Chapter 033

Chapter 33: The Probing Begins

Grand Righteous Sect’s identity token was made of jade, the gentle green color of sweet beans. The sect’s emblem—a purple-edged auspicious cloud—was carved on the front, along with two words: “Grand Righteous.” On the back was engraved the disciple’s name and the peak where they resided.

The tokens were quickly crafted using divine sense, showing Steward Zheng’s practiced hand. Soon, all twenty-two identity tokens were ready. He also handed out Outer Sect disciple robes, a jade slip containing the sect’s rules, another slip for the Qi Refining Method, five low-grade spirit stones, a bottle of fasting pills, and a bottle of qi-nurturing pills—essentials for new disciples.

Everyone received these items with care, stowing them neatly in their storage bags before following Steward Zheng on foot to a nearby mountain peak where the Outer Sect disciples lived.

“All houses in this area are vacant,” Steward Zheng explained. “Simply insert your identity token to claim residence. Each courtyard holds four disciples. Choose wisely, because your choice cannot be changed unless your cultivation level increases.”

Steward Zheng waved his hand again, tossing each disciple another jade slip. “This slip contains the Outer Sect layout: the Cultivation Hall for training, the Meal Hall for dining, and the Lecture Hall for teachings. It’s up to you to arrange your daily activities.”

“You have one year to adjust. If your cultivation does not reach the third layer of Qi Refining after one year, you’ll automatically be demoted to Menial Disciples.”

“For this first year, there’s no need to perform tasks; you must concentrate solely on cultivation. But after that, you’ll be required to accept sect missions, as the sect cannot endlessly provide you with resources.”

“This year is crucial. Adapt to your new environment and identify your strengths quickly. Don’t waste this precious time.”

“Yes, Steward Zheng!” they replied in unison.

Steward Zheng waved dismissively. “That’s all you need to know for now. If you have questions, go to the Disciple Hall. Now go select your residences.”

After Steward Zheng left, everyone began looking for empty courtyards.

Wei Yun Xi followed closely behind Wei Yun Ting. Naturally, the Wei family’s disciples would stay together, both for mutual supervision and for protection against any potential bullying by senior disciples.

Wei Zong Hao took the initiative and quickly pointed to two adjacent courtyards. “Here are two empty ones—we can divide them between boys and girls!”

Wei Yun Ting nodded. The four girls chose the left courtyard. At the entrance were four slots; each girl inserted her identity token in turn. Once all slots turned green, the courtyard gate opened automatically. They then took back their tokens.

The boys did the same, and each group entered their courtyard.

Inside, the courtyard was square, about a hundred square meters. Directly across the entrance were two adjoining rooms, with single rooms on either side. A pear tree grew in the middle, shading a jade stone table and four jade stools.

Wei Yun Ting glanced around. “You all choose first,” she offered kindly, fulfilling her duty as the eldest sister.

Wei Yun Qing was the first to pick, taking one of the main rooms. Wei Yun Xi quickly selected the room on the left—she wanted nothing to do with Wei Yun Qing. Wei Yun Ying chose the room on the right, opposite Wei Yun Xi.

Seeing this, Wei Yun Ting’s eyelids twitched slightly, but she entered the remaining main room next to Wei Yun Qing without complaint.

“Everyone must be tired after the exams,” Wei Yun Ting said gently. “We all passed and made our family proud. Let’s rest today and go to the Meal Hall together tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Sister Yun Ting,” they chorused.

The other three didn’t object. They’d been tense and exhausted from the assessments. Their young bodies desperately needed rest. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they each retired to their rooms.

Each room had a built-in isolation formation. Once an identity token was placed into the indoor slot, it activated, ensuring complete privacy and protection from disturbances during cultivation.

The layout inside was simple: a living area upon entering, a bedroom to the left, and a cultivation room to the right, all fully furnished with tables and chairs. Anything else they needed, they’d have to add themselves.

Wei Yun Xi barely glanced around before falling onto her bed, too tired to tidy anything. Closing her eyes, she mentally reviewed her recent assessments to ensure she’d made no mistakes—a habit carried over from her former life as an office worker.

Finding no faults, she drifted quickly into a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Qing didn’t rest. Instead, she pondered deeply on her experiences in the Heart Mirror of Insight. The visions had felt incredibly real and familiar, yet there were clear differences from reality. The most notable discrepancies involved Wei Yun Xi’s spiritual roots and her exceptional performance during the assessment.

Wei Yun Qing’s brow furrowed as she contemplated. Suddenly, her eyes brightened—she knew exactly what to do next.

The night passed quietly.

Early the next morning, the eight Wei disciples gathered outside their courtyards. Soon, other new disciples joined, choosing to follow the Wei family members. With actual cultivation, the Wei disciples naturally became leaders among their peers. Instinctively, everyone formed a large group for safety and support in this unfamiliar place.

The group of twenty-two disciples went grandly to the Outer Sect’s Meal Hall, where two regular meals were provided free daily. Spirit meals cost extra.

Among the new disciples, only those from the Wei, Feng, Liu, and Sun families had wealth; others clung tightly to their mere five spirit stones, unwilling to waste them on food.

Wei Yun Xi wasn’t picky; she simply chose plain spirit rice porridge, steamed buns, and free pickled vegetables. After eating her fill, she intended to explore the Outer Sect thoroughly, familiarizing herself to prevent future confusion.

Wei Yun Ting shared the same plan. She guided everyone through the Outer Sect, showing them essential locations: the Cultivation Hall, Lecture Hall, Meal Hall, Martial Hall, and the Library Pavilion.

This took an entire day. The Outer Sect, despite its humble name, covered nine mountains. The newcomers lived on the outermost mountain, which had the sparsest spiritual energy. As the peaks drew closer to the Inner Sect, spiritual energy grew richer, with the innermost peak reserved for advanced Outer Sect disciples at the later stages of Qi Refining.

Wei Yun Ting encouraged her juniors: “Don’t feel discouraged. Once your cultivation improves, you’ll move to peaks with denser spiritual energy. Set clear goals and move step-by-step.”

Everyone nodded eagerly, unwilling to remain on the periphery forever.

At that moment, an unfamiliar Outer Sect disciple sneered mockingly, “Oh? This new batch sure has lofty ambitions. Let’s just hope your skills can match them.”

All the young newcomers turned toward the voice, seeing the Outer Sect disciple arrogantly lifting his chin in open challenge.