Gathering of the Sects

“Junior Sister, look! Isn’t that signboard for Tianque City? I’m so hungry my eyes are blurring—I can’t read a single word!”

“It *is* Tianque City! Heavens, after a year, we’ve finally made it!”

A group stood near the city gates, their excited voices ringing out. The leader, a man, held the reins of an emaciated mule pulling a cart.

On it sat a white-haired elder and a child not yet ten.

Beside the man stood a young girl named Ye Mingshi. The moment she confirmed the sign, the exhaustion of their arduous journey melted into excitement. She leapt onto the cart, vigorously shaking the dozing elder.

Their travel-worn clothes were caked with mud, their hair tangled into clumps—clear signs of a grueling trek.

Their cultivation was modest, hovering around early Qi Refining.

“Master, Master, don’t sleep! We’re in Tianque City!”

The elder, rattled awake, groggily opened his eyes. “I’m up, I’m up!”

He sighed deeply, turning to his eldest disciple, whose face mirrored his joy. “Ye Rong, what time is it?”

Ye Rong, the mule’s handler, replied, “Master, it’s been seven months and thirteen days since we left.”

The child on the cart pouted unhappily. “Master, you slept too much—seven months! You’ve nearly worn out Old Black!”

Old Black, the mule, seemed to hear its name, turning to snort and bare its teeth, as if sharing the grievance.

“Haha!” The elder chuckled dryly, suddenly standing and leaping lightly to the mule’s side. His weathered hand patted its back. “Thanks, old friend.”

Squinting at Tianque City’s towering silhouette, he stretched lazily, cracked his joints, and strode forward. “We’re here. Follow me into the city!”

Ye Mingshi glared at her younger brother, who wanted to hop off. “Your illness just got better—stay put.”

She hurried after her master. “Master, Senior Brother says he’s so hungry he can’t see straight. Let’s eat first! Roast chicken, roast duck, suckling pig—Master, wait, don’t walk so fast!”

Ye Rong trailed behind, muttering, “Junior Sister, our travel funds ran out long ago…”

The four were from Red Leaf Gate, a sect so small it barely qualified as one. All surnamed Ye, though unrelated, the three disciples were orphans raised by their master, Ye Ruici, who taught them to draw qi and embark on cultivation.

With such humble origins, they had scant resources, keeping their cultivation low. Hearing of the Dragon Boat Secret Realm’s opening, they set out from their sect, traveling for over half a year to reach Tianque City.

How such an obscure sect secured entry to the realm…

“Master, you graduated over a century ago, and you’re still mooching off the Sword Sect—and bringing us along. Aren’t you a bit embarrassed?” Ye Mingshi chattered incessantly. “I’ve got thick skin, so I don’t mind. But at your age, with so little to show, don’t you feel awkward facing the sect?”

“Master, why aren’t you talking? Why walk so fast? Wait for me!”

“Junior Sister,” Ye Rong called from behind, “stop asking, or we’ll lose our master.”

…

After verifying their identities, Ye Mingshi’s group entered the city, where a guard handed them a sheet of paper.

Curious, she asked, “What’s this?”

Unfolding it, she gasped. “Wow, what a detailed map! It’s got everything!”

The thin sheet contained a map of Tianque City’s facilities, transport options, lodging and dining recommendations, must-buy pill and talisman shops, trading areas for deals, and even spots for gathering intelligence and some Dragon Boat Secret Realm info.

The guard replied stiffly, “Our city lord created this map to aid visiting cultivators. Please use it as a guide.”

“Your city lord’s so kind,” Ye Mingshi marveled, scanning the dining section eagerly. “Peach Garden House, Thousand Flavors Studio,锦绣 Pie Shop, Honey Spirit Tea—they all sound delicious! Big cities are different. Where to start?”

…

A snow-white cloud boat streaked through the sky like a meteor, its speed immense but cushioned by a thick spiritual qi shield, ensuring passenger comfort.

At its prow was the emblem of Yan Yi Sect.

Its disciples, mostly under twenty, wore elegant uniforms with sect insignias, exuding an ethereal grace, their exceptional talent evident.

On the deck, a young woman in ornate robes leaned over the railing, gazing below. Yu Huayi, with delicate features and upturned eyes, carried an innate pride. Daughter of Yan Yi Sect’s deputy leader and the youngest disciple of the Mysterious Realm Master of Xuanmiao Peak, she was only seventeen yet at Qi Refining Layer 9, thanks to her rare single water spirit root and diligent practice.

“It’s been a week,” she frowned, “and we’re only now nearing Tianque City. What’s wrong with the Sword Sect, hosting the secret realm in such a remote place? Some backwater, isn’t it?”

Yang Zhenzhi, another disciple, teased, “That’s not all. My senior brother Yang Yi said the Sword Sect has two thousand disciples per cohort!”

“Two thousand? That many? Including outer disciples, right?” Yu Huayi scoffed. “If it’s outer disciples, it’s nothing. Yan Yi Sect has tens of thousands.”

Yang Zhenzhi grinned, relishing her ignorance. “It’s different. Senior Brother said the Sword Sect doesn’t distinguish between inner and outer disciples. They recruit every sixty years, taking all regardless of talent or age, raising them together. They don’t even have senior brothers or sisters—everyone’s just ‘fellow student’!”

Yu Huayi raised a brow skeptically. “True or false? That’s foolish. Taking in low-talent disciples wastes resources. Who handles menial tasks like tending spirit fields or guarding? Do gifted disciples waste time on that? Ridiculous! And no hierarchy by seniority or talent—how do they interact or function?”

Yang Zhenzhi, stumped, shared her doubts. “I don’t know. That’s what Senior Brother said.”

Yu Huayi sneered. “Aside from Immortal Xiaoyao, the Sword Sect has nothing to show for itself. No one from their sect has topped the Sword Pavilion leaderboard in years. Laughable.”

Yang Zhenzhi grew animated. “Exactly! This Sword Pavilion contest should be our Senior Brother’s time to shine.”

Yu Huayi’s mood improved, nodding proudly. “With him as our example, we can’t fall behind in the secret realm. Whether the Sword Sect sends one or two thousand, they’re no threat. Especially if we meet He Rong Sect…”

A flash of menace crossed her eyes. “They’ll come but won’t leave.”

As the city below grew clearer, a tea-sipping cultivator rose slowly. “A week, and we’re finally here.”

He glanced at a disciple standing respectfully. “Call Xiangling and Liuye.”

This was Elder Tianyuan, Yan Yi Sect’s leader for this trip. Clean-shaven, clad in wide robes, he looked like a refined scholar but hid a late Spirit Transformation cultivation.

Soon, Yu Huayi and Shen Liuye arrived before him almost simultaneously.

Yu Huayi stared ahead, refusing to glance at Shen Liuye. They’d joined the sect at the same time, but Shen Liuye, at Qi Refining Great Perfection, outstripped her and was her rival. Both saw themselves as the sect’s top talent, sparking frequent clashes.

Shen Liuye ignored her similarly, acting like strangers despite being from the same sect.

Elder Tianyuan, unbothered by their rivalry, admonished them. “You two will lead this secret realm expedition. Leave sect disputes behind. Outside, you represent Yan Yi Sect’s dignity and might.”

Seeing their serious nods and unified “Yes,” he continued, “We bring 336 disciples—300 inner, 36 outer—all exceptionally talented. While we don’t expect everyone to return unscathed, losses must be minimal.”

With both under Foundation Establishment, how could they ensure this? The words were likely for himself.

Without dwelling, he set a high-level barrier to block eavesdroppers and got to the point. “One more thing. Our master instructed me to tell you two, as the sect’s most gifted, if you can’t succeed, no one can.”

His voice lowered, stirring waves. “The master orders: if you encounter the Dragon Boat, claim it at all costs!”

The Dragon Boat?

Yu Huayi’s heart raced. It hadn’t appeared in the realm for two centuries—rumored to have a master. But Elder Tianyuan’s tone suggested otherwise.

A seventh-tier artifact, filled with countless legacies, the life’s work of Master Wujing. Her magnum opus. To claim it—

Yu Huayi’s emotions surged.

Shen Liuye asked, “Does ‘all costs’ include what you just instructed?”

Yu Huayi’s excitement froze. He was asking if the sect sanctioned sacrificing disciples for the Dragon Boat.

Elder Tianyuan’s gaze darkened imperceptibly, nodding slightly. “Naturally. Understood?”

Despite their thoughts, both showed resolute expressions, saying, “Understood. We’ll give our all and uphold the sect’s honor!”

…

Three months before the Dragon Boat Secret Realm’s opening, Tianque City saw a growing influx of cultivators.

With rising lodging demand, inn prices soared. Many residents rented out half their homes, cleaned up, for extra income.

Early arrivals were mostly rogue cultivators or from small sects, lacking high-tier flying artifacts. To avoid missing the once-a-century event, they set out early, traveling by sword, shrinking-step techniques, donkey carts, or even on foot.

With limited resources and low cultivation, their spiritual qi was insufficient for long flights. They traveled in bursts, resting to cultivate more qi, slowing their pace.

This was why they left half a year early. Most reached Tianque City before the realm opened.

Their modest backgrounds meant thin wallets, but their small purchases added up significantly.

Su Qing’s investment began paying off.

By half a month before the realm’s opening, the city was teeming with cultivators. A few steps revealed one, then another—so many they felt commonplace.

Even proud acquired martial artists kept low profiles, wary of offending powerful figures.

The city buzzed more than during festivals, shops brightly lit, merchants rushing with smiles. Business was so good their faces ached from grinning.

Honey Spirit Tea was no exception, its queue circling three times, never enough stock. The Chen family abandoned their schemes, their teahouses packed and overworked, too busy to care.

After small sects and rogue cultivators, the three major sects arrived.

Medicine King Valley came first, their simple style aligning with Sword Sect’s Pill Sect. Their 400 inner disciples stayed with Sword Sect students, sharing meals and training. @Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

Their competition drove pill prices down by a tenth, hailed as a boon. It humbled the Pill Sect’s usual arrogance.

Next came Yan Yi Sect and He Rong Sect, who didn’t join Sword Sect but stationed floating islands above the city’s east and west districts. These high-tier spatial artifacts consumed thousands of top-grade spirit stones daily, a luxury only such wealthy sects could afford for a half-month stay.

This sparked envy. Sword Sect students wanted to do business or befriend them—connections matter outside.

But Yan Yi and He Rong disciples were aloof, exuding superiority, making them unpopular.

No surprise, as secret realm attendees were elite inner disciples, often elders’ personal students, looking down on the Sword Sect’s half-commoner origins.

Within a week, they stirred waves on the confession wall. The consensus: *What’s with the attitude? Think you’re superior because you’re from a big sect? Noble blood? Great talent? Pfft! If you’re so great, don’t come to our secret realm!*

Yet, despite being major sect inner disciples, Yan Yi and He Rong Sects were at odds.

Sword Sect students, shopping in town, often saw their disciples arguing, sometimes escalating to blows. As hosts, Sword Sect students mediated.

Not out of kindness—they loved gossip and hoped for mutual destruction—but with too many cultivators, regular patrols lacked authority.

Sword Sect students, regardless of year, were conscripted for patrol duties in small groups. Letting fights escalate risked intervention from enforcement teams, costing task points. So, they mediated actively.

Su Qing was among the unlucky students assigned. She couldn’t fathom why the sects were so hostile. Xu Jiuxing, a second-year patrolling with her, revealed the truth.

“Junior Sister, know the nicknames for Yan Yi and He Rong Sects?”

Nicknames?

Su Qing shook her head. “No idea.”

“Yan Yi Sect believes all returns to one, heaven and earth are ruthless, the Dao emotionless—hence, ‘Ruthless Dao,’” Xu Jiuxing explained. “He Rong Sect believes all things have emotion, small loves reflecting greater ones, embracing personal bonds. Their diverse relationships draw criticism from rigid sects, likening them to the fictional Joyous Union Sect.”

Su Qing was speechless. What a trendy setup.

Curious, she asked, “What’s Sword Sect’s philosophy?”

Sword Sect’s motto was to let all learn the world’s swords. It neither promoted nor banned romance.

“Sword Sect…” Xu Jiuxing repeated, then again. “We’re nothing special. Just eat well, live well, cultivate well.”

A quintessentially Sword Sect answer.

Su Qing pressed, “Is their bad blood just ideological?”

“Partly,” Xu Jiuxing whispered. “The previous leaders of Yan Yi and He Rong were Dao partners. But Yan Yi’s leader, to ascend…”

Su Qing’s eyes widened. No way.

Xu Jiuxing confirmed: “Killed his wife to prove the Dao.”

Su Qing frowned in disgust. “What Dao needs a wife’s death? That’s a Dao?!”

“Exactly!” Xu Jiuxing agreed, disdainful. “Proving the Dao’s a pretext—plundering resources is the truth. Thanks to Immortal Xiaoyao’s intervention, that scum didn’t succeed.”

Sword Sect was involved?

Xu Jiuxing added, “Their current senior brother’s entangled with his junior sister and a He Rong female cultivator, worsening sect relations. If you like someone, fine. If not, move on. Why involve three people and two sects? So indecisive for a Sword Pavilion figure. The pavilion’s blind.”

It sounded like a cultivation novel from her past life.

Su Qing asked, “Doesn’t that mean we’re on bad terms with Yan Yi too?”

“That’s old news,” Xu Jiuxing dismissed. “We regular disciples don’t fuss, but in the secret realm, trust no one—not even our own. Except me, of course.”

She grinned, slinging an arm around Su Qing. “Talking’s made me parched. Let’s grab some Honey Spirit Tea on the sly—enforcement elders won’t notice.”

…

Honey Spirit Tea’s queue snaked three times, filling every inch of space.

Even as the owner, Su Qing couldn’t cut in for a drink without being dragged to work.

Xu Jiuxing gaped. “This’ll take forever, Junior Sister. Time for another branch.”

Ahead, an argument erupted.

“What kind of place is this? Mortals don’t yield to cultivators? Daring to queue ahead? No manners!”

“Everyone’s lining up fine, but Yan Yi Sect thinks they’re too noble? Why drink cheap tea if it’s beneath you?”

“Yan Yi Sect’s affairs are none of He Rong’s business! I drink their tea—it’s their honor. Get lost!”

“Shameless! You’re the ones who should scram!”

Red and blue lights flared, followed by a deafening *boom* as something collided, shaking the ground and scattering dust.

The queue scattered like people fleeing rain.

“What’s happening? Fighting’s banned in the city!”

“Where’s the patrol? I queued for hours!” @Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

Amid the chaos, a paper fluttered down, landing at Su Qing’s feet—her Tianque City guide.

These troublemakers were here because of her. Would they pay for the cracked ground? It was her property, after all.

Xu Jiuxing sighed, rolling up her sleeves. “No tea, but plenty of work. I’ll go first, Junior Sister. Join when I call.”

She dove into the fray, unfazed by clashing artifacts. The sects fought fiercely, ignoring all else. Attacks hit her, seemingly painful, but she didn’t flinch, her body unmarked.

Some attacks were absorbed into her, nine acupoints on her skin glowing like a star chart.

Su Qing stood straighter. *What technique is this? Absorbing attacks through body refinement?*

Incredible.

Xu Jiuxing grabbed two fighters by their collars, prying them apart. The once-arrogant cultivators dangled like chicks, struggling futilely.

How was she so strong?

“Junior Sister, over here!”

Su Qing joined her.

She saw the fighters clearly: one in Yan Yi Sect’s inner disciple robes, the other in He Rong’s. Both around fifteen or sixteen, mid-to-late Qi Refining, prodigiously talented. Even suspended, they glared, teeth gritted, unyielding.

But they were no match for Xu Jiuxing’s Foundation Establishment strength. With her senior sister here, Su Qing feared nothing.

“Per Tianque City rules,” Su Qing recited fluently, “you fought in the streets, disrupting business, intimidating innocents, and damaging property. You’d face fifteen days’ confinement, but with the secret realm nearing, a fine will suffice. One hundred spirit stones each.”

The Yan Yi disciple snapped, “A mere early Qi Refining disciple dares discipline me?”

“I’m early Qi Refining, but I represent Tianque City’s law. In this city, I govern you,” Su Qing said firmly. “Pay the fine, or face confinement and miss the secret realm. Then you’ll see a hundred spirit stones is light.”

Xu Jiuxing smiled, her eyes cold. “A word of advice: in Sword Sect territory, drop the attitude. Weren’t your ancestors mortals who cultivated?”

Foundation Establishment pressure overwhelmed them. Sweating, the He Rong disciple paid, glaring at his rival.

The Yan Yi disciple, less defiant, still held some pride.

A female voice rang out. “Fellow Daoist, release my sect’s disciple. I’ll pay.”

Su Qing turned to see a stunning female cultivator in ornate robes, her beauty marred by haughty eyes—Yu Huayi.

Her gaze swept over, lips curling. “I see you’re young and low in cultivation, likely entering the secret realm with us. A word of advice: with your strength, act cautiously to avoid trouble.”

Su Qing understood—she was warning of retaliation in the realm. But this was her turf, with her senior sister present. She wasn’t scared. @Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

As for the realm, wasn’t this already provocation? These types held grudges—she knew them well. Resources would spark conflicts anyway, turning allies into enemies.

The threat was toothless.

Su Qing smiled. “My advice: bullying the weak isn’t honorable.”

Yu Huayi’s face darkened. Mocking her for not challenging the Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Intimidating subtly was one thing; being called out was another.

With no stronger ally to back her, unable to fight Xu Jiuxing, she swallowed her anger, tossed a hundred spirit stones, and snapped at her sect mate, “Outmatched and embarrassing us? Let’s go!”

Her words didn’t match her actions. Su Qing, clutching the heavy spirit stone pouch, grinned.

The ground crack wasn’t worth two hundred spirit stones—she could fix it herself. Easy money.

Addressing the hesitant crowd, she said, “Sorry for the disturbance. Sword Sect offers free tea to everyone here.”

“Finally, tea!” Xu Jiuxing cheered, reassuring Su Qing. “Don’t worry. Your cohort has over 1,800 entering the realm; they’ve got just over 300. Who beats who isn’t certain.”

…

Ye Mingshi, carrying tea, returned to Red Leaf Gate’s rented, drafty shack.

“Master, Senior Brother, Junior Brother, I’m back with tea!”

Her junior brother, lured by food, popped out first, followed by Ye Rong, who asked, “Didn’t we only have enough for one cup? Where’d these come from?”

“A kind person treated us,” Ye Mingshi giggled. “I asked if I could get three more for my master and brothers, even though I only had money for one. I expected rejection, but she agreed! So nice!”

Looking around, she asked, “Where’s Master? He’s usually fastest for food.”

Ye Rong sighed twice, covering his face. “Master’s mooching at Sword Sect. Said he’d try it out, and if it works, he’ll take us next…”

“Mooching after a century since graduating? Master’s got thick skin!” Ye Mingshi’s eyes sparkled. “When can I go? I’m shameless too—I want free food!”