For Zhao Zhi and Xu Ying, Ling Xiao’s foolish move was a real stroke of luck. It gave them a perfect chance to gauge the strength of the outer sect’s top thirty.
In the Moonflower Sect, the top thirty outer sect disciples were informally called “quasi-inner sect disciples.” It wasn’t an official title, just a common nickname.
After all, the top thirty were all Half-Step Masters, with access to more resources than those ranked below and more opportunities for guidance from outer sect elders, naturally increasing their chances of promotion.
Calling them quasi-inner sect disciples didn’t seem unreasonable.
Among the outer sect, everyone aspired to become a quasi-inner sect disciple—Zhao Zhi, Xu Ying, and Zhao Ci were no exceptions.
Ling Xiao ignored the outside chatter. His choice of Li Anle and Yang Cheng wasn’t entirely about revenge.
It was also about setting a benchmark.
Especially Yang Cheng, a top-ten outer sect disciple. Fighting him would give Ling Xiao a rough idea of the top ten’s strength, making him more confident when challenging stronger disciples later.
Though he had already advanced to the early ninth-stage Martial Vein cultivation, he didn’t plan to use that level for this challenge. Instead, he intended to fight at the peak eighth-stage Martial Vein.
The greater the pressure, the greater the progress—Ling Xiao’s long-held belief.
“Junior Brother Ling, I’ll be leaving for a while. Since Yang Cheng and Li Anle think I’m dead, I can use this chance to seclude myself for cultivation. I won’t be able to attend your challenge.”
Wu Xiang had made up his mind. With the seal now partially undone, there was no need to keep hiding. He once thought being a good person would keep him safe, so he had a master seal his true soul.
But now, it seemed the world wasn’t as kind as he’d imagined. He no longer cared if he became bloodthirsty—it didn’t matter.
He was confident that, no matter what, he’d never harm Ling Xiao. Even in his bloodthirsty past, he had never hurt friends or family.
“But won’t it be a problem if you’re gone for too long?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Outer sect disciples aren’t that precious. Look at Leng Mei—she’s been gone for days. Has anyone cared?”
Wu Xiang sighed. “As long as an outer sect disciple doesn’t disappear for over ten years, no one bats an eye. Even after ten years, they just strike your name off. Of course, your stipend stops during that time.”
“I see. Old Man Baiyun wasn’t lying. Outer sect disciples in the Moonflower Sect are just a pile of worthless trash—no one cares.”
Ling Xiao sighed.
…
That day, Wu Xiang left the Moonflower Sect’s outer sect, likely to train in seclusion somewhere. Ling Xiao didn’t need to worry about that.
After tidying up, he left the stone house and headed to report to the Medicine Hall.
Disciples like him, personally requested by the Medicine Hall Master, would live in the Medicine Hall. The accommodations there were far better than the outer sect’s stone houses.
Zhao Zhi, Zhao Ci, and Xu Ying had similar privileges.
Dai Yuling likely did too.
Other disciples weren’t so lucky.
Master Yang held Ling Xiao in high regard.
When Ling Xiao arrived at the Medicine Hall, Master Yang, chuckling, handed his tasks to his subordinates and took Ling Xiao on a tour of the Medicine Hall’s various facilities.
The Moonflower Sect’s Medicine Hall included the Herb Mountain, Beast Mountain, Pill Refining Room, Medicine Refining Room, Medical Room, and more—over a dozen branches in total. It was truly an eye-opening experience for Ling Xiao.
Along the way, Master Yang didn’t hold back on the flattery, talking up the benefits of being a pharmacist or alchemist.
He spoke of being revered by countless people, becoming the sect’s future hope, and rising rapidly through the ranks.
Ling Xiao responded vaguely.
In his mind, no matter how great a pharmacist was, they were ultimately just serving others. If he studied refining medicine or pills, it would be as an auxiliary skill to boost his cultivation, not as his main focus.
As long as it didn’t interfere with his training, becoming a pharmacist didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“Greetings, Master Yang!”
“Good day, Master Yang!”
“Good afternoon, Master Yang!”
Along the way, people constantly greeted Master Yang. On the surface, they showed him great respect, but who knew what they really thought?
Some might genuinely admire him.
Others were likely just avoiding trouble, ensuring they’d be treated if they fell ill or got injured.
And some were probably only polite because they needed pills refined by Master Yang, though their true feelings were anyone’s guess.
Master Yang seemed unfazed by their attitudes. He was used to their flattery and sycophancy, fully aware of their thoughts, and simply nodded with a smile.
The little dog on his shoulder remained perched, still dozing off.
It was a mystery how that little creature could be so sleepy, as if it could never get enough rest.
Of course, many people also noticed Ling Xiao.
“Isn’t that the new disciple who publicly challenged Yang Cheng and Li Anle? Why’s he walking with Master Yang, looking so chummy?”
The ones saying this were naturally outer sect disciples. Those who managed to land a job in the Medicine Hall, even a menial one, were already content.
The air in the Medicine Hall was rich with spiritual energy, and working there long-term would accelerate cultivation.
They couldn’t understand how a newly admitted outer sect disciple could come to the Medicine Hall—and be personally welcomed by Master Yang, no less.
“Could that kid be a relative of Master Yang from the secular world?”
“Oh, come off it. Have you ever heard of Master Yang having relatives in the secular world? Do you know how old he is? Even if he had relatives, he probably wouldn’t know them.”
“Then maybe he’s Master Yang’s new disciple?”
“No way. Master Yang is extremely strict about taking disciples. Why would a newly admitted outer sect disciple qualify? Even many inner sect geniuses have been rejected by him.”
“Then what’s going on?”
The whispers behind them were quiet, but the envious and jealous glances were real. For Ling Xiao to be so highly regarded by Master Yang, even if he wasn’t a disciple, his status was undoubtedly significant.
“That’s the Herb Mountain over there. The spiritual energy there is abundant, perfect for growing all kinds of herbs.”
Before long, Master Yang brought Ling Xiao to the Herb Mountain.
Looking at the sprawling mountain range with over a dozen peaks, Ling Xiao’s thoughts turned to Dai Yuling.
These past few days, he’d been so caught up with his own matters that he hadn’t visited Dai Yuling at the Herb Mountain. After all, she was a senior sister from his time at the Hidden Dragon Camp.
Though their bond wasn’t as deep as with Ling Yixue or Leng Mei, she was still one of his own, and their relationship was closer than with others.
