World of Cultivation

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Chapter 25: Rewards

At this moment, Ye Yun finally grasped the true grandeur of a major cultivation sect. Such majesty couldn’t be built overnight—the Heavenly Sword Sect had accumulated its imposing presence over thousands of years.

“Even with such vast resources, producing a Golden Pill master remains rare,” Ye Yun mused. He knew the sect’s true inheritors relied on the labor of countless servant and outer disciples like himself.

“Split into two groups now,” Elder Sun, an older man with a weathered face, addressed the awestruck disciples. “One follows me, the other joins Elder Yang.”

At his signal, the crowd swiftly divided. Ye Yun and Qu Yiping stood in one group, while Duan Chenfeng ended up in Elder Yang’s team.

“Qu Yiping!” Duan Chenfeng suddenly barked, fist clenched. “You provoked me earlier, so I’ll let you strut around a few more days. Once we’re settled, I’ll make an example of you!”

“What’s his problem?” Ye Yun frowned. Others might dismiss Duan Chenfeng as a hotheaded fool, but their earlier conversation at the cliff made Ye Yun suspect there was more beneath the act.

*Hmph!*

Elder Yang’s cold snip cut through the air. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he glared at Duan Chenfeng, who instantly paled, sweat beading on his forehead. The young disciple strained to lift his head, shooting Qu Yiping a venomous look before raising his fist defiantly.

Ye Yun glanced at him but dismissed further thought. His priority was settling into Tian Zhu Peak’s outer sect, not getting entangled in petty squabbles.

“Silence!” Elder Yang’s voice froze the crowd. “Another word, and you’ll be stripped of your status and sent packing.”

The disciples turned to statues. Even the rustling leaves seemed to hush as the two groups entered the dense woods, parting ways beneath the canopy.

After half an hour’s march, the trees thinned, revealing a mountain split between mist-shrouded peaks and a bustling lower slope studded with tiered buildings.

“Tian Zhu Peak,” Elder Sun announced. “The clouded heights hold our alchemy halls and elder residences. Below lies the outer sect—your new home.”

Ye Yun studied the structures clinging to the mountainside, some appearing to float mid-air. Passing Tian Zhu disciples ignored the newcomers, their grim haste suggesting urgent matters.

*Could this explain why the assessment was moved up?* Ye Yun wondered.

Each disciple received two teal robes and a waist token stamped with a flame. The token’s back bore the number *20,037*.

Ye Yun’s throat tightened. Three years of scheming and suffering had led to this unremarkable token. Yet it marked his escape from servitude—proof he’d clawed his way into the outer sect.

“Your numbers denote your rank among Shadowless Peak’s outer disciples,” Elder Sun explained.

Ye Yun’s eyes widened. *20,037 just in Shadowless Peak?* If every subsidiary peak had similar numbers, the sect’s total disciples might exceed 100,000. Even servant disciples numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

The math chilled him. True inheritors enjoyed resources equivalent to entire cities’ tribute. Having defied Liu Daoliet and gained mysterious powers from the black and white lights, Ye Yun burned not with reverence, but ambition: *Could I surpass them? Reach Golden Pill mastery?*

“Channel spiritual power into your tokens,” Elder Sun continued. “They’ll guide you to quarters and permitted zones. From today, you represent Tian Zhu Peak. Disgrace us, and you’re gone.”

A ragged chorus of “Yes!” echoed, voices cracking with emotion.

Elder Sun nodded. “We’re Shadowless Peak’s support branch—herb gatherers, pill refiners, spirit field tenders. Yet consider this: Why does our ‘menial’ Tian Zhu keep producing Golden Pill masters when combat-focused peaks rarely do?”

Silence swallowed the clearing.

“Fools.” The elder’s laugh held no mirth. “Forget empty platitudes about cultivation being solitary. Our work grants unique advantages. Collect herbs? Those missions reward pills to boost cultivation. Stumble upon rare spirit herbs? Extra rewards. Prove yourself as a pill refiner? Direct access to resources. What others call drudgery could shortcut your progress by years!”

He let the words sink in before adding, “This division into teams? It determines your first assignments—and your first rewards.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Elder Sun’s lips twitched in something resembling a smile.