Chapter 3: First Disciple

Words : 1993 Updated : Feb 21st, 2024

"Noah, since you've accepted Elder Sandra as your teacher, you're now officially a disciple of the Clyde Sect," Elder Giles announced, his expression dark. "Just wait aside for now. Once the examination is over, I'll take you to get settled." A disciple with a trash-grade bloodline had been taken into their sect. If word got out, the other three major sects would surely mock them. "Yes, Elder!" Noah bowed slightly and gripped his Fire Spirit Sword, standing patiently beside the high platform. The young people gathered in the square had mixed reactions as they looked at Noah. Most of them came from prestigious families to participate in the Clyde Sect's entrance assessment, and their bloodlines were at least of the fourth grade. Who would have thought that someone with a trash-grade bloodline would be the first to enter the sect and become a disciple of the Clyde Sect? "Now, let the assessment officially begin!" Elder Giles declared. The boys and girls in the square lined up in an orderly fashion, approaching the stone monument to test their bloodlines. "Dwight Santee, fourth-grade bloodline!" "Ferry Williams, fourth-grade bloodline!" "Angie Yare, fifth-grade bloodline." ... Noah watched as the testing stone lit up with four red markers for most people, and even five for some. He couldn't help feeling a wave of envy. If his bloodline were of the fourth or fifth grade, he wouldn't have had to scrape by waiting tables to survive after arriving in this world. If Elder Sandra hadn't taken him in as a disciple, making him an entry disciple of the Clyde Sect, he might've had to find another inn to work at, leaving his pagoda useless. His body was so weak that compared to ordinary people, he was practically disabled. The assessment continued for half an hour, and nearly three hundred people, all with bloodlines of at least the fourth grade, passed. Now, the young boys and girls stood neatly in the square, their gazes fixed on Elder Giles. Elder Giles swept his eyes over the crowd, a satisfied smile forming on his face. This year's assessment had drawn ten geniuses with fifth-grade bloodlines—more than previous years. "From this moment, you are now entry disciples of the Clyde Sect," he announced. "You'll receive identity plaques which represent your status as disciples and grant you free access in and out of the sect." After his words, two entry disciples brought forward a large, sealed bronze chest. When they opened it, hundreds of neatly arranged golden wooden plaques were revealed. Elder Giles began distributing the plaques, personally engraving each disciple's name onto their plaque. The crowd buzzed with excitement. Becoming an official disciple of the Clyde Sect, one of the Four Great Sects of Cloud Country, felt like a leap forward in their cultivation journey. Holding the plaque alone would command respect wherever they went. Noah received his own plaque, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes and engraved with his name, "Noah Toby." He was just as thrilled. "Thank you, Elder!" Noah cupped his hands in gratitude and stepped aside. After all the plaques were handed out, Elder Giles led the group to the area designated for entry disciples. Towering, majestic peaks stretched into the clouds, vast and serene. Ancient trees formed dense forests, and the air was filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, creating a paradise-like atmosphere. Iron chain bridges connected the peaks. The disciples followed Elder Giles along one of the bridges, heading toward a particular peak. Soon, they arrived halfway up the mountain, where a series of elegant courtyards had been built. "These will be your dormitories," Elder Giles explained. "Each courtyard houses two people. Inside, you'll find a copy of the ‘Disciples' Rules,' which outlines everything an entry disciple is permitted or forbidden to do." "Also, tomorrow morning, you will go to the Martial Hall to receive your Meridian Opening Pills and participate in the meridian opening ceremony." "Yes, Elder!" The disciples answered in unison, excitement lighting up their faces. As entry disciples, they would receive one Meridian Opening Pill each month from the Martial Hall for a full year. If they failed to awaken their abilities within that time, they would be expelled from the sect. However, for those with a fourth-grade bloodline, one or two Meridian Opening Pills were usually enough to awaken their meridians and become martial artists in the Meridian Opening Realm. After Elder Giles left, the disciples eagerly rushed into the courtyards to choose their residences. The courtyards were laid out like quadrangles, with a gate on one side, dormitories on the other two, and a spacious practice yard in the center—perfect for martial arts training. Noah found an empty courtyard and chose one of the dormitories. It was simple: just a bed and a table. On the table were two books: Disciples' Rules and Fundamentals of Martial Arts. He flipped through the sect rules quickly, but what truly captured his attention was Fundamentals of Martial Arts, which detailed the foundational knowledge of cultivation. For example, martial realms were divided into stages: Meridian Opening Realm, Spirit Stream Realm, Spirit Lake Realm, Spirit Sea Realm, and so on. A martial artist at the Meridian Opening Realm who opened seven meridians could attempt to break through to the Spirit Stream Realm. Just as Noah was engrossed in the book, he heard footsteps outside. A slender, handsome boy around fifteen or sixteen entered with a smile. "Can I help you?" Noah asked. "Noah, I'll be direct. My name is Dwight Santee, and I've come to discuss business with you," the boy said bluntly. "Business? What business could we possibly have?" Noah asked, puzzled. "Tomorrow, we'll receive our Meridian Opening Pills for the awakening ceremony. Would you consider selling yours to me?" Dwight laid out his proposal directly. "Sell it to you?" Noah was stunned. "Don't get me wrong," Dwight said gently. "But with your trash-grade bloodline, even multiple Meridian Opening Pills won't help you activate your meridians. Instead of wasting it, why not sell it to me?" Noah didn't respond immediately but asked, "With your talent, aren't you guaranteed to activate your meridians sooner or later?" "In cultivation, every second counts. I can't guarantee that one pill will be enough to activate my meridians tomorrow. But if you sell me yours, I could succeed and become a martial artist right away!" Dwight's eyes shone with eagerness. Noah was tempted and asked, "What's your offer?" Dwight raised two fingers. "The internal price for a Meridian Opening Pill in the sect is around 15,000 copper coins. I'll give you 20,000!" "20,000?" Noah was taken aback. Copper coins were the currency of Cloud Country, and their purchasing power was similar to that of his previous world. An ordinary person earning 3,000 copper coins a month was considered well-off. Yet, Dwight was offering 20,000 just like that. For perspective, Noah had earned only 1,500 copper coins a month working as a waiter, barely enough to feed himself. Seeing Noah's shock, Dwight smirked. From his clothes, it was clear Noah wasn't from a wealthy background. Twenty thousand copper coins was a fortune for someone like him. And with a trash-grade bloodline, the pill was useless to him anyway. However, Noah shook his head and declined. "Not selling." "Not selling?" Dwight looked incredulous. "What use do you have for it?" Noah smiled. "Dwight, if you want my Meridian Opening Pill, I'm sure others do too. I'll auction it off tomorrow—the highest bidder can have it." Right now, what Noah needed most was money, and there was no way he'd sell the pill to Dwight for just 20,000 copper coins. Dwight almost choked in frustration. If he'd known Noah was this crafty, he wouldn't have tried to negotiate in private.

Chapter 3: First Disciple

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