Translator: CinderTL
"Then I'll trouble Senior Brother to lead the way," Xu Sanyan said, cupping his fists in a respectful salute.
"Hahaha, Junior Brother won't be disappointed!" Chi Yu replied. "Perform well, and you might even become a trusted confidant of Senior Brother Luo. From there, your prospects will soar!"
Chi Yu's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "The Holy Son's position is even higher than that of the elders. Even ordinary elders wouldn't dare offend his supporters."
As they walked outside, Xu Sanyan asked casually, "How many disciples are there in the Holy Sect?"
Chi Yu pondered for a moment. "Our Crimson Heart Faction has the fewest, probably around five to six hundred. The Hall Master cares little for administration, delegating everything to the elders. But the elders' limited cultivation levels mean they can't compete with the other Hall Masters, so many promising talents are snatched up by the other three factions."
"The Blood Refinement Branch has the most, nearly two thousand disciples. Next is the Joyous Union Lineage, with over a thousand, followed by the Sect Leader's Lineage, which has close to a thousand as well."
"So many?" Xu Sanyan exclaimed in surprise. Adding them all up, there were over five thousand disciples.
"That's not all," Chi Yu added. "There are also several thousand Outer Sect Disciples in the Inner Qi Realm. And we haven't even counted the servants—there are tens of thousands of them."
"Servants?"
"Heh... Technically, they're considered disciples of our Holy Sect, but they only perform menial tasks. They're barely treated as human. If they displease you, you can beat or kill them at will. The Discipline Hall will at most fine you a few Spirit Stones."
As the two walked and talked, Xu Sanyan learned a great deal.
Mortals and those in the Qi Refinement Realm were treated as servants, stripped of human rights and unprotected by the Sect Rules. Most were abducted from the outside world and sold to the sect, becoming a business for the sect.
Those in the Inner Qi Realm and Celestial Being Realm were Outer Sect Disciples, granted limited rights. They couldn't be killed arbitrarily; those caught doing so would be fined.
Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were official disciples. They could earn merit points through missions and exchange them for cultivation methods and treasures, forming the backbone of the sect's strength.
Elders in the Dao Seeking Realm and Soul Refining Realm managed the various halls, such as the Hall of Affairs, Discipline Hall, Human Slave Hall, and Corpse Blood Hall.
The prestige of these halls varied. The Hall of Affairs, flush with resources, was typically overseen by Soul Refining Realm elders.
Conversely, the Corpse Blood Hall, known for its grueling and thankless work, was generally assigned to Dao Seeking Realm elders. This hall processed all types of corpses, with the Blood Refinement Branch being its largest client.
Upon closer examination, the hierarchy resembled the distinction between Outer and Inner Sect Elders: those in the Dao Seeking Realm served as Outer Sect Elders, while those in the Soul Refining Realm became Inner Sect Elders.
Beyond them lay the Void Harmony Realm. According to Chi Yu, the three Hall Masters had all reached this level and were considered among its most formidable practitioners. Although the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect boasted more than just three Void Harmony Realm experts, none could rival the trio's dominance.
Rumor had it that the previous Holy Son, a Void Harmony Realm master himself, had dared to challenge Hua Gu, the Hall Master of the Joyous Union Lineage, only to have his physical body shattered and divine soul scattered, resulting in his demise.
Xu Sanyan clicked his tongue upon hearing this tale. Even a Holy Son at the Void Harmony Realm had met such a fate...
"Senior Brother Chi, when was the last Holy Son selection held?" Xu Sanyan asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I don't know," Chi Yu replied, shaking his head. "It must have been several centuries ago."
Centuries...
Tsk tsk.
"We've arrived. This is Senior Brother Luo's cultivation cave," Chi Yu announced with a faint smile, gesturing toward the waterside pavilion courtyard enclosed by blue brick walls.
Xu Sanyan glanced around, subconsciously comparing it to his own humble abode. We're both cultivation caves, so why is the difference so vast?
A servant disciple stood guard outside the gate. Seeing Chi Yu, he hurried forward with a servile smile. "Senior Brother Chi, you're back! Senior Brother Luo is currently cultivating in the inner hall. You may proceed directly."
"Mm," Chi Yu nodded and led Xu Sanyan inside. "I haven't asked yet, Junior Brother, what's your cultivation level?"
Xu Sanyan paused briefly. "Mid Stage Foundation Establishment."
Claiming Initial Stage might seem too weak and risk being overlooked, while claiming Peak Stage could invite envy. Mid Stage struck the perfect balance.
Chi Yu's eyes lit up. "Junior Brother, you truly have remarkable talent! With such cultivation, Senior Brother Luo will surely value you highly. We'll need to become closer in the future."
"It would be my honor. I'm deeply grateful for your introduction, Senior Brother Chi."
"Hahaha..."
Since learning of Xu Sanyan's cultivation level, Chi Yu's enthusiasm had surged. Though Senior Brother Luo was surrounded by over a dozen followers, most were only at the Initial Stage of Foundation Establishment, with only a handful reaching Mid Stage.
Recruiting another Mid Stage cultivator would greatly enhance Chi Yu's standing. While this might indirectly reduce his own chances of gaining followers, he wasn't worried. After all, he himself was at Mid Stage Foundation Establishment.
Moreover, he had been among Luo Yu's earliest and most loyal supporters, having made significant contributions. If Luo Yu succeeded in becoming the Holy Son, Chi Yu was certain to secure a prominent position.
As Xu Sanyan pondered, he found himself in a lavish hall. Looking up, he saw ten young women standing demurely along the walls, their heads bowed in shy deference.
Each wore only a thin veil that barely concealed their vital areas, exposing long, shapely thighs and slender, lotus-like arms. The tantalizing glimpses through the sheer fabric only heightened their sensual allure.
Xu Sanyan licked his lips, a flicker of interest in his eyes. Using his Qi Observation Technique, he discovered that these women possessed cultivation levels around the Initial Stage of the Celestial Being Realm, classifying them as Outer Sect Disciples. Yet here they stood, relegated to greeting guests!
In Great Qi, such talented individuals would be pillars of the nation, or at the very least, heads of influential families like the Cui Clan. But here, they were treated no differently than maids.
Chi Yu, observing Xu Sanyan's reaction, smirked inwardly. "A weakness for beautiful women? This makes things easy." The Holy Sect had an abundance of women, catering to every conceivable preference—ethereal celestial maidens, valiant heroines brimming with chivalry, seductive demonesses, and pure, charming young maidens. If Xu Sanyan could imagine it, Chi Yu could procure it.
"Senior Brother Chi, please take a seat. This humble servant will inform the master of your arrival," one of the women said with a graceful curtsy, her deep cleavage momentarily visible.
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow at her form of address. "Master?"
Tsk... how playful.
"Alright, go ahead," Chi Yu said, pulling Xu Sanyan down to sit beside him. He leaned in close and whispered, "What kind of women does Junior Brother like? Senior Brother will get you a few sometime."
"This... doesn't seem quite right, does it?" Xu Sanyan's smile gradually turned lecherous.
"Heh heh, Junior Brother, you don't know the half of it. The Outer Sect Disciples and Servants live in hardship. If we need them, you can have your pick of women. And if you prefer other tastes... like men..."
Before Chi Yu could finish, Xu Sanyan quickly interrupted, "No! I like women."
"Then Senior Brother will take you tomorrow. Whichever one catches your eye, I'll help you get her. All expenses are on me," Chi Yu declared grandly, slapping his chest. It won't cost much anyway, he thought. Consider it an investment in goodwill.
"Many thanks, Senior Brother. What kind of expenses are we talking about?" Xu Sanyan asked, leaning closer.
"Nothing much. Just slip a few Spirit Stones to the Outer Sect Elder in Charge."
"Then I owe you a great debt, Senior Brother..."
"Heh heh heh..."
The two grew increasingly convivial, exchanging knowing smiles like old friends reunited after a long separation.
Xu Sanyan made no pretense of modesty. He had always been fond of women, especially beautiful ones.
As for preferences, he wasn't picky. Whether it was a full-figured woman like Madam Wu, a tall beauty like Cui Wanying, or a carefree type like Tang Huanhuan, he appreciated them all.
(End of the Chapter)
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