Chapter 125: Five Sects, Boarding The Boat, Cutting Off One’s Own Path
“Remember, going up the mountain for the Spring Examination, compared to the Autumn Examination, just adds a hundred days of leisure.”
The Dojo Master solemnly instructed in the Assembly Hall:
“If within these hundred days, you all fail to break through to Refining Qi, then by rights, you will be sent back to the Marketplace, ending your mountain journey right there.
Of course, few can break through to Refining Qi within a hundred days and directly become outer disciples of the Immortal Sect. The vast majority accumulate their Third Calamity cultivation to perfection within those hundred days, thus serving as Menial Laborers in the Immortal Sect with Third Calamity Perfection, equivalent to ‘going up the mountain for the Autumn Examination,’ staying directly on the mountain.”
The old woman spoke candidly:
“Therefore, after you go up the mountain, there are only two tasks: first, cultivate diligently to seek Refining Qi; second, familiarize yourself with the ways to find a good placement for your Menial Laborer life after the hundred days. After all, targeted placement is better than random assignment.
Besides that, the Immortal Sect will surely have various coercive and tempting methods to enslave you all. Remember this well, do not let yourself be taken advantage of. Even if you are, remember that you are there to cultivate.”
“Yes, Master!”
Fang Shu and the others stood below the hall, cupping their hands together in unison to acknowledge.
After carefully explaining everything, the Dojo Master’s tone softened, and she suddenly said to Xiao Li Li:
“Li Er, your going up the mountain is different from theirs; you are going as a Medicine Slave, not even counting as a Menial Laborer.
Therefore, once you arrive on the mountain, if you’re not careful, you may be targeted by sect disciples and killed outright without consequence. Although this was arranged by me, it is not forcing you. Are you truly willing?
If you go, do not resent me in the future.”
Xiao Li Li lowered her head again, her voice resolute as she said:
“In reply to Master, this disciple is willing!”
Immediately, she fixed her gaze on the Dojo Master and spoke:
“Even if it means becoming a Medicine Slave, such a chance to enter the Immortal Sect for cultivation is rare.
Moreover, this disciple is no longer young, and her cultivation is damaged. Even with an opportunity, if she cannot quickly recover, her Immortal Path will remain dim. This disciple must thank Master for granting this excellent chance to go up the mountain and cultivate!”
Seeing that Xiao Li Li clearly understood the pros and cons of this matter, the Dojo Master smiled:
“It’s good that you understand.”
The old woman paused, then continued: “But there’s no need to worry too much. This time, you are going with Yu Er to the Skin and Flesh Nunnery, so you two can support each other. Within the hundred days, you can hide in her room, go out cautiously, and serve as her maidservant.
Furthermore, there are no men in the Skin and Flesh Nunnery, only female disciples, so the risk of being harvested is much smaller compared to other dojos. Of course, you still must quickly raise your cultivation to Third Calamity Perfection to shed the Medicine Slave identity.”
Xiao Li Li cupped her hands: “This disciple obeys and will take good care of Senior Sister Yu Er!”
Fang Shu, listening from the side, could not help but glance at Du Yu Er again.
Speaking of which, as the sole granddaughter of a Dojo Master, her treatment was indeed good! Not only did she not need to fight for her life, she could go directly up the mountain into the sect, and she even had a maidservant arranged to go with her—a proper “young miss” treatment.
Seeing this, if Fang Shu claimed not to envy it at all, he would be deceiving himself.
However, Du Yu Er was humble, friendly, sensible, and a good senior sister in the dojo, so he had no reason to envy her.
What surprised Fang Shu even more was another matter. His thoughts stirred, and he asked:
“Dare I ask Master, is the Skin and Flesh Nunnery also on Mount Lu?”
The Dojo Master nodded upon hearing this.
Then, the old woman methodically gave a brief introduction to the Immortal Sect situation on Mount Lu:
“Mount Lu has five Immortal Sects: Beauty Palace, Skin and Flesh Nunnery, Four Limbs Temple, Five Viscera Temple, and Ku Gu Guan.
Among the five sects, Beauty Palace is the most powerful. It only accepts talents of exceptional beauty, emphasizing appearance and demeanor. Even those with Spiritual Roots are rejected if their looks are ugly or crude, so the disciples there are all handsome men and beautiful women, the face of Mount Lu.
In addition, the five sects have dealings and grudges with each other.
The Immortal Sect disciples who attacked our town a few days ago came from Ku Gu Guan. Since our town falls under Five Viscera Temple’s jurisdiction, and the two sects do not get along well, that’s why they dared to act.”
Listening, aside from Du Yu Er, Fang Shu and Xiao Li Li both showed realization on their faces.
This was the first time they had learned the full names of the five sects on Mount Lu and their details.
Before this, in the Marketplace, only information about Five Viscera Temple was verifiable; news of the other four sects was true or false, rarely discussed, as if deliberately suppressed.
Fang Shu mused inwardly:
“Master went down the mountain for Five Viscera Temple to nurture talents, yet she can send Senior Sister Yu Er to Skin and Flesh Nunnery. It seems Five Viscera Temple and Skin and Flesh Nunnery have a decent relationship.”
After briefly finishing, the Dojo Master invited Fang Shu and the others to raise any questions or concerns directly, saying she would try her best to answer.
After the conversation ended, the Dojo Master finally picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and said:
“At the earliest tomorrow, at the latest in seven days, the Five Viscera Transport Boat that circulates through the towns will pass by our town. You all board then.
Yu Er and Li Er, you two prepare as well, and board together then, using Five Viscera Temple’s boat to transfer to Skin and Flesh Nunnery territory.”
The three cupped their hands: “Yes, Master.”
The Dojo Master sat watching their youthful, excited, and expectant faces, her eyes still somewhat complex—both joyful and melancholic.
But on her face, she still showed a pleased smile and said slowly: “This journey will last years, who knows when you can come down. In these few days in town, handle any worldly affairs well, leave no regrets.
Since you are about to go up the mountain, the town will give you preferential treatment and leniency, as long as you don’t cause major trouble.”
Chattering on with instructions, the old woman seemed like an ordinary old lady.
But even the most nagging instructions come to an end.
After Fang Shu and the others left one by one, only the old woman remained sitting alone in the hall.
The following days.
Fang Shu thought he had no worldly affairs; his Second Uncle Yu Le was not old, and if no mishaps, they would meet again in the future.
Plus, they were family, no need for sentimental parting. So in the remaining time, he just hung out with Second Uncle Yu Le, eating, drinking, and wandering around town.
And indeed, this seemed to be the first time he seriously took in Gu Ling Town, enjoying it properly.
Fang Shu could not help but sigh inwardly:
“I never realized before how vast and prosperous Gu Ling Town is—music, food, drink, prostitution, gambling, all sorts of things, everything one could want. A mere town with hundreds of thousands of people.”
But he felt no attachment, compared to going up the mountain to cultivate and embarking on the true Immortal Path.
All these were mere passing clouds, clay and dirt.
On the fifth day.
A great boat passed Gu Ling Town, ten zhang high and over thirty zhang wide, sailing on the river like a city, majestic and imposing.
It was wrapped in copper plating and iron corners, spewing black smoke, like a giant beast, scaring the inexperienced Marketplace folk on the shore pale, thinking another giant demon had come.
Those with some knowledge recognized it as the Immortal Sect outer sect’s Transport Boat, responsible for collecting provisions and money from various places to supply the Immortal Sect.
Sure enough, in the onlookers’ eyes, soon large groups in black uniforms and hats arrived like ants, carrying all sorts of talisman money, rice, grain, and various boxes big and small onto the giant boat, continuously, without stop for a day.
Some watching sighed or grumbled inwardly: “Immortal Sect, Immortal Sect—takes every copper, spends like dust.”
When Fang Shu and the others appeared before the Transport Boat, the onlookers were left only with envy.
Those seeing them off today included relatives and friends of various Immortal Seeds, as well as many idlers.
Standing in the crowd, Fang Shu keenly noticed many unusual gazes fixed on him.
With a slight glance, he spotted the Seven Fragrance Tower Master, former second aunt, and others among them.
They mingled in the crowd, all with complex expressions as they watched.
After one glance, Fang Shu paid no more attention.
From his view, the shore was dense with figures; those people were as common as dust and sand.
At the final farewell, Second Uncle Yu Le’s eyes reddened.
He seemed to have a thousand words, but finally gritted his teeth: “Once on the mountain, stay put. There’s nothing worth remembering in this rotten town—don’t come back.”
After speaking, Second Uncle Yu Le quickly changed: “But if you want to come down, don’t force yourself… just come back.”
To his nagging, Fang Shu just smiled and nodded occasionally.
During this, he narrowed his eyes, glancing toward the Qian Shan Mine.
Speaking of which, in this “rotten town,” besides Second Uncle, there was something else he cared about.
“Poison Lair and Medicine Lair have been found; the true Hu family inheritance site also has clues.”
Fang Shu had now fully mastered the Dragon Seeking and Gold Touching Technique and could locate the true inheritance based on the two lairs’ positions.
He mused inwardly:
“This is a Refining Qi level array inheritance—not to be missed, worth a special trip.”
But this was not urgent; going up the mountain came first.
Then, the farewell words ended without more.
Fang Shu briskly stepped aboard the giant boat’s deck.
Amid the boat’s rumbling, he turned, bowing distantly to Second Uncle and the others; his figure grew smaller, becoming a black dot, vanishing into the misty waters.
On the shore, the Du Gu Guan group looked up, slowly withdrawing their gazes, their moods turning listless.
But soon, before returning to the dojo, they heard something on the road that stirred their emotions again.
Even the usually stern-faced Dojo Master was stunned, her eyes full of regret.
A disciple came to report.
Qin Min had taken her own life in the dojo.
