitation but knew he had to be cautious. Uncertain of the existing alliances and rivalries, he decided on a non-committal response. “Thank you for the invitation, Senior Sister. r. I'll come if I can make it. But how did Senior Sister know I was newly promoted?”
Lian smiled knowingly. "Well, Junior Brother, you’re leaking your Qi like a broken jar. It’s easy to tell you’ve just entered the ninth realm."
He felt a flush of embarrassment at the simple reason and quickly tried to rein in his Qi, realizing how evident his inexperience must have been. Focusing inward to control his energy more tightly, he tried to keep the qi only inside his body.
As they approached the Outer Sect Hall, he took a moment to appreciate the building from the outside. It was a grand and imposing traditional Chinese tower with a pagoda-style roof, the tall, ornately decorated walls and eaves were adorned with intricate carvings of what looked like war to him.
The dark wooden doors were wide open, with many disciples bustling in and out, each engaged in their own tasks.
Lian turned to him just outside the massive doors. "Junior Brother, I have some matters to attend to. Remember, the gathering is tomorrow night. It’ll be a good opportunity to meet other disciples and get acquainted with Outer Sect."
He nodded, maintaining his polite demeanor. "Thank you, Senior Sister Lian. I’ll keep that in mind."
She smiled warmly. "Take care, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need any help. We’re all here to grow together." With that, she gave a final nod and walked away, leaving him at last. Gathering, huh? Maybe I should go.
He took another deep breath and stepped inside. The interior was just as impressive. There were many doors leading to different rooms and a grand staircase that spiraled upwards. He was met with the organized chaos typical of a large, active sect.
Disciples bustled about, each absorbed in their duties or conversing in low, urgent tones. The hall itself was expansive, with high ceilings supported by ornate pillars, and the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the sect's storied history.
In the hall's center was a large reception desk, where a stern-looking elder was seated, busy with paperwork and directing the flow of disciples. To the left wall, there was a massive bulletin board covered with various notices, announcements, and missions. And on the far right side of the hall, there were holding cells. He could see a few individuals inside, some bound in chains, their expressions ranging from defiance to despair.
Curious, he walked over to examine them more closely. The holding cells were made of sturdy iron bars, each equipped with a simple cot and a small table.
Outer Sect Hall's Public Criminal Prison
The prisoners were provided with basic necessities—food, water, and even some rudimentary bedding. It was far from luxurious, but certainly more than he had expected for criminals.
His gaze then shifted to the large post beside the cells, detailing the crimes and the cost of bailing out each prisoner. He read the descriptions one by one.
The first prisoner was a man in his late twenties, with a lean build and sharp features. Kang Wei — Stole Spirit Herbs from the Alchemy Hall. Bail: 1,378 Foundation Building Spirit Stones.
Next was a woman with long, unkempt hair and a cold, steely gaze. Mei Ling — Found killing Elder Ye Zu. Bail: 30 Foundation Building Spirit Stones.
Looking at Mei Ling's bail, he wasn't sure if the elder's life only cost 30 Foundation Establishment spirit stones, or if there was something else behind the scene.
The last prisoner that caught his eye was a man in his thirties, his face weathered but his eyes still sharp and calculating. Qin Rong — Spied for the Azure God Sect. Bail: 5,243 Foundation Building Spirit Stones. The sheer amount demanded for his release was staggering.
Spirit stones are a fundamental resource in this cultivation world, he recalled from the memories of the previous Li Zhen. All spirit stones are harvested by cultivators at their respective stages, and the qi inside corresponds to those levels.
They serve not only as a currency but also as a vital resource for cultivation and various alchemical processes. Li Zhen had only seen Foundation Building spirit stones from afar. They were larger and more radiant than the ordinary ones he was accustomed to, pulsating with qi dense enough for cultivators in the Foundation Building.
Surprisingly, many of the prisoners were in good condition, their faces resolute. Aren’t prisoners supposed to be, I don’t know, suffering? He pondered as he heard a few bystanders talking.
"The number of spies is increasing. We found another one in the alchemy garden yesterday."
"Yeah, I heard the sect discovered some kind of treasure in the mines. That's why everyone's getting so jumpy."
Treasure in the mines? Interesting. That area was one of the most rumored places for previous Li Zhen. And spies... this place is more complex than it seems.