Chapter Nine: Entering the Sect

The flying vessel soared through the skies, thousands of fathoms above the earth, for six entire hours.

Only when two towering mountains, each tens of thousands of feet high, formed a grand gate in the distance did Xu Chen realize they had arrived at the Great Creek Sect.

A river, several thousand feet wide, surged beneath the mountains, winding its way into the horizon.

“So this is the Great Creek Sect. It must be the outermost stronghold of the human clans,” he mused.

Between the twin peaks stretched a vast plaza that extended all the way to the mighty river’s edge.

The flying boat descended slowly, coming to rest at the designated docking area on the plaza.

“We’re here. The Great Creek Sect. The backer your father secured for you must have arrived as well,” Zhao Sheng said.

Xu Chen lifted his gaze to those colossal peaks. Just as he was about to marvel at the grandeur wrought by nature, Zhao Sheng spoke up.

“Ten years ago, these mountains weren’t here.”

“It seems the Great Creek Sect has been working on their facade. Still, their gate is a bit lacking compared to the other sects.”

Xu Chen was faintly astonished. Just then, three streaks of multicolored light appeared on the horizon, racing toward the plaza.

In a matter of moments, the lights landed, revealing three fox women, each with three tails of different hues.

Their form-fitting, colorful gowns accentuated their enchanting figures, and beneath the hems, slender jade-like legs could be glimpsed.

Each of the three foxes possessed a seductively exquisite face, each with her own unique allure. Instantly, all eyes on the plaza were drawn to them.

Xu Chen’s attention was unconsciously captivated.

“See the three tails behind them?” Zhao Sheng grinned at Xu Chen’s entranced expression. “The one with the yellow tail is gentle, the red tail is fiery and passionate, and the blue tail is elegant and aloof.”

“All of them have a pink tail—what does that mean?” Xu Chen couldn’t help but ask.

“You’re still young. There’s no point explaining it to you now. In time, you’ll understand~”

As the two admired the beautiful women, a tall, lean man in loose Daoist robes approached them.

“You must be Xu Chen.”

A broad face suddenly loomed before Xu Chen, startling him into stepping back.

“Junior Xu Chen greets you, senior. May I ask your name?” Xu Chen quickly bowed, feeling the faint pressure emanating from the man.

“Just call me Elder Youxian.”

“Your father pulled some strings to find me. From now on, you’ll be my registered disciple in the Great Creek Sect.”

“You can go now. I’ll take care of Xu Chen from here,” Youxian nodded at Zhao Sheng.

“Then I leave him in your care, elder.”

The flying boat rose into the sky as Xu Chen waved farewell.

“Come,” Youxian beckoned. Water-attribute spiritual energy gathered and formed a blue treasure boat.

“Yes, Elder,” Xu Chen replied respectfully, quickly adjusting his manner.

The blue vessel flew straight toward the mountain gate.

“No need to be so deferential,” Youxian said coolly, “with your aptitude, our master-disciple relationship won’t be all that close.”

“So long as you carry my name, no one in the sect will dare bully you. Just focus on your own affairs.”

“Unless it’s necessary, there’s no need to come see me.”

The blue boat sped so swiftly that the scenery outside became a blur. Xu Chen could only sense that the entire Great Creek Sect was nestled among mountains.

As the pace slowed, he began to make out the grand palaces and pavilions dotting the peaks.

When the treasure boat landed, it vanished. Youxian led Xu Chen into a building.

“Elder Youxian, if you need anything, just give the order. There’s no need for you to come in person,” a charming voice called out.

A woman in a yellow dress, alluring in appearance, hurried over with a fawning expression, her three tails swaying energetically behind her.

“This boy is my new registered disciple. See to his arrangements,” Youxian said impassively, then turned to Xu Chen.

“Follow her for the rest.”

With that, his form dissolved into mist and vanished.

“Elder Youxian’s water-spirit avatar technique is becoming ever more refined. I can’t even tell if he was really here,” the woman remarked respectfully before turning her gaze to Xu Chen, her eager smile fading into something more reserved.

“Thank you, elder,” Xu Chen said with a bow.

“No need for such formality, little brother. Who knows, you might end up our tribe’s son-in-law one day,” she teased.

“Come along.”

The three-tailed fox woman led him inside, and Xu Chen followed without embarrassment, unbothered that his purpose had been seen through.

“I’m the steward of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. You can call me Steward Bai, or Sister Bai, if you prefer.”

“Matters like task assignments, distributing rewards, collecting stipends—any trivial business you can think of, I generally handle.”

They arrived at the storeroom area, where Xu Chen received a set of sect robes, a disciple’s token, and ten formation banners.

“Almost forgot—the entry guide jade slip.”

With a flick of her fingers, a wisp of spiritual light sent a jade slip floating before Xu Chen.

“Thank you, Sister Bai,” Xu Chen said, accepting the slip.

“The slip contains a map, and all the general information a new disciple needs. Review it yourself—I won’t go over the details.”

“When you leave the Miscellaneous Hall, just hold your disciple token aloft. A flying beast will come for you.”

“Tell it you’re a new disciple heading to the standard residence area.”

“Any mountain peak or cave dwelling not protected by a formation is free for you to claim as your abode.”

Steward Bai led Xu Chen back to the main hall. As they entered, a floral fragrance wafted through the air.

Several women in green dresses, gentle and elegant in demeanor, exuded a tranquil and distant aura.

“Those green tea bitches again!” Steward Bai’s expression soured instantly, her voice low and seething.

“Go on now. And remember, the Flower Spirit Tribe’s green tea bitches are nothing but trouble!”

With a gentle push, Xu Chen felt a soft force urge him out of the hall.

“I barely got a look,” he muttered, glancing back to find the interior shrouded from view.

“There’s plenty of time for that. Take things slowly.”

Xu Chen raised his disciple token overhead.

In less than three heartbeats, a cloud lark with a wingspan of fifteen feet swooped down. Even with its wings folded, it stood ten feet tall.

The cloud lark gazed down at Xu Chen, its eyes conveying a question.

“I’m a new disciple—please take me to the residential area.”

At his words, the bird lowered itself and unfurled its wings, revealing a spot on its back perfectly suited for riding.

Xu Chen swung himself onto the lark’s back.

“Five spirit coins. Off we go!”

A clear, crisp voice sounded from the lark’s beak, and with a great sweep of its wings, it took to the skies.

Soaring high above, Xu Chen at last could take in the entirety of the Great Creek Sect.

“Three thousand miles from east to west, six thousand from north to south—it’s even larger than Cloud Beast City.”

He looked up, catching glimpses of streaks of multicolored light flitting through the distant sky.

“You’re a newcomer. For one more spirit coin, I’ll answer any question you have about the Great Creek Sect,” the cloud lark offered in its melodious voice.