C19 Leaving the Main Peak

At the Heaven Light Sect, atop Heaven Light Peak, inner sect disciples emerged from their caves in small groups, making their way to the Pill Room. On the third of each month, every official disciple was entitled to claim a Spirit Gathering Pill from the Pill Recipe. In addition to the pill, they could also collect a fragment of a Spirit Stone from the Item Room. Once they had gathered five fragments, they could exchange them for a low-grade Spirit Stone.

Wai Peng, known for his tall tales, also made his appearance. He approached several disciples at the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage and inquired with a grave tone, "Do you find cultivation to be a challenge?"

Upon seeing him clad in red, the disciples paused, then respectfully bowed their hands in greeting, "Greetings, Elder."

Wai Peng dismissed the formality with a wave of his hand and addressed them, "Do you wish to learn how to accelerate your cultivation and swiftly rise to the rank of elder?" According to the sect's regulations, anyone who advanced to the Foundation Stage could become an elder, regardless of their generation. Elders enjoyed far greater privileges than regular disciples, but the path to becoming one was steep. The Heaven Light Sect had only a little over a hundred elders, while the number of Qi Cultivating Stage disciples was in the thousands, making the odds of elevation exceedingly slim.

The disciples' eyes gleamed with anticipation as they asked in chorus, "Elder, could you offer us some guidance?"

Wai Peng relished these eager expressions and the pleas for wisdom. He cleared his throat, ready to share his insights on cultivation, but was interrupted by a disdainful snort from nearby. His expression soured. With a subtle extension of his Divine Sense, he detected an elder dressed in a red Pill robe standing by the Pill Room, a hundred meters away. He sent a telepathic message, "Zhang Guoqiang, why do you obstruct me?"

Zhang Guoqiang stood steadfast in front of the Pill Recipe, surrounded by disciples in green who were handing out pills to those in white. He remained still, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. After a brief pause, his lips twitched slightly, and his words reached Wai Peng's ears, "I'm not obstructing you. I merely wish to remind you that nearly a month has passed. When will you take your beggar disciple and leave the main peak?"

As the old adage goes, good deeds go unnoticed, while bad news travels fast.

The Heaven Light Sect wasn't particularly large, with fewer than five thousand cultivators at the Qi Cultivating Stage or higher. The majority, over ninety percent, were Qi Cultivating Stage disciples. It was common for them to share amusing life stories during discussions about their cultivation insights. Han Binn had become the hot topic of late. His rumors were known to nearly everyone in the sect, especially after Han Fei, aware that Wai Peng had accepted Han Binn as a disciple, began to spread them with ill intent. In less than a month, the gossip had reached everyone, from the reclusive Grand Elder to the Sect Master himself.

"When did I say I'd take him off the main peak, and why should that concern you?" Wai Peng would have nearly forgotten the matter if not for Zhang Guoqiang's reminder.

Unperturbed, Zhang Guoqiang continued telepathically, "I've heard that since arriving at the main peak, he's been cultivating in your cave. Your Spirit Gathering Formation is decent, but do you truly believe that in one month, you can enhance his Spiritual Root from less than one-star to seven stars?" A person's Spiritual Root is innate, and without significant fortune, it's impossible to alter in a lifetime.

The Heaven Light Sect's inner courtyard boasted five peaks, one main and four secondary. The main peak was rich in spiritual energy, while the secondary peaks' Spiritual Power paled in comparison. Cultivation locations were determined by one's aptitude and level of cultivation. To cultivate on the main peak, one needed a seven-star Spiritual Root and to be at least at the seventh level of the Qi Cultivating Stage. The four secondary peaks had no such requirements; any official disciple could cultivate there and even establish their own cave abode.

For the first month as an official disciple, one could cultivate in their master's cave. After that, if the criteria were met, one could request a cave abode from the Sect Master. Those who didn't qualify were relegated to the secondary peaks. Except for the third day of each month, when disciples collected Pills and Spirit Stone fragments, or unless summoned by their master, they were forbidden from setting foot on the main peak. And even on the third day, they had to depart before sunset, or face the sect's discipline.

"I don't need your concern when it comes to teaching my disciples," Wai Peng huffed, sweeping out of the room with a flick of his sleeve.

The disciples left behind, who had been eagerly awaiting his guidance, watched in confusion as the elder, who had appeared so abruptly, stormed off with a dark scowl on his face.

On his way back, Wai Peng seethed internally, muttering to himself, "This fool, it's been nearly a month and he still can't harness Divine Sense. I truly wonder how he managed to cultivate even a trace of Spiritual Power within him."

Back in his cave dwelling, Han Binn stared blankly at the wine jar before him. It remained intact, unbroken.

For a brief moment, Han Binn had seen everything inside the jar—absolutely nothing. It was utterly empty.

Confused, Han Binn questioned whether the jar truly contained nothing or if he had sensed incorrectly. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his senses once more. This time, a peculiar wave of energy emanated from his mind, rendering the world around him as clear and vivid as if it were three-dimensional. Han Binn's consciousness probed the interior of the jar again, finding it empty. As his awareness expanded outward, he soon met with a formidable barrier. The resistance was immense; despite his efforts, he couldn't penetrate it in the slightest.

With no other option, Han Binn withdrew his consciousness and approached the wine jar. He was about to shatter it when footsteps echoed from behind. Turning, he saw his master approaching with a stormy look on his face. Instinctively, Han Binn bowed and greeted him, "Master, you've returned." In his distraction, he forgot about the jar in his hands, which slipped and shattered on the ground with a crash.

Wai Peng was livid. He strode up to Han Binn and demanded, "Who gave you permission to break the wine jar? Did you sense anything inside?"

Realizing the gravity of his master's fury, Han Binn knew admitting to sensing nothing would only provoke Wai Peng to leave in a huff. Ignoring whether his earlier experience was the Divine Sense his master referred to, he bit the bullet and replied, "Master, I sensed that there was nothing inside the wine jar." His eyes flickered to the broken shards at his feet.

"Nothing at all!" Wai Peng's anger turned to bitter laughter, then he bellowed, "You've shattered the jar, seen its emptiness, so naturally, you can claim there was nothing to find."

"But..." Han Binn's voice was tinged with frustration. He had sensed nothing earlier, leaving him to wonder if that was what Divine Sense felt like.

Wai Peng had little patience for his disciple at this moment. With a flick of his sleeve, he cut off Han Binn's words and turned to leave. But after a few steps, he paused and spun around to question, "Tell me, after a month of cultivation, are you able to use Divine Sense?"

In a subdued tone, Han Binn replied, "Master, I believe I've sensed something."

Wai Peng's face softened slightly as he instructed, "Speak plainly—did you sense it or not? No 'I believe' or 'maybe'..." He slapped his Storage Bag, producing another wine jar, and challenged Han Binn, "Try again. What's inside this jar?" He was skeptical of Han Binn's claim, doubting the young man's ability to wield Divine Sense.

It wasn't unheard of in the Cultivation Realm for some practitioners to lack the innate talent and insight necessary to use Divine Sense upon their initiation into a sect.

Han Binn was about to close his eyes to concentrate when Wai Peng corrected him, "There's no need to close your eyes to use Divine Sense."

"No need to close them?" Han Binn was taken aback but followed his master's guidance. He focused intently on the wine jar, attempting to sense its contents. Moments later, he came up empty.

Wai Peng, now fully aware of the situation, exclaimed in frustration, "A month has passed, and you've sensed nothing? You've truly astonished me! Gather your belongings and follow me."

At those words, Han Binn dropped to his knees, pleading, "Master, please don't send me away. I promise to dedicate myself to my cultivation."

With a sigh, Wai Peng clarified, "I'm not casting you out; I'm relocating you."

Puzzlement washed over Han Binn's face as he asked, "Relocating me?"

Wai Peng nodded gravely, explaining, "The sect has its rules. If one's Spiritual Root is below seven stars, they must move to the secondary peak for cultivation after their first month."

"And when might I return?" Han Binn asked, his voice laced with concern. Though not the brightest, he knew the Spiritual Energy at the main peak was far superior to that of the secondary peak. If he struggled to make progress here, the chances of advancing at the secondary peak seemed even slimmer.

"Come back when you've reached the seventh level of the Qi Cultivating Stage or higher," Wai Peng said, though he doubted in his heart, "With your aptitude, you'd be lucky to return in this lifetime." He had little faith that Han Binn would make such progress. Given Han Binn's modest talents, reaching the seventh level of Qi Cultivating would be a lifetime's stretch; even achieving the third level was a struggle. Wai Peng had all but written off his disciple.

With his belongings in tow, Han Binn departed from the main peak alongside his master.

Upon arriving at Fallen Leaf Peak, Wai Peng handed Han Binn a cultivation manual with little ceremony and promptly left, his brisk departure making it clear he had no desire to spare Han Binn another glance.

The Heaven Light Sect boasted five peaks in total. Besides the main Heaven Light Peak, the other four were Fallen Leaf Peak, Water Moon Peak, Green Rock Peak, and Broken Cliff Peak. Water Moon Peak was reserved for female disciples, while Broken Cliff Peak catered to those with four to seven stars in their Spiritual Root. Fallen Leaf Peak and Green Rock Peak, however, were open to disciples with three stars in their Spiritual Root or fewer, imposing few restrictions. The spiritual energy on these subsidiary peaks was notably weak—not only in comparison to the main peak but also to the other two subsidiary peaks.

Watching his master vanish into the sky, Han Binn couldn't help but smile wryly. After all the twists and turns, he found himself back in such a desolate place.

"Perhaps it's for the best. I can't wield the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal on the main peak, but here, I'm free from such constraints." Clenching his fists with resolve, Han Binn closed his eyes and felt for the Storage Bag at his waist. He tossed the manual into the bag as a test and, to his surprise, it seamlessly flew in and vanished. The Storage Bag now contained an additional book. Han Binn also noticed a few garments, an identity Jade Plate, and a medicine bottle within the bag. He recognized the bottle as containing 12 Fasting Pills, which, once consumed, would sustain him without food for an entire year.

Han Binn's mind stirred, and the book soared out from its resting place. He quickly snatched it from the air and tucked it back. Using his Divine Sense, he tried again, and the book obediently flew out. His heart raced with excitement as he repeated the process several times. This was the Divine Sense resonance his master had spoken of, wasn't it? But something was off. His master had mentioned that it should work with his eyes open too. Why couldn't he manage it? Han Binn attempted several more times with his eyes wide open, but to no avail. As he glanced at the sky, hues of sunset painted the horizon. With a sigh, he made his way toward the grand hall of Fallen Leaf Peak.

Each sub-peak boasted a grand hall, home to a Foundation Stage Elder. These elders were there to consult on matters of cultivation or to relay messages to one's master. However, seeking their guidance was no simple task; it hinged on the elder's mood. On a good day, an elder might offer some advice, but on a bad day, one could be turned away—or worse, expelled from the hall.

Upon reaching the deserted Fallen Leaf Hall, Han Binn called out softly, "Elder Zhou..." Wai Peng had briefed him about Fallen Leaf Peak during their journey. Han Binn's task was clear: find Elder Zhou in the hall and obtain a Jade Plate from him. With it, he could proceed to the cave designated on the plate for his cultivation.