Chen Feng woke to the sound of a bell ringing across the sect compound, its clear tone carrying through the morning air to signal the beginning of the daily schedule that governed life at Azure Peak. The sky visible through his small window showed the grey light of pre-dawn, suggesting that cultivators maintained schedules that began considerably earlier than the agricultural rhythms Chen Feng had followed in his village life. He rose quickly, performed basic ablutions using the water basin provided in his room, and dressed in his grey outer disciple robes with the care appropriate for someone representing his new sect affiliation.
The residential hall's common areas were already filling with other outer disciples when Chen Feng emerged from his room, many of them appearing barely more awake than he felt despite their presumably greater familiarity with the sect's routines. He observed his new peers with discrete attention, noting the wide variation in ages and apparent backgrounds represented among the outer disciples. Some were children who could not have been older than ten or eleven, likely recruited young due to exceptional spiritual roots or family connections to the sect. Others appeared to be teenagers similar to Chen Feng's own age, while a few seemed to be adults in their twenties or even older, their presence suggesting that cultivation potential could manifest at various life stages rather than being restricted to youth.
A tall young man with the confident bearing of someone accustomed to social prominence approached Chen Feng as he stood somewhat uncertainly in the common area. The stranger wore the same grey outer disciple robes as everyone else, but something in his posture and the quality of attention he received from nearby disciples suggested he held informal status beyond what his formal rank indicated.
"You must be the new arrival from Redwood Village," the young man said, his tone friendly but carrying undertones of assessment. "Word spreads quickly in the outer sect when someone arrives under escort by inner disciples and with special arrangements for elder mentorship. I am Liu Wei, one of the senior outer disciples who helps orient newcomers to sect life and protocols."
Chen Feng recognized the name as one that had appeared in his orientation materials as the supervisor for his residential hall. He bowed with the formal courtesy that seemed appropriate when addressing someone who held administrative authority over his immediate living situation. "I am Chen Feng. Thank you for taking time to introduce yourself. I confess I am still learning to navigate the sect's organization and would welcome any guidance you might offer."
Liu Wei's expression suggested approval of Chen Feng's respectful approach. "The morning bell signals the start of mandatory instruction sessions for new disciples. These take place in the Eastern Teaching Hall, which is approximately a ten-minute walk from this residence. I will show you the route this morning, as getting lost on your first day would create an unfortunate impression with the instructors. The sessions cover sect rules, basic cultivation theory, and fundamental techniques that all disciples must master regardless of their individual paths or specializations."
The two young men departed the residential hall together, with Liu Wei maintaining a steady narration of useful information as they walked through the awakening sect compound. He explained the significance of various buildings they passed, identified important landmarks that would help Chen Feng orient himself, and described the daily schedule that structured life for outer disciples. Mornings were dedicated to mandatory instruction until midday. Afternoons provided time for personal cultivation practice, optional skill development courses, and completion of sect assignments that earned contribution points used to access resources and privileges. Evenings were generally free for individual pursuits, though many disciples used this time for additional cultivation or study.
The Eastern Teaching Hall proved to be a substantial structure capable of accommodating several hundred disciples simultaneously in its multiple instruction chambers. Liu Wei guided Chen Feng to a specific room where new disciples were gathering for their orientation session, then departed with a reminder that Chen Feng should seek him out if questions or problems arose that required assistance from someone familiar with sect operations.
The instruction chamber contained rows of cushions arranged to face a raised platform where the teaching elder would presumably stand to deliver lessons. Chen Feng selected a position in the middle section of the room, neither conspicuously forward nor obviously attempting to hide in the back. Other new disciples continued arriving in small groups, their conversations creating a background murmur of nervous energy and anticipation as they waited for the session to begin.
The teaching elder arrived precisely as the final bell tone faded, entering through a side door and moving to the raised platform with the unhurried confidence of someone who had conducted countless similar sessions. She was a woman who appeared to be in her forties, though Chen Feng recognized that cultivators' appearances could be misleading regarding actual age. Her robes marked her as an inner elder, and the elaborate embroidery incorporating formation patterns suggested expertise in array work or similar technical disciplines.
"I am Elder Feng," she announced in a voice that carried clearly through the chamber without apparent strain or effort. "For the next month, you will attend this instruction session each morning to learn the foundational knowledge required of all Azure Peak disciples. Your attention and comprehension during these sessions will directly impact your ability to progress beyond outer disciple status, as the material covered here provides the conceptual framework upon which all higher cultivation builds. Those who fail to master these fundamentals will find themselves permanently limited in their advancement regardless of their spiritual root quality or natural talent."
The warning delivered, Elder Feng proceeded to outline the curriculum that would occupy the coming month's morning sessions. The first week would address sect rules, hierarchies, and the various systems governing resource allocation, mission assignments, and advancement opportunities. The second week would cover cultivation theory, explaining the underlying principles that made spiritual energy manipulation possible and describing the progressive realm structure that cultivators advanced through as their capabilities increased. The third week would introduce fundamental techniques applicable across various cultivation paths, including basic spiritual energy control exercises, defensive formations, and combat applications suitable for outer disciples. The final week would provide specialized instruction based on disciples' individual spiritual root types and chosen specializations.
Elder Feng then launched into the first actual lesson, beginning with the most essential sect rules that governed conduct and established boundaries beyond which disciples faced disciplinary consequences. Chen Feng listened with focused attention, recognizing that ignorance of rules would not excuse violations and that understanding the framework of expectations was crucial for avoiding unnecessary problems during his evaluation period.
The sect's core rules proved to be relatively straightforward in their stated form, though Elder Feng provided extensive commentary explaining the practical applications and noting common situations where disciples misunderstood or attempted to exploit ambiguities. Disciples were forbidden from killing or seriously harming fellow sect members except in formally sanctioned combat situations such as tournament matches or supervised sparring sessions. Theft of another disciple's possessions or resources was grounds for expulsion and possible criminal prosecution. Deliberate sabotage of sect facilities or another disciple's cultivation was treated as a serious offense potentially warranting corporal punishment or permanent banishment. Resources obtained through sect missions or from sect stores had to be used according to their designated purposes rather than being sold externally or traded inappropriately.
Beyond these absolute prohibitions, the sect maintained numerous additional regulations addressing matters of hierarchy, proper conduct in various locations, protocols for requesting resources or assistance from higher-ranked disciples and elders, and procedures for resolving disputes between disciples without resorting to violence. The complexity of the rule structure reflected the reality of managing thousands of individuals living in close proximity while competing for limited resources and advancement opportunities. Chen Feng found himself mentally organizing the information into categories and creating associations that would help him recall specific rules when relevant situations arose.
The morning session continued for approximately three hours before Elder Feng concluded with instructions for the disciples to study the written rule compilation that would be provided to each of them via jade slip. She emphasized that the next day's session would include an assessment of their comprehension, with poor performance resulting in remedial instruction that would consume personal cultivation time. The implicit threat motivated immediate attention to the studying task among disciples who recognized that falling behind during the first week would establish negative patterns difficult to overcome.
Chen Feng departed the Eastern Teaching Hall along with the general flow of disciples dispersing to various destinations throughout the sect compound. He had several hours available before his scheduled afternoon session with Elder Wu, time that he could dedicate to studying the rule compilation or beginning his personal cultivation practice. The competing demands on his time and attention represented a challenge he would need to learn to manage effectively, balancing immediate requirements against longer-term development needs.
His path back toward the outer disciple residential area took him past one of the sect's contribution point exchange halls, where disciples could trade earned points for cultivation resources, technique manuals, weapon refinements, and various other goods and services. Chen Feng paused to observe the activity around the exchange hall, noting the steady stream of disciples entering and departing with expressions ranging from satisfaction to disappointment depending presumably on whether they possessed sufficient points to acquire desired items.
A familiar voice called his name, and Chen Feng turned to find Lin Yue approaching from the direction of the inner disciple areas. She wore her blue inner disciple robes with the casual confidence of someone thoroughly comfortable in her environment, and her expression brightened slightly when she confirmed his identity among the crowd of outer disciples moving through the area.
"Chen Feng, I hoped I might encounter you during the midday period," Lin Yue said as she drew close enough for comfortable conversation. "How has your first morning at the sect proceeded? Were you able to find the teaching hall without difficulty?"
"Liu Wei from my residential hall provided guidance and showed me the route," Chen Feng replied. "The orientation session covered sect rules and regulations. Elder Feng proved to be a thorough instructor who emphasized the importance of understanding the framework governing sect operations."
Lin Yue nodded approvingly. "Elder Feng has a reputation for demanding comprehension rather than mere memorization. Students who pass through her instruction tend to develop strong foundational understanding that serves them well as they advance. Have you eaten since the morning session concluded? The outer disciple dining hall should be serving the midday meal now, and I have sufficient time to accompany you if you would welcome company."
Chen Feng accepted the offer, recognizing both the practical benefit of learning the dining hall's location and the personal value of spending time with someone who had proven to be a reliable source of guidance and support. They walked together toward the designated dining facility, with Lin Yue maintaining a running commentary about various aspects of sect life that Chen Feng would need to understand as he established his routines and patterns.
The outer disciple dining hall was a large communal space capable of feeding hundreds of disciples simultaneously through an efficient system where meals were prepared in bulk and distributed according to rank and contribution point expenditure. Basic meals sufficient for maintaining health and energy were provided free to all outer disciples as part of their sect membership benefits. Enhanced meals incorporating spiritual ingredients that could accelerate cultivation progress were available for purchase using contribution points, creating a tiered system that rewarded disciples who successfully completed missions and earned points through their efforts.
Chen Feng and Lin Yue obtained basic meals and found seating at one of the long communal tables that filled the dining hall. The food quality exceeded what Chen Feng had known in his village, with rice, vegetables, and protein portions that were both adequate and reasonably flavorful despite being prepared in quantities that prevented elaborate individual preparation. They ate in comfortable companionship for several minutes before Lin Yue raised a topic that she had apparently been considering.
"I wanted to ask how your meeting with Elder Wu proceeded yesterday," she said, keeping her voice low enough that nearby disciples would not easily overhear. "He has a reputation as a demanding but effective instructor, particularly for disciples dealing with unusual circumstances or rare spiritual phenomena. However, his teaching style can be rather intense and may seem harsh to those unfamiliar with his methods."
Chen Feng considered how to characterize his initial impression of Elder Wu. "He demonstrated both extensive knowledge and clear understanding of the responsibilities and dangers associated with Void Mark cultivation. His warnings about the fates of historical practitioners who lacked adequate restraint or wisdom were sobering but necessary for me to hear and internalize. I believe his instruction will prove valuable, though I expect the training will indeed be demanding in ways that extend beyond simple technique mastery."
"That assessment aligns with what I have heard from other disciples who studied under Elder Wu's supervision," Lin Yue confirmed. "His focus on developing judgment and wisdom alongside technical capability represents an approach that some disciples find frustrating because it slows their apparent progress compared to peers who concentrate exclusively on advancing their cultivation realms. However, those who complete his instruction tend to demonstrate exceptional stability and control over their abilities, with significantly lower rates of cultivation deviation or technique failure compared to average disciples."
She paused to take a drink of tea, then continued with a shift toward more personal topics. "I have been thinking about the resonance between our respective abilities that I mentioned during our journey here. The Connection concept that forms the foundation of my cultivation path has been developing in interesting ways since I began spending time near you and observing your Severance techniques. I can now perceive connections with greater clarity and detail than before, as though your presence is somehow enhancing my natural sensitivity to bonding phenomena."
Chen Feng found this revelation intriguing and potentially significant. "Do you believe our abilities might interact or enhance each other through proximity or collaboration? The historical records Elder Wu provided mentioned that some ancient Void Mark bearers formed partnerships with cultivators whose abilities complemented Severance, though the details were frustratingly vague about how such partnerships functioned or what benefits they provided."
Lin Yue's expression became thoughtful as she considered the possibility. "That could explain the resonance I have been experiencing. If Connection and Severance represent complementary aspects of the same fundamental force governing reality's structure, then cultivators specializing in each aspect might naturally enhance each other's capabilities through some form of spiritual or conceptual resonance. The phenomenon would be worth investigating systematically, both for understanding its mechanisms and for determining whether we could develop combined techniques that leverage our complementary abilities."
The conversation continued through the remainder of their meal, ranging across topics that included Chen Feng's impressions of sect life, Lin Yue's own experiences during her early years as a disciple, and practical advice about navigating the social dynamics that existed among outer disciples. Chen Feng learned that informal hierarchies based on strength, talent, and personal connections operated alongside the formal rank structure, creating complex webs of alliance and rivalry that disciples needed to understand and navigate carefully to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Lin Yue also warned him about a particular group of outer disciples who had developed reputations as bullies and exploiters, using their superior cultivation bases and backing from influential families to extract resources and favors from weaker disciples through intimidation or manipulation. The sect's rules technically prohibited such behavior, but enforcement proved challenging when the perpetrators were careful to avoid actions that left clear evidence or that crossed into outright rule violations. New disciples were particularly vulnerable to such exploitation during their first months when they lacked established connections and full understanding of how to protect themselves within the system.
"If you encounter situations where you feel pressured or threatened by other disciples, seek assistance from either your hall supervisor or from higher-ranked disciples who have proven themselves trustworthy," Lin Yue advised. "Do not attempt to handle serious conflicts alone when you lack both the cultivation base and the social capital necessary to defend yourself effectively. There is no shame in requesting support when faced with circumstances beyond your current capability to manage independently."
Chen Feng thanked her for the warning and the guidance, recognizing that her advice came from genuine concern for his wellbeing rather than from any assumption that he was incapable of defending himself. The reality was that he was indeed relatively vulnerable in his current circumstances, possessing unique abilities that might prove powerful when properly developed but lacking the foundation of basic cultivation advancement that would allow him to compete with disciples who had years of training and resource access beyond what he currently possessed.
The midday meal concluded, and Chen Feng bid farewell to Lin Yue as she departed to attend to her own afternoon obligations. He made his way back to his residence hall to spend the remaining time before his session with Elder Wu studying the rule compilation that had been provided following the morning instruction. The jade slip contained far more detailed information than Elder Feng had been able to cover during a single session, with extensive commentary addressing edge cases, historical precedents, and philosophical rationales underlying various regulations.
Chen Feng absorbed the information with the same focused attention he brought to all learning opportunities, recognizing that thorough understanding of the sect's rule structure would prove valuable throughout his time as a disciple. The rules revealed much about Azure Peak Sect's values and priorities, emphasizing collective welfare over individual gain while simultaneously maintaining systems that rewarded merit and achievement. The balance between communal obligation and personal advancement reflected a sophisticated organizational philosophy that had apparently evolved over generations of managing cultivators' competing interests and ambitions.
The afternoon arrived, and Chen Feng departed for Elder Wu's residence to begin his specialized instruction in Void Mark cultivation. The elder was waiting when Chen Feng arrived, seated in the same elevated position he had occupied during their previous meeting. The elder's expression was neutral but attentive as he gestured for Chen Feng to assume a meditation posture in the center of the room.
"We begin today with establishing proper understanding of what severance actually accomplishes," Elder Wu stated without preamble. "Most beginning practitioners, yourself included based on your demonstrated technique applications, conceive of severance as a simple cutting action that removes connections between things. This understanding is incomplete and potentially dangerous. Severance does not eliminate connections but rather transforms them by redistributing the relationship between entities across different pathways or dimensions."
The elder produced a length of rope and held it up for Chen Feng to observe. "Consider this rope as a visible representation of a connection between two points, each end representing an entity bound to the other through their shared linkage. If I physically cut this rope with a blade, I have separated the two ends and apparently eliminated the connection between them. However, the material that composed the rope has not ceased to exist. It has merely been redistributed, with the two severed ends now forming separate shorter ropes that retain most of their original properties except for their connection to each other."
Elder Wu set the rope aside and continued his explanation. "Spiritual and conceptual connections operate according to similar principles. When you sever a connection between entities, you are not causing the relationship to vanish into nonexistence but rather forcing reality to redistribute that relational energy through alternative pathways. Sometimes this redistribution is harmless or even beneficial, as when you severed the corruption bonds linking beasts to their controller and allowed the dark energy to dissipate naturally. Other times, redistribution creates new problems that may be worse than the original connection you severed."
Chen Feng processed this information, recognizing its significance for his understanding of his own abilities. "How does one predict whether severance will redistribute energy harmlessly or create new complications?"
"Through systematic examination of the entire network surrounding the connection you intend to sever," Elder Wu replied. "Before cutting any bond, you must trace that connection to identify what it links, what purposes it serves within the larger system, and what alternative pathways exist for the relational energy to flow through once the primary connection is removed. Only when you understand the complete context can you make informed judgments about whether severance will produce acceptable outcomes."
The elder gestured for Chen Feng to activate his enhanced perception. "Observe the connections in this room again, but this time do not merely identify individual bonds. Instead, trace each connection through multiple degrees of separation, following the pathways by which every entity relates to every other entity through direct and indirect linkages. You will find that everything in this room connects to everything else through networks that are far more complex than the simple one-to-one relationships you have been focusing on thus far."
Chen Feng followed the instruction, extending his perception to encompass not just immediate connections but also the secondary and tertiary relationships that linked entities through intermediate pathways. The result was overwhelming in its complexity, revealing that every object in the room related to every other object through multiple different pathways that varied in strength, nature, and stability. The jade slips on Elder Wu's shelves connected to each other directly through shared subject matter, but they also connected indirectly through their shared connection to the shelves that held them, through the authors who had written them, through the spiritual energy that suffused them, and through countless other relationship types that Chen Feng could perceive but struggled to fully categorize.
"You are beginning to comprehend the true nature of reality's interconnection," Elder Wu observed, apparently perceiving Chen Feng's growing understanding through his own cultivator senses. "Every entity exists embedded within networks of relationship that extend outward to encompass all other entities in existence through varying degrees of separation. Severing a single connection affects not only the two entities directly linked but potentially everything connected to those entities through the broader network. The cascading effects of severance can propagate through systems in ways that are difficult to predict without extensive analysis and understanding."
The elder allowed Chen Feng several more minutes to explore his perception of these complex networks before instructing him to return his focus to normal awareness. "Your training will emphasize developing both the perceptive ability to trace these networks and the analytical capability to evaluate likely consequences before you act. We will begin with simple exercises using inanimate objects where the stakes are minimal if your analysis proves incomplete or incorrect. As your understanding develops, we will progress to more complex scenarios involving living entities and eventually conceptual connections where errors could have serious consequences."
Elder Wu produced a small wooden box from within his robes and placed it on the floor between them. "This box contains a minor formation that creates a stable connection between its contents and its exterior surface. Your first exercise is to sever that connection without damaging either the box or its contents, which requires you to cut precisely at the interface where the formation operates rather than severing structural connections that maintain the box's physical integrity. Success will cause the box to open spontaneously as the formation's binding effect is negated. Failure will result in either nothing happening because you missed the target connection, or potential damage to the box if you sever incorrect structural bonds."
Chen Feng studied the box with his enhanced perception, identifying the formation Elder Wu had described. The connection between contents and exterior was indeed present, manifesting as a thin but strong bond that followed the seam where the box's lid joined its base. The formation channeled spiritual energy through this bond to create a sealing effect that prevented normal opening. Severing this specific connection would negate the seal without affecting any of the structural connections that maintained the box's physical coherence.
He extended his consciousness toward the formation bond and carefully positioned his severance technique to cut precisely at that single connection without touching the surrounding structural links. The mental discipline required was considerable, demanding focus and control beyond what his previous severance applications had necessitated. Chen Feng took a slow breath using his cultivation technique to steady his mind, then executed the severance with as much precision as he could manage.
The box's lid sprang open immediately, confirming successful severance of the formation bond without collateral damage to other connections. Elder Wu nodded with an expression that suggested satisfaction. "Adequate for a first attempt. Your control is developing appropriately, though you will need to practice extensively before precision severance becomes natural rather than requiring conscious effort and concentration. We will repeat this exercise with increasingly complex formations until you can consistently sever target connections without affecting surrounding bonds."
The afternoon session continued with Chen Feng performing numerous repetitions of the precision severance exercise, each iteration incorporating formations of slightly greater complexity or connections positioned more subtly within broader networks. Elder Wu provided feedback after each attempt, identifying where Chen Feng's technique had been imprecise or where his analysis of the connection network had missed relevant details. The process was demanding and occasionally frustrating when Chen Feng's attempts failed to achieve desired results, but he recognized the value of systematic practice under expert supervision for developing capabilities that would prove essential as his abilities advanced.
The session concluded as late afternoon transitioned toward evening, with Elder Wu dismissing Chen Feng but assigning extensive homework that would occupy much of the coming night. He was to study specific sections of the historical records focusing on precision techniques and network analysis methods, then practice his basic cultivation until his spiritual energy reserves were replenished to their maximum current capacity. The workload was substantial but manageable with dedication and efficient time management.
Chen Feng returned to his residence hall as the evening meal period began, his mind occupied with processing everything he had learned during his first full day of instruction. The cultivation path was revealing itself to be far more complex and demanding than his initial limited understanding had suggested, requiring not just the development of power but also the cultivation of knowledge, wisdom, and discipline across multiple domains simultaneously. The challenge was invigorating rather than discouraging, providing clear direction and purpose that aligned with Chen Feng's natural inclination toward systematic effort and continuous improvement.
The evening meal in the outer disciple dining hall was a more subdued affair than the midday gathering, with disciples eating quickly before dispersing to their various personal pursuits. Chen Feng took his basic meal allocation and ate efficiently while mentally organizing his evening schedule. He would dedicate two hours to studying the assigned sections of historical records, then practice his cultivation technique until his spiritual reserves reached capacity or until exhaustion prevented effective continuation. The remaining time before sleep would be spent reviewing the rule compilation to prepare for Elder Feng's assessment during the next morning's instruction session.
The plan established, Chen Feng proceeded to implement it with the methodical focus that was becoming characteristic of his approach to cultivation development. The evening passed in productive study and practice, with each element of his training building upon foundations established through previous instruction and adding new layers of understanding to his expanding comprehension of cultivation principles and Void Mark techniques.
Night had fallen completely by the time Chen Feng finally allowed himself to rest, his spiritual reserves replenished and his mind filled with new knowledge awaiting integration through sleep and subsequent reflection. He lay on his sleeping mat feeling the satisfying exhaustion that accompanied genuine productive effort, the kind of tiredness that indicated progress and development rather than mere depletion without gain.
The Void Mark on his forehead maintained its characteristic warmth, pulsing gently in rhythm with his breathing as though the symbol itself was somehow alive and aware of his cultivation progress. Chen Feng's last conscious thought before sleep claimed him was recognition that his journey had truly begun in earnest, that the path ahead would demand everything he could offer but would reward that dedication with growth and capability beyond anything his former village life could have provided.
Tomorrow would bring new lessons, new challenges, and new opportunities to advance along the cultivation path. Chen Feng was ready to meet them all.