Chapter Twelve: The Grand Ceremony of Entry into the Sect

On the day Qi Fei bid farewell to Lord Blood Shadow in the valley, he followed his instructions, memorized the many cultivation methods of the Xuanyin Sword Sect and the Heart Demon Sect, and then destroyed the manuals.

Before returning to Cangyun Mountain, Qi Fei secretly sought out news about the Danxia Sect and came to realize that, among the three major sects of the mountain, Danxia was under the pressure of Xuan Zhen Temple and the Seven Absolute Sect, its situation dangerously precarious.

After some careful planning, Qi Fei braved the risks and slipped into Cangyun Mountain at night. He reluctantly offered a bottle of Gathering Essence Pills, dispelling the doubts of the Danxia Sect's master and elders, and finally succeeded in joining their ranks.

Led by Zhao Jin'an, a disciple of Danxia Sect, Qi Fei washed, changed into the white attire of the sect, and was settled in a side chamber.

Danxia Sect disciples, before forming their martial soul or spiritual essence, must apprentice under an elder. Once they manage to cultivate either, they may secure a secluded spot in the sect's rear mountains to focus on their practice.

Qi Fei sat cross-legged upon his bed, quietly channeling the secret techniques of the "Xuantian Heart Sutra" to cultivate his true energy. His inner energy had already reached mastery, and he was but a step away from the second level of martial arts—the realm where energy converges into soul.

But to suddenly achieve the martial soul in Danxia Sect would undoubtedly arouse suspicion. For now, Qi Fei could only use his true energy to temper his body, broaden his meridians, and lay the foundation for future dual cultivation.

His true energy cycled through several major circuits. As dawn approached, after a night of cultivation, Qi Fei felt his meridians subtly broadened yet again.

In the early morning, he detected a faint footstep outside his chamber. To avoid unnecessary complications, he instantly ceased his practice and quietly lay back in bed.

"Brother Qi, are you awake yet?"

An inquiry sounded from outside—surely Zhao Jin'an, the disciple assigned to settle him in.

"Please wait a moment, brother, I shall rise at once," Qi Fei replied.

Moments later, Qi Fei opened the chamber door and smiled. "Thank you for waiting, brother. I am deeply grateful."

Zhao Jin'an, weary-faced but smiling, said, "No need. The master has commanded me to bring you to the main hall to perform the formal ceremony of entry."

"In that case, I rely on you to lead the way," Qi Fei said. He had only ever been an herb-gatherer in the outer court and was unfamiliar with the sect's main grounds, so he followed Zhao Jin'an toward the hall.

As they hurried along, Qi Fei humbly asked about the ceremony's details. Along the way, many Danxia Sect disciples eyed Qi Fei behind Zhao Jin'an with surprise.

Danxia Sect’s inner disciples were all acquainted, and rumors spread rapidly. Though Master Lu Qingxuan had ordered the elders not to divulge the matter of the Gathering Essence Pills, many disciples had a vague idea of last night's events.

Rumor had it that a youth had broken into Danxia Sect at night, possessed a formidable martial energy, and was only subdued by a group of patrol disciples working together. After capture, the youth claimed to be one of their own. Having met the master, he was settled in the disciples' quarters that very night.

Early this morning, news spread that the sect master would formally induct the youth into the sect, and not only that, but hold a grand ceremony. Normally, Danxia Sect only held such induction ceremonies on the ninth day of each month. No one knew what background this youth had, that he could make the master and elders break tradition with such fanfare.

Qi Fei entered the main hall, where disciples had already gathered in great numbers. Under their scrutiny, he felt both anxious and a surge of pride.

He had often dreamed of becoming a disciple of Danxia Sect. Now, not only had his dream come true, but he possessed peerless techniques from both orthodox and demonic paths. Compared to those, the sect's own secrets were surely inferior. Given time, he would achieve mastery—who within the sect could rival him?

"Who is this person? Why have I never seen him before?"

"I think I've seen him before—wasn't he an herb-gatherer in the outer court?"

"How could an herb-gatherer have such martial energy? And why would the master make such a fuss over him?"

"They say he rendered great service to the sect, but who knows if that's true..."

Qi Fei composed himself and moved to the center of the hall, kneeling before the portraits of Danxia Sect's ancestral masters, guided by Zhao Jin'an.

With a command from Lu Qingxuan, the master, the hall rang with the melodious sound of bells.

After the bells, the stern-faced Grand Elder Guo Huai, holding the sect's ceremonial staff, stood before the hall and declared, "Danxia Sect's Ten Commandments—Qi Fei, disciple, take heed!"

Qi Fei had already been briefed by Zhao Jin'an, so he responded loudly, "Disciple Qi Fei shall heed them. Please instruct me, Grand Elder."

Guo Huai, solemn, intoned, "First commandment: Respect your teacher and the Dao; do not deceive your peers."

As soon as Guo Huai finished, Qi Fei echoed, "Respect your teacher and the Dao; do not deceive your peers."

"Second commandment: Never disobey the sect's orders."

Qi Fei joined the Grand Elder in reciting all ten commandments, then respectfully knocked his head three times before the ancestral portraits, thus officially becoming an inducted disciple of Danxia Sect.

Lu Qingxuan had summoned the outer court stewards the previous night to confirm Qi Fei's identity, then discussed with the elders before deciding to hold the induction ceremony today.

Xuan Zhen Temple and the Seven Absolute Sect had long placed spies within Danxia Sect. Such a grand ceremony for an herb-gatherer would surely draw their attention. Seizing the opportunity, three Danxia elders took ten Gathering Essence Pills to the Marquis of Might's estate at dawn. If Danxia Sect secured the marquis’s support, Xuan Zhen Temple and the Seven Absolute Sect would not dare make a move.

After the ceremony, the observing disciples were dismissed, and Qi Fei followed Lu Qingxuan and several elders to the rear courtyard.

Lu Qingxuan pointed to a tall, burly elder with a full beard. "Elder Mo is the sect’s foremost martial cultivator. You have rendered great service and, after taking the Gathering Essence Pill, possess martial energy. The sect has decided you shall apprentice under Elder Mo. Are you willing?"

Qi Fei, having already apprenticed under Lord Blood Shadow, felt some reluctance toward kneeling to another, but dared not defy the sect. He knelt, and respectfully addressed Elder Mo: "Disciple Qi Fei, greets my master."

Mo nodded indifferently. "Rise."

Lu Qingxuan smiled and said loudly, "Qi Fei, now that you are Elder Mo Zhanpeng's disciple, you must cultivate diligently and strive to form your martial soul soon, so that you may serve the sect."

Qi Fei rose and replied, "I will devote myself to my cultivation and not disappoint the master or my teacher."

Lu Qingxuan nodded with satisfaction, gave Elder Mo Zhanpeng some instructions, and left with the other elders.

Qi Fei, wishing to gauge his new master, asked, "Master, when will you teach me the martial arts methods?"

Mo Zhanpeng, having received Qi Fei's salute, replied in a deep voice, "I will arrange it. You were fortunate to receive a spiritual pill and cultivate martial energy, but you are still new to the path. Do not rush."

He then solemnly explained some martial arts matters. Compared to Lord Blood Shadow's eloquence on cultivation, Mo Zhanpeng was far inferior.

Qi Fei, dissatisfied, asked, "So, as you say, martial cultivation is divided into twelve realms. I have barely reached the first. When will I achieve the innate stage? Forgive my boldness, but has Master reached the seventh realm, the innate spiritual consciousness?"

Mo Zhanpeng's expression changed, then he shook his head with a bitter smile. "You truly have no idea. The innate realm is not so easily reached. Danxia Sect has no supreme cultivation methods. I have cultivated for decades and only reached the fourth realm."

The fourth realm? Qi Fei could not help but laugh inwardly. Lord Blood Shadow had reached the peak of the innate stage forty years ago. This elder, after decades, was only at the fourth realm, while Qi Fei himself was already close to the second. With Blood Shadow's peerless teachings, it would not be long before he caught up to his master.

Qi Fei sighed to himself. He had followed his late master's last instructions, offered the Gathering Essence Pill, and infiltrated Danxia Sect to cultivate. Whether this was right or wrong, only time would tell.