C17 Mockery and Ridicule

The next morning, Han Binn packed his bags and left his room, only to find a group of over ten disciples waiting outside. He recognized most of them, though they seldom spoke. They were there to see him off. Surprised by the turnout, Han Binn was about to say something when Xie Hu emerged from the doorway, grinning. "Han Binn, when you become an immortal, you better not forget us!"

In that moment, Han Binn felt genuinely moved. He knew Xie Hu was behind this gesture; without him, there likely wouldn't have been a single person to bid him farewell. Han Binn was used to solitude, not having many friends, unlike Xie Hu, who could make friends with just a few words and was acquainted with most of the outer sect disciples.

"Don't get sentimental," Xie Hu said with a smile. "I did this to show everyone that with diligent cultivation, anyone can catch the elders' attention and join the inner sect one day."

Han Binn, taken aback, gave Xie Hu a puzzled look.

Xie Hu then whispered, "All these people want to buy my secret manuals. Without showcasing you, how could I drive up the price?"

The warmth in Han Binn's heart dissipated with those words. He forced a smile and waved farewell to the crowd.

The disciples cheered, escorting Han Binn to the crossroads before they gradually dispersed.

Xie Hu stayed back. "Don't hold it against me for not cluing you in! It's not like it did you any harm."

Han Binn didn't take the matter seriously. He quipped, "Since you've made some money, shouldn't you share a bit with me?"

"Ah, forget about it," Xie Hu dismissed with a wave of his hand. "You're practically an immortal now. What do you need money for? Just make sure you come back and visit when you can." His tone dimmed a bit; though he had made many friends recently, Han Binn was the most genuine. Watching Han Binn about to depart, Xie Hu couldn't help feeling a twinge of sadness.

Han Binn gave a solemn nod, aware that after this departure, there was no telling when the next reunion might be.

As he made his way to the inner courtyard, Han Binn was awash with sentiment. He had anticipated that gaining entry would take at least three years, yet here he was, achieving it much sooner than expected. This was merely the first step on the path to immortality, and the journey ahead was lengthy. Clutching the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal close to his chest, he inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air, and hastened his steps.

It took half a day's walk before Han Binn laid eyes on the cloud-enshrouded peak he had set out for. This was Heavenly Peak, the principal peak of the Heaven Light Sect, encircled by four subsidiary peaks. These five peaks served as the cultivation grounds for the inner sect disciples. The main peak boasted the most structures, including the Pill Room, Spirit Weapon Pavilion, and Talisman Room. On his last visit home, Han Binn had been to the inner courtyard but lacked the privilege to ascend the main peak; instead, he had visited the modest Talisman Room at the mountain's base, where he obtained the Wind Control Talisman for his journey home.

Despite his master's modest cultivation level and reputation, as an elder, he was entitled to reside on the mountain.

Upon reaching the mountain's base, Han Binn was halted by two disciples guarding the entrance. One challenged him sharply, "Who are you?"

Han Binn produced a thumb-sized Jade Plate from his pocket and offered it to the guard, saying, "Seniors, I am here by my master's command, bound for the inner court."

The disciple accepted the jade plate with a cursory glance, noting the scant Spiritual Power within Han Binn. He scoffed, "Who is your master?"

Upon hearing Wai Peng's name, the disciple couldn't suppress a chuckle. Then, recalling something, his demeanor turned frosty as he said, "If you're Martial Uncle Wai Peng's disciple, you may proceed up the mountain." The morning's briefing had made it clear: Wai Peng's new disciple was to be granted access upon mention of his name.

Han Binn grabbed the Jade Plate and, after confirming the location of his master's residence, quickly made his way there. He had barely left when two disciples burst into raucous laughter. One of them remarked, "Like master, like disciple, huh? Martial Uncle Wai Peng is hilarious—his disciple is just like him."

The other joined in, chuckling, "I can't fathom what Uncle-Master Wai Peng was thinking. Sure, his own talents are modest, but he's got a three-star Spiritual Root at least. I used my Divine Sense to check out that kid's constitution. Want to take a stab at his level?"

The disciple previously speaking, Zhang Ye, asked with a grin, "He's not a one-star, is he?" He figured that to be an outer disciple, one had to have at least a one-star rating. Anyone below that wouldn't even get the chance to join the sect.

Qian Chao laughed heartily, "If only he were a one-star. That kid doesn't even have that."

Zhang Ye, taken aback, expressed his skepticism, "How can that be? Without a one-star, how could he have been admitted to the sect?"

Qian Chao snickered, lowering his voice, "There's a rumor that Martial Uncle Wai Peng often descends the mountain for unknown reasons. Makes you wonder if this guy is his secret son or something."

"Cut it out," Zhang Ye retorted. "He looks nothing like Wai Peng. How could he possibly be his illegitimate child?"

The topic seemed to captivate them, and they continued their conversation and laughter for quite some time.

Within the Heaven Light Sect, there were many disciples like them, tasked with guarding the sect. In addition to the pairs stationed at each pathway, many were concealed within the nearby woods. Most of these disciples had reached at least the third level of the Qi Cultivating Stage and were charged with the sect's security. Should any formidable adversaries approach, they were ready to activate the great protective array. However, sect defense was not merely a duty but came with compensation. For a month of service, they could collect a low-grade Spirit Stone and ten Spirit Gathering Pills from the inner sect's service department. The longer the service, the more substantial the rewards. Disciples who had hit a cultivation plateau and couldn't break through quickly often took on these assignments.

Han Binn made his way toward the inner reaches of the sect when he was met halfway by several disciples clad in white, chatting and laughing as if they were sharing the most delightful news. Yet, upon laying eyes on Han Binn, they paused, taken aback. His grey robe marked him as an outer disciple, one who typically had no business in the inner sanctum.

Among the group was Han Fei, who, upon recognizing Han Binn, couldn't help but blurt out in astonishment, "Han Binn, what brings you here?"

Another familiar face was Ling Shuangshuang, the daughter of the City Lord of Heaven Wind City. Han Fei had been standing close to her, his gaze fixed on her with undisguised affection. It was clear he harbored feelings for Ling Shuangshuang, though his advances seemed yet to be reciprocated.

Ling Shuangshuang squinted at Han Binn, a sense of recognition flickering across her face. "He looks familiar," she mused aloud. The memory of Han Binn was faint; after all, it had been over half a year. With their rapid growth at such an age, Han Binn had shot up in height and his features had subtly matured, so her momentary lapse was understandable.

Seizing the opportunity to impress, Han Fei interjected, "Shuangshuang, remember before our Spiritual Root assessment when someone burst into the State Sect..."

Prompted by Han Fei's hint, Ling Shuangshuang's memory clicked. "That's right, he was that beggar," she recalled, then quickly realized her gaffe. She playfully stuck out her tongue and apologized to Han Binn, "Sorry, that's not what I meant."

Han Binn brushed off the comment, about to respond when Han Fei shot him a sharp look and turned back to Ling Shuangshuang. "You're not wrong, Shuangshuang. He is a beggar. It's beyond me how he managed to beg his way into the outer sect and still isn't satisfied. Now he fancies himself worthy of the inner sect? As if any elder would take someone like him as a disciple."

The disciples around Han Fei had been part of the sect for just over half a year, much like himself. As inner sect members, their days were filled with nothing but cultivation. Their only respite was the occasional gatherings where they shared insights on their spiritual practices. The recent event had been like a bombshell for them, and a young girl, about fourteen, couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Han Fei, is he truly a beggar?" With her delicate features and an icy aura about her, she glanced at Han Binn with a detached curiosity.

Han Fei nodded with an air of superiority, "Junior Sister Zhang Xue, you wouldn't believe it if I told you about his lack of talent. He hasn't even..."

"Not even a 1-star level!" A cold voice cut through, halting Han Fei mid-sentence.

Everyone paused, turning to look at Han Binn, the source of the interruption.

With a frosty gaze, Han Binn addressed Han Fei, "Have you finished? If so, step aside."

That look sent a chill through Han Fei, prompting him to instinctively clear the way.

Han Binn strode past the group without a backward glance. His figure seemed to carry the weight of solitude, standing out against the world as if he were the last person on earth, a solitary silhouette against the vastness.

As Han Binn walked away, Han Fei called out in frustration, "Han Binn, you think you can cultivate with that aptitude? Even inside the inner sect, no elder will take you as a disciple. Better leave now!" He was seething. His cousin, whom he had always seen as worthless, had made it to the inner sect. Could it be that an elder was actually considering taking him on as a disciple?

Zhang Xue's brow quirked, sensing something amiss. She advised, "Senior Brother Han Fei, don't stoop to his level. Once the elders realize their mistake, he'll return to where he came from." She shared Han Fei's view, assuming Han Binn was seeking mentorship. In the outer sect, there had been disciples who sought teachers, but they had at least reached the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage. For someone as green as Han Binn, this was unprecedented.

Han Fei let out a contemptuous snort and muttered a curse under his breath before addressing the group, "Let's move on! We're here to discuss our insights on cultivation, not to have our luck soured by crossing paths with a beggar."

Han Binn caught every word of their conversation, yet he continued to stride forward, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing a slow trickle of blood. He was no stranger to such scorn and derision. Apart from Ling Shuangshuang, who hadn't joined in the mockery, everyone else seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. Powerless to retaliate for now, he bore the insults in silence, the faces of his tormentors etched into his memory, vowing to repay them in kind one day.

In a nearby grove, Wai Peng stood observing the recent events, particularly struck by Han Binn's reaction. The boy's composure in the face of mockery was astonishing. Yet, the other source of Wai Peng's surprise was Han Binn's apparent lack of talent.

Wai Peng had been aware of Han Binn's limited potential and had never bothered to scan the boy with his Divine Sense. He couldn't understand how the rule that outer disciples should possess at least a one-star Spiritual Root didn't seem to apply to Han Binn. Had the Heaven Light Sect's standards for accepting disciples become so lax in recent years that even ordinary children were being admitted? Wai Peng now regretted his decision; had he known Han Binn lacked even a one-star Spiritual Root, he would never have taken him on, no matter how resolute the boy seemed.

"Ah well, what's done is done; no point in dwelling on regrets," Wai Peng thought to himself. "I just hope he doesn't bring an end to my lineage." Despite his penchant for boasting, Wai Peng was far more principled than many of the so-called virtuous immortals. His decision to take Han Binn as a disciple had drawn mockery from his peers and even suggestions that he should give up cultivating on the main peak to avoid further shame.