Chapter 056: The Little Pavilion on the Northern Cliff

“The numbers are complete. As promised by the Sect Master, you three, who performed best in this campaign against the bandits, will receive your due rewards…”

Senior Brother Yun’s gaze swept over the three of them, indifferent and aloof.

Wan Fushan stood respectfully, silent as a cicada in winter, trying his best to conceal his inner elation, lest he displease the eldest brother.

Lefeng’s expression was gentle and amiable, showing the proper respect toward the sect’s senior brother. As the Sect Master’s direct disciple, the chief senior brother of the sect, and the foremost cultivator among the younger generation, Yun Yuanhang was expected to inherit the position of Sect Master in the future.

Xu Xuan sensed the undulating, formidable spiritual power emanating from Senior Brother Yun, deeply aware of his strength—likely at least at the sixth stage of Qi Refining, far surpassing Lefeng and Wan Fushan. Had Senior Brother Yun joined the bandit suppression, he alone could have swept through the Blood Spirit Thieves with ease.

Now, as he distributed the rewards on behalf of the Sect Master, his demeanor betrayed little regard for them, even a hint of condescension.

The three awaited his actions, scarcely daring to breathe.

Senior Brother Yun paused briefly, then extended his hand, a faint blue light flickering as he tapped a purple pouch at his waist, about the size of an adult’s palm.

The pouch’s material was intricate and sturdy, akin to a high-grade magical robe, its surface engraved with refining arrays.

Drawing on memories from his previous life, Xu Xuan recognized it as a cultivator’s storage artifact known as a “Storage Pouch.” Though only palm-sized, its actual capacity was as large as a water vat.

With a soft pop, Senior Brother Yun withdrew several items from the purple pouch and placed them on the stone table before him, introducing them one by one.

The three’s eyes were immediately drawn to the first item: a fan with a green bone handle and red feathers, emanating a unique aura that seemed to make the pavilion hotter.

“This is a mid-grade magical artifact, the Windfire Fan.”

Senior Brother Yun’s gaze lingered on the fan, a flicker of interest in his eyes, suggesting even he was tempted by it.

Next, he produced a small silver sword, his expression unchanged. “Low-grade magical artifact, Silversteel Sword.”

Wan Fushan’s eyes lit up with delight—this was his reward.

Then, Senior Brother Yun took out three small jade bottles. “Four bottles of low-grade ‘Spirit Qi Pills’.”

These items were rewards for Lefeng and Wan Fushan.

Each stepped forward to claim their prizes: Lefeng took the main share—the Windfire Fan and three bottles of Spirit Qi Pills.

Wan Fushan received the Silversteel Sword and one bottle of Spirit Qi Pills, his eyes shining with excitement as he secretly rejoiced, “With these Spirit Qi Pills, I may finally break through the first stage of Qi Refining after years of stagnation. With this magical artifact, my strength and status within the inner sect will surely rise.”

Xu Xuan remained calm regarding their rewards. Without reaching the level of a Qi Refining Immortal, magical artifacts were merely tough material, unable to display their true abilities in his hands.

As for the “Spirit Qi Pills,” they were refined by extracting spiritual energy from spirit stones and the residual medicinal power of heaven and earth, using a special process. The pills contained highly pure spiritual energy with unique properties, making them easier to absorb. Only alchemists at the Divine Refining stage could craft them; their value was considerable and they were coveted by any Qi Refining Immortal seeking to advance.

Of course, Xu Xuan had not reached the Qi Refining stage, so these pills were of no use to him.

With the rewards for the other two distributed, it was finally Xu Xuan’s turn.

Senior Brother Yun took out a thumb-sized jade bottle, an ancient book, and a silver token.

“One Marrow Cleansing Pill, ‘Foundation of Immortal Cultivation,’ and an Inner Sect disciple identity token.”

Senior Brother Yun finished, his gaze settling on Xu Xuan in a subtle gesture.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Yun.”

Xu Xuan stepped forward, taking the three items, unable to suppress a surge of excitement within.

From this moment, he became an inner sect disciple, leaving behind the lowest ranks of humble servitude. Henceforth, he would enjoy more resources and privileges in the sect, no longer forced to labor on menial tasks.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu, on becoming an inner sect disciple,” Lefeng said with a warm smile, immediately stepping forward to offer his congratulations.

Wan Fushan managed a strained smile on his plump face. “Junior Brother Xu, you’ve only been in the sect for half a month and already advanced to the inner sect. That’s astonishingly fast.”

But inside, his mood was gloomy: Xu Xuan had received the Marrow Cleansing Pill and would soon break through to the seventh stage of Body Refining. With the superior entry-level cultivation technique, becoming a Qi Refining Immortal was only a matter of time.

What troubled Wan Fushan most was that Xu Xuan was now an inner sect disciple; their status in the sect was equal, making it nearly impossible to trouble or frame him.

Wan Fushan had no idea that Xu Xuan had already reached the seventh stage of Body Refining and had no need for the Marrow Cleansing Pill. As for the superior cultivation method, it surpassed the “Thirteen Solutions to Immortal Arts” from his previous life by far.

The gates of cultivation had opened for Xu Xuan—it was up to him to choose his path.

After the rewards were distributed, Senior Brother Yun suddenly addressed Lefeng, “In this bandit suppression, you performed exceptionally and slew the Blood Spirit Thieves’ leader, Old Cao. I’ve heard the Mistress intends to accept you as a direct disciple.”

“A direct disciple?!”

Lefeng’s heart trembled, his joy barely concealed.

Direct disciples held the highest status among the younger generation of the sect, their identity extraordinary; even senior stewards and managers treated them with utmost respect.

Wan Fushan was full of envy, offering endless gratitude and flattery.

Lefeng replied a bit nervously, “Mistress indeed promised: If I succeeded in the bandit suppression and slew Old Cao, she would accept me as a direct disciple.”

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Lefeng.”

Xu Xuan was briefly surprised, then smiled faintly.

Yet a strange feeling lingered in his heart—the honors Lefeng gained today rightfully belonged to him. But if Xu Xuan had claimed credit for slaying Old Cao, he would not only have failed to enjoy these honors, but might have attracted endless troubles.

With the rewards claimed, the group gradually dispersed.

Xu Xuan, holding his inner sect disciple token, registered his information in the sect, then wandered a while in the inner sect.

As an inner sect disciple, his privileges expanded.

For example, his monthly stipend of fifteen inferior spirit stones was four or five times that of an outer sect disciple.

He could also enter the inner sect’s “Treasury Pavilion,” to study more advanced cultivation techniques and arcane knowledge.

As an outer sect disciple, he could seek guidance from senior members of the sect, who acted as nominal teachers.

If his potential proved exceptional, he might be accepted as a personal disciple by a senior, enjoying their protection—his status second only to direct disciples. However, for ordinary disciples like Wan Fushan and Xu Xuan, with mediocre spiritual roots, it was unlikely a senior would take them as personal disciples.

Xu Xuan felt indifferent about this, even a bit superior: he needed no teacher or elder, for all his cultivation knowledge could be selected from the sea of memories within him.

Having met with the inner sect manager and registered, Xu Xuan took his token to select his private residence.

Each inner sect disciple was entitled to their own residence, even to live in the Spirit Pavilion.

But the best residences were reserved for direct disciples, while the rest were claimed by senior inner sect disciples.

Xu Xuan searched for a long time and finally found a small courtyard on a cliff’s edge, with a three-story building—just an ordinary house.

“Not bad. Though it’s not a Spirit Hall or Pavilion, the scenery is pleasant. Why not name it ‘North Cliff Pavilion’?”

Xu Xuan ascended to the third floor, gazing out over green hills and blue skies, with clouds swirling around the abyss below.

It was said that north of this cliff’s abyss was another sect based on Starfeather Mountain—the Starfall Sword Sect. Looking through the mist, he could vaguely see their buildings.

He decided to make this his cultivation abode and registered it with the inner sect manager.

“You’ve chosen the small courtyard at ‘North Cliff’?”

The manager, a white-bearded elder at the Qi Refining stage, looked slightly surprised.

The North Cliff Pavilion was remote, the house ordinary, the spiritual energy merely average, and it sat at the boundary between two sects. Most inner sect disciples avoided living there.

Its only merits were good scenery, tranquility, and little disturbance.

“Yes, that’s the place,” Xu Xuan confirmed.

Thus, “North Cliff Pavilion” became Xu Xuan’s private residence.

He immediately returned to his outer sect lodging to tidy up and prepare to move to the inner sect.

“Junior Brother Xu, congratulations! Once you enter the inner sect, you’ll soar to new heights—don’t forget to look after us.”

Several neighboring outer sect disciples offered their polite congratulations.

Some even helped him move his belongings.

Others who had entered the sect alongside him—Xu Yuan, Zhao Linlong, Chang Fei—looked awkward.

By talent, Xu Xuan was no better than them; by background, he was the poorest and humblest.

“Senior Brother Xu, congratulations on becoming an inner sect disciple.”

Yang Xiaoqian, her beauty rivaling the moon, entered his sight. Her bright eyes held a complex expression.

They had all joined the sect together, yet Xu Xuan—the seemingly most humble youth—was the first to enter the inner sect.

Now, Xu Xuan’s status outstripped theirs, enjoying all the privileges of the sect.

“Junior Brother Xu, congratulations. In nearly a hundred years, our Yangmu Village finally has an inner sect disciple in the Immortal Sect.”

Xu Xuan’s cousin came forward, surprisingly offering congratulations, his smile harmless, as if all past grievances had vanished.

Zhao Linlong, once proud, now looked embarrassed, a bitter smile at his lips, struggling to offer his felicitations.

At that moment, Xu Xuan became the focus of all eyes.

The surrounding outer sect disciples gazed at him with envy, jealousy, and awe, their countless compliments making him uncomfortable.

He hurried to slip away, moving to the inner sect!

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