Chapter 10

After the registration was completed, Xiao Han officially became an outer sect disciple of the Cloud Rain Sect.

Xiao Han thought to himself, according to what the new disciples said, once you become an outer sect disciple, it's like stepping into the hall of martial arts. You will receive cultivation from the sect, receive elixirs every month, and can choose martial arts manuals and the like. This is really great...

"Xiao Han!" At this moment, a supervisor with a sharp gaze looked at Xiao Han.

"Oh?" Xiao Han was taken aback.

"Xiao Han, from today onwards, you are an outer sect disciple of the Cloud Rain Sect. Our Cloud Rain Sect is one of the five top sects in the Beacon Fire Empire. Every disciple is extraordinary. When you go out into the world, you will be respected. In the future, you must pay attention to your demeanor and conduct. Every word and action cannot be taken lightly. You must not tarnish the reputation of the Cloud Rain Sect. The most important point is that you must not collude with the demon race! The demon race is the mortal enemy of our human race. Any disciple of the Cloud Rain Sect, from the True Transmission disciples to the new disciples, must kill the demons on sight, without any mercy or being deceived by them. Do you understand?"

"Oh, I know. The demons feed on the brain marrow of our human race, they are extremely cruel and violent. If I encounter a demon, I will strike first, oh, no, I will strike the demon first. Otherwise, if my brain marrow is sucked out, that's not a joke," Xiao Han nodded in agreement.

"Hmm, that's good. Also, you completed the Bone Explosion through the use of heavenly materials and treasures, which means you have no foundation in martial arts. Therefore, you must not be complacent. After all, martial arts ultimately depend on talent and insight," another supervisor looked at Xiao Han with some disdain.

Xiao Han noticed the supervisor's expression and couldn't help but think... Could it be that because of my low birth, these people are targeting me?

A supervisor, reading his expression, smiled and said, "Xiao Han, don't overthink it. The sect will give you the benefits you deserve. However, remember, the number of outer sect disciples is vast, and the competition is extremely fierce. The sect will only focus on cultivating the outstanding ones. It won't spend too many resources on the mediocre. Survival of the fittest. In short, as long as you have potential, the sect won't care about your background. Now, I'll have someone take you to collect your benefits and arrange your accommodation."

After saying this, the supervisor looked at the edge of the square. The young men and women who had been watching turned and left.

"These guys..." The supervisor chuckled, then waved to a young man at the edge of the square who had no intention of leaving. "A Chou, come here."

"Yes, Supervisor," the young man walked over quickly.

"Xiao Han, this is A Chou. He is also your senior, and his cultivation has reached the peak of the Viscera Refinement stage. He is a very good person," the supervisor smiled and introduced him to Xiao Han.

"Uh? A Chou?" Xiao Han looked up and saw that the young man was tall and full of energy, with a long and steady aura. However, his face was completely disfigured.

There was a large red scar on his face, like a rash, covering three-quarters of his face, even his nose and lips. The rash was bright red and very noticeable, with small bumps on it, looking quite disgusting.

"This... A Chou... No wonder this person is called A Chou... He is indeed quite ugly..." Xiao Han thought to himself, but then he thought, "I am a live target with a low birth, what right do I have to talk about someone else's appearance?" With this thought, Xiao Han smiled at A Chou. "Senior A Chou, I am Xiao Han, a new outer sect disciple. Please take care of me."

"Ha, Junior Xiao Han, it's fine, it's fine," A Chou, noticing that Xiao Han didn't show obvious disdain or disgust, was very pleased and spoke politely to him.

"Hmm, hahaha, A Chou, it seems you and Xiao Han are quite compatible. Take him to collect his benefits and tell him about the rules of the outer sect," a supervisor smiled and waved at Xiao Han and A Chou. "Go ahead."

"Junior Xiao Han, please follow me," A Chou said warmly.

"Sure." Xiao Han followed A Chou and left the square.

"Hahahaha, look, one is a low-born live target, and the other is extremely ugly... These two are quite a pair, sharing the same stench..."

"Hahahahaha..."

The three supervisors couldn't help but laugh.

Xiao Han, led by A Chou, left the square and entered a wide avenue. They walked straight along the avenue.

The avenue was very wide, wide enough for ten horses to walk side by side. The road was spotlessly clean, and ancient trees lined both sides, exuding an ancient charm. Wisps of immortal energy floated around Xiao Han, ethereal and indistinct. On both sides of the road, shops lined up in neat rows. Xiao Han took a deep breath and smelled the rich aroma of medicinal herbs, feeling refreshed.

The passersby were all young talents. The men were either vigorous and powerful, like reincarnated beasts, or elegant and aloof; the women were either beautiful, refined, or heroic...

These men and women were the cream of the crop!

They were all outer sect disciples, not only with more robust and full-bodied physiques than any new disciple Xiao Han had seen, but also with a higher spirit and demeanor.

"Tsk tsk, this atmosphere..." Xiao Han couldn't help but marvel.

"Junior Xiao Han, what do you think of the outer sect?" A Chou smiled.

"Good, very good. No wonder all the new disciples are eager to enter the outer sect. It's amazing. Everything has a transcendent feel," Xiao Han nodded sincerely.

"That's right," A Chou nodded. "Xiao Han, I'll tell you, if you spend a few years as an outer sect disciple and build up some seniority, you will be respected wherever you go."

After a pause, A Chou continued, "Xiao Han, we have ten outer sect peaks in the Cloud Rain Sect, known as the 'Ten Outer Peaks.' Each peak has about 2,000 outer sect disciples."

"What? Ten Outer Peaks? Each peak has 2,000 disciples? Tsk tsk, that means the entire Cloud Rain Sect has over 20,000 outer sect disciples?" Xiao Han was surprised.

"Um. Xiao Han, the Ten Outer Peaks compete fiercely. Our peak is relatively weak, ranking around seventh or eighth. If it weren't for the two geniuses, Senior Ling Feiyu and Senior Meng Ran, our ranking would be even lower. However, both Ling and Meng are likely to enter the inner sect soon, and then our peak might end up at the bottom," A Chou looked worried.

"Oh... I see." Xiao Han nodded, then his heart stirred, and he whispered, "Senior A Chou, I want to ask about someone."

"Who? Who do you want to ask about? Xiao Han, I've been in the outer sect for five years. I know a lot of people. Who do you want to ask about?" A Chou asked.

"Is there an outer sect disciple named 'Xue Jianfeng'?" Xiao Han's voice trembled slightly.

"Xue Jianfeng?" A Chou was taken aback, then he stared and said, "He is one of the top figures among the outer sect disciples! A prodigy, he entered the outer sect three years ago and has already started the Blood Change stage, almost reaching the peak of his physical refinement. He is only eighteen years old, his sword skills are unparalleled, and he has already qualified to enter the inner sect. However, he is very arrogant and claims he will only enter the inner sect after guiding true qi into his body and achieving the True Qi stage, or even directly become a True Transmission disciple."

"So, Xiao Han, do you know Xue Jianfeng? He is a super genius from the strongest of the Ten Outer Peaks. If you have a connection with him, your future will be much easier. No one in the outer sect will dare to provoke you, and even some inner sect disciples will give you face," A Chou looked at Xiao Han.

"So impressive..." Xiao Han licked his lips, "Senior A Chou, you misunderstood. I don't know him. I was just asking out of curiosity. I'm a live target, how could I know such a talented person?"

"That's true. Xue Jianfeng is very aloof and has few friends. Perhaps geniuses always have few friends," A Chou chuckled.

Suddenly, Xiao Han murmured in a very low voice, "Xue Jianfeng... I lost something very precious, and one day, I must reclaim it from him."

"What did you say, Xiao Han?" A Chou asked suspiciously.

"Oh... nothing, nothing," Xiao Han quickly said. "By the way, Senior A Chou, what other rules are there in the outer sect? Please tell me."

"There are no special rules. In fact..." A Chou lowered his voice. "The rules are just for show. As long as you are strong, who cares about the rules? However, private duels among outer sect disciples are strictly prohibited. If you have a grudge, both parties must agree to settle it on the arena. For example, if I offend another outer sect disciple, they cannot beat me on the spot. If they want to fight me, they must get my consent, agree on a time, and settle it on the arena."

"Ha... That's a good rule." Xiao Han laughed.

"Alright, we're here. Xiao Han, I'll take you in to collect your benefits first," A Chou led Xiao Han to a grand building.

They walked in one after the other.

A Chou helped Xiao Han with some procedures and received a brocade bundle.

"Xiao Han, open the bundle and take a look. This is your basic benefit, which you will receive every month," A Chou smiled. "Look while we walk. I'll take you to your accommodation now. Here, there's a key in the bundle, the key to the courtyard you've been assigned. Your place is not far from mine. It's good to have someone nearby. I'll take you there now."

"Sure, sure, thank you, Senior A Chou, for taking care of everything for me," Xiao Han smiled and opened the bundle.

The bundle was not large, containing only a string of coins, a small booklet, and a key.

"Uh?" Xiao Han was taken aback. "Why are there no elixirs? I heard that outer sect disciples receive elixirs every month."

"Xiao Han, do you see that string of 'True Martial Coins'? They are the currency used in the martial arts sects of the Beacon Fire Empire. With 'True Martial Coins,' you can buy elixirs, martial arts manuals, weapons, secret realm maps, and more in any martial arts sect within the empire. They are the hard currency for us martial artists. Look at those shops, there are elixir shops, weapon shops, and even stalls where outer sect disciples sell martial arts manuals, materials, herbs, and rare treasures... As long as you have enough 'True Martial Coins,' there's nothing you can't buy," A Chou explained enthusiastically.

"Oh... So it's not that they don't give elixirs directly, but they give coins instead..." Xiao Han understood, looking at the string of 'True Martial Coins,' which had about 100 coins.

"100 'True Martial Coins' per month is the basic benefit for outer sect disciples," A Chou grinned. "The basic benefits for disciples of the Ten Outer Peaks vary. For example, our peak is only ranked seventh or eighth, so we receive 100 'True Martial Coins' per month. But the peaks with higher rankings, tsk tsk, I'll tell you, in the peak where Xue Jianfeng is, even a regular outer sect disciple can receive 1,000 True Martial Coins per month..."

"What? We receive 100 coins per month, and they receive 1,000 coins? What's the reason for this? It's a tenfold difference!" Xiao Han exclaimed.

"Who can blame us for being weak? Don't blame fate. This world is not fair. The stronger you are, the more benefits you get. I've long accepted this," A Chou smiled helplessly. "Alright, Xiao Han, focus on your cultivation. As long as you are strong, you will have many opportunities to earn True Martial Coins."

"Also, the small booklet mainly introduces the basics of the martial arts physical realm, the general geography of our world, customs, and the empire's sects... You can study it when you have time," A Chou continued. "The day after tomorrow, I'll take you to the peak where the martial arts manuals are stored to receive the Viscera Refinement cultivation method and choose a martial skill."

"Martial skill? Great! So far, I only know the 'Mighty Ox Bone Strengthening Fist,' which is just a basic physical cultivation method, not worth mentioning," Xiao Han said excitedly.

"Of course, any martial skill from the martial skill hall is far superior to the Mighty Ox Bone Strengthening Fist," A Chou nodded repeatedly.

As they spoke, they arrived at a vast area filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, with lush vegetation and climbing vines. Amidst the trees, many red-walled, green-roofed houses could be seen. Each house had a large courtyard, looking even more luxurious than the mansions in the secular world.

Deer, monkeys, and antelopes wandered through the forest, unafraid of people.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, and Xiao Han felt refreshed with every breath.

Before long, A Chou led Xiao Han to a maple forest, where a grand and spacious courtyard lay deep within. The eaves were upturned, the tiles were glazed, and the steps were made of white stone, giving it a golden and splendid appearance.

Xiao Han's eyes widened. When he was a live target, he lived in a simple stilt house, and it was a communal living arrangement. Compared to this courtyard, it was like heaven and earth.

"Xiao Han, this is your benefit as an outer sect disciple. This courtyard belongs to you. Quickly take out the key and open the door," A Chou patted Xiao Han's shoulder.

Xiao Han opened the door.

Inside, a large garden and a small training ground came into view.

The garden alone covered several acres, and the training ground was also several acres in size.

Everywhere, pavilions and terraces were surrounded by swaying bamboo and flowing water, with a mist of immortal energy in the air.

Xiao Han couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

"Xiao Han, go inside and rest for a while. I'll come back to call you for dinner," A Chou left.

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