Free Web NovelChapter 323: Chapter 134: Peak Master’s Attention, Prefecture City Disciples
Most of the disciples in white robes merely shot him a faint glance or gave a slight nod before walking straight past. Few stopped to respond, their attitudes distant and arrogant.
The green-robed disciple watched the white-robed disciples’ retreating backs, the smile on his face slowly fading. His tone held a hint of wistfulness and resignation as he turned to Yang Jing. "Junior Brother Yang, in the future, it’s best not to come up the peak unless you have to. We Outer Sect Disciples should just stick to our activities at the foot of the mountain. The ones who live up here are all Inner Sect Disciples. Every one of them is much stronger than us and has a higher status. They walk around with their noses in the air, and if we accidentally offend them, we’ll be in for a rough time."
Hearing the self-pity in the man’s voice, Yang Jing understood. He nodded gently. "Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother. No wonder I barely saw any Outer Sect Disciples on my way up the peak. So that’s the reason."
The green-robed disciple chuckled, his tone softening. He introduced himself, "My name is Jia Yuliang. I’ve been in the Lingxi Peak Outer Sect for over two years now. We’re fellow disciples from now on, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me."
Yang Jing quickly replied, "I’m Yang Jing. I just joined the sect today and will be cultivating on Lingxi Peak from now on. I hope you’ll look out for me, Senior Brother Jia."
The two walked side by side down the path, and after a bit of small talk, the initial awkwardness faded and they began to converse more freely.
Jia Yuliang had a frank disposition and chattered on endlessly about the daily affairs of the Outer Sect. Yang Jing listened patiently, occasionally offering a word of agreement. Even the cold wind along the path seemed to soften.
Jia Yuliang suddenly remembered something and turned to Yang Jing. "The living quarters for Outer Sect Disciples are all standardized. Six people to a courtyard, and assignments are made strictly in the order we join the sect—no picking or choosing. Since you just joined today, the disciples in your courtyard should all be recent arrivals, which should make them easier to get along with."
Yang Jing listened closely, nodding gently. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I understand."
’I’ll need to remember that.’ Knowing the general situation with his future living quarters, he felt a little less lost.
Jia Yuliang looked at Yang Jing’s youthful face, a flicker of envy in his eyes. "Junior Brother, to reach your level of mastery at such a young age is a rare talent indeed. Your innate aptitude must be excellent. Keep up your training, and try to enter the Inner Sect as soon as you can. Once you shed the status of an Outer Sect Disciple, your cultivation path will be much smoother."
After he spoke, his expression dimmed, and his tone filled with regret. He sighed softly. "Unlike me... I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to step into the Inner Sect in this lifetime."
Sensing Senior Brother Jia’s dejection, Yang Jing couldn’t help but offer a few words of comfort.
As they talked, they quickly arrived at the foot of the peak.
The view suddenly opened up before them. A series of orderly courtyards was arranged in neat rows. Their blue-gray tiles were covered in a thin layer of snow, and the wooden beams and pillars of the houses had a rustic, ancient quality. Narrow paths separated the courtyards, where the occasional green-robed Outer Sect Disciple hurried by.
Jia Yuliang led Yang Jing to one of the courtyards. Its wooden gate was ajar, the lintel above it simple and unadorned.
He pushed the wooden gate open and stepped aside for Yang Jing. "This is the courtyard. Let’s go in. Your room is in here."
Yang Jing followed Jia Yuliang into the courtyard. It was swept spotlessly clean; the snow had been cleared away into the corners, revealing the blue-gray flagstones beneath.
The courtyard layout was simple. Instead of a main hall, there were three side rooms built in a row on both the left and right sides. The doors and windows were all neat and tidy, looking rather elegant.
The courtyard was quiet at the moment, with not a soul in sight. The other disciples must have been either out cultivating or somewhere else.
Jia Yuliang led Yang Jing to the innermost room on the east side, pushed the door open, and peered inside. The furnishings were simple: a wooden bed, a desk, a wooden chair, and a simple storage chest in the corner. Though spartan, it was clean and tidy.
"This room is empty, so you can have it, Junior Brother. The daily necessities are all here. If you’re missing anything, you can go to the Outer Sect Steward’s office to apply for it."
Yang Jing set down his bundle and clothes, then cupped his hands in thanks to Jia Yuliang. "Thank you for going to all this trouble, Senior Brother Jia."
With that, he brought his things into the room and tidied them up a bit, temporarily settling in.
Seeing that he was getting settled, Jia Yuliang smiled and waved a hand. "We’re fellow disciples, no need to be so polite. You just arrived, so rest up and get familiar with the place. I’ve got something to take care of, so I’ll be leaving. I live in the sixth courtyard to the west. Come find me if you need anything."
With that, he turned and walked out.
Yang Jing quickly followed him to the gate, watching Jia Yuliang’s figure retreat into the distance before he gently closed the courtyard gate and returned to his room.
The sky began to darken. Dusk fell quickly in winter, and in the blink of an eye, a faint gray shadow shrouded the world outside his window. The cold wind brushed past the window lattice with a soft WHIMPER.
Yang Jing took a few pieces of the Exotic Beast Jerky he had brought with him from his bundle. The meat was firm and chewy, with a faint, savory saltiness. He chewed on it slowly to tide himself over, then took an oil lamp from the desk drawer and lit the wick.
A dim yellow light slowly brightened, its soft glow dispelling the darkness in the room. It clearly illuminated the "Xuanzhen Sect Outer Disciple Handbook" on the desk. He picked up the booklet and began to examine it carefully.
The handbook’s contents were clearly organized. Half of it recorded the benefits and provisions available to Outer Sect Disciples, while the other half listed the sect rules that must be strictly followed.
Yang Jing read it word for word and soon had a clear understanding of the Outer Sect’s resource distribution. At the beginning of each month, the sect would issue a fixed set of basic supplies to every Outer Sect Disciple. This included three Clear Heart Pills, three Qi Storage Pills, and other daily sundries like bedding, ink, and brushes.
