Three people directly entered the Inner Sect: Lu Nanzhi, Shen Huaxi, and her competitor Xie Jingshan. Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, they received their tokens and were escorted by sword control to the Thirty-Six Peaks of the Heavenly Interence Sect.
Next were ninety-eight Outer Sect Disciples, with the rest being servants.
Inner Sect Disciples may join the Thirty-Six Peaks of the Heavenly Interence Sect, where spiritual energy abounds, receive guidance from Nascent Soul True Monarchs, and have the chance to become Direct disciples of the True Monarch—a supreme honor.
Every month, they receive twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones and one bottle of Elixir as provisions, with no compulsory sect tasks for the first three years, focusing mainly on cultivation.
Outer Sect Disciples have lesser benefits, living under the Thirty-Six Peaks in the Eighty-One Valleys, with five people sharing one courtyard containing a Spirit Gathering Array. They receive five Low-Grade Spirit Stones and three Elixirs every month, without compulsory sect tasks for the first year.
Servants can only receive five Low-Grade Spirit Stones and three Elixirs upon entry.
In the first month, they learn literacy and sect rules, focusing on Energy Introduction into Body without needing to take tasks. Afterward, they will be assigned to work throughout the Heavenly Interence Sect, with a mandatory sect task each month.
If they fail to achieve Energy Introduction into Body in the first month, they will be expelled from the sect.
Fortunately, sect tasks reward Contribution Points, which can be exchanged for Spirit Stones, Elixirs, and other resources.
There are apprenticeship servant roles, such as farming apprentice and puppet apprentice. Although they also perform miscellaneous tasks, if they apprentice with a good master, their treatment is no less than that of Outer Sect Disciples, and they can learn skills crucial for survival and livelihood.
Moreover, servants may encounter generous elders who casually gift them items. Although servants endure hardships, with effort, they can continue cultivating.
Upon reaching the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, they can participate in the year-end selection to enter the Outer Sect, gradually elevating their status.
Jiang Yuebai watched everyone step forward one by one, taking away their respective tokens and cultivation supplies.
Lin Suwan received her Outer Sect Disciple token, and before leaving, she glared at her smugly, mouthing a warning to watch out.
Jiang Yuebai, anxious at heart, clenched her fist and told herself not to fear.
The galaxy stretches endlessly, and the moon shines faintly.
After everyone left, the square was empty save for Jiang Yuebai, who stood resolutely alone, brimming with defiant energy, constantly staring at Hong Tao.
Hong Tao took a bundle from the hands behind him, and Jiang Yuebai's eyes shone brightly, unable to suppress her smile.
Hong Tao sighed, holding the bundle, and said, "Follow me."
Hong Tao led Jiang Yuebai alone, descending the small path on the west side of the square.
The night wind was cold, with waves of grass swirling, one large and one small figure, one ahead and one behind.
Jiang Yuebai kept her eyes fixed on Hong Tao's hand holding the bundle meant for her but not yet given.
Yet she dared not ask, fearing Hong Tao might strike her right off the Immortal Mountain, turning all her efforts to dust.
After about fifteen minutes, Hong Tao stopped before a fork in the road.
One way down led to a dark valley, crisscrossed paths, with wind blowing the scent of rice at night.
The other way up led to the Jade Firmament Elixir Palace, where faint lights flickered, and celestial music echoed, intoxicating the heart.
Hong Tao holding the bundle looked down at the small Jiang Yuebai.
"I purposely left you for last, firstly because I value your temperament and perseverance, and secondly, out of some personal interest. I am merely a Qi Cultivation Stage Outer Disciple Steward, powerless against Golden Core Stage elders, but I don't want to see you sent to your death in vain. Luckily, the Inner Affairs Hall has a task that requires an apprentice servant."
"You climbed the eighty-first step on Wenxing Road, and according to sect rules, should be an Outer Sect Disciple. However, you saw that the Outer Sect's lowest tier consists of those with Three Spiritual Roots, including many seedlings from Immortal Cultivation Families. Before the Ascension Stairs, I hope you haven't forgotten what I told you. In the Outer Sect, higher identity provides more opportunities, but you'll frequently encounter that Miss Lin, possibly living in the same place, repeatedly meeting, and you may not even have the chance to enter the Dao."
"Being a servant is arduous, but apprenticeship servants are different; they have opportunities to stay far away. Those within the Outer Sect temporarily can't find you and there will be someone to guide you into Dao and teach you the basics of Immortal Cultivation, sparing you from figuring things out alone. You'll have time to cultivate and enhance yourself to master self-defense skills. Also, servants have chances to test into the Outer Sect again. Now it's up to you to choose whether to enter the Outer Sect or become a servant."
Jiang Yuebai's eyes showed some discontent, "Why is it that Five Spirit Roots aren't good enough? How am I actually inferior to them?"
Hong Tao squatted down to look her in the eye patiently, "This is common knowledge in the Cultivation Realm. Immortal Cultivation is about drawing spiritual energy into the body and storing it, gradually honing the flesh. These things you'll understand in the future; for now, I'll just tell you about the Spirit Roots. Spirit Roots are like water tanks, and spiritual energy is akin to the moisture in the air. Without water tanks, you cannot gather or store the moisture, so possessing water tanks is essential for Immortal Cultivation—it's the key to Opening the Immortal Gate."