txolops Chapter 72 Outer Disciple
Chapter 72 Outer Disciple
Luo Qinghe led everyone into the outer affairs hall.
The hall is spacious and bright, with simple yet elegant furnishings.
At the front was a long counter, behind which sat several cultivators who looked like stewards, all of whom were at the Foundation Establishment stage, engrossed in processing documents.
Wooden plaques hung on the walls on both sides, covered with densely written characters that outlined the various rules and regulations of the Danxia Sect.
Luo Qinghe walked to the counter and said to one of the stewards, "Eighteen new disciples from various cities in the Southern Wilderness Continent have been brought here."
The steward raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone, nodded, and took out a stack of jade tokens from under the counter, placing them one by one on the counter.
"Step forward one by one to receive your identity token."
The group stepped forward in order.
Zhang Lin is ranked seventh.
When it was his turn, he stepped forward and gave his identification information.
"Zhang Lin, a native of Chuzhou in Huainan Road of Shenzhou, won first place in the alchemy competition at the Qingxuan City branch altar."
The steward glanced at him, took out a cyan jade token from under the counter, and handed it over.
The jade plaque is about the size of a palm, and is entirely blue. The front is engraved with the three characters "Danxia Sect", and the back is engraved with Zhang Lin's name and number.
It feels warm and smooth to the touch, and subtly emits spiritual energy fluctuations.
"Drip a drop of your essence onto it, and it will recognize you as its master."
Zhang Lin bit his fingertip and dripped a drop of blood onto the jade pendant.
As the blood seeped into the jade pendant, a spiritual light shone on it, which then slowly dissipated after a moment.
A subtle connection was established between him and the jade tablet.
This is his identity token.
This token will be required for receiving monthly allowances, accepting missions, and entering and leaving the sect.
The steward then took out a cloth bag and a set of blue Taoist robes from under the counter and handed them over.
"This is the sect's standard Taoist robe. The monthly allowance includes fifty spirit stones and five Qi-cultivating pills. You can collect it from the Affairs Hall on the first day of each month."
"Everything else requires contribution points to obtain."
Zhang Lin took the Taoist robe and cloth bag and put them into his storage bag.
The steward then took out another jade slip and handed it over.
"This is your assigned accommodation: No. 72, Waishan East District. Take this token and proceed there yourself."
Zhang Lin took the jade slip and stepped aside.
Yu Youwei stood behind him.
She stepped forward and identified herself.
"Yu Youwei, a native of Chuzhou in Huainan Road, Shenzhou, came with Zhang Lin to participate in the entrance examination without any branch recommendation."
The steward frowned and looked at Luo Qinghe.
Luo Qinghe said calmly, "I brought her here. Let's arrange her accommodation first, and she can participate in the apprentice assessment tomorrow."
The steward nodded, took out a white jade token, and handed it over.
"Temporary identity token. After passing the assessment, you can exchange it for a formal token and receive the sect uniform."
Yu Youwei took the jade pendant and dripped her blood to acknowledge it as her own.
The steward then took out a jade slip: "Courtyard No. 83, Outer East District, temporary residence."
Yu Youwei took the jade slip and stepped back to Zhang Lin's side.
After everyone had finished their tasks, Luo Qinghe said, "The accommodations have been assigned. Head to your respective places. Tomorrow at dawn, assemble at the outer sect's martial arts training ground. There will be an entrance instruction session; do not be late."
Everyone responded in unison.
Luo Qinghe turned and left, her white clothes as white as snow, her sleeves fluttering, and she quickly disappeared into the cluster of buildings.
The two outer sect stewards also left.
Only eighteen new disciples remained in front of the hall.
Some traveled together, while others departed alone.
Zhou Mingyuan didn't even glance at Zhang Lin, and led his two new disciples toward the outer mountain, chatting and laughing as if Zhang Lin didn't exist at all.
Chen Boyuan walked over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, Miss Yu, my residence is in the West District, which is not the same as yours. Farewell, and see you at the martial arts arena tomorrow."
Zhang Lin returned the greeting: "Fellow Daoist Chen, please take care."
Chen Boyuan laughed heartily, slung his medicine basket over his shoulder, and strode towards the west district.
Zhang Lin and Yu Youwei walked out of the office side by side and headed east along the bluestone avenue.
The East District is located on the east side of the outer mountain. Built against the mountain, it is a cluster of small courtyards arranged in a staggered manner, with each courtyard spaced about a hundred feet apart.
The courtyard wall is made of blue bricks and is not high, only reaching a person's shoulder.
The courtyard gate was made of wood, with a copper lock on it, engraved with runes.
Zhang Lin found courtyard number seventy-two, said goodbye to Yu Youwei, and affixed the token to the copper lock.
The copper lock lit up, a flash of inspiration, and with a "click," the lock opened.
He pushed the door open and entered.
The courtyard is small and square, paved with blue bricks, and a cassia tree with lush branches and leaves grows in the corner.
Directly opposite are three side rooms, with the main hall in the center and bedrooms and studies on the left and right.
There is a small well on one side of the courtyard. The water is clear and seems to exude a spiritual aura.
Lingquan Well.
Although not as potent as the spiritual spring at Black Wind Mountain, it is still sufficient for daily drinking.
Zhang Lin looked around and nodded slightly.
This place is better than he imagined.
Although it is the residence of outer disciples, it is comparable to the mansion of a wealthy family in the mortal world.
He entered the main room, which was simply furnished with an eight-immortal table, a few chairs, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall.
The painting depicts the scenery of Danxia Mountain, but the brushwork is crude, suggesting it was a practice piece by an outer disciple.
Zhang Lin sat down in the chair, took out the thick manual of sect rules from his storage bag, and began to read it carefully.
The manual, as thick as a brick, records the various precepts of the Danxia sect.
The first precept upon entering the sect: One must not pass on the sect's cultivation techniques to outsiders. Those who violate this rule will have their cultivation revoked and be expelled from the sect.
The second precept for beginners: No killing among fellow disciples. Anyone who violates this rule will have their cultivation revoked and be expelled from the sect.
The third precept for beginners: Do not deceive your master or betray your ancestors. Those who violate this precept will have their cultivation revoked and be expelled from the sect.
The fourth precept for beginners: Do not collude with demonic forces. Those who violate this rule will have their cultivation revoked and be expelled from the sect.
……
There are hundreds of rules, large and small, densely packed together.
Some are strict, some are lenient; some are detailed, some are general.
Zhang Lin read through the list one by one, memorizing the important points.
These precepts were the foundation of the Danxia Sect and also the bottom line for his future actions.
As long as you don't cross the line, you can stay in the sect safely; if you do, you'll lose your cultivation and be expelled from the sect.
Turning to the last page, he saw a special note.
"Outer disciples, after completing Qi Refining, can apply for Foundation Establishment. There are three levels of Foundation Establishment: Human Foundation Establishment, which requires one Foundation Establishment Pill, which can be applied for from the sect and exchanged for contribution points."
"The Authentic Foundation Establishment Pill requires one of each of the five elemental spiritual materials. You can collect them yourself or use contribution points to ask an elder in the sect to refine it for you."
"The Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Pill requires nine hundred-year-old spiritual items. You can collect them yourself or use contribution points to ask an elder in the sect to refine it."
"The sect does not directly provide spiritual items, but they can be exchanged using contribution points."
Zhang Lin's gaze narrowed slightly.
Although Danxia Sect is one of the nine great mystical sects, it does not directly provide these spiritual items. Disciples must collect them themselves or exchange them with contribution points.
Rare items are rare enough, but nine of them are even more difficult to find.
But with the system at his disposal, spiritual objects are not hard to come by.
The difficulty lies in explaining the origin of these spiritual entities.
Zhang Lin closed the handbook and fell into deep thought.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, already having made up his mind.
The origin of a spirit object should not be too abrupt.
There needs to be a reasonable explanation: it was found in a secret realm, found in a market, or obtained from a monster.
It's best to refine it yourself; in short, you can't arouse suspicion.
Yu Youwei's residence is in courtyard number eighty-three.
The courtyard was smaller than Zhang Lin's, but the layout was similar.
She went into the main room, placed the bundle on the table, and looked around.
This is the first time she has ever had a place to live of her own.
When she was in Chuzhou, she lived in the inner courtyard of the Yu family. Although it was a detached house, she always felt like she was living under someone else's roof.
And this place is Danxia Sect, a place she earned through her own efforts.
Yu Youwei sat down in the chair, took out the scroll from her storage bag, and continued reading.
Tomorrow is the entrance exam.
She has to get through.