"Reporting to Elder Ni, with the opening of the Mountain Gate, we have recruited a total of eight Outer Sect Disciples and one hundred and twenty servant disciples... The backgrounds of all disciples have been investigated; they are all clean and suitable for the Sect."

The middle-aged Steward bowed and presented a list that detailed the personal information of each disciple.

Of course, the number of Outer Sect Disciples in each batch was never this small. The main reason was that any Immortal Seedlings discovered during the interim had already been sent to the Sect. They wouldn’t be foolish enough to wait for the Mountain Gate to open once every ten years.

Elder Ni accepted the dossier but didn’t examine it closely, simply tucking it into his sleeve.

He was actually only in his fifties and was once considered a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a promising future in the Qingfeng Sect.

However, not long after reaching Foundation Establishment, he was ambushed by a Demoness from the Joyful Sect of the Demon Path while traveling.

His Cultivation was no match for the Demoness, and after being captured, he was tortured for three whole days and nights.

The Joyful Sect Demoness didn’t take his life, but his Essence was completely drained, damaging his very core. Even his lifespan was shortened by decades.

Master Yang had carefully examined Elder Ni and stated bluntly that unless he could consume one of a few extremely rare Heaven and Earth Spirit Fruits, his path to the Great Dao was severed for life, and his Cultivation could never advance further.

After this calamity, Elder Ni’s appearance changed drastically. He radiated an air of old age and was only responsible for mundane affairs like ceremonies and rituals.

"What about those two murdered Tribulation Cultivators? Is the investigation complete?"

"We’ve finished the investigation. The two were known as the Twin Wolves of the Que Family and often frequented the Market to sell Demon Beast Materials. The mortality rate for Loose Cultivators who explored with them wasn’t particularly high, but several disappeared in the mountains without a trace about half a year after teaming up with them."

Two Loose Cultivators dying near the Qingfeng Sect’s Mountain Gate had stirred up quite a disturbance.

A deeper investigation revealed that the two were strongly suspected of being Tribulation Cultivators.

The middle-aged Steward felt a wave of relief. ’Thank goodness they died before they could even join the Sect.’

’If those two brothers had become servant disciples and stirred up some trouble, he, the one who had passed them in the assessment, would have been implicated.’

"We’re almost certain it was a revenge killing. Junior Martial Uncle Ma inspected the scene; the attacker left no clues and used a single Flying Sword to kill them both instantly."

"Junior Martial Uncle Ma could only determine that the attacker was a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator with proficient and ruthless Swordsmanship. Their Cultivation can’t be any higher, or the younger Que’s Defensive Magical Artifact would have been shattered by a single sword strike."

"It’s highly likely the Que brothers targeted a visiting Loose Cultivator, intending to kill them for their treasures. Who would have thought that person had a Flying Sword and easily turned the tables, killing them both instead."

The middle-aged Steward relayed Junior Martial Uncle Ma’s opinion verbatim. ’In any case, a Foundation Establishment Elder had made the decision.’

’As for catching the culprit, that was a job for the Law Enforcement Hall.’

"Draw up a report. One copy for the Law Enforcement Hall, and one for me. The Sect Leader might ask about this when I report to him later."

Elder Ni dusted off his Daoist Robe and slowly stood up.

"There’s also a new Inner Sect Disciple that I need to attend to."

’An Inner Sect Disciple at this time? The Sect’s tournament isn’t for a while... Could it be a disciple promoted by the Sect Leader’s special decree?’

The middle-aged Steward bowed low as a thought crossed his mind.

’An ordinary Inner Sect Disciple isn’t a big deal, but one specially promoted by the Sect Leader... that carries a different weight entirely.’

...

On his last two visits to the Qingfeng Sect, Bai Zichen had come as a guest. This time, after announcing his identity and purpose, he was immediately led to the Transmission Hall.

He waited in a side hall for a full hour before he finally heard approaching footsteps. Three Foundation Establishment Elders had arrived together.

"Bai Zichen greets you, Elders."

Bai Zichen bowed his head in salute, and as his gaze swept over them, he realized two of them were familiar faces.

The one on the left, dark-skinned, rugged, and boisterous, was none other than Elder Peng Chong, who had overseen the matter of the Inheritance Stele.

The one on the right, with a stooped figure and a perpetually weary, grief-stricken expression, was Elder Ni Kuan, who had presided over this opening of the Mountain Gate to recruit new disciples.

The man in the center seemed to hold a slightly higher status, and his oppressive aura was stronger than that of the other Elders.

"I am Pei Dongyong of the Transmission Hall. The Sect Leader briefed us on your situation before he entered seclusion. It seems you have made the right choice... With your talent, only by becoming a disciple of this Sect can your potential be fully realized."

"Speaking of which, we old-timers owe you a debt of gratitude... The Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique is a fine thing indeed. At least it preserves a sliver of hope, wouldn’t you say?"

"You flatter me, Elder Pei. The Inheritance Stele was a gift from the Sect to begin with, and it was only by a stroke of luck that I obtained this Secret Technique." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Bai Zichen immediately matched the lean old man before him with the person on the list from his memory.

His Clan Leader, Bai Xianzhong, had briefed him on the most powerful and highly cultivated figures in the Qingfeng Sect, and Elder Pei Dongyong of the Transmission Hall was among them.

Pei Dongyong, an Elder of the Transmission Hall with Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, had once defeated a Ghost Spirit Sect Cultivator of the same rank with the Innate Five Elements Capturing Hand.

He was one of the rare success stories in the Qingfeng Sect—someone who hadn’t been a True Disciple but had clawed his way up to the position of Elder step by step.

With only a Four Spirit Root Talent, his Cultivation speed had always been among the slowest of his peers, and he had barely managed to become an Inner Sect Disciple.

A few years later, unable to keep up with the required progress in his Cultivation, he was reassigned as an Outer Sect Steward.

However, his Comprehension was exceptionally high; he could master any Magic he practiced almost instantly. At the age of forty-five, he finally reached Qi Refining Great Perfection.

The following year, he discovered a Spirit Stone Ore Vein, earning a monumental contribution to the Sect.

He was awarded a Foundation Establishment Pill and successfully reached Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop, shocking the entire Sect.

His advanced age, Four Spiritual Roots, and status as a former Outer Sect Steward... this combination of factors made Pei Dongyong an idol for all the ordinary disciples of the Qingfeng Sect. Everyone hoped they could be like him, quietly biding their time before soaring to the heavens in a single leap.

Furthermore, the fact that Pei Dongyong had managed to become an Elder of the Transmission Hall was a testament to his accomplishments in mastering Magic and understanding Cultivation Techniques.

"Inner Sect Disciples are the foundation of our Sect. All the corresponding benefits and privileges are detailed in this Jade Scroll. In addition, all the records on the first and second floors of the Transmission Hall are open to you, free of charge. You may come to peruse them at any time."

"Furthermore, you may choose a Cave Mansion for yourself on the Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Vein. You will also be assigned two servant disciples to attend to your needs, so that as an Inner Sect Disciple, you will not be distracted by mundane matters."

"As for any difficulties you encounter in your Cultivation, an Elder will hold a lecture in the Transmission Hall every three months for discussion and to answer questions. These are held exclusively for Inner Sect Disciples like you."

"Also, unlike Outer Sect Disciples and servant disciples, Inner Sect Disciples have no mandatory Sect missions. Your only duty is to cultivate diligently and compete for a position as a True Disciple."

"You have five years. Every Inner Sect Disciple has only five years... If you fail to become a True Disciple within that time, you will be sent to the Outer Sect to serve as a Steward, and all of these privileges will be revoked."

Any ordinary Inner Sect Disciple would have known these rules by heart. It was only because Bai Zichen was a special case—granted Inner Sect Disciple status the moment he joined—that Elder Pei needed to explain everything in such detail.

Elder Pei took out a Great Seal and pressed it down firmly on a dossier bearing Bai Zichen’s name. A trace of golden light sank into the dossier from the seal.

The other two Elders affixed their seals as well.

And with that, Bai Zichen’s status as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingfeng Sect was made official.

"I understand."

After accepting the Jade Scroll and a waist token signifying his new status, Bai Zichen bowed to the three Elders.

’Looks like I need a new five-year plan.’