7. Outer Sect Disciple

The Yin-Yang Herb Gathering Technique transforms the collected essence of the sun and moon into true yin-yang energy, clearing and unblocking the body's various acupoints. To "unblock the acupoints" means to remove the accumulated impure qi that clogs these points.

The human body has 365 acupoints, and infants in the womb possess innate qi that flows unobstructed through them. After birth, however, this innate qi becomes polluted by external impurities, gradually clogging the acupoints. Generally speaking, the fewer impurities in the acupoints, the better one's innate constitution and the more likely one is to have spiritual roots.

Perhaps because of the Heavenly Evolution Tablet, Yao Qian’s body contained no trace of impure qi. When cultivating, she only needed to store true essence within her acupoints without worrying about expelling impurities. Over the years, she had practiced the Morning Sun Qi Gathering Method, filling her dantian with abundant violet energy.

Initially, she intended to convert all this violet energy into yin-yang true qi, but upon reflection, she realized it was too precious to squander. Instead, she decided to transform it into acquired Violet Breath.

Without any backing in the Infinite Void Sect, possessing acquired Violet Breath might allow her to nurture some spiritual plants or herbs to aid her cultivation. Failing that, she could raise a small demon beast, evolving it with the Violet Breath. Even if its combat power wasn’t formidable, it could at least serve as a guardian.

Yao Qian pondered and transformed all the violet energy in her dantian into dragon-shaped acquired Violet Breath. There were about seven or eight hundred strands, which left her somewhat stunned—the dantian was nearly full. Where was she to store her yin-yang true qi?

At that moment, dozens of these Violet Breaths suddenly entwined into a cluster, leaving only nine strands of acquired Violet Breath in her dantian. These nine radiated a distinctly different aura from the previous ones. If the earlier Violet Breath could only help an ordinary Azure Spirit Bamboo ascend to Bamboo King, these new breaths should enable it to ascend to an even higher-level spiritual plant.

Yao Qian was thoughtful. Could Violet Breath really advance? It seemed she must continue cultivating it diligently; perhaps one day this technique itself would evolve. She had already grasped the general use of the Heavenly Evolution Tablet.

For self-learned techniques, one must master them to a certain level before the Heavenly Evolution Tablet can assist in their progression. But for special transmission techniques like the Golden Tome, which imprint directly on the divine consciousness, the tablet can advance them immediately.

Yao Qian felt a stir of excitement. She wished all her future techniques were Golden Tomes, but she knew such good fortune was unlikely. Gathering the nine strands of Violet Breath to one side, she then converted the recently absorbed essence of the moon into true lunar qi.

By the time she finished, dawn had broken. Above the secret chamber where she practiced, a skylight allowed disciples to gather the essence of the sun and moon. Delving her divine sense into the Heavenly Evolution Tablet, Yao Qian resumed cultivating the Solar Herb Gathering Method.

With prior experience in cultivating the Lunar Herb Gathering Method, this time she progressed faster. At the very start of her visualization, a solar talisman smoothly condensed within her sea of consciousness. For a fleeting moment, she felt as if she had ascended to the sun itself.

Within the blazing red sun, countless solar true flames gathered into fiery dragons. Unlike the cool tranquility above the moon, the sea of solar flames teemed with fire spirits—flocks of fire crows and serpentine fire snakes drifting through the inferno.

Deeper within, the number of fire creatures dwindled, but their forms became more majestic: fire dragons, fire kirin... Just as Yao Qian was overwhelmed by the spectacle, a towering ancient tree proudly rose above the fiery sea. Its canopy shrouded the sky, the entire tree seemingly ablaze with roaring flames, each leaf a flame condensed into shape.

Lost in awe, Yao Qian was suddenly confronted by a shadow. A Great Sun Golden Crow stood proudly atop the canopy, its fiery feathers radiant, its three legs firmly planted, exuding an imposing aura. The Golden Crow flapped its wings, scattering innumerable sparks of solar true fire.

A stray spark seemed to land on Yao Qian, causing a searing pain in her soul. This time, she resisted the urge to withdraw from cultivation, focusing her mind to avoid being deceived by the illusion. With the appearance of the Heavenly Evolution Tablet, she heard a scream once more.

Simultaneously, the essence of the sun transformed into a rushing torrent heading toward her. Hastily, Yao Qian converted the solar essence into solar true yuan, merging it with the lunar true qi in her dantian. Under her control, they condensed into an acupoint resembling the Taiji symbol.

A faint smile crossed Yao Qian’s lips. If she could condense identical acupoints throughout her body’s meridians, she could establish her foundation. Judging by her current pace, she would soon achieve foundation establishment.

Seeing such visible progress lifted her spirits immensely. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to cultivation, spending every moment outside her fixed pill consumption and martial practice time on training, even sacrificing sleep since each session left her refreshed and free of drowsiness.

No wonder cultivators favored seclusion; the exhilaration of focused cultivation was truly invigorating! Yao Qian stayed in the secret chamber for sixty days before reluctantly breaking the seal. Outside was a long cave tunnel.

Her cultivation had granted her rudimentary night vision. She looked around but found no one nearby. Stone doors lined both sides of the tunnel, all tightly shut. Wondering which way led out, she paused.

“Eh? Another one coming out?” a lazy voice called. It was familiar—the voice of the black-clad man who had locked her inside the chamber. Yao Qian’s heart stirred; she cautiously called out, “Senior?”

“Keep going forward,” came the reply, though the man remained unseen.

Taking a few steps ahead without correction, she grew bolder and continued. After some distance, the tunnel opened into a spacious cavern. The black-clad man glanced at her and asked, “Name? Age?”

“I’m Yao Qian, ten years old,” she answered honestly.

He tossed her a jade pendant and a storage pouch. “This is your disciple token and storage bag. With the token, you can claim one hundred spirit pearls and thirty fasting pills from the Internal Affairs Hall each month.”

Yao Qian was momentarily stunned. The Infinite Void Sect was truly wealthy. Back at Green Bamboo Ridge, aside from one spiritual meal daily, she had received no such benefits. An ordinary outer sect disciple here could draw one hundred spirit pearls and thirty fasting pills monthly?

She probed the storage pouch with her divine sense, confirming the exact quantities. Holding the pouch filled with pearls, she handed it to the man respectfully. “Senior, I am new and know little. I humbly ask for your guidance.”

The man raised an eyebrow at her respectful demeanor and sneered, “A child from a cultivation family?”

Yao Qian shook her head. “I only happen to have an elder who cultivates. We are not a cultivation family.” The Yao family’s background was modest; calling themselves a cultivation clan was an exaggeration. A true cultivation family must have a lineage spanning millennia.

The man took the pouch without ceremony and tossed her a small booklet. “For the sake of the spirit pearls, three pieces of advice: First, memorize the sect rules word for word; second, trust no one; third, cherish your first three years here.”

“Thank you for your advice, Senior,” Yao Qian bowed respectfully. Seeing the man in a relatively good mood, she dared to ask, “May I ask if we will continue cultivating in the secret chambers?”

He chuckled twice. “What, you liked the place before?”

Yao Qian nodded. “Yes.”

The man said bluntly, “Those chambers are for seclusion. Usually, one day costs ten contribution points. Your situation was special, so the senior disciple made an exception, allowing you to use them. Otherwise, you’d have to save for a year just to access one.”

Curious, Yao Qian inquired, “What special situation?”

The man waved his hand. “The Flowing Glow Peak belongs to you novices. Live wherever you like. If you don’t mind, take an empty room; if you do, build your own.”

Having learned the essentials, Yao Qian dared not delay further and left the cavern. Upon emerging, she was blinded by a dazzling white light. Squinting, she realized she stood atop a mountain. She followed the mountain path downward, finding neither person nor animal along the way.

After some time, having distanced herself from the secret chambers, she chose a relatively secluded spot under a tree’s shade. Opening the booklet she’d received, she quickly scanned its contents. It read more like an entry guide than mere rules.

New disciples of the Infinite Void Sect had three years free of sect duties to focus solely on cultivation, receiving monthly supplies. After three years, not only would the monthly rations cease, but they would be required to perform sect tasks.

Each year, they must accumulate a set number of contribution points or be demoted to menial laborers. Upon foundation establishment, one becomes an inner sect disciple, securing continuous monthly supplies but still obligated to undertake tasks.

New outer sect disciples receive five hundred contribution points upon entry, usable for learning techniques or acquiring materials. On the first and fifteenth of each month, foundation disciples offer open classes—these are the only lessons free of contribution costs.

The sect forbids disciples from harming one another; violations lead to demotion. Outer disciples may not leave the sect without permission; even if assigned missions outside, they must return within three months or face demotion.

Yao Qian’s lips twitched. How dire must the Infinite Void Sect’s material shortages be to demote disciples so readily? No wonder the black-clad man urged her to treasure the first three years—they were likely the only time she could devote herself fully to cultivation.

Afterward, with yearly increasing sect duties, cultivation time would dwindle, unless one quickly entered the inner sect. Even then, tasks remained but were more flexible. Higher-level disciples could undertake more dangerous but rewarding missions.

Pondering under the tree’s shade, Yao Qian resolved to find a quiet place to settle. The second piece of advice was not to trust anyone; thus, she preferred a secluded spot.

Just as she planned to find a suitable dwelling, heavy footsteps approached. Alert, she looked up to see three boys around her age encircling her. Yao Qian arched her delicate brows—was this the bullying inevitable in the demonic sect?