Chapter Nine: The Outer Sect Assessment

Jie Peiling nodded.

Han Jiang wore a solemn expression and spoke earnestly, “The path of talisman crafting is taxing on both heart and mind. Whether you truly know how or are simply attempting it, with your current meager cultivation, even making one talisman would be of the lowest caliber. Even I can only produce a talisman of the lowest grade within three days. The sect’s caution is for your own good; forcing the inscription could shatter your soul. You must not recklessly show off.”

Jie Peiling responded with a single word of acknowledgment.

“I understand. If anything arises in the future, I will give it my all.”

Han Jiang said no more, merely gesturing with his hand for him to leave.

He knew full well that his warnings were futile. Years of acquaintance had revealed the truth: Jie Peiling was the sort who would not rest until he accomplished what he set his mind to. As a friend, there was little more he could do but voice concern—after all, what if he succeeded?

…

…

Within the Hall of Named Disciples, the majority of the contemporaries of Jie Peiling practiced without pause. They had all managed to cultivate two finger-width lines of the “Immortal Elder’s Supreme Tao of Tai Chi and Mysterious Heart Transmission.” Among them, two had already advanced to the outer sect.

Only a handful, perhaps too dull or habitually lazy, showed no sign of progress and had drifted away from the group.

Of course, the truly lazy one had always been the same person; the others at least made the effort to appear among the crowd, but this individual was different.

“What do you want?” The elder in charge of teaching the named disciples looked at Jie Peiling before him.

He was indifferent to Jie Peiling by now. The young man had ambition but rarely came to seek him out, preferring to stay home or retreat to the mountaintop for solitary cultivation, having long since separated himself from the group.

There had been a chance to ask before.

Jie Peiling had thoroughly grasped the philosophy of the “Immortal Elder’s Supreme Tao of Tai Chi and Mysterious Heart Transmission” but, for reasons unknown, was unable to produce any tangible progress. Over time, the elder had resigned himself.

“I’m preparing to leave.”

Jie Peiling spoke with a fondness for this elder.

The elder reclined comfortably in his chair, finding the visit odd. Just as he raised his teacup to take a sip, Jie Peiling’s words stopped him mid-motion, the smile fading from his lips.

Though he would inquire occasionally, he had long since given up hope on Jie Peiling. Yet, there was still a hint of regret; Jie Peiling’s talent with scriptures was high, capable of drawing inferences, and it was baffling that someone like him could make no progress. Han Jiang’s influence also played a part in sparing Jie Peiling from expulsion. If he remained aimless until old age, the elder could only sigh. But now, to hear that he intended to give up entirely, even the pretense of idleness—this was unexpected.

…

The elder sighed and took a sip of tea, suddenly finding the moment dull. He studied Jie Peiling’s serious expression, then forced a wry smile.

“Where do you plan to go?”

Jie Peiling glanced toward the outer sect’s direction and replied, “I haven’t decided which hall in the outer sect yet.”

“If you want to go, then go. Whether it’s a village or a town, it’s your own business. But wait…”

The elder snapped to attention, staring intently at Jie Peiling. “What did you just say? Say it again.”

“I said I haven’t decided which hall to enter.”

The elder, uncertain, asked, “You mean one of the six outer halls of the Yingtian Taoist Sect?”

“Yes. I’m preparing to enter the outer sect.”

The elder was shocked, doubting his own ears. He emphasized, “Jie Peiling, do you understand what you’re saying?”

“I have already mastered the ‘Immortal Elder’s Supreme Tao of Tai Chi and Mysterious Heart Transmission.’”

Reflecting on the past two years of cultivation, even Jie Peiling felt moved.

The elder refused to believe such a thing could be true. With a thought, he enveloped Jie Peiling in spiritual energy, ready to punish him severely if he was lying.

The Yingtian Taoist Sect highly valued seniority; if a named disciple pretended to be an outer sect disciple, expulsion would be the mildest punishment.

“Crack!”

With a sharp sound, the elder’s teacup fell to the floor, shattering completely.

The unfinished tea spilled across the stone floor, steam still rising.

The elder stared at Jie Peiling, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

The entire Hall of Named Disciples fell silent.

“What... what is going on?” The elder blinked and, looking at Jie Peiling’s calm demeanor, felt dazed. His voice trembled as he cautiously asked, “I... did I see correctly?”

Jie Peiling replied, “Yes, Elder, you saw correctly.”

…

A long silence followed.

The tea on the ground cooled, the steam dissipating.

The elder finally regained his composure but still looked at Jie Peiling as if he were a deity, his voice tinged with regret and apology.

“So… I was wrong.”

Jie Peiling stepped forward, patted the elder’s shoulder, shook his head, and said, “It’s not your fault. I believe others thought the same.”

…

…

A sword light enveloped the mountain peak, and the midday wind turned sharp and bitter.

The leader of one of the six outer halls of the Yingtian Taoist Sect suddenly manifested atop the summit.

Witnessing this, nearly all named and miscellaneous disciples ceased their cultivation.

They had already guessed: another was about to leave and become a true disciple of the Yingtian Taoist Sect.

Some believed it was Wang Tu, the youngest and most gifted new disciple.

Others thought it was the daughter of the ‘Three Terraces’ leader from the inner sect’s Wind and Snow Terrace.

Yet more believed it was Chen Tuchuan, the current senior disciple among the named disciples.

But at the next moment, those watching realized that all three of the discussed individuals were standing nearby, not heading toward the peak.

Chen Tuchuan raised an eyebrow, looking toward the mountain summit to identify who dared to claim the position he believed was rightfully his.

He inwardly seethed with anger, furious that someone had managed to conceal their intentions so well that no hint leaked out.

At that moment, led by the elder in charge of teaching, Jie Peiling, clad in white robes, ascended the mountain peak.

All present were left speechless.