Chapter 109: Choosing a Main Peak
These eight hanging scrolls represented the eight main peaks of the sect. Excluding the Demon Subduing Peak, which selected elite disciples from each peak, and the Returning Wild Goose Peak, where disciples mainly practiced alchemy, formations, artifacts, and talismans.
The remaining six peaks each had their own duties, and newly promoted inner sect disciples could choose one to join.
“By the way, I haven’t asked yet. Before you joined the inner sect, did you have an elder you were close with as your master?”
“Yes, Senior Qin Xijun of the inner sect.”
Song Yan reported truthfully. The steward disciple was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. “Elder Qin originally belonged to the Lotus Seclusion Peak. Now that she has resigned from her elder position, the peak divisions no longer matter.”
His fingertip traced a flash of spiritual light, and the five main peaks available to Song Yan slowly manifested as phantom images.
Various information came into view.
Song Yan nodded and examined them one by one.
These five peaks each had their own merits.
Among them, the Spiritual Spring Peak had the densest spiritual energy, with all kinds of spiritual plants growing lush and vigorous. In terms of environment, this was the place he liked best.
The Forgetting Peak focused on spell cultivation, with most disciples researching Dao techniques and spells.
“Sword Trial Peak…”
Song Yan looked at this main peak and paused in his steps.
He had originally thought all disciples there practiced sword techniques, but upon closer inspection, he realized this peak was actually used for disciples within the sect to spar and compete.
However, throughout the generations, many battle-loving people had gathered here daily to compete and spar.
Quite a few even moved here permanently.
The sect did not suppress such behavior. Instead, one year, they completely transformed this large peak into a main peak, with inner sect elder Luo Bei serving as peak master.
This peak had no other outstanding features, except one: every disciple on the peak was fierce and competitive, and the culture of sparring and competing was extremely strong.
But precisely because of this, most of the disciples selected for the Demon Subduing Peak every few years originated from Sword Trial Peak.
Song Yan glanced briefly at Taiping Peak and Harmony Peak, and after understanding their characteristics, decided they were not suitable for him.
Ultimately, the choice came down to either the Spiritual Spring Peak or Sword Trial Peak.
After much deliberation, Song Yan finally chose Sword Trial Peak.
The reason was simple. Since awakening his sword and planting the sword seed, he had not comprehended a trace of sword intent, which was truly worrisome.
Sword cultivators were not rare. Comprehending a trace of sword intent should not be an impossible task.
If he were to find the reason within himself, it might be because he had rarely sparred with others in the past.
Most sword cultivators showed their sharp edges and competed fiercely.
Perhaps the so-called sword intent could only be comprehended through countless battles.
Having made his decision, he no longer hesitated. “Senior brother, I choose Sword Trial Peak.”
The steward disciple nodded. “Come with me.”
Passing around this area, they entered the interior of a grand hall.
“Junior brother, give me that disciple jade token, then change into your inner sect disciple robe.”
“Alright.”
The steward disciple took the jade token and found a spirit seal of similar size among the nine small platforms nearby.
Channeling spiritual energy, he lightly stamped it onto the disciple jade token.
Song Yan immediately changed into his inner sect robe as instructed.
Before the mirror of appearance nearby, he looked at his reflection.
As expected of an inner sect disciple robe. The moment he put it on, he gained an air of ethereal elegance.
Compared to the gray robe of the outer sect, his gestures now made him look more like a young immortal.
The steward disciple took the jade token and handed it back. “Junior Brother Song, your status has changed. From today onward, you are a disciple of the Sword Trial Peak in our sect’s inner sect.”
“Thank you, senior brother.”
The steward disciple waved his hand and walked forward. “Originally, the ceremony of paying respects to the sect ancestors is quite complicated with many items.”
“But our sect was established not long ago, and the sect master requested to simplify things, so the process will not be too troublesome.”
Ancestral Hall.
Pushing the door open, a circular ramp corridor came into view. After following the senior brother for half a ramp, they reached the main hall.
The interior here was also quite spacious. Inside the hall, rows upon rows of portraits hung on the walls.
Even though the senior brother said things had been simplified, it was still quite troublesome.
Burning incense, kneeling, offering incense, swearing oaths…
“Senior brother…”
After completing everything, Song Yan looked at these portraits and the stone tablets recording life stories, and suddenly felt something was strange.
He immediately asked the steward disciple in a low voice.
“Senior brother, most of our sect’s elders and founders are still alive. Offering incense and paying respects…”
Song Yan did not finish. He had originally wanted to ask if this was a bit inauspicious. “It is a bit strange,” the steward disciple laughed and explained. “But after all, it is just showing respect to the predecessors.”
“Those are the respected predecessors who helped our sect through difficulties when the Eastern Abyss Sect was first established.”
“Let alone our sect master, who is a Golden Core cultivator. For us low-cultivation people…”
“He is already like an immortal.”
Song Yan nodded and looked at the central portrait of the young man.
Beside it, there were very few inscribed words, only a single line:
Daoist Lijun, the founding ancestor of the Eastern Abyss Sect.
Thinking of that night on New Year’s Eve, those eight short words and the formless spiritual meaning contained within…
“Is the sect master also a sword cultivator?”
He was lost in thought.
The spiritual incense burned out.
The steward disciple spoke to remind him.
“Bow again!”
Song Yan bowed deeply.
…
After all matters were handled, Song Yan walked out of the General Affairs Hall.
His mood was extremely good.
The matter of the cave dwelling would be arranged by the General Affairs Hall in coordination with Sword Trial Peak. Once arrangements were made, someone would notify him.
There was no need for him to worry.
It was said that in the past, the arrangement of cave dwellings was controlled by a certain disciple of the General Affairs Hall.
Later, that person used this power to accept spirit stones.
He classified the cave dwellings by their geographical location and spiritual energy density, then assigned them based on how many spirit stones new inner sect disciples gave.
However, the matter was quickly exposed, and afterward, the sect changed to random allocation.
The time should be quite soon, at most half a day.
Finally promoted to the inner sect, this good news naturally had to be shared with Granny Qin.
He arrived at the edge of the Spirit Origin Market, at that same dilapidated small shop.
“Granny Qin!”
Pushing the door open, Qin Xijun looked up at him with annoyance. “Tsk, brat, don’t you know the rules!”
“Every time you come in, you don’t even knock!”
“Huh?”
She suddenly let out a small exclamation, her gaze falling on his robe.
“You… entered the inner sect?”
Song Yan chuckled and nodded. “Master, please accept your disciple’s bow!”
“Hey, wait.”
Little Song was about to perform the formal bow, but Qin Xijun stopped him. “You haven’t prepared the tea of respect for your master yet?”
“Ah?”
He really was not clear about the etiquette of accepting a master in the immortal sects.
“Accepting a master is no small matter. Each person has their own set of rules for this, understand?”
Qin Xijun smiled slyly. “Your master here is quite casual and doesn’t like tedious formalities.”
“If you don’t have the tea of respect, forget it.”
“Alright, alright…”
Song Yan did not understand, and simply kept nodding.
Unexpectedly, Qin Xijun suddenly changed her tone. “Then we’ll have to substitute wine for tea!”
Thump.
Two jars of spirit wine appeared on the table.
Song Yan stood frozen in place.
Qin Xijun grinned. “On such a fine day, you and I, master and disciple, won’t leave until we’re drunk!”