Chapter Eleven: The Six Outer Halls

Among the more than one hundred outer sect disciples across the six halls of Yingtian Academy, almost everyone knew of a registered disciple named Xie Peiling. Although he had remained an unremarkable registered disciple for the past two years, his name had already spread throughout the entire Taoist temple, even just as he stepped into the outer sect.

As Xie Peiling walked into the first great hall of the outer sect, the lively discussions within abruptly ceased, and countless gazes turned toward him. After all, only one or two people—sometimes even fewer—joined the outer sect in a year, so as he walked in, everyone noticed this new junior brother.

Outer sect disciples could join one of the six halls based on their assessments. Every month, their cultivation realm and performance were evaluated, and they were assigned to a hall suitable for their current study. If they performed well, they would move to another hall the following month for more advanced cultivation.

Feeling uncomfortable under so many gazes, Xie Peiling scanned the hall and eventually found an inconspicuous spot to sit. However, regardless of where one sat or how unremarkable they tried to be, with only a dozen or so people in the hall, the hall master could take in every disciple at a glance.

This hall master looked about the same age as them, with a refined and otherworldly temperament. At first glance, he seemed unfathomable, and his attire was quite unconventional, ignoring the standard regulations of the sect.

Sharply incisive. That was Xie Peiling’s first impression.

He had only felt such a sharp edge from Han Jiang and Du Huagen, yet this man’s intensity was even greater. After some inquiries, he learned that this man was named Xu Yuanming, an inner sect disciple of the temple. He was only a few years older than them, yet few in the entire Yingtian Taoist Temple could rival his strength.

Yingtian Taoist Temple placed great importance on foundations, which was why they had such a talented disciple serve as the instructor for the first hall of the outer sect. It was also likely because Xu Yuanming’s own personality and temperament offered a striking contrast; his words and mannerisms were unique and engaging, perfect for sparking interest in the later parts of the "Heart Transmission of the Immortal Elder’s Taiji Chongxuan Supreme Dao" for these practitioners who had just mastered the basics.

"Is the new disciple named Xie Peiling?"

Xie Peiling, who had been contemplating his future plans, was suddenly interrupted by this voice. He nodded and replied, "Yes."

Xu Yuanming asked with a smile, "Let me ask you, what kind of place is our Yingtian Taoist Temple?"

Xie Peiling had considered this question before, but now he was unsure how to answer. He tentatively asked, "A sect?"

Xu Yuanming chuckled and said, "Of course not. We are neither a Confucian academy, nor a Zen Buddhist world, nor a Taoist paradise. How could we be called a sect? We are merely an ordinary Taoist temple."

Xie Peiling shrugged and looked around. The hall was clean and empty, devoid of even a single scroll. The blend of dullness and the pretense of interest made it hard for him to feel motivated. The other disciples, perhaps having experienced this before, all fixed their eyes on Xie Peiling.

Xu Yuanming continued, "Our temple cultivates the Way of Nature. First, we must understand the Dao itself. Not to mention places like the Ten Great Paradises, Thirty-Six Lesser Paradises, or Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, even within our own Huming Prefecture, there are many temples. Looking only at our immediate surroundings, the Tianxing Temple follows the Way of Nature, and the Shangxu Temple does as well. Yet, only our Yingtian Taoist Temple is renowned far and wide within the county. We are the undisputed leader of temples, honored to be accepted as a subordinate branch by the 'Pengxuan Paradise' among the Thirty-Six Paradises!"

Watching Xu Yuanming grow passionate on the platform, Xie Peiling thought that if Han Jiang were here, he would likely have started applauding the moment the speech ended. The other disciples were all stirred up; even though they had heard these words countless times, they still felt their blood boil, being young and hot-blooded youths of similar age to Xie Peiling.

Thinking he should give some face to this senior brother who would be instructing him in the future, Xie Peiling joined in the applause. How well one lectured was one thing, but whether one applauded was another. Xu Yuanming might not care, but the others in the hall might; back when he was a registered disciple, there were always those who would report others over such trivial details, unable to bear seeing anyone else succeed.

Xu Yuanming seemed to notice this, but he said nothing, appearing completely unconcerned as he continued.

"The six halls of the outer sect are the 'Summer Wood Hall,' 'Spring Rain Hall,' 'Yuanhua Hall,' 'Affection Hall,' 'Inheritance Hall,' and 'Zhuze Hall.' Each hall corresponds to the future path of your practice of the 'Heart Transmission of the Immortal Elder’s Taiji Chongxuan Supreme Dao.' Once you enter the inner sect, there will be the 'Five-Grade Dharma,' but that is far off for you, so I will not speak of it yet."

Seeing the confused expressions of the disciples below, Xu Yuanming nodded. He knew what they were thinking, as he had been the same way. He said, "No matter who you are or how far you can go, having confidence is good, but you must not be arrogant. In the past hundred years, only twenty people have become inner sect disciples at Yingtian Taoist Temple, while there are two hundred outer sect disciples. This one-in-ten chance is not high. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Start from the small things and do not reach for the impossible."

Xie Peiling found this reasonable and nodded.

Xu Yuanming looked at Xie Peiling and said, "Today, I will teach you the complete content of the 'Heart Transmission of the Immortal Elder’s Taiji Chongxuan Supreme Dao.' I do not expect you to be able to draw inferences about the principles as you did as registered disciples; at the very least, you must read it day and night. Eat your meals one bite at a time, do not be impatient. Let everything take its natural course; when the time is right, perfection will come naturally."

This time, Xu Yuanming did not just look at Xie Peiling; he stood in the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over everyone as he observed their expressions.

The disciples of the first hall, whether they truly took it to heart or not, answered in unison, "Understood!"

Xu Yuanming smiled and nodded. Unlike the instructing elders of the registered disciples' hall, he did not pick up a book and began his lecture.

"The content of the 'Heart Transmission of the Immortal Elder’s Taiji Chongxuan Supreme Dao' is vast and profoundly academic; even the Temple Master has not fully mastered it. It is enough for your cultivation in this lifetime. After the grand competition, some of you may join the six halls and find a mentor to establish your path. But until then, the most important thing is to eat and drink well, keep your bodies healthy, and improve your cultivation realms. Otherwise, what is the use of knowing so much and understanding so much?"