The ferry was designed to transport disciples to their respective locations within the expansive sect. The sect was so vast that moving from one department to another required flying, and in this case, the ferry provided the means of transportation. Once everyone was aboard, the ship bolted with breakneck speed. Two hours later, Han Cai and his fellow disciples arrived at the accommodation area of the Basic Pill Department.
The Azure Dragon Sect was not only massive but was also the richest sect. Despite its wealth, accommodating the half a million outer sect disciples was an expensive affair. Each outer sect disciple of the Alchemy Department, however, was privileged enough to receive their own small courtyard. These courtyards included a room and a patch of soil at the front and back where they could grow their own herbs.
Han Cai felt a certain sense of humility wash over him at being an outer sect disciple once again. The feeling was akin to déjà vu. Once they were shown their respective courtyards, the senior disciple instructed them to visit their assigned elders the next day, also informing them of the elders' courtyards' locations. Han Cai and Ma Jun, the other disciple assigned to Elder Du, nodded in acknowledgment.
After providing all necessary details, the senior outer sect disciple took his leave, and Han Cai and He Jun proceeded to their courtyards. The room assigned to Han Cai was a simple one, furnished with a bed and a cushion for meditation. New disciples were expected to practice alchemy under the elders' guidance and were not provided with an alchemy room.
Han Cai lay down on his bed and soon fell asleep. When he woke up, it was already evening. Despite being in the foundation establishment stage and capable of going without food for a month, hunger gnawed at him. He ventured out of his courtyard, asking around for directions to the dining hall.
Upon reaching the dining hall, he was taken aback by its enormity. The hall could accommodate over two thousand disciples at once. He fetched a bowl, noticing that meals had to be collected from servers stationed around the hall. For Han Cai, who had been served by others all his life in this lifetime and the past one, this experience felt new, making him feel like a pampered young master. Many old disciples were present too, but most of them seemed worn out. It felt like they had worked hard all day, concocting basic pills.
Regardless, They ignored Han Cai, and Han Cai ignored them. Hunger prevailed. Han Cai approached the servers and was served a meal of spirit rice and some vegetables. They were not the best food he had ever tasted, but they would suffice for the time being.
Han Cai retired to his courtyard after dinner. Since he had slept most of the day, he decided he would cultivate in the night. When morning dawned, he and his fellow disciple, He Jun, made their way to Elder Du's courtyard. In the Azure Dragon Sect, the elders were given a separate courtyard, far removed from the disciples' quarters. It was a sign of respect and recognition for their achievements. Each elder's courtyard was expansive, equipped with alchemy rooms, cultivation rooms, and a vast swathe of land for growing medicinal herbs.
Upon reaching Elder Du's courtyard, Han Cai and He Jun saw five other disciples already present. The disciples ranged from thirteen to fifteen years of age, except for one who appeared to be around sixteen. This oldest disciple introduced himself as Shu Tao.
"All are here now. Enter," Shu Tao commanded, before turning to Han Cai and Ma Jun, "Elder Du's rules are simple. Follow his orders, whatever they may be."
Han Cai and Ma Jun nodded in understanding. The group then followed Shu Tao into the courtyard. They walked through a pathway lined with various medicinal herbs and plants, leading them to the main building of the courtyard. Shu Tao entered first, and the rest followed, with Han Cai being the last one in.
The interior consisted of a large hall. Shu Tao informed them that Elder Du would be arriving soon and instructed them to sit. All the disciples complied and took their seats, with Shu Tao positioned at the front.
Shortly after, Elder Du entered the room. He was an old man, his face deeply lined with age, but his eyes held a bright, sharp look that belied his physical years. His hair was a snowy white, neatly tied back, and his slender frame was draped in an elegant green robe. His presence carried the aura of a sneaky old man, and Han Cai estimated his cultivation level to be at least the Spirit Body Realm, just a step away from becoming an Earth Immortal.
This realization explained why Elder Du was one of the elders of the Basic Pill Department, the lowest grade in pill concoction. Yet, it was surprising that he had attained the position of an elder without reaching Earth Immortal status, as most elders of the outer sect were Earth Immortals.
The Azure Dragon Sect's high standards made it clear that they didn't accept mediocre talents. Despite this, the harsh reality of the cultivation world meant that many disciples never reached the Earth Immortal stage. Injuries, cultivation path deviations, and even death were commonplace. In the outer sect alone, while there were more than fifty thousand Earth Immortals, that number was less than ten percent of the sect's total population, despite having the nation's best resources at their disposal.
Upon Elder Du's arrival, all the disciples rose and bowed respectfully. He took his place at the main seat and turned to Shu Tao, "Tell me about the newcomers."
Shu Tao nodded, "We have two newcomers, Elder. Their names are He Jun and Yan Kai."
Elder Du listened attentively as Shu Tao provided the necessary background information about the newcomers. "He Jun hails from the He family in Topaz Valley. He has a cousin already enrolled in the sect they do not have much influence. Yan Kai, is the first from the Yan family of the Verdant area to join the sect. He has no relatives within the sect. His family has no influence," Shu Tao informed.
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Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.
Thank You
