eness.
Even with his vast experience, the Daoist couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration.
*If this lad survives, he will surely become a pillar of the Sacred Sect in the future!*
"Follow me."
The Daoist, named Liu Xin, was a formal disciple of the Mending Heaven Peak, one of the Four Inner Peaks. His duty was to guide newly promoted disciples and explain sect protocols.
"The Four Outer Halls correspond directly to the Four Inner Peaks," Liu Xin explained with interest as they walked. "Aside from the Holy Fire Cliff where the Sect Leader resides, our Sacred Sect is primarily governed by these Four Inner Peaks."
"You came from the Blissful Union Hall, so naturally, you join our Mending Heaven Peak. First, I'll take you to update the register."
Having guidance was exactly what Lü Yang needed. "Many thanks, Senior Brother Liu."
"Merely fulfilling my duty." Liu Xin replied calmly. "After updating the register, I'll take you to the other three halls. The benefits for formal disciples are considerable—consider it a welcome gift from the Sect."
"According to the rules, each formal disciple can only claim this once." Liu Xin's expression turned slightly wistful. "Once you enter the Inner Sect, if you want resources of similar caliber, you'll need to complete sect missions, earn Contribution Points, and exchange for them."
Lü Yang frowned. "Contribution Points?"
"The currency issued by the Sect," Liu Xin explained. "After updating the register, you should be able to see them through your disciple token."
Curious, Lü Yang followed Liu Xin to update the register. The process was simple: his Life Lantern, lit upon entry, was moved from the Outer Sect area to the Inner Sect area.
Lü Yang then channeled a wisp of True Qi into the token at his waist. Words immediately appeared on its surface:
**"Formal Disciple: Lü Yang."**
**"As a formal disciple, the Sect grants you 50 free Contribution Points. Contribution Points can be exchanged for Spirit Stones, cultivation manuals, magical artifacts, cultivation caverns, etc."**
**"Within the Inner Sect, you must pay Contribution Points to rent a cultivation cavern. Rent is 30 Points per month. Alternatively, you may purchase a cavern. As a newly promoted Inner Sect disciple, you qualify for a 20% discount on the down payment if purchased within ten years."**
—There were over a dozen pages of similar instructions.
After reading carefully, Lü Yang concluded: "The Inner Sect... runs on money."
With Contribution Points, the world was your oyster—manuals, pills, treasures, all within reach. Without them, you were paralyzed, unable to even afford shelter.
Simultaneously, Lü Yang understood Liu Xin's "welcome gift."
Every provisional disciple promoted to formal status could use their token to claim **one magical artifact** from the Treasure Forging Hall, **one pill** from the Alchemy Hall, **one companion spirit beast** from the Beast Taming Hall, and **one Dao Companion** from the Blissful Union Hall—all without spending a single Contribution Point.
"Seems like a genuine perk," Lü Yang mused.
He focused his will, using the token to access the Contribution Points exchange list. Rows of items appeared:
Cultivation manuals, magical artifacts, pills, spirit beasts, Dao Companions... The cheapest cost at least 100 Points.
In stark contrast, the rewards for sect missions were pitifully low—mostly single-digit Points, rarely reaching double digits.
Thus, the free "four-piece set" upon promotion was worth at least 400 Contribution Points—a veritable fortune for a new formal disciple.
Lost in thought, Lü Yang followed Liu Xin to the Treasure Forging Hall.
The person receiving them was named Chen Hao, an attendant of the hall and reportedly also a formal disciple. Serving as an attendant was his assigned mission.
According to Liu Xin, such fixed-post missions within the Inner Sect were the most lucrative. Not only did they pay substantial Points—often enough to sustain a formal disciple—but they were also stable, akin to an iron rice bowl. Sadly, competition was fierce; without connections, securing such a post was nearly impossible.
"Senior Brother Liu? It's been a while!" Chen Hao greeted them upon entering. His eyes first appraised Lü Yang before settling on Liu Xin with practiced warmth. "Bringing another new disciple?"
"Indeed," Liu Xin grinned, his tone laden with implication. "Knowing that, shouldn't you hurry up and bring out the finest artifacts in the Treasure Forging Hall for Junior Brother Lü to inspect?"
"Right away!" Chen Hao nodded obsequiously and led them into the hall's inner courtyard. As they walked, however, Lü Yang frowned in surprise.
"Isn't this... the disciples' meditation quarters?"
Shouldn't retrieving artifacts involve a warehouse or vault?
Chen Hao looked momentarily puzzled, then burst into laughter. "Ah, Junior Brother Lü, you're unaware. The finest artifacts are all right here!"
Before Lü Yang could question further, they stopped before a meditation chamber.
"This Junior Brother inside has seniority—three years as a provisional disciple in the Outer Sect. A pity he was rather stubborn... took his cultivation down a misguided path..."
Chen Hao pushed the door open without ceremony.
Inside, seated cross-legged on a cushion in the center of the room, a Daoist sat with eyes closed, muttering incoherently as if lost in a dream.
"It's working... it's finally working..."
Chen Hao swiftly made a hand seal. The Daoist's eyes snapped open. His previously vacant expression twisted into one of manic ecstasy.
"Haha! This Daoist Master has succeeded!"
*BOOM!*
Before the manic laughter could fade, the man exploded. Flesh and blood sprayed violently outward, only to be sucked back moments later, coalescing and merging entirely into the skeleton left behind on the cushion.
In moments, the living man was gone.
In his place lay a crystalline, segmented "bone sword," pulsing with a dazzling aura of spiritual light, resting gently on the cushion.
Chen Hao stepped forward, picked up the "bone sword," and handed it to Lü Yang. "The magical artifact 'Jade Bone Sword.' Rated as superior in the *Dongzhen Compendium of Hundred Treasures*. Truly, that Junior Brother was excellent material. Years of dedicated cultivation, his skill was profound. Otherwise, the artifact's aura wouldn't be so refined."
Lü Yang: "..."
Staring at the Jade Bone Sword in Chen Hao's hand, Lü Yang felt a chill seep into his bones. Coupled with his experience in the previous life, his understanding of the Primordial Sanctum Sect's true nature crystallized.
It could be summed up in eight words: **The strong devour the weak. Every resource is utilized!**
The Sect invests resources to cultivate you provisional disciples. In return, you *must* create value for the Sect. If you can't create value, the Sect *will* create it *from* you!
Break through, become a formal disciple? Naturally, everyone rejoices.
Fail to break through? The Sect won't support you for life. They *will* recoup their investment from you, ensuring the Sect doesn't operate at a loss.
Thus, to the Primordial Sanctum Sect, disciples were merely different forms of material—some clouds, some water—each serving a purpose. All were resources; none were waste.
"This Sect truly lives up to its name," Lü Yang murmured.
He closed his eyes, exhaling a long, deep breath. Remembering the safety net of the Book of Hundred Lifetimes, he reopened his eyes, his composure fully restored.
"Junior Brother possesses remarkable fortitude! Truly, a man of exceptional talent!" Liu Xin observed Lü Yang's rapid recovery with undisguised surprise, his smile widening appreciatively.
Next, Lü Yang followed Liu Xin to the Alchemy Hall and the Beast Taming Hall. He received a "Qi Replenishing Pill" and a "Human-Faced Magpie." The former nourished True Qi when consumed; the latter served as a messenger bird, commonly used by formal disciples for communication.
It was only when they reached the final item—the Dao Companion—that Liu Xin encountered a problem.
"You broke through too quickly, Junior Brother," Liu Xin shook his head with a wry smile. "You joined the Outer Sect and reached Qi Refinement in a single day. The Blissful Union Hall hasn't had time to prepare your assigned Dao Companion."
"Perhaps Junior Brother could wait a few days?"
Lü Yang, of course, had no particular interest in a "Dao Companion." He clasped his hands respectfully. "I defer entirely to Senior Brother's arrangement."
Liu Xin laughed heartily. He then produced a jade slip and pressed it into Lü Yang's hand. "This is the secret true art transmitted by our Mending Heaven Peak. Study it well."
Lü Yang took the jade slip and immediately channeled his spiritual sense into it.
In the next instant, an immensely complex cultivation manual imprinted itself upon his mind.