Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 261: Arriving at the Mountain Gate

A towering peak loomed in the distance, shrouded in a veil of gossamer mist that made it flicker in and out of view, like a mirage within the clouds.

At the foot of the mountain, amidst the swirling white vapor, stood an ancient stone archway. Pillars carved with coiling dragons and crouching tigers flanked the entrance, exuding a solemn, majestic aura.

This was the mountain gate of the Raging Waves Sect.

After Qin Lu had eliminated the Water Ghost, the group had traveled for several more days, finally arriving at their destination without further incident.

Viewing it from the sky, the Raging Waves Sect was nestled deep within an ancient, untouched forest. The surrounding area was desolate, with hardly a sign of human habitation. Even wild beasts were scarce, giving the region a barren, untamed feel.

However, the sect itself was a different story.

The gentle slopes of the mountain were dotted with buildings, scattered like stars across the landscape. Every structure was festooned with lanterns and colored banners. Figures moved briskly between them, painting a scene of vibrant activity that contrasted sharply with the silent woods outside.

“Looks like a lot of people have already arrived…” Gu Can remarked, glancing down from the spirit boat.

Qin Lu smiled. “The auspicious day is only two days away. Everyone who matters is likely already here. Alright, let’s head down.”

“Understood.”

Gu Can steered the medium-sized spirit boat into a slow, controlled descent.

Moments later, they touched down before the stone archway.

The plaque above bore the three bold characters: Raging Waves Sect. Beside the stone steps leading up the mountain stood two young disciples, their faces plastered with welcoming smiles.

Whoosh!

Qin Lu withdrew his Spiritual Qi. The massive boat rapidly shrank, collapsing into a small paper talisman which he casually tucked into his robe.

“Welcome, Seniors, to the Raging Waves Sect!”

Seeing the display of cultivation, one of the welcoming disciples immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“Heh…” Qin Lu chuckled softly. With a wave of his hand, an invitation card flew from his sleeve, hovering before the disciple. “Little friend, we are from the Qin Sect. We have come specifically to attend your noble sect’s Opening Ceremony.”

The disciple caught the invitation and glanced at it respectfully. “Understood. The Headmaster has already briefed us. Seniors, please follow me.”

He turned sideways, gesturing up the path with impeccable etiquette.

“Troubling you then, little friend.”

Qin Lu signaled for his group to follow.

Led by the junior disciple, the group began their ascent along the winding mountain path. As they walked, the guide eagerly introduced the various landmarks and facilities of the newly established sect.

“Senior, this area is the residence for outer sect disciples.”

“And if you look ahead, Senior, that structure is the Transmission Hall, where disciples will receive instruction on cultivation techniques.”

“Those compounds further up… those are the dwellings for the inner sect Senior Brothers.”

The disciple was intimately familiar with the layout, and his eloquence made for an engaging tour.

Qin Lu found the experience rather novel. Listening to the clear chirping of birds and the enthusiastic narration, he occasionally asked a question or two. However, his primary focus was on sensing the environment.

The Spiritual Qi here is surprisingly abundant, he noted.

If he were to compare it to the marketplace, the density here rivaled the Inner City of the White Jade Market.

If he had to pay rent for a location with this level of Qi, it would cost at least several dozen Low Grade Spirit Stones a month per person.

The thought made Qin Lu pause internally.

Calculated that way, the rent I’m paying for the Qin Sect members’ courtyards in the White Jade Market is a massive expenditure…

Hundreds of Spirit Stones a month. Over a year, that’s nearly 8,000 Spirit Stones!

I didn’t realize it until I did the math… simply living in the market is bleeding me dry.

Qin Lu sighed inwardly. He hadn’t expected the overhead to be quite that steep. Possessing one’s own mountain gate wasn’t just about prestige; it was a matter of economic survival.

Lost in his calculations, Qin Lu followed the guide to the summit before he knew it.

A large training plaza opened up before them, surrounded by buildings designed in a simple yet majestic style. In the center of the plaza, a middle-aged cultivator was earnestly instructing over a dozen Raging Waves Sect disciples.

Listening closely, Qin Lu could hear him explaining the ceremonial procedures for the upcoming event. Clearly, they were in the final stages of preparation for the Sect Opening Ceremony.

After a brief glance, the five members of the Qin Sect were ushered into a guest reception hall.

“Seniors, please wait here a moment and enjoy some spirit tea. I will inform the Headmaster of your arrival immediately.”

“Good. Thank you for your hard work,” Qin Lu said, waving him off gently.

Once the disciple left, the group relaxed, sipping tea and chatting idly.

Cao Mo was the first to speak, looking around with interest. “It seems quite lively. We saw a lot of people from other sects on the way up…”

“Right!” Feng Xi’s eyes lit up with gossip. “I even saw an acquaintance just now!”

“Oh? Little Xi, you know people here?” Wu Zhengtian asked, surprised.

“Hehe, I wouldn’t say we’re close. I just saw him at the market before. He came to the shop to buy Pills.” Feng Xi wrinkled her nose. “He was such a stingy, petty fellow. He spent ages haggling over a few scraps. He really annoyed me back then. I didn’t expect someone like him to be a sect disciple.”

“Heh, you’ll have to get used to it,” Cao Mo laughed. “Some sect disciples are just naturally tight-fisted!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

The three disciples—Cao Mo, Feng Xi, and Wu Zhengtian—immediately launched into a spirited discussion, full of enthusiasm for their new surroundings.

Not long after, a boom of hearty laughter echoed from outside the door.

“Ahahaha! Fellow Daoist Qin, your timing is impeccable!”

Muscular and imposing, Zou Chang strode through the entrance. His rugged face was beaming, radiating the confidence and satisfaction of a man at the peak of his career.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zou!” Qin Lu stood up, cupping his hands in a formal salute. “Today you establish your foundation as a Sect Patriarch. Achieving the Golden Core is surely just around the corner!”

“Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Qin, you are too kind! Come, come, everyone sit!”

They resumed their seats, exchanging the standard pleasantries of the cultivation world.

However, as the host of a major upcoming ceremony, Zou Chang was visibly busy. After a short bout of conversation, he stood up apologetically.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, forgive me, but I have a few pressing matters to attend to. Please, rest for a while. Tonight, we shall drink and converse properly. How does that sound?”

“Naturally, that is no problem at all,” Qin Lu agreed readily.

“Someone!” Zou Chang beckoned to a disciple waiting outside. “Take these honored guests to their quarters. Ensure they have the best rooms!”

“Yes, Headmaster!”

Following Zou Chang’s arrangement, Qin Lu and his group stood up once more, following the Raging Waves Sect disciple toward the guest accommodations.

However, as they walked along the corridor, Qin Lu stopped.

Approaching from the other direction were two cultivators he had not expected to see here.

The two froze, staring at him in disbelief before crying out in unison:

“Senior! It’s actually you!”