The Miraculous Sect System

Baishan Main Peak

Zhou Chengyuan looked out and felt a wave of surprise.

Throughout the Baishan Sect, the main peak was heavily layered with buildings and pavilions. Yet across the many surrounding minor peaks, groups of three to five towers stood interspersed, emerging from the mountain forests. Disciples of the Baishan Sect could be seen constantly traveling back and forth between the main peak and the various smaller peaks, presenting a scene of thriving prosperity.

"Sun Kong, tell me about the Sect's situation."

Sun Kong, who was leading the way, stopped in his tracks and spoke with a hint of pride. "Senior Zhou, our Baishan Sect has stood in Zhaoping Commandery for over a hundred years. Its system is extremely refined, possessing Four Peaks and Eight Halls. There are over a thousand sect disciples, seventeen Elders within the Sect, and five Cabinet Elders."

"Four Peaks and Eight Halls? Cabinet Elders?"

Sun Kong explained, "The Four Peaks represent Alchemy, Talismans, Formations, and Artifacts. As for the Eight Halls, they include the Merit Hall, the Origin Cultivation Hall, the Dharma Transmission Hall, the Enforcement Hall, the War Spirit Hall, and so on."

"Our Baishan Sect operates under a special system. All Sect affairs are managed entirely by the five Cabinet Elders of the White Cabinet. The Elders only need to complete their duties according to the established rules."

Zhou Chengyuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. His own family did not possess a single inheritance for the four arts of alchemy, talismans, formations, or artifacts. Yet the Baishan Sect possessed all of them. Their foundation was truly profound.

But he was also puzzled. Logically speaking, with such a formidable foundation and over a thousand disciples, it was impossible for the Baishan Sect to only have a dozen or so Qi Condensation cultivators.

"Sun Kong, why are there only a dozen or so Elders? Is there some hidden truth to this?"

A bitter smile appeared on Sun Kong's face. "Senior Zhou, to tell you the truth, the Sect actually has over forty Elders. However, most of them have traveled to the desolate Southern Borders to complete their respective departure missions."

Zhou Chengyuan finally remembered. If one wished to leave the Baishan Sect, they had to slay a demon or evil spirit of equivalent cultivation. Only then could they formally depart.

The borders of the Zhao State were peaceful and stable, with few traces of demonic creatures. The vast majority of those encountered were only at the Spirit Awakening level. To slay a Qi Condensation demon, one naturally had to venture into dangerous regions like the desolate Southern Borders.

This made it easy for Spirit Awakening cultivators to leave the Baishan Sect, but extremely difficult for Qi Condensation cultivators.

He was currently at the third level of Qi Condensation. If he wished to leave the Baishan Sect, he would have to slay a demon at the third level of Qi Condensation. And in the desolate Southern Borders, where demons and fierce beasts ran rampant, slaying an existence of the same realm was an immensely arduous task.

Zhou Chengyuan put the thought aside. He had joined the Baishan Sect primarily to secure a layer of protection for his family. He had no need to consider leaving the Sect anytime soon.

Before long, Sun Kong led Zhou Chengyuan to an elegant and imposing courtyard.

Sun Kong stood respectfully outside the walls. "Senior Zhou, this is the residence of Cabinet Elder Jiang. If you wish to formally join the Sect, you require his approval."

"This Junior's status is too lowly to enter. I will wait for Senior out here."

Zhou Chengyuan nodded, then stepped inside. He immediately felt ripples surrounding him, a sign that he had triggered the courtyard's concealment formation.

Pond water rippled softly as lotus flowers and leaves swayed. An elderly man with a kind face and pale white hair sat in a small pavilion by the water, leisurely feeding the swimming fish.

Zhou Chengyuan only had to sense him slightly to feel the formidable aura emanating from the old man's body. His heart stirred. The old man before him was a powerful cultivator, at least at the seventh level of Qi Condensation or higher.

"Zhou Chengyuan of the White Creek Zhou Clan in Qingshui County, pays respects to Senior."

"I am Jiang Qingliu," the old man said, rising to his feet. "I already know your purpose in coming here. I will only ask you one question: are you willing to join my Baishan Sect?"

"This Junior is willing."

As Zhou Chengyuan swore a Heavenly Dao oath, Jiang Qingliu condensed a wisp of aura from Zhou Chengyuan's body and casually tossed it.

A hall in the distance suddenly swung open. Arranged inside were dozens of flickering, deep candle flames. Some burned bright and vigorous, while others were dim and wavering.

In a corner, a candle flame suddenly ignited. It flickered brilliantly, brimming with vitality, and shared an intimate connection with Zhou Chengyuan. It was his Soul Lamp.

Only then did Jiang Qingliu turn back and smile at Zhou Chengyuan. "Within my Baishan Sect, there are differences among the Elders. There are Four Arts Elders, and there are ordinary Elders. May I ask what kind of Elder my young friend wishes to become?"

Zhou Chengyuan was startled. "Senior, these Four Arts Elders... does this mean one can learn the four arts from the Sect?"

Jiang Qingliu squinted with a smile. "No rush. Let me first test the strength of your soul."

Saying this, he produced a jade bead and pressed it against Zhou Chengyuan's forehead. Though he felt a flash of resistance, Zhou Chengyuan did not struggle.

The jade bead flashed, and three faint gleams of light surfaced upon it.

"Three Human Souls. It meets the standard for the four arts," Jiang Qingliu murmured. Then, he beamed at Zhou Chengyuan. "Young friend, your innate soul is quite impressive. You are capable of learning the four arts. May I ask which art catches your fancy?"

Hearing that he could learn the four arts, Zhou Chengyuan was naturally overjoyed. If he could master even one of them, it would provide tremendous assistance to his family when he returned. However, he also knew that nothing in this world was free. Remaining calm, he asked, "Could Senior explain a bit more about them? Only then can this Junior properly consider his choice."

Hearing Zhou Chengyuan take the bait, Jiang Qingliu felt a surge of joy in his heart.

The Sect had many disciples, but Four Arts Elders were incredibly rare. Supply and demand had long been imbalanced. Now that someone whose soul finally met the standard had arrived, he naturally could not bear to let him go and was determined to reel him in.

He smiled warmly and said, "My Baishan Sect is selfless and righteous. Our hundred arts inheritances, cultivation manuals, secret methods, and spiritual objects can all be taken freely-they can even be passed on to people outside the Sect. All you need to do is pay the corresponding Sect contribution points."

"As for the Four Arts inheritances, you only need eight thousand contribution points to study one, young friend. You will also receive guidance from a specialized Elder. It is an absolute bargain."

"Once you have mastered the art, you only need to refine pills for the Sect to repay your contribution points."

Hearing this, Zhou Chengyuan felt tempted. He promptly asked, "May I ask what these contribution points Senior mentioned are?"

"By completing Sect missions or handing over treasures, you can earn contribution points. One contribution point is equivalent in value to one Spirit Stone."

Zhou Chengyuan was profoundly shocked. Eight thousand contribution points meant eight thousand Spirit Stones! That was two thousand more expensive than the Four Arts inheritances from the Immortals' Directorate!

"Do not be alarmed, young friend. Although it is indeed a bit expensive, having a specialized Four Arts Elder guide you is certainly better than trying to forge a path in the dark by yourself," Jiang Qingliu consoled him.

Zhou Chengyuan naturally understood that having a mentor would save him from taking many wrong turns, but he still secretly balked at the price.

Even though it was steep, the Return upon mastering it would be massive. If his own family wanted to acquire a Four Arts inheritance, they had to stockpile six thousand merits to exchange for one. Now that he had the opportunity to learn it in advance, it was impossible for him to pass it up.

"Then may I ask, Senior, are the raw materials lost during failed attempts borne by the Sect, or by myself?" Zhou Chengyuan asked.

Jiang Qingliu simply smiled, offering no verbal reply.

Zhou Chengyuan understood instantly. The burden would definitely fall on him.

However, calculating it this way, by the time he finally mastered the craft, he might very well owe the Sect tens of thousands of contribution points.

Among the four arts, he had absolutely no experience with talismans, formations, or artifacts. Although he had never formally studied the Dao of Alchemy either, he had spent years refining the Jade Rock Green Origin Pill. He was at least somewhat familiar with the process and wouldn't end up owing an insurmountable number of contribution points.

"Senior, I choose the Dao of Alchemy."

Jiang Qingliu immediately beamed a radiant smile and handed a stone talisman to Zhou Chengyuan. "Young friend, from now on, you are a member of my Baishan Sect."

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