The Wudang Sect stretched across thirteen mountains.
Each department imed its own peak, its own territory carved into the vast range. From a distance the mountains looked like a silent army of stone rising into the clouds.
At the very center stood the tallest mountain of them all.
That peak belonged to the sect leader and the elders—the true heart of Wudang.
Li Chingxue soared through the sky with Alex beside her, her robes fluttering like silver wings in the mountain wind. They flew toward one of the surrounding peaks, Thousand Herbs Peak.
Where the Pill Refinement Department was located.
The sect leader had already given Li Chingxue clear instructions.
Once Alex officially entered the Outer Sect, he would be assigned to the Pill Refinement Department.
From afar, the mountain didn''t look particrlyrge. It seemed quiet and ordinarypared to the towering peaks around it.
But the moment they descended onto the mountain path, the illusion vanished. Birdsong echoed through the air.
The scent of herbs drifted everywhere, thick and fragrant.
The entire ce looked like a hidden paradise.
The deeper they walked, the clearer it became that the mountain was farrger than it had appeared from the outside. Terraced fields stretched across the hillsides, each one carefully nted with medicinal herbs.
Alex had heard rumors before.
The entire mountain served as a massive ntation for rare herbs. Everything grown here was precious. The herbs that eventually reached the Servant''s kitchens were simply the ones considered too ordinary to be used for pill refinement.
Even the leftovers here were treasures elsewhere.
A thin mist rolled through the valleys, carrying waves of medicinal fragrance.
One breath was enough to lift the spirit.
Warmth flowed through the body like gentle fire.
His eyes widened.
His cultivation base suddenly stirred. Energy surged through his meridians as if the
air itself carried spiritual power.
This ce was extraordinary.
He could feel it immediately.
Ahead of him, Li Chingxue''s eyes flickered slightly.
Even she had to admit it.
Alex''s cultivation progress over the past year was frightening. Most disciples would need several years to achieve what he had done in one.
She spoke without slowing her pace.
"Now that you are officially an Outer Sect disciple," she said calmly, "you will receive your Wudang sect name."
Alex straightened slightly, listening carefully.
"You belong to the Jun generation," she continued. "And you will keep the same number-Nine."
She paused briefly before finishing.
"From today onward, your sect name will be Jun Jiu.”
“The name Jun Jiu means a gentleman. A man of upright character.”
She nced at him sideways.
"So try to act like one."
Her tone carried a faint warning.
"No more causing trouble."
Alex instantly put on the most charming smile he could manage.
He nodded rapidly.
"Of course. Of course. I''m the most well-behaved disciple in the entire sect."
Li Chingxue didn''t even bother responding
"Cultivation," she said calmly, "is like rowing a boat against the current."
"If you stop moving forward, you will be pushed backward."
"It requires constant effort."
Alex nodded, wisely kept his mouth shut this time.
Arguing with Li Chingxue was rarely a good idea.
"Sect resources are only part of what helps an Outer Sect disciple grow," she continued.
"You also have to rely on your own efforts."
Her voice carried the calm authority of someone who had walked this path for many years.
"The sect offers missions for its disciples. Completing them earns you resources, experience, and opportunities."
"In a moment," she said, "you can visit the mission hall."
Her eyes settled on Alex again.
"Pick a few tasks."
"Consider them the beginning of your training."
When Alex heard that, his heart gave a sudden, heavy thump.
Not long ago, while flipping through the Wudang Sect rulebook, he had noticed a particr regtion about Outer Sect disciples. Every disciple. er was required toplete missions for the sect on a regr basis.
Fail toplete them...
...and the punishment was simple.
Demotion.
An Outer Sect disciple whoofbel
missions would be stripped of
status and thrown back into the
ranks of servants Content belong
The moment that thought resurfaced in Alex''s mind, a wild spark of excitement lit up
inside him.
His eyes almost shone.
But Li Chingxue clearly knew him far too well.
Without even looking back, she spoke in a cold, calm voice.
"Don''t even think about it."
Alex froze.
Her tone turned sharper.
"Other disciples might get demoted to servant if they fail their missions."
She finally nced at him, her eyes cool and piercing.
"But if you try something like that.....”
Her voice dropped slightly.
"I''ll personally throw you into the prison cave."
"And you''ll stay there until you die."
Alex nearly jumped out of his skin.
The joy he had just felt evaporated instantly.
He nodded stiffly, forcing out a nervousugh, but inside he was already cursing his
own bad luck.
Soon they arrived at the middle section of Thousand Herbs Peak.
The mist thinned slightly, revealing a building ahead.
It wasn''trge, but it carried an
elegant, refined air. The wooden structure blended naturally with the mountain scenery its roof tiles dark and polished from years of
mountain rain.
Through one of the open windows, Alex could see a young man sitting quietly
inside.
The man was reading a book.
His posture was rxed, but disciplined—like someone used to long hours of quiet
work.
As if sensing their presence, the young man suddenly looked up.
The moment he saw Li Chingxue, he immediately stood and walked outside.
He sped his hands respectfully.
"This disciple greets the Pure Snow Sword Maiden, Li Chingxue."
Li Chingxue gave a small nod.
"This is disciple Jun Jiu," she said. "Take him and arrange his registration with the
Outer Sect."
Her eyes flicked briefly toward Alex onest time.
Then, before he could say anything else, her body transformed into a streak of shimmering, prismatic light.
In the blink of an eye, she shot upward into the mountain mist and disappeared
toward the higher peaks.
Alex stood there for a moment.
Then he let out a long breath.
Finally.
With Li Chingxue gone, it felt like a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
The sky suddenly seemed brighter.
The air felt lighter.
Even the birds sounded happier.
The young man beside him watched Alex for a moment, quietly studying him.
Then he suddenly burst outughing.
"So you''re that guy."
Alex blinked.
"The one who''s been beating up the Servant Discipline Department."
The young man''s eyes sparkled with amusement.
Alex scratched the back of his head and chuckled.
"You''re giving me too much credit, Elder Brother."
He waved his hand casually.
"That little thing isn''t even worth mentioning."
The young manughed even harder.
Clearly, Alex''s shameless attitude entertained him greatly.
After a moment, he waved his hand.
"Come on. I''ll show you around."