Chen Xun and the big black cow lay beside the flying boat, their mouths agape in astonishment, feeling a wave of weakness wash over them from the sheer shock. "Old cow, this is the world of cultivation... What is the Nine Star Valley compared to this?" Chen Xun's voice trembled as he gazed at the ground, where the buildings were entirely different from those in the mortal realm—sophisticated, grand, and of high quality.
"Moo..." The big black cow's eyes quivered, its call elongated, as many cultivators filled the ground below. Buzz—buzz—several massive boats landed steadily, revealing an open-air platform resembling a vast square, where over a hundred disciples stood in front, holding garments and magical artifacts. The elders inside the boats floated down on their respective artifacts, chatting and laughing as they went. Only about forty scattered cultivators disembarked from the boats, looking timidly at the disciples of the sect, unsure of what to do.
Chen Xun, holding the big black cow, stood at the edge of the scattered cultivators, glancing around, wondering why there was no initiation ceremony. "Everyone," Yin Jun, with a spirited expression, stood at the forefront, his demeanor completely different from when he was at the Nine Star Valley. "Come and collect your sect items! From now on, we are all brothers!" As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples behind him stepped forward, and the scattered cultivators hurriedly went to receive their garments and tokens.
"'Dust Removal Technique,' 'Sword Control Technique,' 'Five Elements Formula,' 'Sect Regulations,' and even storage bags..." Chen Xun couldn't help but grin widely, chuckling softly as he looked at the disciples in front of him. One disciple frowned slightly, clearly not fond of scattered cultivators, and coldly said, "After you receive your items, proceed to the main hall of the sect to choose your respective positions. Your contribution points will determine your future in the sect."
"Thank you, thank you," Chen Xun nodded with a smile, quickly changing into the blue robe, his demeanor transformed. "May I ask..." Before he could finish, the disciple turned and walked away, not wanting to waste another word on Chen Xun.
"So aloof?" Chen Xun raised an eyebrow, wondering how to get to the main hall. He looked at the big black cow and spun around. "Old cow, heh heh, don't we look like immortals?"
"Moo moo~" The big black cow exclaimed, truly embodying the saying that clothes make the man; Chen Xun appeared much more radiant than before. "But we shouldn't throw away our old clothes." Chen Xun carefully tucked his burlap robe away, placing it in the pockets on either side of the big black cow. He had sewn it stitch by stitch, and its quality was excellent.
"Moo." The big black cow nodded, its eyes sparkling with joy; the spiritual energy in this sect was far superior to that of the Ningyun Mountain Range.
"Junior Brother Chen," Ji Kun had also changed into his new attire, with the token hanging from his waist. "Let's head to the main hall of the sect." He noticed Chen Xun's bewildered expression, realizing he hadn't asked for directions. The sect disciples seemed quite proud and reluctant to engage in conversation.
"Alright, thank you, Senior Brother Ji, for leading the way." Chen Xun followed Ji Kun, holding onto the big black cow as they walked down from the high platform.
"Junior Brother Chen, you're too polite. We all came from the Nine Star Valley, so we should look out for each other," Ji Kun said cheerfully, exuding a big brother vibe. Chen Xun nodded, feeling a fondness for Ji Kun; although he looked like a skinny monkey and sometimes had a gloomy expression, he was a good person.
The main hall of the Wuyun Sect was built halfway up the mountain, bustling with the voices of disciples coming and going. The hall was ancient and elegant, quite magnificent. Chen Xun and the big black cow stood in front, feeling like ants, utterly insignificant, only able to look up in awe. The few black pillars outside the hall were carved with unknown spiritual beasts, their scales and claws dancing, whiskers fluttering, as if they were about to soar into the sky, lifelike and vivid.
"Junior Brother Chen, I'll head in first," Ji Kun said, glancing at Chen Xun, who was still in shock. "But do consider what I said."
"Sure, definitely. Senior Brother Ji, you go ahead," Chen Xun quickly snapped back to reality and cupped his hands in respect. Ji Kun said no more, turning to walk into the main hall, his eyes filled with hope, his heart racing with excitement as a long-held wish was finally coming true.
"Old cow, look at this architecture; this is the foundation of a great sect," Chen Xun marveled, slowly approaching while touching it. "Items for refining!"
"Moo?" The big black cow became interested, nudging with its head, feeling the coolness. Compared to these sect disciples, they were less driven by profit and began to admire the main hall, discussing it among themselves.
Chen Xun and the big black cow were filled with wonder, their eyes sparkling with joy as they touched and explored. A stream of disciples entered and exited the hall, yet Chen Xun and the big black cow remained circling around it.
"This junior brother," a righteous-looking man approached, exuding a strong presence. "What are you doing here with a cow?" Chen Xun was startled, looking at the newcomer, who turned out to be a ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivator. He cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother. We are admiring the main hall of the sect."
"Admiring the main hall of the sect?" The man was taken aback, glancing at the giant pillars. "Junior brother, I am a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall. Time is fleeting; it's better not to waste it on such trivial matters."
"Thank you for the guidance," Chen Xun replied, sweating profusely. "You are truly a good person."
"Ah, you must be a new disciple of the Wuyun Sect," the man smiled slightly. Chen Xun noticed that the sect token he wore was not only hung upside down but he was also holding a storage bag. The big black cow had several items hanging from its sides, clearly a newcomer as well.
"Senior Brother, you have a keen eye," Chen Xun felt a bit uneasy.
"Come, I'll accompany you into the hall and introduce you to the various divisions of the sect," the man was quite friendly, like a warm-hearted big brother, pulling Chen Xun along with one hand while holding the cow's rope with the other.
"Alright, alright, Senior Brother, take it slow!"
"Moo~" Outside the hall, two surprised exclamations were heard as they were enthusiastically dragged into the main hall of the sect. The enthusiastic senior brother was quite talkative, having advised countless junior brothers in the sect over the years, and it was said that he had made many of them cry, shouting, "I was wrong, forgive me!" His name was Le Feng, a capable member of the Law Enforcement Hall, well-respected and 'beloved' by his peers.
For outer sect disciples, there were many choices in the main hall—Alchemist Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Talismans Hall, Spirit Beast Hall, Law Enforcement Hall... Among them, the outer sect's administrative hall was the largest, with various tasks such as subduing demons, managing the sect's markets, and recruiting disciples. However, there was one particularly unpopular role: managing the sect's herb garden, seen as a thankless job.
Because spiritual herbs were extremely difficult to grow, they required daily irrigation with spiritual water, weeding, and each year, a portion of the herbs grown had to be submitted. Initially, all disciples thought it would be an easy task, but they soon found that not only did they have no time to cultivate, but they also failed to submit the required herbs, ending up with no contributions and being scolded harshly.
Cultivating spiritual herbs was a technical job; without time to hone their skills, how could these Qi Refining disciples manage? Even if contributions increased, only a few would take on the task, and the sect had to send some older disciples to assist.
"Senior Brother Le, that's it! I want to cultivate spiritual herbs!" Chen Xun exclaimed excitedly, perfectly matched, too perfectly matched.