"The mountain gate of the Soul Catching Sect, although a Cultivation Sacred Land situated atop a Second-level Spiritual Vein, can significantly accelerate cultivation speed."
"But I harbor too many secrets; I always feel constrained here. If anything goes wrong, it would be troublesome..."
"It seems it's best to find an excuse to leave the Sect. The Inner Sect isn't necessarily that safe!"
Releasing his energy and gathering his spiritual aura, the Profound Evil Qi within Zheng Yi's body fully merged into his flesh. He opened his eyes, and his gaze, shimmering with a captivating chill, penetrated the darkness of the room.
After a moment, Zheng Yi stood up and exhaled deeply.
The path of cultivation relies on four key elements: wealth, techniques, companions, and land.
Many place great importance on the Second-level Spiritual Vein of the Sect, for cultivation here is not only secure but also faster due to the rich Spiritual Qi.
But Zheng Yi didn't value these; he carried too many secrets, so he naturally didn't wish to expose himself in such an environment for petty gains.
If a sect elder discovered even a hint, it would be entirely detrimental to him.
Moreover, the cultivation techniques he chose were quite unique; while they required Spiritual Qi, they didn't necessarily need the support of a Second-level Spiritual Vein.
He was more adaptable in choosing cultivation grounds than other sect members.
Even in a barren area with sparse and faint Spiritual Qi, Zheng Yi could still quickly elevate his cultivation realm by traversing back to the Doomsday World and exploiting its resources.
At least, this was true for cultivation during his lowly Qi Cultivation Stage.
Now, the only thing he lacked was time.
"According to the information learned from Liang Qing, the Internal Affairs Hall's tasks, aside from the highly dangerous missions like chasing and capturing, recently included a war draft, releasing a slew of tasks and contributions."
"It seems the Sect is very short-handed now, and the war with Hundred Beasts Sect is becoming increasingly intense."
"Luckily, I am a newly joined Inner Sect Disciple with a two-year task buffer period; otherwise, I might also be forcefully drafted and sent to the front line as cannon fodder..."
Zheng Yi secretly felt fortunate, never expecting this sect war to be even more intense than imagined.
After discovering that Middle-Grade Spirit Stone Vein, the Soul Catching Sect had already summoned a batch of Inner Sect Disciples to guard it.
Later, Hundred Beasts Sect joined the contention, directly sparking this major war.
If it were merely a small Low-Grade Spirit Stone Vein, it would at most lead to friction between sects.
But once it involves Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, it represents enormous interest, so sects like Soul Catching Sect and Hundred Beasts Sect, being Small Demon Dao Sects, are bound to fight for every inch.
Moreover, the exact location of the Spirit Stone Vein lies in a no man's land, so neither the Soul Catching Sect nor Hundred Beasts Sect has the complete justification or enough power to swallow it all in one go.
This is why the scale of the war has continued to expand.
The second batch of summoned disciples has also been dispatched to the front line.
As the battlefield situation grew increasingly fierce, the third batch, led by the Supreme Elder and Sect Leader, likewise set off for the front.
Now they are summoning the fourth batch of Inner Sect Disciples.
It's no exaggeration to say that the number of Inner Sect Disciples remaining in the Soul Catching Sect now is less than thirty percent compared to its peak period.
Despite this, they are continuing to draft within this thirty percent of Inner Sect Disciples, which shows the intensity of the war.
However, Zheng Yi is not worried; generally, the drafted ones are those seasoned Inner Sect Disciples. Like him, the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples enjoy two years of exemption from summoning.
Cultivators are pragmatic, not to mention Demon Cultivators, each narrow-minded and selfish, even lawless, so they must weigh various interests.
Otherwise, joining the Sect is meant for learning from a master.
Unexpectedly, before the skills are learned, the very first day of apprenticeship leads to immediate drafting and being sent to the front lines as cannon fodder.
Even the most foolish disciple might not be willing, although under high pressure from the upper levels, it can be enforced, but Inner Sect Disciples differ from ordinary Outer Disciples or sect servants; they are the backbone of a Cultivation Sect Demon Dao Sect.
If they lose heart and loyalty, it would be dire for the future prospects and development of this Cultivation Sect.
Moreover, in such large-scale sect wars, ordinary Inner Sect Disciples are at most just cannon fodder on the battlefield, needing at least Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer to be considered a minor expert.
Thus, protecting newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples is also a sect measure; beginners receive some preferential treatment, staying quietly in the novice village.
If sent as cannon fodder, better to train them for a few more years, waiting until they are powerful enough with some self-preservation capability, before dispatching them.
"...These tasks hold little significance for me."
"What I need now is neither Sect Contribution Points nor the rewarded resources."
"It appears that the best way to leave the Sect now is to proactively apply for external garrison tasks."
"But such garrison tasks typically require being deployed elsewhere."
"These are generally in quite remote places, far from the Sect, where the mountains are high and the emperor is far, granting garrison disciples significant authority, yet they also bear distancing from the Sect's Second-level Spiritual Vein, causing cultivation to stagnate."
"Generally speaking, these garrison tasks aren't difficult to acquire."
Zheng Yi calculated in his heart, based on the information he previously obtained, along with his personal visit to the Internal Affairs Hall.
He discovered that such tasks of guarding a place are seldom taken by anyone, often a compulsory task from the Sect.
At any time, the identity of a Sect Disciple is just an outward manifestation, while being a cultivator is everyone's true core.
As a cultivator, regardless of being Righteous Dao or Demon Sect, improving cultivation always remains the eternal pursuit and discussion.
Especially in a competitive and ruthless small-scale Demon Dao Sect like the Soul Catching Sect, everyone's goal without exception is to boost their realm.
Achieving realm improvement requires abundant Spiritual Qi, and for sect disciples, the place abundant with Spiritual Qi in the entire Demon Realm is naturally the Inner Sect base.
As for places needing garrison, besides a stronghold like Blood Mist Abyss City, most others are far from bustling areas.
Particularly the varied small mines under Soul Catching Sect's industries, most of which are in desolate wildlands, with scarce Spiritual Qi, hence few sect disciples are willing to go and guard them.
Therefore, tasks of guarding Spirit Stone veins are almost always compulsory Inner Sect disciple assignments.
Where there is obligation, there is right.
The disciples guarding Spirit Stone veins generally return to the Sect only after their garrison period is fulfilled. During garrison, they can avoid participation in sect war drafts.
In this period when the Soul Catching Sect's fight with Hundred Beasts Sect intensifies, guarding Spirit Stone veins, away from war, might also be a good opportunity.
Though Inner Sect Disciples are considered core strength within the Sect, they are merely consumables in sect wars.
Deciding firmly, Zheng Yi directly headed to the Internal Affairs Hall.