Chapter 14

"Looks like you got up pretty early." Just as Gu Xuyao was enjoying the sunrise, a man's voice reached his ears.

Gu Xuyao followed the sound and saw a young man walking towards him. In the next moment, the man was already in front of him.

Dressed in a white robe, with a bagua symbol on his back, eyes sharp like an eagle's, and long hair gently draped, Gu Xuyao knew this was the person who would take him to the Dao Transmission Hall.

"Good morning, Senior Brother." Although Gu Xuyao had not yet formally learned Daoist techniques, calling the man "Senior Brother" was not wrong. After passing the entrance test, he would be a member of the Taiheng Sect.

The man sized up Gu Xuyao, then nodded slightly.

"Looking at your body, you're still a mortal, but you're relatively strong. Hmm, not bad. Let's go. I'll take you to the Dao Transmission Hall. After that, it's up to you to cultivate." With that, the man led the way. It seemed to be a rule in the Taiheng Sect that no one would speak when leading someone, they would just walk.

They passed through half of the lower level. The Dao Transmission Hall was on the backside of the Cloudy Staircase. Gu Xuyao had thought the entire lower level was the same, with rows of identical houses, but he didn't expect there to be such a "large hall."

The Dao Transmission Hall was more like a large mansion than a room. It was a huge quadrangle, with a red-painted gate tightly closed, and two Taiheng Sect disciples guarding the sides. Clearly, this was not a place for just anyone to enter and leave.

"This is the Dao Transmission Hall. You don't need to remember the way; even the most foolish person can find it by following the mountain path above." The man did not introduce himself, and his proud demeanor suggested he held a high position in the Taiheng Sect.

After saying this, the man continued walking. The two guards at the gate smiled and respectfully opened the gate when they saw the man. They looked at Gu Xuyao, who was following the man, with curious eyes.

The heavy gate behind them closed, and Gu Xuyao found himself on a large road, the only path in the Dao Transmission Hall.

Besides this road, the Dao Transmission Hall was divided into four large courtyards. Three of them were lined up on the left side of the road, while one was alone on the right. Gu Xuyao's destination was at the end of the road.

"The Discipline Hall." Gu Xuyao stood in front of the building, where a large plaque hung under the eaves, with three powerful characters: "Discipline Hall."

"This is where disciples who violate the rules are summoned for punishment, but it is also where new disciples choose their courtyards." The man explained briefly before pushing the door open and entering.

The Discipline Hall was not large, but there were ten cultivators sitting on cushions on both sides, meditating with their eyes closed, showing no reaction to anyone entering or leaving.

At the head of the hall sat a middle-aged cultivator, who was now looking at Gu Xuyao with a piercing, cold, and stern gaze.

"Yang Xi, is this the person the Sect Leader asked you to bring?" This was directed at the cultivator who had brought Gu Xuyao, but his eyes remained fixed on Gu Xuyao.

The cultivator named Yang Xi nodded, his arrogant demeanor subdued in the presence of the stern cultivator.

"Senior Brother Ruling, this person is named Gu Xuyao. Please give him the appropriate items according to the usual arrangements of the Strength Courtyard."

Gu Xuyao was taken aback by this and glanced at Yang Xi, but Yang Xi seemed to have no intention of considering Gu Xuyao's feelings, so he ignored Gu Xuyao's gaze.

"Senior Brother, I haven't chosen to join the Strength Courtyard. Why... I heard from others that new disciples can choose their courtyards themselves."

Yang Xi and Ruling both turned to look at Gu Xuyao. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Gu Xuyao quickly clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, knowing he couldn't afford to offend anyone in the Taiheng Sect.

"Senior Brother, I was rash just now. I actually wanted to join the Speed Courtyard because the head of the Path Courtyard is my savior. I wanted to..."

"You only need to cultivate well in the Taiheng Sect and help it flourish in the future. That will be the best way to repay Senior Uncle Path. Don't argue. This is the Sect Leader's order, and you have no choice but to comply. Besides, the Strength Courtyard, which the Sect Leader oversees, has always been the courtyard with the most experts. Others who want to join the Strength Courtyard must pass an additional test after the entrance test. Now that you are being admitted unconditionally, you should feel honored." Yang Xi interrupted Gu Xuyao and gestured for Ruling to continue.

Ruling glanced at Gu Xuyao and continued to inscribe something on a stone tablet with his spiritual energy.

"Senior Brother, this..." Gu Xuyao wanted to say more, but he stopped when he saw the look in Yang Xi's eyes.

Under the pressure, Gu Xuyao knew any resistance would be futile. Despite his inner frustration, he stopped arguing.

Soon, Ruling finished his work. He took out a gourd, shook it lightly, and a white light flashed, revealing a stack of paper books on the table.

"Take them. Go back and study them well. When you feel the time is right, find other senior brothers in the practice room. Once you cultivate your immortal root, you can proceed to the next stage of cultivation." Ruling gently tossed the books and the stone tablet to Gu Xuyao.

"This stone tablet is proof of your identity. You are now the 36th generation disciple of the Strength Courtyard in the Taiheng Sect. The Strength Courtyard values simplicity and honesty, so the tokens are made of gray腾stone." Yang Xi looked at the stone tablet with pride.

Ruling snorted softly and gave a subtle dismissal.

"If you're done, leave the Discipline Hall quickly. Don't disturb the other senior brothers' meditation." With that, Ruling closed his eyes and fell silent.

Yang Xi, seeing this, said nothing and walked out the door.

Gu Xuyao thanked Ruling with a respectful gesture and followed Yang Xi out of the Discipline Hall.

Back on the main path through the Dao Transmission Hall, Gu Xuyao was still thinking about not being able to join the Speed Courtyard, but Yang Xi didn't give him a chance to speak.

"These three courtyards are the practice rooms for the three courtyards. Cultivation takes place here. The courtyard opposite is the preparation room, specifically for disciples like you who have not yet cultivated their immortal roots." Yang Xi never looked at Gu Xuyao while speaking, always walking ahead and talking to himself.

"You think that after coming to the Dao Transmission Hall and getting the basic books, you've started your path as a cultivator? You're wrong. Before you cultivate your immortal root, you can't be called a cultivator; you're only half a cultivator." By the time he finished speaking, they had already left the Dao Transmission Hall.

"Alright, I won't say more. Everything I need to tell you is recorded in these books. Go back and cultivate well. Don't let your master down." With that, Yang Xi turned and looked at Gu Xuyao, then disappeared in a flash, just like the other cultivators.

Shaking his head helplessly, Gu Xuyao didn't know what to say. He felt two strange gazes from behind, knowing they were from the two guards at the Dao Transmission Hall's gate. He frowned slightly and started walking towards his room.

Thinking about the recent events, both good and bad, he soon left the Dao Transmission Hall behind and walked for a while. The familiar room was not far away.

On his way, Gu Xuyao noticed that the row of houses where his room was located had a white tree planted at each door. The white was not pale but pure, from the trunk to the leaves, a sad beauty, especially when a woman in a green robe stood under it, gazing at the sky thoughtfully.

"Gu Gu! You're back!" Gu Xuyao's movements did not escape Zibi's notice.

As she spoke, Zibi leaped a few times and appeared in front of Gu Xuyao.

Gu Xuyao was still not used to Zibi's enthusiasm, but he was no longer as uncomfortable as he was at first.

"I've joined the Strength Courtyard."

"What?! You actually joined the Strength Courtyard? Gu Gu! You didn't join the Strength Courtyard just because it's the most powerful and requires special recognition, did you?! What about our agreement?! You actually forgot it?!" Before Gu Xuyao could continue, Zibi started scolding him.

At this moment, Gu Xuyao couldn't help but think that Zibi used to be the owner of a tavern. If she didn't have such a personality, she probably wouldn't have been able to run a tavern.

"It's not what you think. I naturally wanted to join the Speed Courtyard, not for our non-existent agreement, but to repay the kindness of the head of the Path Courtyard. However, the Senior Brother who took me to the Dao Transmission Hall, Yang Xi, said I had to join the Strength Courtyard, and it was the Sect Leader's order. I couldn't resist, so I had to comply."

Gu Xuyao explained his predicament, but Zibi looked disbelieving and then turned angry.

"Such a thing can happen? Who forces someone to join a courtyard they don't want to join? I've never heard of such a thing. Wait, Gu Gu, I'll get justice for you!" With that, Zibi vanished in a flash, heading somewhere.

Gu Xuyao wanted to stop her, but she was too fast. By the time he opened his mouth, she had already left, leaving only her scent behind.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Xuyao pushed the door open and entered his room. Looking at the empty room and thinking about his trip to the Dao Transmission Hall, he felt extremely frustrated.

But no matter how much he thought or complained, it was useless.

Gu Xuyao gently closed the door, as if trying to calm his chaotic thoughts with this gentle action. He knew that the only thing he could do now was to study and cultivate well.

As Gu Xuyao closed his door, not far away, a room in the upper level of the Taiheng Sect also closed its door, gently, as if afraid of making too much noise and disturbing someone.

"Master, I have followed your instructions and made Gu Xuyao join the Strength Courtyard." This was the room where Gu Xuyao had taken his third test, and it was the Sect Leader's Daoist chamber.

A light gradually appeared in the darkness, and the emaciated old man was still sitting there, as if he hadn't moved.

"Yang Xi, what do you think of Gu Xuyao?"

Yang Xi bowed deeply, showing utmost respect, but his expression was hidden.

"Disciple doesn't know, but when I said he had to join the Strength Courtyard, he was very resistant and wanted to join the Speed Courtyard, saying he wanted to repay the kindness of Senior Uncle Path."

The old man's face showed no change, but he glanced at Yang Xi.

"Oh, I see. I understand. You may go. Remember to keep an eye on Gu Xuyao's movements and report to me at any time." After saying this, the entire Daoist chamber was enveloped in darkness again, like the sky gradually welcoming the night.