Chapter 26
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Chapter 26: Free Raising
“Does this have to do with rewards too?”
Even Ye Yun’s eyes burned with eagerness. Cultivation resources were far too scarce for someone like him.
Elder Sun went on, “Tian Zhu Peak has East and West Halls, each handling different duties. Those who follow me belong to the East Hall, while Elder Yang leads the West Hall. To push your cultivation further, the two halls often hold competitions. Winners receive generous rewards.”
“What kind of rewards?” someone dared to ask.
“Tian Zhu Peak doesn’t coddle idlers. Nothing here is free. All training resources must be earned through tasks or rewards.” Elder Sun’s gaze swept over them. “In ten days, you new outer disciples will compete in a trial between the halls. Those who make the top eight may enter the Hall of Refining the Heart to choose one cultivation method and one combat skill, plus a number of crystals.”
“What if we don’t make top eight?” a voice blurted out—most here stood no chance.
“Failure means your strength is lacking.” Elder Sun’s tone remained flat. “The weak get only the basic cultivation techniques and Celestial Techniques provided by the sect.”
“That’s unfair! Starting without better techniques means falling behind in sect tasks!”
“Fairness?” Elder Sun barked a laugh. “Earn fairness by proving your worth. If you fear falling behind, work ten—no, a hundred—times harder! Want better resources? Complete more tasks. Excel.”
*Coercion in disguise.* Ye Yun’s brow twitched, recalling how Liu Daolie had forced him into deadly spirit herb gathering grounds. This profit-driven system surely fattened the sect’s coffers, but casualties would pile up. Already, Tian Zhu Peak felt fraught with peril.
“Think this is cruel? Believe cultivation’s dangerous?” Elder Sun’s eyes pinned Ye Yun as if reading his thoughts. “The path of cultivation is stealing life from Heaven itself! Every step demands risking your neck. Expect spirit stones to rain from the sky? Even spirit-sniffing beasts get slaughtered by herb hunters. That’s Heaven’s law! Only those clawing past the masses become immortals!”
The words struck Ye Yun like thunder. His fingers tightened around the teal waist token marked *20,037*. Now he understood why passing outer disciples hurried by, faces grim—no time to waste.
“Test your tokens,” Elder Sun ordered.
Ye Yun channeled spiritual power into the token. A glowing screen materialized, mapping areas accessible to outer disciples.
“The red dot marks your quarters.” Elder Sun’s voice held no warmth. “Dismissed. A bell will summon you for sect matters. Otherwise, cultivate or check the task board. Everything’s explained in the token’s projections.”
Murmurs erupted. They’d imagined mentors and privileges upon joining Tian Zhu Peak. Instead, they were stray dogs, ignored until they proved useful. Many paled, but Ye Yun felt relief. Crowds and prying elders risked exposing his black and white light secret. This neglect suited him.
Plus, his spirit stone stash eased immediate worries. Studying the screen, he noted the East and West Hall residences lay far apart, individual dwellings spaced widely. No chance encounters with Qu Yiping or Duan Chenfeng soon.
Best to hole up, study the token’s notes, and prepare for the trial. His performance suggested he could crack the top eight. More pressing was the golden light absorbed by the black and white glow during the Hall of Refining the Heart trial. Once it finished refining that wisp of Golden Core power, perhaps…
The others drifted off under Elder Sun’s stern eye. Ye Yun kept the screen active, following it past jagged stone formations to a courtyard veiled in array restrictions. The peculiar wooden gate chilled his touch. He slotted his token into the central indentation.
With a creak, the door swung open. Beyond lay a two-story house flanked by rockeries and a stone-bridged stream. Unknown blooms perfumed the air. Compared to servant disciple hovels, this was luxury. Even menial tasks here outclassed a servant’s lot.
If climbing to Shadowless Peak or the inner mountains brought such rewards…
A stubborn young face surfaced in his mind. *Shen Mo, did Elder Lan’s patronage secure your place? With your freakish talent, you’re probably soaring ahead. Next meeting, the gap might be vast.*
Yet warmth lingered. Three years in the collection valleys, and this trial-forged bond felt like his only true kinship in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The gate shut behind him with finality. For the first time, he breathed easy—no spies, no schemes. Just weary relief flooding his bones.
