Chapter 29: Outer Sect Disciple Hall and Library

Standing at the entrance to the Outer Disciple Hall, Yu Liang found the building to be much more elegant than any of those in the handyman’s section. It was three stories tall with beams that were painted red and gold. There was a stone staircase that led to the entrance of the hall. Lots of disciples were walking in and out wearing robes with the sects emblem on them. This was very different from the gray clothes Yu Liang had worn for years.

He walked up the steps slowly but each step felt heavy. It was not because he was tired or afraid. It was because he was feeling the weight of change in himself.

Inside, the entrance led to a vast receiving room. There were rows of desks against the walls where some outer disciples were busy filling out forms and answering queries. There was a light smell of ink and spiritual herbs in the air.

Yu Liang went over to the desk which was the nearest one. The woman who had her hair tied in a bun was looking up at him. There was no smile on her face but she seemed polite.

"What’s your name and why are you here?" She asked with her brush ready to write on a scroll.

"My name is Yu Liang and I have come here to register as an Outer Sect disciple."

She stopped brushing, looked at him while taking in his worn out clothes and nodded thoughtfully. "Former handyman disciple?"

"Yes."

She put down her brush, pulled out a different scroll. She looked at it for a moment then said, "Yu Liang... Yes your name is on this list. You got promoted because of what you did during the Jade City incident." Her voice still professional yet Yu Liang could see that she was curious as her eyes held an air of interest now. "Wait here for a minute."

She got up and vanished through a door at the back of the desk. Yu Liang stood there silently, conscious of the occasional looks he was getting from the other disciples. There were some who looked at him with interest, while others did so with obvious contempt.

The woman came back with a wooden box and a folded robe. She put them on the desk.

"Now, allow me to explain the rules," she said. "As a Outer Sect Disciple, you will be provided with fifty low-grade spiritual stones each month. You will have access to the library, the training grounds, and the mission hall. As you go through missions, you earn points that you can use to exchange for various items in the Treasure Pavilion."

Yu Liang nodded, listening carefully to what she was saying.

"We have lecture classes two times per month, " she said. "Lectures cover topics such as the way of spirit cultivation, the basics of alchemy and fighting skills. Attending them is optional, but I think it would be a good idea to do so. Missing too many classes won’t look good on your record."

She opened the box and showed him a jade token. It was a rectangular with the character of "Outer" carved on one side and a number 4127 on the other.

"This is your token. You can also use it to open the door of your house and it is within the district as I have marked it down for you in this map." She handed him his token and a piece of paper. "You should keep them safe. In case you lose it, it will take you one hundred low grade spiritual stones to get another one."

Yu Liang picked up the token. He touched its smooth texture, the token was light.

"Put on this robe " she said, pointing to the folded robe. "You have to wear it when you’re on sect grounds. If you don’t, then be prepared to get in trouble."

He put on the robe. It was a simple white robe with some stitching on the sleeves and neckline. It was definitely an improvement over what he used to wear.

"One more thing," she said. "You could befriend the disciples and practice fighting or your skills with them, and take missions. But If you ever get engaged in any form of fight that results to injuries or death of anyone, you will definitely be punished. If there is an argument, always settle it at the sparring grounds."

Yu Liang nodded his head. "I understand."

She also gave him a nod. "That’s all. Welcome to the sect Yu Liang."

He bowed a little, picked up the things, and walked away from the desk. Going into an unoccupied space near the entrance, he spread the robe and put it on over his clothes after removing handyman disciple outfit. The robe was made from light and breathable material which had tiny runes making spiritual energy subtly infused within it and It was not too difficult for him to wear it.

When he looked down at himself it felt strange. He had worked as a handyman for three years, unnoticed by all, forgotten by some. Now, he dressed just like those who once ignored him.

He carefully folded up his gray handyman uniform and put it in his pouch. He was not sure why he kept it. Maybe it was to remind him of how far he had come.

The map led him out of this area then into the district. The path was full of trees and stone lanterns along the way. There were other disciples who were walking around, some alone and some in groups talking with each other.

Yu Liang followed the landmarks on the map while moving at a particular speed. At the end of the walk, Yu arrived at cave dwellings located on the side of a mountain. The number was engraved on each door on the rock.

His was number 4127, located in the middle of the line. The entrance was not large but just big enough for only one person. It had a door made of rock. Yu pressed his jade token near the entrance door.

The door opened with a creaking noise. Yu Liang stepped in. The cave was larger than Yu Liang had expected. The floor was made of stone and the walls were curved. There was a bed on one of the walls along with a table and a cushion in the center, while a storage nook was behind the table. A spiritual lamp hung from the ceiling giving the room a glow.

It was quiet and clean.

A private room belonging only to him.

Yu Liang put the box on the table and looked around slowly. For the first time in years he felt a little bit of relief.

But it was too early for him to get settled.

He went out of the cave and locked the door from behind. The token began to glow because of the sealing runes that had just been completed. Holding the map, he headed towards the sect library.

The library stood near the center of the outer sect grounds, a tall stone building with wide windows and a peaked roof. Disciples came and went through its entrance, some carrying scrolls, others walking empty-handed with thoughtful expressions.

Yu Liang climbed the steps and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

Inside there were numerous racks from one end to another stacked full of scrolls, jade strips and books. Some disciples were sitting at tables reading quietly while others were browsing the shelves.

There was an old man sitting at the entrance, looking half asleep as he rested in his chair. One eye was opened by the old man when Yu Liang came near him.

"New face," the man muttered. "Outer disciple?"

"Yes, elder."

"First floor is open to all outer disciples. Second floor requires fifty contribution points to access. Third floor is restricted." He waved a hand lazily. "Don’t damage anything. Don’t steal. Don’t make any noise. Not too hard right?"

"I understand."

The old man closed his eye again, apparently done with the conversation.

Yu Liang walked deeper into the library looking at the titles and signs above each section. There were books on techniques, alchemy, formations, beasts and history.

He stopped in front of the cultivation techniques section and started browsing.