Elder Bai’s eyes shifted, immediately understanding the implication. “The Holy Son is thorough in his considerations. How about this…”

He looked at Shen Xian with an ingratiating smile. “Would the Third Young Master mind choosing a private courtyard in the outer sect for temporary residence? This old man will arrange it right away!”

The Divine Wood Sect’s inner and outer sects differed, as did the density of spiritual energy. However, the private courtyard in the outer sect mentioned by this elder was close to the inner sect, so there was no need to worry about spiritual energy. Moreover, it better suited Shen Xian’s status.

Shen Xing neither agreed nor disagreed, merely saying to Shen Xian, “The Divine Wood Sect’s rules are strict. Since Third Brother has just arrived, it’s better to keep a low profile.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Bai immediately took out a purple-gold token and presented it with both hands. “This is this old man’s steward token. With this token, the Third Young Master can freely access the first three floors of the library and receive three extra bottles of Origin Cultivating Pills each month.”

At that moment, seven or eight more elders gathered around, each with beaming smiles, vying to present gifts.

Some offered magical treasures, others offered cultivation techniques, and some even directly handed over deeds to spirit fields.

Shen Xian was a direct descendant of the Shen Family and had an elder brother who was a Holy Son. Although his cultivation realm was somewhat lacking, his status alone was enough for these ordinary elders to curry favor.

Faced with the gifts, Shen Xian accepted them all without refusal.

However, Shen Xing, standing beside him, gradually grew cold-faced, and the Void Guiding Jade Pendant suddenly emitted a golden light.

The elders immediately fell silent and stepped back one after another.

“Third Brother has just arrived and needs quiet cultivation.” Shen Xing’s voice was not loud, yet it made everyone involuntarily lower their heads. “We appreciate your kind intentions.”

He had to convey a clear attitude; he couldn’t let these elders show too much favor to Shen Xian, lest it affect his own plans.

With that, he looked at Elder Bai. “Lead the way.”

Elder Bai felt as if granted amnesty and hurriedly led the two away from the place.

After walking about a hundred paces, Shen Xing suddenly stopped. “I’ll see you off here. Third Brother, follow Elder Bai to your residence. I need to report back to my master.”

Shen Xian nodded and followed Elder Bai toward the outer sect.

From behind, Shen Xing’s voice came faintly. “Remember, on the path of cultivation, what you rely on in the end is yourself.”

These words were not only meant for Shen Xian but also for others in the sect.

“Understood, Elder Brother,” Shen Xian responded outwardly while sneering inwardly.

His Elder Brother certainly enjoyed playing the teacher!

Green Bamboo Peak.

This place was where the inner and outer sects converged. Although it technically belonged to the outer sect, those who actually resided here were mostly inner sect disciples.

Elder Bai led Shen Xian through a grove of emerald bamboo to a secluded private courtyard.

On the courtyard gate, the three characters for “Rainfall Pavilion” were written with vigorous strokes, faintly exuding a sense of Dao charm.

“Third Young Master, although this place is within the outer sect’s territory, it is a convergence point for spiritual energy.” Elder Bai pushed open the courtyard gate respectfully. “This old man specifically chose this courtyard near the inner sect. It won’t be too ostentatious yet can ensure your cultivation needs are met.”

In the courtyard stood an ancient plum tree, graceful like a canopy. Underneath it was a square green stone chessboard, with three refined cottages arranged in an orderly yet natural layout.

Most remarkably, behind the courtyard was actually a spiritual spring. The spring water tinkled melodiously amidst misty vapors.

Shen Xian nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you for your trouble, Elder Bai.”

Elder Bai repeatedly waved his hands. “I dare not accept such thanks.”

As he spoke, he was about to take out a message talisman, but he suddenly remembered Shen Xing’s earlier instructions. In the end, he did not do so and merely smiled as he took his leave.

After Elder Bai left, just as Shen Xian was about to enter, he suddenly heard a clear and melodious sword cry from the neighboring courtyard.

Following the sound, he saw a gray-robed youth practicing swordplay in his courtyard. Sword light arced like rainbows; his every movement exuded the terrifying aura of someone half-step into the Golden Core realm.

Noticing the gaze upon sheathing his sword, the youth turned his head and smiled. “New neighbor?”

Under thick eyebrows, his eyes were bright and piercing. A wooden sword hung casually at his waist; his smile was hearty and unrestrained.

Shen Xian cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Shen Xian, newly arrived here today.”

“Wang Yu.” The youth strode over without ceremony and looked Shen Xian up and down frankly. “So you’re that Third Young Master of the Shen Family? I heard your Elder Brother is a Holy Son?”

Such blunt questioning made Shen Xian pause slightly before he chuckled in response. “Indeed he is.”

“Interesting.” Wang Yu casually plucked a bamboo leaf to play with. “I’ve lived on Green Bamboo Peak for decades now; it’s my first time seeing someone like you come to the sect.”

He was referring to Shen Xian becoming an inner sect disciple despite ostensibly being in the Qi Refining Realm.

Shen Xian smiled without replying.

Wang Yu then casually tossed away the bamboo leaf; it traced a green arc through the air before landing steadily back on its branch. He then patted the wooden sword at his waist and grinned. “Perfect timing—I’m heading to the Service Hall to collect this month’s spirit stones. Would Junior Brother Shen like to come along? Good chance to learn your way around too.”

Shen Xian thought briefly before nodding in agreement. Having company would save him from asking for directions.

The two walked leisurely along a bluestone path. Wang Yu’s steps were light; occasionally, he used his wooden sword to push drooping bamboo branches aside.

“Although Green Bamboo Peak belongs to the outer sect, I prefer it more than those gold-carved and jade-inlaid halls in the inner sect.”

Wang Yu casually plucked another bamboo leaf and placed it between his lips, blowing out several clear bird-like whistles. “Look at those inner sect disciples—putting on airs all day long as if they have ancestral tablets balanced on their heads.”

Hearing this analogy brought a light laugh from Shen Xian—it reminded him of those rigid elders back in his clan.

Rounding a mountain hollow, the view suddenly opened up before them.

Above a sea of clouds floated seven white jade rainbow bridges leading toward different peaks respectively.

Wang Yu stopped before the third bridge, pointing with his wooden sword toward its end. “See that towering Jianmu tree? Among the Divine Wood Sect’s thirty-six halls, the Service Hall knows best how to pick its location.”

At the rainbow bridge’s end stood a towering ancient tree rising from the ground, its trunk entwined with glazed walkways.

Upon closer inspection, the “trunk” was actually carved from a single piece of spirit jade, liquid spiritual energy flowing within its leaf veins.

Wang Yu nimbly jumped onto the lowest branch, which immediately blossomed into a spirit flower, its pistil cradling a palm-sized wooden puppet.

“As usual, two mid-grade spirit stones,” the puppet emitted a childish voice.

But Wang Yu took out three from his sleeve. “The extra one buys your newly compiled Sect Guide.”

The little puppet immediately danced about, pulling a date-sized jade slip from its pistil and tossing it to him.

Catching the slip, Wang Yu threw it to Shen Xian. “Though the Holy Son likely prepared one for you already, this guide displays the sect’s daily miscellaneous affairs. Decent for passing time—keep it.”

Shen Xian’s eyes flickered briefly.

This new neighbor is quite enthusiastic. I wonder if there are ulterior motives behind this.

“Then thank you.” He accepted it, handing over a spirit stone in return.

Wang Yu paused momentarily then smiled. “You sure don’t like owing favors.”

Afterward, the two turned past several branches, arriving before a tree-hollow-like hall.

About twenty disciples queued before jade counters. Wang Yu led Shen Xian directly toward the rightmost, deserted counter.

Behind the counter dozed a white-bearded old man. Before him, a jade plaque bore faded characters: “Miscellaneous Supplies Application.”

“Elder Zhao, new disciple collecting monthly allotment.” Wang Yu tapped the countertop, startling the old man, whose silver beard splattered tea droplets in three arcs.

Squinting, the old man scrutinized Shen Xian. “Name?”

“Shen Xian!”

The old man, startled, examined him carefully but ultimately said nothing, casually producing a storage pouch. “Take it.”

Inside the pouch, besides the token representing inner disciple status and robes, were thirty mid-grade spirit stones, five bottles of Origin Cultivating Pills, plus two second-tier cultivation techniques.

This was the standard allotment an ordinary inner disciple received.

Shen Xing had instructed beforehand regarding this Shen Family disciple—no excessive preferential treatment was needed.

Shen Xian also said nothing, simply taking it and leaving.

“Junior Brother Shen?”

Just after exiting the Service Hall, a surprised voice rang out.