Because he was the sect master, Zhe Dāozhe could not spend a whole lot of time with them. He had many duties to attend to. He left shortly after escorting them. Now it was just Wu Jian, Wu Meiying, Youmei, and Zhe Fēnglì. They stood at the entrance to Heavenly Sword City.
“Well, we should get you processed,” Zhe Fēnglì said after a moment.
“What is the process for admitting the winner of the International Power Ranking Tournament into the sect?” asked Wu Meiying.
“Hmmm… it’s only happened a few times before.” Zhe Fēnglì cupped a hand to his chin. “Traditionally, to enter the sect, you must first be evaluated. Then you need to complete a number of tests designed to see if you’re worthy of being allowed in. However, since you won the tournament, there’s no need for that. I guess we’ll just get you a uniform and show you to where you’ll be staying.”
“And where will I be staying?” asked Wu Jian.
“Father said you’ll be starting off as an inner court disciple instead of an outer court disciple.” Zhe Fēnglì furrowed his brow.
“Is something wrong?” asked Wu Jian.
Zhe Fēnglì hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Not necessarily. I was just thinking that if you become an inner court disciple right off the bat, it might make some people jealous. They will likely try to start something with you--if for no reason than to prove they’re better and you don’t deserve special treatment.”
“That’s pretty normal, though, isn’t it?” asked Wu Jian.
Sects embodied the and emphasized the survival of the fittest philosophy, the idea that only the strong survive and prosper. It was believed by them that internal strife helps weed out weaker members, leaving only the strongest cultivators to represent the sect. This wasn’t just done to demarcate the strong from the weak. It was also done because even the strongest sect had finite resources. They could not afford to give everyone special treatment, so they reserved most of their resources for the people who proved they were worth cultivating.
That was one of the reasons Wu Taohua did not like sects. Families might embody this trait to a lesser degree, but there was always a form of unification in most families--or that’s how it was supposed to be.
And yet we were still betrayed in the end by our own head elder…
Wu Jian dispelled those thoughts as Zhe Fēnglì and Wu Meiying led Wu Jian into Heavenly Sword City. They told him about all the buildings they passed on their way to the admissions pavilion.
There were many martial training halls scattered throughout the city, where disciples honed their combat skills. Each hall was a grand structure with large open spaces for practice and sparring. They featured massive stone pillars and intricate engravings of sword techniques.
Perhaps it was a given since this was a sect that idolized swordsmanship, but there were many forges owned and operated by renowned swordsmiths dotting the city too. There was at least one on every street. These forges had a traditional design with bellows and anvils, and they were often located in busy streets.
Cultivation was just as important as sword techniques. That was why numerous meditation pavilions had been set up as well. They were normally nestled within gardens. These pavilions provided a serene environment for disciples to cultivate.
The city’s layout consisted of winding, narrow streets that meandered between buildings. Stone bridges arched gracefully over babbling streams and tranquil ponds, connecting different parts of the city and adding to its picturesque charm. Youmei had tried several times to jump into the streams and ponds when she saw a fish. That was why Wu Jian kept a firm grip on her hand so she wouldn’t go anywhere.
Their destination was called the Temple of the Celestial Sword. It lay at the center of the city, a grand temple, the spiritual heart of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Its architecture was a masterpiece of elegance, with towering spires, golden embellishments, and a colossal statue of the sect’s founder and master, Zhe Dāozhe. It was also called the admissions hall because this was where new entrants into the sect were given their uniforms and dorm keys.
While they walked, Wu Jian spoke with Wu Meiying.
“If I’m going to be an inner court disciple, does that mean I won’t be living in Heavenly Sword City?”
“That’s right. Only outer court disciples live in Heavenly Sword City. Inner court disciples are given their own retreat. There are dozens of estates located throughout the Heavenly Sword Realm. They’re located away from the city in the wilderness. You’ll want to be careful. While the retreats are protected with a sealing array, there are powerful magical beasts who make the surrounding forests their home.”
According to Wu Meiying, there were magical beasts at the Deva Realm close to the city, and as you went further out, they became more powerful. There were several Seeker Realm magical beasts located in more remote regions of the realm. This was also why the Heavenly Sword Sect only allowed admission to people who had reached the Human Limit Realm at the age of 25. They did not allow people above this age to join. You also couldn’t join if your cultivation was lower. 25 years and the Human Limit Realm was the bare minimum requirements to join the sect.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
That meant every person who joined the Heavenly Sword Sect was an elite, the best of the best. That also made Wu Jian curious, however.
“How does the sect keep their numbers up if they only allow people who’ve reached the Human Limit Realm at 25 to join?”
“I can see why you’d be curious about that. It doesn’t make sense, right? I mean, there are only so many people who’ve reached the Human Limit Realm at such a young age. Zhe Fēnglì can explain this better than I can.”
At the mention of his name, Zhe Fēnglì, who had been silent for a while now, looked startled. His smile became fixed when he saw them looking at him.
“I suppose… I can explain. The first thing you have to realize is that our sect is not just what you see here. We have many branches and sub sects spread across the Xaio Continent. You’re already acquainted with the Celestial Sword Sect. They’re simply a branch of the Heavenly Sword Sect--and we have many more branches. The qualifications to get into one of these sects is much lower and so it has more members.”
“These branch sects also serve to cultivate potential talented people who can join the main sect,” Wu Meiying added.
“So they’re basically acting as a pipeline to find skilled cultivators,” Wu Jian said.
“Correct.”
“We also have a lot of talent scouts whose job is to travel across the Xaio Continent and located talented cultivators,” Zhe Fēnglì added.
“I understand now,” Wu Jian said with a nod.
They soon reached the Temple of the Celestial Sword. They entered the grand entrance hall, which was a vast, open space with high vaulted ceilings. The walls were adorned with carvings depicting the sect’s history, legendary swordsman, and celestial motifs. A raised platform sat in the center of this hall. A life-sized, gilded statue of a sword was thrust into a stone pedestal. This sword was the symbol of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s legacy and its commitment to advancing the Dao of the Sword. At the far end of the hall stood a massive pair of ornate double doors, each engraved with the celestial sword sect’s symbol.
“This way,” Zhe Fēnglì directed them.
People murmured as they went over to one side of the entrance hall, where a long counter traversed the entire length of the wall. Several disciples stood there, ready to serve. The poor young man they walked in front of nearly tripped over himself as he hastened into a martial bow.
“Elder Brother Zhe Fēnglì and Elder Sister Wu Meiying! Wh-what brings you two here today?!”
“We are here to help this new disciple acquire his uniform and a place to stay. He’s the winner of the International Power Ranking Tournament and a new Inner Court Disciple. If you’d please help him.”
Gasps went up behind them.
“So that’s the winner of the tournament?”
“Why is he wearing a mask?”
“I can’t tell how old he is, but doesn’t he seem kind of young?”
“He might be one of those young geniuses.”
“Or maybe he’s a lot older than he appears. You never know with people like this.”
Wu Jian sighed but focused on acquiring his robes and a badge. There were changing rooms off to the side, and Wu Jian was asked to change into his new outfit. He would have said no, but Wu Meiying had clapped her hands and said it was a marvelous idea; he thought she just wanted to see him in his new clothes.
It wasn’t hard to change into. The centerpiece was a robe made from luxurious azure fabric, a color meant to symbolize the heavens. It was designed to be flowing and elegant, allowing for easy movement during training and combat. The fabric was lightweight and breathable. The edges were adorned with silver embroidery that formed patterns of celestial swords, shimmering in the light. Around his waist went a sash of pure white. His footwear was comfortable yet durable soft-soled boots of a dark blue color, complimenting the rest of his ensemble. The attire was designed for practicality and mobility, with loose sleeves that allowed for a wide range of arm movements. They also facilitated ventilation to keep disciples cool during strenuous activity.
It was hard for Wu Jian not to be impressed.
“You look wonderful!” Wu Meiying exclaimed with a clap of her hands.
“Master looks so cool!” Youmei added. It looked like she had stars in her eyes.
“Those robes do suit you,” Zhe Fēnglì said with a nod. He looked a little annoyed by something, with his brow scrunched up, but he soon shook his head. “Anyway, now that you have your robes and identification badge, we can get you housed.”
Wu Jian looked at the badge in his hand. It was an exquisite piece of craftsmanship, a symbol of both status and functionality. It was crafted from a deep blue jade-like material, polished to a smooth and lustrous finish. There was an intricately engraved image of a sword with wings in the center, representing the sect’s name and values. The emblem was surrounded by delicate carvings of swirling clouds. A gemstone sat in the very center. Displayed on the surface was a number.
10,000.
“That badge serves as a multifunctional key,” Zhe Fēnglì explained as they left the temple. “It grants you access to various areas within the Heavenly Sword Sect’s realm. Disciples simply need to place it against a specially designed lock and they’ll gain access to their dormitories, training grounds, the library, and so on. As an Innere Court Disciple, you also have access to several restricted areas like the Pool of Zen and the Isolation Matrix.”
“It’s also a point register,” Wu Meiying added as they walked across a bridge. “Embedded within the badge is a mystical gemstone. It has been enchanted with a sealing array to record and display the bearer’s merit points. These points are earned through a variety of means, such as completing missions, contributing to the sect’s welfare, and demonstrating exceptional skill in martial arts. Since you won a prestigious tournament, you have been gifted a generous amount of points. This badge also displays your rank, which helps us identify a disciple’s seniority.”
They went on to explain that he could spend his points on a variety of rewards like advanced techniques, treasures and artifacts, mentorship, spirit coins, access to restricted areas, cultivation resources, and so on. Points were also required to enter a meditation pavilion. This badge was basically the lifeline for disciples.
Now that they had finished explaining everything he needed to know, they showed him to his estate. It was situated in a serene and remote region of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s realm, surrounded by lush, ancient forests and tranquil lakes, providing a peaceful and picturesque environment. The estate itself comprised several elegant buildings constructed from rich, dark wood with intricate carvings and golden accents. The main hall served as a residence, while adjacent buildings included a training pavilion, a library, a meditation chamber, and a reception hall for guests.
It was like a miniature version of the Wu Clan’s estate but more extravagant.