More importantly, what Zheng Yi gave was simply too much. For a steward at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, it was a considerable windfall.
Even within a sect of cultivators, one must adhere to certain rules, many of which are unspoken. Taking money without action is bound to attract disdain.
Who would dare to seek help from you in the future?
Now that the specific path has been told to Zheng Yi, it's only proper that he reciprocates such respect. Now it depends on Zheng Yi's choice.
Zheng Yi hailed from a merchant background on Blue Star. With such a clear hint from the middle-aged Outer Sect Steward, how could he not understand the implications?
Silently cursing him as a vampire in his heart, he still had to greet him with a smile, discreetly pulling out another Basic Storage Pouch.
Zheng Yi stealthily stepped forward two steps, and without a trace, handed the Storage Pouch to the middle-aged Outer Sect Steward.
Fortunately, he's always cautious, and prepared an extra one, or else he would've been flustered again.
Seeing Zheng Yi so well-versed in the rules, a probe with Divine Thought revealed the contents of the Storage Pouch, making the Outer Sect Steward view Zheng Yi more favorably, his expression becoming friendlier.
Nowadays, within the sect, disciples who understand rules and manners are becoming increasingly rare.
Elder Gongsun was transferred to oversee the front lines.
Now, the sect is particularly short-staffed, and he was urgently transferred over to replace Elder Gongsun.
One could say, in Blood Mist Abyss City, he now holds the greatest authority and status, even though it is temporary, it offers considerable maneuvering room.
After all, Zheng Yi has now reached the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, meeting the basic requirement for the sect to recruit Inner Sect Disciples.
There's no necessity to keep such talent out of the door.
As for background and upbringing, those have always been considerations for Righteous Sects, whereas Demon Cultivation sects never care.
Even if you are a spy for the White Dao, once you enter the Demon Sect, it's like plunging into deep waters; the Righteous Dao becomes distant.
No matter if you're black or white, once you walk in a Demon Cultivation Sect and blood evil Qi clings to you, there's no turning back.
Historically, there's been Demon Dao Disciples who were turned or originally spies from Righteous Sects but never with a good ending.
Once you join the Demon Sect, it's impossible to turn back.
Even if you make achievements, covered in blood evil Qi, you can't be accepted by Righteous Sects after returning.
Over time, Righteous Sects gave up on such ideas.
Moreover, Soul Catching Sect is just a small sect in the Demon Realm.
The highest cultivation within the sect is only at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment held by the Great Elder, which doesn't warrant any coveting from Righteous Sects.
Therefore, after much consideration, the middle-aged Outer Sect Steward decided to guide Zheng Yi a bit, given the Spirit Stone in his hand, courtesy must be extended.
Besides, since the other could follow Elder Gongsun's path, not delivering after accepting money will likely offend Elder Gongsun. Why not go with the flow?
Acting according to rules is righteous, nothing to criticize.
Even if someone in the sect questions later, Elder Gongsun's name can be invoked to deal with it together.
"Alright then, congratulations on officially joining the Soul Catching Sect and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple!"
"Hope you devote yourself to cultivation, sharing both trials and triumphs with the sect, and greatly contribute to its growth…"
The middle-aged steward stood up, smiling at Zheng Yi while handing him a White Jade Token.
"This is proof of your promotion to Inner Sect Disciple. Keep it safe first."
"With this token, you can directly report to the sect's base, registering with the Internal Affairs Hall Steward."
"Before that, I'll send a Flying Sword Message to establish connections for you, so you can report directly to the sect."
In fact, sects like Soul Catching Sect are countless in the Demon Realm. If not a River Crossing Fierce Dragon, they can be local overlords, possessing their own mountain gates and territorial advantages, controlling the lowest level of influence.
The selection of their disciples isn't overly strict.
However, selecting Inner Sect Disciples, involving sect transmission, is more stringent, yet still within an acceptable range.
Soul Catching Sect allocates places for Inner Sect Disciples to each sect sub-branch's location, invisibly benefiting the stewards handling the sub-branches.
These sub-branch locations are far from the sect's base, typically political backwaters. Without a bit of intrigue, few high-echelon members would want to station there!
Considering these locations are temporary, even the sub-branch at Blood Mist Abyss City can be dissolved as needed.
The sect mountain gate is where a sect's roots lie, possessing defensive formations, guarded by top sect experts, and represents the orderly transmission of the sect's status.
If the mountain gate's location is the central part of a sect, it hides the sect's core strength and essential heritage.
Then, various sub-branch locations are essentially acting as offices handling all sorts of trivial matters for the sect, selecting disciples, engaging with different influences, and even conducting business and dealing with various trivial issues.
The sect base functions like a sect brain, directing all limb actions, while various sub-branch locations serve as meridians, continuously transporting precious cultivation resources and talents into the sect, maintaining the operation of the entire vast power machinery.
Correspondingly, these sub-branch locations scattered across the Demon Realm, stationed on other forces' territories, face many complex issues, granting significant authority to the sect stewards, often allowing them to act independently.
Establishing connections, going through backchannels, selecting some talents, and obtaining some unexpected wealth—generally, the sect wouldn't pursue these.
"Thank you, Steward, this disciple is deeply grateful!"
"In the future, once I learn and grow, I will surely repay generously."
Zheng Yi reached out to take the White Jade Token, ready to tuck it into his bosom when a reminder from the steward echoed in his ear.
"Inner Sect Disciples are different from Outer Sect Disciples, both in status and heritage. They are worlds apart."
"In a sense, only by becoming an Inner Sect Disciple are you truly stepping into the sect's core."
"This Inner Sect Disciple Token represents your identity, specially refined by the Refining Hall, requiring your blood to recognize ownership, binding it to your identity."
"Once you've done that, embark immediately to report to the sect. I'll notify the sect with Flying Sword Message Secret Technique so the Internal Affairs Hall can confirm your identity."
Within Soul Catching Sect, only disciples at Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation and above can enter the Inner Sect.
Zheng Yi, with his cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, barely meets the standard.
As the steward said, to be accepted by the sect, one must train among Outer Disciples, accumulating enough contribution before being selected by the Internal Affairs Hall for advancement.
However, where there are people, there's intrigue; even Righteous Sects aren't devoid of scheming and mutual exploitation, let alone Demon Cultivation influences endorsing the blatant law of the jungle.