Ninth level of Meridian Cleansing was still fairly low in the Sect's heirarchy. It was only once one entered the Foundation Establishment Stage that disciples of the Five Elements Sword Sect were actually valued.
Oh, and reaching Foundation Establishment just meant that the Sect truly acknowledged that you existed beyond sending some fluff at you. Reaching Foundation Establishment in their eye's meant that you weren't going to... Instantly get yourself killed in a dungeon or by a demon.
But only when you reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, and showed that you still had talent to go further did the Sect offer to make you an Inner Disciple in taking you into the Inner Court.
Well in normal cases anyway... I had no doubt that Zhu Yuan's mystery master was also keeping an eye on me in some way or at least keeping tabs on me.
But either way, with my Meridians cleared, the Meridian Cleansing leftover stages was a breeze as I filled my bath tub with several herbs I 'rescued' from the herb graveyard and my own farming space that had grown over the month I have had them.
I just hadn't gathered enough Qi to open my dantian fully to enter the Foundation Establishment stage after opening all 12 of Meridian Cleansing ranks.
Days passed by in a rush before turning into a new week, until halfway through the week, a loud series of bleeps rang out from my ringer.
"Is that Yanyo Hanying? Has she finished cleansing her foundation and such?" I mused before I shrugged and made my way to the door.
I opened the door, and I blinked at seeing a menial servant. An older man bowed slightly before holding out a letter to me as he spoke. "Disciple, this servant has been entrusted the task of delivering Sect Order's upon yourself."
After handing me the letter, the menial servant bowed again, shorter this time before pulling back and quickly leaving with myself frowning at the sight.
'The fuck is this game?' I thought as I held the letter with a scowl.
As the sect wasn't some feudal, backwards sect in typical cultivation stories... I literally got a cellphone given to me at the entry of the sect as well.
With an exhale, I dropped the letter at the edge of the table, and then I wrapped a towel around my face in case of poison inside of the letter.
And then, using a set of pliers and a knife, I opened up the letter's envelope. No suspicious powder or anything fell out besides another piece of paper.
I pulled up the letter/notice and I raised an eyebrow as it was from the Fire Mountain Branches, Elder Xiaoli Shan who has ordered that I myself to go with Yanyo Hanying to inspect a new dungeon that just got moved into the Sect's grounds, within the next 24 hours.
In particular, with the dungeon being moved into the Wood Mountain's grounds due to it having a strong wood nature aligment and due to to the dungeon being clearly for Foundation Establish and Meridian Cleansing cultivators.
"Why the hell are they trying to throw me. A newbie who has only been in the sect for a couple months who hasn't made any merits or made... Literally any noise into a fucking dungeon when I haven't even hit Foundation Establishment?" I cursed as something was clearly up.
Hell, I hadn't even had a chance to hit Foundation Establishment and refine that Beast Fire that Yanyo Hanying got me! I really, really didn't to go on this damned trip honestly!
If I just had a few more days of peace and quiet, I would be able to amass the qi to break through to Foundation Establishment!
"Fucking bullshit I tell you. No, this just stinks of some nonsense." I cursed as I looked at that elder's name... I didn't recongize it, but maybe Yanyo herself would.
So I got up and with the letter in tow. I grabbed my sword, and made my way over to Yanyo Hanyings cave apartment with a clear frown on my face.
Though, this time. Noticably, I saw that the weirdo who was lusting after Yanyo Hanying wasn't here thankfully. So I just buzzed the door for my senior sister.
And first I heard the gate unlock before the door leading into the villa slam shut before loud clicks of heels rang out with the green haired beauty all but throwing open the gate door with a scowl.
"What do..." She paused and her scowl lessened before she took a breath and said a bit clamer. "Jake, I am trying to cultivate in closed door cultivation don't you see the tag right-"
She drew off and I saw as she looked at a sign on the gate that was green and she reached over with her hand glowing qi and the sign turned red with her scowling with anger clear in her eyes. "An elder decided to change my status sign I see. What do you want Jake?"
Instead I held out the letter and I said flatly. "It seems... That you are not the only one being played with. A menial servant delivered this to me, but a few minutes ago."
Yanyo Hanying took the letter and I saw her eyebrows rise up incredously before she shook her head. "This is nonsense. No elder can just send disciples into dungeons. Especially new ones!"
She snorted and said flatly. "My master even has the gall to sign this so called mission document. This is complete nonsense! As we will be laughed out if not outright arrested by the Law Division who guards the dungeon entrances with this damned letter."
I coughed and then asked rather bluntly. "How do people typically get a pass to the dungeons then?"
To which Yanyo rolled her eyes and said flatly. "Two step process. First you need to designate the dungeon you and the rest of your team of at least five will take for that day on the Sect's app. And the Sect does not have enough dungeons for you to get within a literal day anyway!"
I gave the angry woman a look with her taking a breath and continuing. "And the most important part is that after you and your team get confirmation, and approval for entry to the In-Sect Dungeon. You have to go to the Mission Hall to get a physical pass to enter the dungeon with your team!"
All of this combined with Yanyo snorting and then with an evil smirk she said slowly. "This... Signature is my masters though, even if it doesn't bear his qi signature. Do you know what that means?"
I shook my head and she said quietly. "It means, that someone stole his seal. And we can report this. As any elder whose seal is stolen and has it misused will face trouble by the higher ups!"
That was cool and all... But I had a sinking feeling things weren't going to be that simple after all.