Chapter 101: Chapter 100: Sect Structure

Lu Zhao closed the heavy stone door behind him, completely shutting out the noise from the outside. He tucked the iron token away safely and walked toward the stone bed, his gaze falling upon a set of neatly folded clothes.

It was pure black, its edges embroidered with faint silver patterns—the standard-issue black robe for an Outer Sect Steward of the General Affairs Hall. The robe felt both tough and supple to the touch, with a peculiar texture. It was neither linen nor cotton, but felt more like some kind of Spirit Beast Hide that had been processed through a special Refining technique.

Lu Zhao shook the long robe open. Embedded in the lining, near his heart, was a small, exquisite black token. It was more intricately designed than the iron token he had previously held.

The Token’s material was unidentifiable, neither iron nor wood. It was smooth and warm to the touch, yet held a faint coolness. In the center were two powerful seal script characters: "General Affairs." In the bottom-right corner, a number was neatly engraved in small script: Xin 210. This would serve as his proof of identity within the Sect from now on.

The moment he draped the black robe over his shoulders, the Magical Power in Lu Zhao’s meridians began to circulate instinctively. Just then, a nearly imperceptible, ripple-like halo of light spread across the robe’s surface and vanished in an instant. Simultaneously, a light yet resiliently supportive force perfectly enveloped his entire frame.

Defense Power!

And it was a Magical Artifact that passively protected all the vital points of his body without needing to be activated!

Lu Zhao was inwardly startled and focused his will to examine it more carefully. The power fluctuations from the robe were faint, and its defensive strength wasn’t high—it could probably only block a Magic attack from an ordinary Early-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator. However, the unique Magical Power fluctuation it contained, the mark of a true Magical Artifact, was exceptionally clear. This was, without a doubt, a genuine Tier One Lower Grade Magic Robe!

A complete Magic Robe of this quality was not only comfortable and flexible, allowing for unrestricted movement, but also provided full-body protection. In the Marketplace, it was the kind of rare item that had a price but no sellers. The most common Tier One Lower Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact started at thirty Spirit Stones. One couldn’t even hope to acquire a Magic Robe as fine as this for less than forty Lower Grade Spirit Stones!

For the Bixia Sect to be this generous with the standard issue for an ordinary Outer Sect Steward... Lu Zhao stood silently for a moment, at a loss for words. ’As expected of the Bixia Sect.’

After straightening his new Magic Robe, Lu Zhao took a smoothly polished Ancient Bronze Mirror from his Storage Bag. The mirror reflected the face of a young man in his early twenties. His features were delicate, but his eyes held a depth of calm and restraint that far surpassed his youthful appearance.

The faint shadow of new stubble was visible on his chin. As he stared at the person in the mirror, Lu Zhao felt a faint sense of unreality.

More than twenty years had passed since he transmigrated. Yet, compared to the green, sixteen-year-old boy who had first set foot on the path of cultivation, this face had only gained a few mature contours. It was as if time had only left seven or eight years of traces upon it.

A sigh so soft it was almost inaudible escaped his lips. Then, a thought struck him. ’The Little Cloud Rain Technique I practice is a Water Element Technique. Water is the gentlest of elements, mild and possessing the power to nourish all things. Imperceptibly, it must also have the wondrous effect of nourishing my body, slowing its decline, and preserving my appearance...’ At that, he felt a sense of relief.

This subtle preservation of his youth was likely clear proof that the Cultivation Technique was nourishing his body day and night.

After changing into the Magic Robe, the turmoil in Lu Zhao’s heart gradually subsided. He sat cross-legged on the cold stone bed and took out the Jade Scroll he had received in the plaza. A chilling sensation seeped into his palm from the scroll. Closing his eyes, he centered his mind and carefully extended a wisp of his Divine Sense toward the Jade Scroll.

BOOM!

Like a bursting dam, a massive, complex flood of information surged along that thin spiritual connection and poured into his Sea of Consciousness! Words, symbols, diagrams, images... a countless, chaotic yet internally coherent stream of knowledge rushed down like a raging river, impossible to stop.

Even though Lu Zhao’s Divine Sense was far stronger than that of other Cultivators of the Same Tier, the sudden impact of so much information made the space between his eyebrows throb and his head ache.

He slowly steadied his Heart Spirit, struggling to identify, sort, and categorize the information within the raging torrent.

Nearly a quarter of an hour later, Lu Zhao’s tightly shut eyes snapped open! A flicker of fatigue crossed his face, but it was overshadowed by a newfound clarity and the deep understanding that comes from grasping a vast, intricate system.

"So that’s how it is..." Lu Zhao’s voice echoed softly in the empty stone chamber.

The information in the Jade Scroll was vast and sprawling. First, it detailed the Sect’s sphere of influence. The core was naturally Cyan Mist Mountain, where he now stood, along with the surrounding hundreds of miles. All of this was considered the Sect’s core territory.

Second, it covered the dozens of Lower Courtyards of various sizes scattered throughout the Sect’s territory, all of which were branches extending outward from the main body.

Finally, it listed the various families affiliated with the Sect. Lu Zhao did a rough count: there were thirty to forty Foundation Establishment Clans alone, as well as one Fake Core Clan—the Chu Family.

Beyond the Sect’s external power, the Jade Scroll also clearly delineated its internal structure, which could be summarized in one phrase: the Three Halls and Six Palaces.

The Three Halls:

The General Affairs Hall: Possessed the broadest and deepest authority. All of the Sect’s basic operational duties—assigning tasks, handling registrations, allocating and transporting resources, and even assigning residences for Outer Sect Stewards—all these "mundane" affairs fell under its jurisdiction. Lu Zhao was now part of the General Affairs Hall. This hall was like the lifeblood that sustained the daily functions of the entire, vast organization.

The Precepts Hall: The very embodiment of the Sect’s authority! It was solely responsible for monitoring the Sect’s members and affiliated families for any violations of the rules. Investigation, judgment, and punishment were all within its purview, making it a sharp sword hanging over the head of every Bixia Sect Cultivator.

The Merit Hall: This hall was a primary concern for every Outer Sect Steward and all the Sect’s lower-level Cultivators. All Merit calculations and records for Sect tasks were compiled here. Its core function was redemption!

Whether one sought Spirit Pills, Magical Artifact Talismans, Array Materials, or even the all-important Foundation Establishment Pill... the vast majority of the Sect’s resources and inherited knowledge, both tangible and intangible, could only be obtained by spending Merit in this hall. It was like a beating heart, providing the core motivation for the advancement of countless Sect Cultivators.

The Six Palaces:

The Law Enforcement Hall: With a strict hierarchy, it stood independent of yet closely linked to the Precepts Hall, reporting directly to the Sect’s upper echelon. This was the Sect’s ultimate martial power, responsible for suppressing internal unrest, repelling powerful external foes, and eliminating threats. Whenever the Precepts Hall determined that a matter required forceful intervention, it was the Law Enforcement Hall that would take action.

The Cultivation Hall: The foundational pillar of the Sect’s legacy! It housed a vast and complex collection of fundamental Cultivation Techniques, Secret Techniques, and recorded insights for every stage from Qi Refining to Golden Core, serving as the most direct reflection of the Sect’s profound heritage.

The Pill Hall: The center for the Sect’s Pill refining, storage, and research.

The Array Hall: The source of the Sect’s Mountain Protection Array, restrictions for cave abodes, and various Battle Array Talisman Discs.

The Talisman Hall: The center for the Sect’s Talisman creation, research, and supply.

The Artifact Hall: The primary center for Magical Artifact refining, recycling, and repair.

This great web, woven from the "Three Halls and Six Palaces," was intangible yet cold and rigid. It formed the core skeleton of the Bixia Sect’s operations, with clear lines of authority and distinct responsibilities.

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