Chapter 58: The Only Orthodox Sect
<span style="font-weight:400">That night, when the three boys sat down, they all seemed eager to share theirtest discoveries.
<span style="font-weight:400">They opened their mouths at the same time, only for no noise toe out as they each intended to let the other party speak first. Wei Ping quickly recollected himself and spoke first.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Go a-ahead, boss.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Okay, sure. I wanted to share that I have already discovered some results from just a day of testing. I’m not sure if this will persist, but I detected approximately 0.8% fewer toxins within the samples for all three of us.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-that is quite p-precise…it means we’re t-taking in s-smaller amounts of t-toxins somehow?” Wei Ping replied with a look of realization on his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang nodded at the answer his assistant quickly arrived at while Long Yi wore a confused expression as he nced between the two.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you guys talking about?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We have a theory that our spiritual roots are what filter out the toxins. At the same time, based on the existence of unique physiques that allow spiritual roots to be trained, we believed ours could be trained as well. It’s just that we normally sumb to the toxins before our spiritual roots get enough of a workout. Now, with the Cleansing Drug, I believe we’ve solved that issue, thus allowing our Spiritual Root to grow stronger!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, we’ve got the same ability as those with that particr unique physique?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Probably not exactly, but something very close. I can’t say definitively yet with such a small sample size, but I have a good feeling about this.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang rambled on once more. Once he began talking about a topic he was passionate about, it was hard for him to stop. However, this time, the boys all attentively listened as this matter affected them greatly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Once he was done, their room descended into silence as they each processed their thoughts.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Anyway, it’s only the first day. We’ll see if it’ll continue first. A 0.8% doesn’t sound so impressive yet, and I can’t even feel the difference yet.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That was the n. Anyway, did you guys find something?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Y-yes! Long Yi will e-exin.” Wei Ping immediately kicked the ball to his peer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Okay… I did promise.” Long Yi sighed and took a sip of water before beginning. “So we looked into joining a demonic sect…or as the locals call it, an official organization or group. It seems the structure of groups here varies a lot and is way moreplex than what we’re used to.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, it’s not hard to see that they don’t organize themselves like a traditional sect around here.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Exactly. Each official group is different. Some of them are like sects, passing on their secret teachings and nurturing disciples. They are the minority, but they do exist, especially with those who practice Possession Demonic Techniques.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And the majority?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The majority use a much looser structure. Some of them are bound together by like-minded ideas, like upholding order and justice. Other than that, they won’t share much with each other, all practicing different techniques and taking in their own disciples. For other organizations, they work like guilds, pooling resources together to take care of various tasks and defending vital assets.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So I take it you guys realized in our situation, we’d be looking toward these looser groups, then? I don’t think any of us are exactly excited to practice demonic techniques,” Li Lang inquired.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, but there was one group within Emberglow City that caught our eye that structured more like a sect.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...What?” Li Lang frowned at the unexpected answer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just hear me out first. You did know that everything in this Demonic Cultivator Territory is isted from the rest of Violet Isle, correct?” Seeing Li Lang nod, Long Yi continued. “There’s a huge number of people living here as well. And when that happens, they’re bound to have a lot of children as well.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re talking about the people who were blessed with high aptitude…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Exactly. It would be a waste for these talented individuals to practice demonic cultivation. It wouldn’t just waste their talent, but make thepetition for resources more tense as well. That is why there are sect-like organizations here that are for these people. They practice orthodox techniques like us, which is why we decided they were a potential candidate for us to look at.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m guessing the other candidates are all filled with demonic cultivators, and you didn’t want to join them?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Look.” Long Yi scratched his cheeks. “Just because I know most of them are normal doesn’t change the fact any of them could suddenly go crazy. They’re a looming disaster!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...I think you should try to change your views. Otherwise, you should consider returning to righteous sect territory. Think about what would happen if demonic cultivators heard your take.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t b-be too harsh o-on him, boss. It’s n-not easy to c-change your mindset s-so quickly.” Wei Ping interjected.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As long as he knows. Anyway, I take it that we’ll be going to check out this orthodox sect of yours tomorrow?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Y-yes. They are m-more casual here, and a-ept new disciples throughout t-the year.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Understood, then let’s call it here for tonight. We can discuss the other groups if this one doesn’t work out.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">The next morning, the trio arrived before arge gate. Stone walls surrounded the entirepound, and two tall buildings could be seen standing over seven stories. There was amplend to fit more than the two buildings, but the walls had obscured any onlookers from peering inside.
<span style="font-weight:400">At the top of the splendid red gate was a wooden sign with the name ‘Peerless Gate’ written on it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang boldly strode toward the gate and rang the bell just beside the gate that served as a door knocker.
<span style="font-weight:400">After ringing it three times, a figure swiftly emerged from the door. It was a young man wearing yellow robes. He silently scrutinized the three kids before the gate for a few moments and wore a frown.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you kids want?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’re here to see if your Peerless Gate was recruiting.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You guys look a bit old for that.” The man directed a meaningful nce over at Long Yi.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...I’m the youngest among us. I just turned eleven not long ago.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eleven? Are you guys from some remote vige or something? You’re supposed toe get your aptitude measured when you turn ten. In the first ce…”
<span style="font-weight:400">As the man exined, he held open the gates for the three boys to enter. They stepped into a wide stone path that led up to therge building that the two buildings both connected to on the ground floor. The lobby was wide and spacious, and the man guided them to a room in the back.
<span style="font-weight:400">On the way there, various other people could be seen walking to and fro, all wearing the same yellow robes as their guide.
<span style="font-weight:400">When they entered the room, all three of them immediately realized the reason they were taken there.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sir, we’ve actually measured our aptitude before. The two of us here have grade one aptitude, while Long Yi here has grade three.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What? Then what are you two doing here, then? Just to tag along with your friend?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No…We’re looking to join the Peerless Gate as well, if that is possible.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Kid, why in the world do you want to do that? This ce is for studying orthodox cultivation techniques. You won’t be able to make progress in your lifetime if you only have grade one aptitude.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We know that, but we’ve already been practicing orthodox techniques for a while now and don’t n to stop.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What…? From where?” Their guide was visibly taken aback.
<span style="font-weight:400">As Li Lang and his group nned to join the group, he found no reason to be lying or beating around the bush.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’re from the Yellow Qilin province. We were originally members of an orthodox sect.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see…Well, regardless, you guys only have grade one aptitude. People like you are unsuited to be in our organization.” He turned to Long Yi. “As for you, you’re more than wee to join, but there’s nothing I can do about your friends.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...No, thank you. I’ll be sticking with them for now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re wasting your talent by doing that, you know? There’s no other organization in Emberglow that can make use of your talents!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeing how the man had started to disregard Li Lang and Wei Ping, the group swiftly made their exit while the man continued to pressure Long Yi to stay. It was only when they passed the gates that the man backed off, walking away while shaking his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Dumb kids….”
<span style="font-weight:400">The three asionally nced back at thepound and only conversed when it was out of sight.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, it could’ve gone worse.” Li Lang muttered. “At least the people here don’t immediately belittle us once he learned of our aptitude.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-they wouldn’t d-dare. Most of t-the demonic cultivators h-have poor aptitude as well. They w-wouldn’t want to o-offend them with c-careless remarks.” Wei Ping replied, as he put a hand on his chin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“But this means it’ll be a lot harder for us to gain ess to orthodox cultivation techniques, martial arts, and Qi arts,” Long Yi added.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll have to stick with whatever is avable in Bloodwave Conve’s bazaar,” Li Lang replied.
<span style="font-weight:400">“In the first ce, even if we all got epted, how would you exin to them when you suddenly make rapid progress thanks to your Cleansing Drug? They’d definitely question you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...You’re right. Maybe when people ask, we should pretend to be demonic cultivators instead?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">At Li Lang’s suggestion, hispanions immediately looked at him in shock.