Chapter 18: Taiyan Sect (2)

Posted byYours TrulyOctober 1, 2023Posted inZanxing

Zanxing ascended the white jade steps along with the crowd.

As they crossed the last step, the view before them opened up.

It was a temple, with a statue of the founder and headmaster, Master Yushan, at the forefront. The statue of Master Yushan was crafted in gold, giving it an ethereal and dignified appearance. He held a long sword, gazing down upon the world with compassion and serenity.

Inside the main hall, hundreds of bright lanterns were lit, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows and creating a deep and magnificent atmosphere.

Passing through the main hall, they entered an outer courtyard, which was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the main hall. It was exceptionally tranquil and pure. In the distance, a waterfall cascaded down from a cliff, creating a shower of silver droplets. Thin mist shrouded the mountains, and the wind rustled through the lush greenery, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.

Just as they walked past, a group of people appeared, likely disciples of the Taiyan Sect. Most of them were dressed in light gray robes with narrow sleeves, cinched at the waist. The men wore gray wooden hairpins, while the women had gray sashes tied around their waists. These robes seemed to be made from some special material, with a soft and delicate color that didn’t feel dull. Their movements were like flowing clouds, exuding an otherworldly aura.

Zanxing muttered to herself, “They all seem to prefer shades of gray…” It appeared that the cultivation world was currently embracing a minimalist and subdued fashion trend.

A female cultivator beside her asked Ziluo, “Senior Sister Ziluo, why do some of them wear gray robes, some wear green, and yours are purple?”

In this group of disciples, indeed, there were several whose robe colors differed, but even if they were green or purple, they carried a faint, low-saturation shade of gray, belonging to the standard muted color palette.

Ziluo answered, “Outer sect disciples all wear identical robes, while inner sect disciples can choose their robe styles with fewer restrictions.”

Tian Fangfang asked, “So, are we considered inner sect or outer sect disciples?”

Ziluo smiled and replied, “Currently, all of you are considered outer sect disciples. However, after the sect’s assessment in half a month, the top thirty ranked disciples will have the opportunity to become inner sect disciples.”

The group of cultivators hadn’t expected that entering the sect was just the beginning and that they would have to undergo another assessment. Someone inquired, “What’s the difference between inner sect and outer sect disciples?”

“Naturally, there are differences,” Ziluo explained, “Inner sect disciples receive personal guidance from their respective masters and have access to cultivation techniques, secret manuals, and monthly allocations of spiritual stones and elixirs that outer sect disciples cannot compare to.”

Zanxing thought to herself that this was similar to the difference between advanced classes and regular classes; the top students naturally deserved the best mentoring.

“Let me take you to the dormitory first,” Ziluo continued walking ahead. “Once you’re settled, someone will bring your robes and tomorrow’s schedule later in the evening.”

To be honest, the accommodation conditions at the Taiyan Sect were truly excellent. Zanxing had initially thought that the riverside room where Wang Shao had stayed was quite nice, but little did she expect that the student dormitories at the Taiyan Sect surpassed it in every way. Each dormitory room accommodated two people and was located just outside the rear mountains. They were all separate, small wooden houses, with a total of three floors. The first floor had a reception area with floor cushions and small tables where one could sit, drink tea, and chat. The second floor was the bedroom, with a wooden wall separating the two beds to ensure privacy. The third floor was a rooftop terrace, open to the sky, where one could enjoy moonlit nights and discuss life and ideals.

It could be described as a vacation-like setting.

She had heard that the inner sect disciples had even better accommodation conditions, with each having their own small villa, which was quite luxurious. Zanxing hadn’t expected that the housing freedom she couldn’t achieve in the modern world was unexpectedly fulfilled within the pages of a book.

After Ziluo had personally escorted everyone to their assigned dormitories and was about to leave, Zanxing stopped her and said, “Senior Sister Ziluo.”

Ziluo inquired, “Is there something else?”

“My face was injured by a demonic beast earlier,” Zanxing pointed to her own face. “Is there any solution for it?”

With many cultivators present today, Ziluo hadn’t paid much attention to Zanxing initially. However, when she saw Zanxing’s face now, she was first surprised and then asked, “Was this… caused by ‘Yu’?”

Zanxing nodded, “Yes.”

Ziluo extended her hand and gently covered Zanxing’s face. A warm sensation spread from her face, and after a moment, she said to Zanxing, “There were still remnants of demonic energy on your face. I’ve used a detoxification technique to remove it, but…” She paused and continued, “The scars on your face may require the use of high-grade spiritual medicine to fully heal.”

Zanxing began to ask, “Senior Sister, do you have…”

But Ziluo apologized and smiled, “I’m sorry, high-grade spiritual medicine is rare, and even inner sect disciples can only receive a limited amount each month. I’ve already used up my quota for this month.”

Zanxing fell silent, and seeing her like this, Ziluo thought she was disheartened. She tried to reassure her, saying, “Don’t worry. Once you become an inner sect disciple, even if you can’t get high-grade spiritual medicine, your master will find a solution for you. As long as you can make it to the top thirty in the assessment after half a month, everything will work out.”

She patted Zanxing on the shoulder and then turned and left.

As Zanxing watched Ziluo’s departing figure and hadn’t had time to gather her thoughts, she heard a familiar voice behind her, “This is troublesome. Only inner sect disciples are eligible to receive high-grade spiritual medicine. It seems that Miss Yang will have to live with those scars on her face for the rest of her life.”

Zanxing turned around, and not far away, Duan Xiangrao was dressed in a begonia-colored silk robe, looking exceptionally eye-catching in this serene and ethereal place.

Zanxing asked, “Why are you here?”

“I’m staying here,” Duan Xiangrao said with a cheerful smile as she sat down. During the trial of the Lianshan flowers, Duan Xiangrao and Wang Shao had teamed up to snatch the flowers from Zanxing’s hand. Wang Shao had been sent down by Zanxing, leaving Duan Xiangrao just in time to secure the twelve Lianshan flowers in her basket. She had barely made it in time and had entered the sect with her tail between her legs.

That would have been tolerable, but to make matters worse, she had become Zanxing’s roommate.

What could be more painful than being assigned to the same dormitory as a classmate you didn’t like? Zanxing felt that this book was not very friendly to her.

The small rooftop terrace on the third floor, which had originally been perfect for chatting with a best friend, drinking tea, and watching dramas, might now go unused.

“Are you really thinking about becoming an inner sect disciple?” Duan Xiangrao poured herself a cup of tea with a nonchalant air. Her simple movements had a seductive charm. She continued, “I’ve said it before, the path of cultivation is lonely and arduous. With your talent and comprehension, among the disciples selected today, you can only be considered average. It’s mostly a matter of luck. If you had beauty like mine,” she stroked her hair, “you could still find someone to rely on within this sect. But unfortunately, your appearance has been marred. Tell me, who in this sect would want you? Who would be willing to help you?”

Upon hearing this, Zanxing paused for a moment, then walked over and sat down beside the small table, looking directly into Duan Xiangrao’s eyes. She said, “You’re mistaken.”

Duan Xiangrao was taken aback.

“When I joined the sect, I didn’t come here to find a partner or rely on anyone,” Zanxing smiled. “If you want to use your beauty as a shortcut, go ahead. But please don’t assume that everyone is as short-sighted as you.”

“At the Summit of the Nine Heavens” was a male-oriented cultivation novel where all the male characters were either there to enlighten the male protagonist or to be humiliated by him. Female characters were either there to be in a romantic relationship with the male protagonist or were playthings of the antagonists.

But not anymore.

Zanxing continued, “I aim to become an inner sect disciple, but not by relying on a man. I’ll rely on myself.”