Chapter 16 Outside the Fourth Hall
Shi Feng asked, "Since there are low-grade spirit stones, are there high-grade spirit stones?" Chang Qing said, "Of course there are. One medium-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for one hundred low-grade spirit stones, and one high-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for one hundred medium-grade spirit stones. In addition, there are also top-grade spirit stones, but we can't see them."
Shi Feng asked, "Why is that?" Chang Qing said, "The higher the grade of the spirit stone, the stronger the spiritual power contained within. These high-grade spirit stones have a wider range of uses. Some large-scale formations and top-grade magic weapons require high-grade spirit stones to operate. Even if it's simply to replenish spiritual power, others can recover with a single mid-grade spirit stone. If you have a hundred low-grade spirit stones, the recovery speed will be much slower. If two people fight, and one recovers quickly and the other recovers slowly, what do you think the result will be?"
Shi Feng nodded repeatedly and put the five crystals close to his body. Chang Qing said, "I should have given you a storage bag, but the storage bag requires spiritual power to activate, and you can't use it."
Shi Feng said, "Brother, can you tell me about the general situation of the sect and the rules that we should pay attention to?"
Chang Qing said, "Of course I have to talk about this. Our Taiji Sect has been established for thousands of years and is one of the five major orthodox sects in the Great Yan Kingdom. Taiji Sect is divided into five inner sects and four outer halls. In addition to our Tiejian Peak, the five inner sects also include Diecui Peak, Huiyan Peak, Fentian Mountain, and Yantai Ridge. In terms of terrain, Huiyan Peak is the highest and Yantai Mountain is the shortest. However, in terms of power, the opposite is true. Yantai Mountain is the sect head and has the largest number of members, while Huiyan Peak is mostly female and has the smallest number of members."
Shi Feng asked, "What's the difference between these five inner sects?" Chang Qing replied, "They're divided according to the five elements. Our Iron Sword Peak specializes in gold-based techniques. Huiyan Peak specializes in ice-based techniques and is located in the northernmost part, where the coldest air is. Burning Heaven Peak is to the south, where there's a thousand-year-old volcanic valley, perfect for practicing fire-based techniques. Diecui Peak is slightly further from the sect, east of the Shigu Mountains, and specializes in wood-based techniques." He pointed to a platform-like peak in front of him, "That's Yantai Ridge, located right in the center, and specializing in earth-based techniques. In addition to the five inner sects, there are also four outer halls, collectively known as the Outer Sect. Of the three thousand disciples in our Taiji Sect, eighty percent are in the Outer Sect."
Shi Feng was a little surprised. "Why are there more people in the outer sect than in the inner sect?" Chang Qing chuckled. "In addition to the five sects and four halls, the Taiji Sect also has seven major families under its jurisdiction, as well as dozens of smaller families and affiliated sects. These are all considered outer sects, so naturally there are more people than in the inner sect. However, the true elites of our sect are the inner disciples."
Shi Feng said, "I understand the affiliated sects, but what about these aristocratic families?" Chang Qing said, "Aristocratic families are actually descendants of the inner sects. Some inner sect disciples reach a certain level of cultivation and feel that they have no hope of advancing, but they can't stand the arduous days of cultivation in the mountains. Oh, although we cultivators live much longer than ordinary people, we still have to die one day. These people want to return to the secular world before their lifespan ends, get married, have children, and enjoy a peaceful life. I heard that the major sects didn't allow this at first, but later they all advocated and even encouraged it."
Shi Feng found this interesting and asked, "Why is that?" Chang Qing replied, "The reason for not allowing it at the beginning is easy to understand. First, we cultivators are not allowed to interact with ordinary people. After all, cultivators possess magical powers and astonishing abilities. If they all ran into the secular world, the entire secular world would be in chaos. Secondly, most inner disciples have learned some advanced skills from their own sect. These are secrets that are not passed down. If they were leaked outside the mountain gate, it would be a serious matter." Shi Feng nodded and said, "Then why was it encouraged later?"
Chang Qing said, "The reason is simple. Spiritual roots are so rare in this world, only one in a million. Sect leaders don't have the energy to test them one by one in the secular world. I've heard that some small sects, unable to recruit disciples, had no successors, and their lineages were cut short. Later, it was discovered that while spiritual roots can't be seen or touched, they are related to physical constitution. Cultivators with spiritual roots have a much higher chance of having offspring with them. And the higher a cultivator's level of cultivation, the more difficult it is to have children. Therefore, all the major sects encouraged their disciples to marry and have children. Some sects even established rules that those over fifty who couldn't establish their foundation must return to the secular world."
Shi Feng said, "I see." Chang Qing continued, "However, after leaving the mountain, the sect was worried about the spread of their skills. Therefore, when these people returned to the secular world, they could not be completely like ordinary people. They had to be controlled by the sect and help the sect mine minerals, grow spiritual herbs, and so on. Correspondingly, if there was any danger, the sect would also help. These people branched out and formed aristocratic families of varying sizes. Some of these families are very large, with many masters, and their influence should not be underestimated. Every year, the sect will visit the major families to assess and recruit disciples. I, senior brother, come from a small family."
As they walked, Shi Feng asked, "Brother, what should I pay attention to in the sect?" Chang Qing said, "I'll give you the sect rules later, you can take your time to read them. The most important one is not to betray your master or ancestors, that is absolutely unreasonable." Shi Feng nodded and said, "Then what should I do normally? I feel like I have nothing to do."
Chang Qing stopped and scratched his head, saying, "This really stumps me, Junior Brother. Normally, what we inner disciples should do is practice, meditate and breathe, and we can also complete some sect missions to earn some spirit stones to refine pills and forge suitable spiritual weapons. But Junior Brother, you don't have spiritual roots, so there's no need to do any of this."
Shi Feng asked, "Brother, didn't you say I could practice Pure Yuan Gong?" Chang Qing replied, "You practice Pure Yuan Gong just to strengthen your body. Unlike us, Qi Refining disciples breathe in and out to absorb Yuan Qi. This Yuan Qi is stored in the Dantian. When it accumulates to a certain level, it forms a spiritual ring. When you reach nine spiritual rings, which means you've reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, you can try to build your foundation and solidify your Dantian. Junior brother, you're practicing this purely to strengthen your body, so there's no need to meditate all day long."
Shi Feng asked, "Then what should I do?" Chang Qing thought for a long time and said, "Junior brother, if you are willing to humble yourself, you can go to the outer sect and find a job." Shi Feng smiled bitterly and said, "Senior brother, how can I be so proud of myself in this state?" Chang Qing said, "You are not right. Taiji Sect has 3,000 disciples, but only 600 inner disciples. They are all carefully selected. Those without spiritual roots and poor aptitude cannot enter the inner sect. Junior brother, you are a special case. You are the only inner sect disciple without spiritual roots in our Taiji Sect."
Shi Feng was at a loss for words. Chang Qing said, "Those without spiritual roots, or whose spiritual roots are too weak, can only be assigned to the outer sect. No matter their background or age, outer sect members must respectfully address inner sect disciples as "brothers." The difference in treatment is as vast as heaven and earth. You will understand this later, junior brother. Otherwise, why would Grandmaster Dao Chong personally plead for you to be accepted into the inner sect?"
Shi Feng said, "I have no spiritual roots, so I'm just wasting my time in the Inner Sect. I'd rather go to the Outer Sect and do something. I wonder if Senior Brother would agree?" Chang Qing said, "What a coincidence! Master just told me today what you're talking about. If you want to stay in the Inner Sect, you can stay. If you find it boring, you can go to the Outer Sect and do something. But even if you go, you'll still be an Inner Sect disciple."
Shi Feng said, "Thank you, Master and Senior Brother. What assignment has Master arranged for me to take in the Outer Sect?" Chang Qing said, "That's up to you. The Outer Sect has four halls and there are many different assignments. It all depends on what your future plans are, Junior Brother."
Shi Feng asked, "Oh, what do you mean?" Chang Qing said, "The largest of the outer halls is the Deacon Hall. The Deacon Hall is responsible for managing many of the sect's affairs, such as guarding the gate, receiving guests, distributing supplies, etc. In addition, the Deacon Hall also manages the affairs of the affiliated sects of the aristocratic families. If you want to go down the mountain and set up your own sect in the future, then go to the Deacon Hall and make some friends with everyone so that you can look after them in the future."
After hearing this, Shi Feng shook his head repeatedly.
Chang Qing said, "I wouldn't recommend Junior Brother to the Mechanical Hall. The Mechanical Hall manages all of the sect's teleportation arrays, as well as the restrictions of each sect and hall. Although they also research some formations, my Tai Chi sect is not good at mechanical formations. This hall also has the smallest number of people among the outer halls." Shi Feng said, "What are the remaining two?"
Chang Qing said, "For the remaining two, I recommend you go to the Alchemy Hall. The Alchemy Hall is where medicinal herbs are grown and elixirs are refined. As the saying goes, those who are close to water get the moon first. The disciples of the Alchemy Hall have no shortage of elixirs. These elixirs can strengthen the body, cure diseases, and prolong life. Whether you are a cultivator or not, eating them will bring you great benefits. Even if you don't want to eat them yourself, you can exchange them for spirit stones or other magical tools from other disciples." Shi Feng's heart moved and he asked, "Big Brother, can the Alchemy Hall refine poison?"
Chang Qing was shocked when he heard this. "What do you want the poison for?" Shi Feng said, "I want revenge."
Chang Qing shook his head repeatedly. "Junior Brother, your idea is too naive. Although refining poison is not difficult, ordinary poisons are useless against cultivators. Even if you have a powerful poison, what can you do? Are you going to put poison in the tea and then beg the other person to drink it?" Shi Feng gritted his teeth. "The people from the Demon Puppet Sect killed my entire family and wiped out my entire village. Of course, I will kill them all." Chang Qing said, "You will understand how ridiculous this is from now on. The Demon Puppet Sect is also a large sect with thousands of people. Its power is no less than that of my Tai Chi Sect. They can destroy you with a single breath."
Shi Feng stopped talking. Chang Qing said, "The last outer hall is the Weapon Refining Hall. It's where the sect refines various spiritual weapons and magical treasures." Shi Feng asked, "Do these spiritual weapons and magical treasures also require mana to operate?" Chang Qing said, "Of course! However, some first- and second-grade magical weapons can be used simply by installing spirit stones, without requiring the user's own mana." Shi Feng was delighted. He had also made pottery and bows and arrows in his hometown, and his craftsmanship was superb and well-known in the village. He said, "Little brother, let's go to the Weapon Refining Hall."
Chang Qing said, "You have to think carefully. This weapon refining hall is the dirtiest and most tiring place, so few people are willing to go there." Shi Feng said, "I'm not from a wealthy family, so I'm not afraid of hardship."
Changqing said, "Okay, I will report this matter to Master and he will decide. Let's go back first." The two of them returned to Yuxiu Peak. Changqing immediately told Shi Feng the sect's rules one by one, and taught Shi Feng some basic knowledge of the cultivation method, such as identifying meridians, how to move the body around, how to breathe, how to absorb, etc.
For the next three days, Chang Qing came to teach Shi Feng for half a day every morning, explaining the meaning of "Chun Yuan Gong" sentence by sentence. However, Tai Chi has always had a rule that no matter whether it is the master or the eldest brother, they only explain the exercises literally. As for how to understand it, they will not go into details, and it is left to the practitioners to figure it out on their own.
If the disciple does not understand and keeps asking, the person who teaches the skills will naturally explain it, but he will only say that it is his personal opinion and the practitioner does not have to follow it.
The Pure Yuan Gong explains how to absorb the five elements of spiritual energy, beginning with the chapter on melting gold. Shi Feng, a man of high comprehension, had a general understanding after three days of listening to Chang Qing's lectures. However, when he spent the remaining time sitting cross-legged and breathing, he could not sense any golden spiritual energy entering his body. He remained unhurried and continued to practice diligently.
On the fourth day, Chang Qing arrived at noon. He said as he entered, "It's a coincidence that Master came out of retreat today. I told him about your wish to go to the Equipment Refining Hall, and he agreed, telling you to study hard." Shi Feng hurriedly thanked him, "Disciple, I obey." Chang Qing said, "It's too late today. I'll take you to the Equipment Refining Hall tomorrow. Let's continue discussing the Pure Yuan Gong."
The next morning, two green-robed monks, one tall and one short, walked down the mountain path of Yuxiu Mountain, and arrived at the Deacon Hall through the teleportation array at the foot of the mountain. From the Deacon Hall, they were teleported to the foot of Fentian Peak in the south. After walking another ten miles of mountain roads, they arrived at the Sword Casting Valley where the Equipment Refining Hall was located.
The Sword Forging Valley was vast, surrounded by crimson cliffs and bare, barren grass. The buildings within were also quite simple, with a few gray-robed disciples bustling in and out. Changqing and the other two entered and called out, "Is Steward Luo here?"
"Who is it?" A tall, broad-shouldered man with a full beard emerged from inside. Upon seeing Changqing, he hurriedly saluted and said, "So it's Senior Brother Changqing. Luo San is honored to meet you. Are you looking to refine some magical weapon?"
Changqing waved his hand and said, "Let's go in and talk." The steward Luo hurriedly led the two into the house and told his disciples to pour two cups of spiritual tea. Changqing said to Shi Feng, "This is Luo San, the steward of the weapon refining hall." Shi Feng hurriedly said, "Hello, Senior Brother Luo." The man hurriedly said, "Junior Brother, don't break the rules. Just call me Luo San." It turned out that he was also an outer disciple.
Chang Qing said, "Manager Luo, you're welcome. This is my master's new seventh disciple, Shi Feng. He has no spiritual roots, so the master asked him to come to the weapon refining hall to learn something. He will be your subordinate in the future."
Iron Sword Peak had opened a ancestral hall and accepted a new inner sect disciple, but he was a person without spiritual roots. This matter was already a strange news and had long been spread throughout the entire sect. Luo San heard about it and said, "Don't worry, Senior Brother Changqing, I will definitely take good care of Senior Brother Shi while he is here."
Chang Qing nodded, then pulled Shi Feng over and gave him a few words of instruction. Finally, he said, "If anyone bullies you, just tell me, Senior Brother." Then he floated away.
Luo San waited until Chang Qing left before coughing, "Senior Brother Shi..." Shi Feng hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Luo, please don't call me that. I'm a mortal without spiritual roots. I'm just an ordinary disciple in the Weapon Refining Hall. Please teach me everything, Brother Luo."