Chapter 53: Survival Rules in the Inner Sect
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Sect Leader, are you joking with me?”
Elder Hou stared, wide-eyed and incredulous. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. In the Five Elements Sect, disciples typically moved up the ranks from inner disciples to personal disciples. Never had a personal disciple been demoted to an inner disciple. It was unthinkable—unheard of. Who could be so terrible as to get expelled from their master’s tutelage?
Sect Leader Ji Yuan cleared his throat, “Ahem, do I look like I’m joking? This is the decision. Don’t ask questions, just follow through.”
Elder Hou slowly began to comprehend the situation, eyeing Yu Zhao as if she were some kind of anomaly. He recognized her, of course. Master Qing Yan, the sect’s most formidable master, had only taken seven personal disciples, and Yu Zhao was one of the more infamous ones. Even if it was for all the wrong reasons, there wasn’t a disciple in the sect who hadn’t heard of her. During the height of the rumors, disciples whispered daily about why Master Qing Yan hadn’t expelled her.
No one thought their idle gossip would become reality. Yet, Yu Zhao had indeed become the abandoned disciple of Lone Moon Peak. Elder Hou could already imagine the storm of gossip and judgment she would face. He frowned, turning to Ji Yuan. “Sect Leader, perhaps it would be best if you had her stay on the main peak for a while?”
At least there, the disciples might restrain themselves somewhat. Ji Yuan, seeing that Elder Hou shared his concerns, patted the elder’s shoulder approvingly. Elder Hou was truly a good elder, always considering the well-being of the disciples. But just as Elder Hou began to relax, thinking Ji Yuan had agreed, the Sect Leader’s firm rejection caught him off guard.
“No, we must adhere to the rules. Even I must enforce the sect’s regulations,” Ji Yuan declared, his chest puffed out with righteous conviction. One would never guess he had been lobbying for Yu Zhao just moments before. Elder Hou felt a twinge of shame. His suggestion had partly been to curry favor with the Sect Leader, believing Ji Yuan valued Yu Zhao highly. Now, seeing the Sect Leader’s principled stance, he felt inadequate.
“Don’t worry, Sect Leader. I know what to do,” Elder Hou assured, thumping his chest. He was well-versed in following protocol. After entrusting Yu Zhao to Elder Hou, Ji Yuan strolled back to the main peak. His eldest disciple was waiting for an update.
“Come with me,” Elder Hou said, his demeanor cooling as soon as Ji Yuan left. Yu Zhao followed silently, unfazed by the elder’s change in attitude. The inner courtyard of the Five Elements Sect was situated on a smaller peak south of the main peak. Hundreds of courtyards were arranged along the mountainside in a neat, orderly fashion.
Elder Hou noted Yu Zhao’s quiet demeanor as they walked. Somewhat satisfied, he decided to offer some advice, perhaps swayed by Ji Yuan’s regard for her. He explained the survival rules for inner disciples. Inner disciples faced the greatest pressure and were the most competitive among the sect’s three disciple levels. This was because they had strict requirements. Every six months, a ranking competition was held, and any disciple who ranked in the bottom ten three times in a row would automatically be demoted to an outer disciple.
Conversely, outer disciples had a simpler path to promotion; they just needed to defeat an inner disciple. The defeated inner disciple would be demoted after three consecutive losses. Outer disciples sought to advance, while inner disciples fought to avoid being stepping stones and to attract the attention of elders and peak masters, hoping to become personal disciples. It was all about striving for resources, recognition, and status.
Yu Zhao absorbed Elder Hou’s information, mentally planning her next steps. She wasn’t interested in constantly competing with the inner disciples. The position of personal disciple that they all coveted wasn’t something she desired. All she wanted was a quiet place to cultivate.
“Actually, you don’t have to worry too much,” Elder Hou added, perhaps out of some remaining sympathy. “With your late Foundation Establishment cultivation, not many inner disciples can match you. As long as you avoid a few specific individuals, you should be able to coexist peacefully.”
“Who are these individuals?” Yu Zhao inquired.
Elder Hou, however, chose not to elaborate. “You’ll find out soon enough. Look, we’re here—this is the inner courtyard.”
The inner disciples spent their days doing one thing—cultivating. Cultivation was the only way to grow stronger, maintain their current status, and protect themselves from being surpassed. No one wanted to be left behind or replaced. As they entered the inner courtyard, Yu Zhao immediately felt the tense, oppressive atmosphere. It was as if the very air crackled with the disciples’ determination.
“Can you feel their resolve?” Elder Hou asked, smiling.
Yu Zhao nodded. During her time at Lone Moon Peak, her senior brothers, Fang Cheng Lang and others, often urged her to cultivate. She considered herself diligent, but now, in comparison, she realized she had overestimated her efforts.
Elder Hou continued leading her up the stone steps along the mountainside. “In the inner courtyard, the strongest disciples live at the foot of the mountain, while the weakest live at the top. Do you know why?”
After thinking for a moment, Yu Zhao replied, “Probably to save time.”
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Living at the foot of the mountain made it more convenient to go anywhere. Even if it didn’t save much time compared to the top, inner disciples valued every second, and even the slightest difference could be crucial.
“Correct. So, the allocation of courtyards isn’t fixed. You can live anywhere you want, as long as you have the strength. It’s also a symbol of status.”
Elder Hou’s tone carried a hint of provocation, as if he eagerly awaited Yu Zhao challenging the inner disciples. She simply smiled, not taking the bait.
The peak where the inner courtyard was located was relatively low. Within the time it took to burn an incense stick, Yu Zhao and Elder Hou reached the top. At the very center of the summit stood a small, blue courtyard. A fence encircled it, and through the gaps, Yu Zhao could see the courtyard’s interior clearly. It was mostly empty, save for an ancient tree growing in the eastern corner. The tree had a thick trunk and lush foliage, its leaves rustling in the breeze.
Yu Zhao’s eyes immediately settled on the old tree. She pointed at the courtyard, “Elder Hou, I want to live here.”
Elder Hou looked at her with a mix of surprise and contemplation, but said nothing more. He had delivered her to her new home, and now it was up to her to survive the trials of the inner sect.