As the time gap was a bit too long, I have decided to take more time for each chapter to make it more interesting and possibly get more collections and possibly some Power Stones too. 😋😋😋😅😅😅
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Stephen followed the stream of students moving down the street, turning toward the rows of buildings on the right, along with the other male disciples. On the opposite side, the female students were guided toward identical buildings lined along the left side of the road.
The two sides were separated by a wide stone pathway shaded by tall trees. Their leaves swayed gently in the mountain wind, producing a soft rustling sound that echoed faintly through the quiet surroundings. The entire place felt less like a sect dormitory and more like a carefully planned city built solely for cultivators.
The moment Stephen stepped through the entrance of the building assigned to him, a faint humming sound came from a device fixed beside the doorway.
A mechanical voice spoke in a calm, emotionless tone.
"Identity confirmed. Probationary disciple Stephen Stormcloud. Assigned room: 210."
A small slot opened in the side of the device with a soft click, and a thin metallic card slid out.
"Please keep this access card secure. Lost cards will not be reissued. Entry to dormitory areas requires valid authorization."
Stephen picked up the card, feeling its cool, smooth surface between his fingers. Strange runic patterns were etched across it, faintly glowing for a moment before fading back into the metal.
Around him, other students were receiving their cards as well. No one spoke much. Most of them were still too busy observing their surroundings, their expressions filled with curiosity and unease.
Stephen headed toward the staircase and climbed to the second floor.
The interior of the building was far more luxurious than he had expected.
A long hallway stretched ahead, lined with sleek metallic doors on both sides. A soft carpet covered the floor, muffling every step, while crystal lamps embedded in the walls emitted a steady, gentle glow that filled the corridor with warm light.
It felt less like a dormitory and more like a high-class resort prepared for important guests.
Stephen walked slowly down the hallway, glancing at the numbers engraved on the doors as he passed.
206…
208…
Then he stopped.
210.
The number was carved neatly into the door in elegant script.
Stephen took out the card and held it against the small scanner beside the handle.
A faint blue light swept across the card.
Click.
The lock released with a soft sound, and the door slid open.
Stephen stepped inside.
The room that appeared before him made him pause for a moment.
It was a spacious suite, far larger than anything he had expected. Two single beds stood on opposite sides of the room near a wide window, the blinds half-drawn so that thin strips of morning light fell across the polished floor.
Two closets stood beside the beds, one for each occupant, and a small bedside table rested beside each of them with a crystal lamp placed neatly on top.
The walls were smooth and spotless, and the air carried a faint, refreshing scent that made the entire room feel clean and comfortable.
For a few seconds, Stephen simply stood there, taking it all in.
When Mr. Taylor had said the conditions here were nearly as good as those of the inner disciples, Stephen had assumed it was only an exaggeration meant to impress them.
Now, seeing this…
He found it hard to imagine what kind of place the inner disciples lived in.
He let out a quiet breath and shook his head slightly.
"No point thinking about that now…"
Walking over to the bed near the window, he opened the first drawer of the bedside table.
Inside lay a small booklet.
The cover was dark gray, and stamped on the front was the image of a sword wrapped in heavy chains.
Stephen sat down on the bed and flipped it open.
The first few pages listed the restricted areas of the sect.
Certain mountains, halls, and training grounds were completely off-limits to probationary disciples. Entering any of them without permission would result in immediate expulsion.
He continued reading.
Probationary disciples were not allowed to leave the mountain they had been assigned to unless accompanied by an elder or a senior disciple with proper authorization.
Fighting inside the dormitory buildings was strictly forbidden.
Classes at the Hall of Learning had to be attended three times every week. These lessons covered a wide range of subjects, including world history, monster classification, rune theory, and the fundamentals of cultivation.
Morning drills at the training grounds were mandatory.
Missing them would result in the deduction of points.
Stephen's eyes paused slightly at that word.
Points.
He turned the page.
The next section explained it in detail.
Points were the official currency of Great Sword Mountain.
Everything required points.
Resources, manuals, weapons, pills, and even personal guidance from instructors.
If one had enough points, it was even possible to request training from a Grandmaster-level expert.
Stephen's gaze grew more focused as he kept reading.
Each probationary disciple would receive one thousand points per month.
However, almost every useful facility requires spending them.
At the end of the booklet was a detailed map of the mountain.
Stephen studied it carefully.
Several locations caught his attention immediately.
The Cultivation Hall.
Different rooms inside it had different multipliers for spiritual energy density.
In the hall assigned to probationary disciples, the highest-level rooms reached five times… even six times the normal spiritual energy outside.
But the free usage time was limited.
Each disciple could choose either:
One and a half hours in a low-level room with double density
or
Half an hour in the highest-level room.
Only once per week.
Stephen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's nowhere near enough…"
Those with stronger foundations required far more spiritual energy to break through each stage. Their soul seas were larger, which meant every advancement demanded greater accumulation.
If he wanted to reach the King Realm within three years, this amount of free cultivation time alone would never be sufficient.
He kept reading.
Another place caught his eye.
The Sword Tower.
A special facility used to temper sword intent and strengthen one's will.
It also required points.
Fifty points per half hour after the free time was used.
Stephen couldn't help but smile faintly.
"So that's how it is…"
The sect gave them everything they needed.
But only just enough.
If they wanted more, they would have to earn it themselves.
The booklet explained the ways to obtain points.
Completing missions from the Treasure Hall.
Exchanging materials found outside.
Or challenging other disciples.
The rules were clear.
Weaker disciples could challenge stronger ones.
Stronger disciples could not bully the weak without reason.
Anything obtained outside of missions could be kept or exchanged for bonus points at the Treasure Hall.
Stephen closed the booklet slowly.
Now he understood.
Great Sword Mountain wasn't cruel.
It was simply… mercilessly fair.
You either climbed higher with your own strength—
Or you faded into mediocrity.
He placed the booklet back in the drawer, then raised his hand and activated the soundproofing formation inside the room. A faint ripple spread across the walls, sealing the space in silence.
The air inside the room felt slightly denser than outside the sect.
Even this dormitory had richer spiritual energy than the outside world.
Stephen sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes.
His breathing gradually slowed.
Qi began to circulate through his meridians, flowing steadily toward his soul sea.
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Author Note:- From this chapter onward, the "Merit points" will be called "Credits",
While the points that will be used within the Sects and various academies will be simply referred to as "Points".