Xu Xiaolong had not yet stepped into the Scripture Pavilion when two disciples blocked his path. Both wore standard outer-sect robes and held long spears crossed before the gate, expressions sharp and self-satisfied.
"The Scripture Pavilion is a sacred place," one said coldly. "Idlers aren't allowed near it."
"I understand that rule," Xu Xiaolong replied, straightening his back. "But I'm no idler. I'm a servant disciple of Verdant Bamboo Peak."
The two exchanged glances and smirked. "Servant disciple?" one echoed. "Then what are you doing here? This isn't somewhere low hands like you can wander."
Xu Xiaolong frowned. He had met his share of arrogance since entering Tianyun Sect, but the contempt in their tone burned worse than any insult. "A servant disciple is still a disciple of the Sect. Since when did you decide who counts as one?"
"Watch your mouth," the taller of the two snapped, spear tilting forward. "You think the Pavilion's rules don't apply to you?"
"I said I came to study, not cause trouble."
"Study? You?" They laughed openly, the sound harsh in the quiet courtyard.
Xu Xiaolong exhaled, gaze steady. "If you won't let me through, then move aside. I won't say it twice."
"You little beast!" the shorter disciple barked and thrust his spear forward.
Xu Xiaolong stepped back, lowering his stance. He scanned for a branch or stick, found nothing—so he clenched his fists instead.
If that was how they wanted it, he'd answer with his own way.
"What's going on here?" a voice called, steady and not unkind. A middle-aged man pushed through the small crowd—Elder Lu Yuan, the same elder who had once led Xu Xiaolong through the mountain gate. His arrival drew an immediate hush.
One of the two gate disciples stepped forward quickly, posture rigid. "Returning to Elder Lu, this servant disciple of Verdant Bamboo Peak forced his way to the Pavilion and spoke rudely." He pointed at Xu Xiaolong with an accusing finger. The words were sharp, meant to sway the elder.
Elder Lu Yuan's brows tightened as he regarded the youth. He remembered the boy's face—lively, fierce, not without spirit. "If you're causing trouble because you cannot do the tasks in the Miscellaneous Hall, why come here to make a scene?" he asked, voice even.
Xu Xiaolong did not lower his head. He straightened, careful now—respectful to the elder who had given him a chance. "Elder Lu, I have questions," he said. His voice lost its earlier swagger; beneath it was earnestness. He did not throw his words around—he had the sense to show gratitude.
Elder Lu Yuan looked at him for a long beat. "If you have questions, step back. Talk in an orderly fashion."
"It's just that—are servant disciples not still disciples of Tianyun Sect?" Xu Xiaolong pressed. "The rule here is merit points exchanged for techniques. There's no rule that servant disciples cannot improve. The Pavilion's rules don't bar us from learning." His tone was plain, without flourish; it was a simple argument, unadorned.
Elder Lu Yuan's face softened slightly. "You are right about the principle," he admitted. "But the Pavilion must be orderly. If anyone could enter, the collection would be disturbed. Entry requires points—yet rules exist to keep the peace."
Xu Xiaolong reached into his robe and produced his Merit Card. He pushed it toward Elder Lu. "I am a servant disciple and I have points."
One of the gate disciples' eyes narrowed. "Did you steal that card? Or perhaps you forged it? Don't lie—this card is bound to its owner." His voice dripped suspicion.
Elder Lu's gaze sharpened as he stepped closer, and the smile drained from his face. "You two—without even a guard token you want to play guard on sect grounds, this is no child's game. One month's allowance will be deducted from each of you for this—think on that before you play at authority again. Now tell me, where are the real gate guards? Who left their posts?"
One of the pretenders stammered before revealing that they had left to slack off and still earn pay.
Xu Xiaolong's fingers curled. "Insult me and see what happens, you fake," he said, raising a fist, more a warning than a threat.
Elder Lu Yuan held up a hand. "If it's true, we will see. If false, there will be consequences." He turned, then, and gestured for Xu Xiaolong to follow him. "Come. If you're honest, I will take you in. If you cheat, the guards will handle it."
As they moved toward the Pavilion, the two gate disciples followed as well—ready, not with malice only, but with the eagerness of those who hoped exposure of trickery would bring them credit.
At the threshold of the Scripture Pavilion stood two meditating old men and a pair of actual gate disciples. One of the guarding disciples stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Elder Lu, please present the Merit Card."
Elder Lu Yuan withdrew his own Merit Card and handed it to the guarding disciple. The man received it respectfully, then turned his eyes toward Xu Xiaolong, clearly uncertain. A servant disciple possessing a points card—this was rare, almost unheard of.
"Handle it by the rules," Elder Lu Yuan said mildly.
The guarding disciple nodded, placed the elder's card onto the glowing spirit spar, and waited. Threads of light rippled across its surface, characters blooming to life:
Lu Yuan — Elder of Tianyun Sect — 120,000 points.
A faint hum followed as twenty points were deducted from the total. Then the guard replaced that card with Xu Xiaolong's.
This time, the spar flickered once, then settled.
Xu Xiaolong — Servant Disciple of Verdant Bamboo Peak — 3,100 points.
The hall went silent. Even the two fake gatekeepers at the back stiffened.
Xu Xiaolong took a step forward and clasped his fists. "I am Xu Xiaolong, servant disciple of Tianyun Sect." His tone was calm but carried through the air, deliberate enough for everyone present to hear.
The guarding disciple opened his mouth to speak, but one of the old men meditating near the Pavilion entrance opened his eyes instead. His voice was hoarse but firm. "Disciples of Tianyun Sect earn resources according to their own ability. Whether inner, outer, or servant, all follow this rule."
Elder Lu Yuan inclined his head toward the old man. "Understood."
Then he turned to Xu Xiaolong. "Come in."
They walked through the heavy wooden doors. After a few steps, Xu Xiaolong looked back toward the two impostors still hovering near the threshold. "Keep your eyes open from now on," he said evenly. "I'm Xu Xiaolong—servant disciple, with points."
The disciples flushed crimson, but before they could speak, Elder Lu Yuan tugged at Xu Xiaolong's sleeve. "Can you stop stirring the hornet's nest for one breath?"
Xu Xiaolong gave a short laugh but said nothing. He followed the elder deeper inside.
Rows of shelves stretched endlessly ahead, each lined with scrolls and bound manuals sealed with faint talismanic light. His breath caught—this was the true heart of the sect.
He reached for a nearby volume, opened it, and frowned—the pages were blank.
"The ones here are only samples," Elder Lu Yuan explained. "Descriptions without essence. You exchange points first—only then can you read the true text."
Xu Xiaolong nodded slowly. "So that's how it is… careful indeed."
Elder Lu Yuan moved quietly along the shelves, leafing through the records with practiced ease. Xu Xiaolong followed his example, reading every line of description he could reach. The air smelled of ink, aged paper, and faint sandalwood—solemn, still, sacred.
An hour passed. When Elder Lu Yuan finally turned back, he found Xu Xiaolong still standing before one of the lower cases, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Do you have a question?" Elder Lu asked.
Xu Xiaolong nodded slowly. "I've been reading through these introductions… Most say the same thing: Yuan Qi cultivation comes first. Swordsmanship, boxing, talisman arts—they're all built upon it. If you want to fight, you must first refine your Yuan Qi, right?"
Elder Lu Yuan gave a small approving smile. "Exactly. Qi is the foundation. The might of a sword or the strength of your fists comes from that root. There are rare auxiliary arts that defy the heavens, yes—but with Yuan Qi, they become tenfold stronger. Remember that well."
Xu Xiaolong nodded again, then glanced at the thin manual in his hand. "Whether you're sharpening a blade or splitting wood, you start from the basics."
The book he held was the Basic Sword Manual, plain and unadorned. He'd already decided his path—earn enough points to trade later for the Essence Flow Sutra, which he'd seen listed at thirty thousand points. For now, he had only a little more than three thousand.
Elder Lu Yuan didn't try to dissuade him. Instead, he led Xu Xiaolong back toward the counter and handed over the manual's registration slip. The light on the spirit spar flashed once—five hundred points deducted.
"It's good that you're willing to work hard," Elder Lu said as they stepped out of the Pavilion.
Xu Xiaolong grinned, rubbing his palms together. "Elder Lu, I told you before—Tianyun Sect will be proud of me one day. Lend me a spare sword, anything will do. I'll earn the rest myself."
Elder Lu Yuan blinked, then chuckled softly. "You're bold one moment, shameless the next… Fine. Let's see how far that mix will carry you."
"Alright then, take this." Elder Lu Yuan drew a spare sword from his storage ring and tossed it to Xu Xiaolong. The blade was plain, its edge dulled from disuse, but it gleamed faintly under the sun.
Elder Lu Yuan lingered for a moment, watching the young man's steady eyes. Let's see how far this one goes, he thought, before turning and walking away. For such curiosity, a sword was a small price.
Xu Xiaolong fastened the long sword at his waist and descended Tianyun Peak, his steps light but determined. Back at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, he was the only servant there who carried a blade.
"Er Hu, the west side area is mine," he said. "No one comes unless it's to bring food. I'm training till I forge my own peerless swordsmanship."
Note: What is a Spar: When a Merit Card or other sect token is placed upon it, spiritual light activates to display the holder's information, name, rank, points, contributions, etc.