Breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage meant that Chen Jiuge was to be promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple.
Becoming an Inner Sect Disciple meant he could no longer just stay within the Sect without venturing out.
Inner Sect Disciples enjoyed better welfare and higher status than Outer Disciples. They could exchange for more Spiritual Beasts and access the most complete Secret Techniques of the Myriad Beasts Sect. Of course, all these came at a cost. This cost involved guarding cities for the Myriad Beasts Sect—cities that were a blend of celestial and mortal realms—and performing various mining duties in the Myriad Beasts Domain. Naturally, the benefits were also considerable.
After all, the Nascent Soul Stage was a watershed. A Cultivator's need for cultivation resources would greatly increase upon reaching this stage. Unless they possessed a special skill, the resources would be insufficient to sustain their own cultivation, let alone that of their Lifebound Spirit Beast, which every disciple of the Myriad Beasts Sect possessed.
For three months, Chen Jiuge focused on consolidating his realm and forming contracts with four chosen Spiritual Beasts.
The four beasts were: the Fire Flood Dragon, Bao Nu; the Red Flood Dragon, Li Fire; the Phantom Beast, Dark Light; and the Violent Rabbit, Giant Spirit.
Feeling the profound Mana within his dantian and sensing the four newly contracted Spiritual Beasts connected to his Divine Soul, Chen Jiuge contemplated which Inner Sect Mountain he should choose. The Four Great Peaks seem out of reach.
Green Dragon Peak requires at least one Lifebound Spirit Beast to be a Dragon Species. I haven't encountered any suitable Dragon Species, so that's out.
White Tiger Peak emphasizes slaughter. Although it doesn't explicitly require contracting tiger-type Spiritual Beasts, I'm not fond of fighting, so I'll rule that out too.
Xuanwu Peak focuses on Alchemy. Not suitable for me.
Vermilion Bird Peak focuses on Artifact Refining. Also not suitable.
The four strongest peaks are unlikely. However, a second-tier peak might be an option. Hundred Herbs Peak, which oversees the Medicine Garden Yue Meng often visits, could be a possibility.
It's a place focused on cultivation, and although it has a combat division, the main emphasis is on guarding Spiritual Medicine. Besides, no matter which peak I join, I'll still have to complete assigned duties. If I could enter Hundred Herbs Peak, at least I wouldn't have to worry about certain Spiritual Medicines in the future.
Having cleared his thoughts, Chen Jiuge decided against going to the Hall of All Affairs first to exchange his token. Instead, he took Yue Meng to the Medicine Garden.
"Auntie Wen, Auntie Wen! I'm here to see you!" Yue Meng's boisterous voice instantly spread throughout the small Medicine Garden.
A young man dressed as a menial disciple stepped forward respectfully. "Senior Brother," he said, "Steward Wen has gone out."
"She's gone out?" Chen Jiuge remarked. "Then I'll wait outside for a bit." He didn't make things difficult for the menial disciple. Being able to serve in the Medicine Garden probably means he has some status, just poor aptitude.
"What? We have to wait outside?" Yue Meng twitched her ears, dissatisfied.
"Alright, the Medicine Garden normally prohibits unauthorized personnel from entering," Chen Jiuge soothed her, patting her small head.
About three-quarters of an hour later, a curvaceous figure descended from the sky.
"Well, if it isn't little Jiuge and little Yue Meng! Are you here to see me?" Wen Ruoshui said, somewhat surprised.
Before Chen Jiuge could respond, Wen Ruoshui seemed to notice something. "Nascent Soul already?" she continued. "Are you planning to join my Hundred Herbs Peak?"
"Steward Wen indeed has the Wisdom Eye. Junior Brother does have this in mind," Chen Jiuge said respectfully.
Wen Ruoshui smiled. "Not a bad idea. Having a Moon Rabbit is certainly enough qualification to join Hundred Herbs Peak. However, little Jiuge, you aren't a Spiritual Plant Master. If you join my Hundred Herbs Peak, you'd be part of the combat personnel. I recall little Yue Meng mentioning that you don't like fighting."
Shooting a displeased glare at the talkative rabbit, Chen Jiuge was unsure how to respond. I can't very well say I'm actually quite capable of fighting, but I don't venture out of the Sect because I'm afraid of dying, can I?
"Hehe, just a little joke." Wen Ruoshui covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "Go directly to the Hall of All Affairs to register. I'll put in a word for you."
"Actually, it's perfect timing. I have quite a lot of Spiritual Medicine to process here. Yue Meng, this little one, would you mind if I borrowed her for a few days?" Wen Ruoshui said, her eyes slightly narrowed.
"Of course. Senior Sister Wen, you can borrow her for as long as you need," Chen Jiuge said, immediately pushing Yue Meng forward.
"Huh? What does this have to do with me?" Yue Meng looked at the two of them, baffled, a sense of unease dawning on her.
Neither of them paid any mind to Yue Meng's words. After briefly discussing the situation at Hundred Herbs Peak, Chen Jiuge decided to head to the Hall of All Affairs first to finalize his entry into the peak.
After seeing Chen Jiuge off, Wen Ruoshui took out a Communication Stone. "I have an Outer Disciple here who has just broken through and wants to enter Hundred Herbs Peak," she said into it. "I've approved his request. Make a note of it; his name is Chen Jiuge."
"Noted."
An interesting little fellow. A strong physique, abundant Mana, and a formidable Divine Soul. A Qi Refiner, Body Refiner, and Beast Master—he's cultivating all three paths simultaneously. His combat strength looks decent. A good sapling indeed, Wen Ruoshui mused, watching Chen Jiuge's departing figure.
"Auntie Wen, can I go back now?" Yue Meng looked pleadingly at Wen Ruoshui.
"No, dear," Wen Ruoshui replied, wagging her index finger.
「Elsewhere」
Chen Jiuge had already arrived at the Hall of All Affairs.
"Name."
"Chen Jiuge."
"Joining Hundred Herbs Peak?"
"Yes."
"The Elder from Hundred Herbs Peak has already notified us. I will directly inscribe the Array key for Hundred Herbs Peak onto your token. You can proceed directly there to report."
"Understood."
Seeing his token change from black to silver, now engraved with the World Tree, Chen Jiuge's lips curved up slightly. I didn't expect Senior Sister Wen to be able to contact an Elder directly. Her background isn't simple. Could she be from the Wen Family?
Shaking his head to dismiss these thoughts, Chen Jiuge decided to strike while the iron was hot and head over to Hundred Herbs Peak immediately. He would also need to relocate his small valley to the Hundred Herbs Peak territory.
As previously mentioned, the Myriad Beasts Sect was vast, a fact particularly evident within the Inner Sect. The Inner Sect Mountains were situated far apart from one another. Beneath each of these mountains lay a large, mixed city of mortals and immortals, sometimes even entire mortal kingdoms. Additionally, there were numerous mines and various other resources, all requiring management by Inner Sect Disciples.
Consequently, transportation to the Inner Sect Mountains required Transmission Arrays. If one relied solely on flying, even with Chen Jiuge's Nascent Soul Stage Cultivation, the journey would take at least ten to fifteen days.
Fortunately, the Hall of All Affairs also offered transportation services, saving Chen Jiuge the hassle of traveling back and forth.
With a flash of white light from the hexagonal Array, Chen Jiuge experienced a moment of darkness before finding himself at his destination: Hundred Herbs Peak.
The distinct fragrance of Spiritual Medicine invigorated Chen Jiuge. A soft, feminine voice reached his ears, "Are you the new Junior Brother?"
Lifting his head, Chen Jiuge saw a female Cultivator with a gentle face and a warm smile looking at him.
Somewhat awkwardly smoothing his vestment robe, Chen Jiuge bowed. "Greetings, Senior Sister. I am Chen Jiuge, newly promoted to be an Inner Sect Disciple of Hundred Herbs Peak."
"Chen Jiuge? Yes, that's right, it's you!" The female Cultivator's eyes lit up. "Master mentioned you. Allow me to help you familiarize yourself with Hundred Herbs Peak and select your cave mansion. Once that's done, I'll assist you in relocating your assets from the Outer Sect."
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister," Chen Jiuge said gratefully.
"You're welcome, Junior Brother. Please, come with me. Hundred Herbs Peak is a bit different from the other peaks."