A Song for The Ages

The Menial Disciple Section wasn't anything extravagant. Wooden cabins, simple but sturdy, lined up neatly in rows. Some had signs of wear, scratches on the wood, patches where repairs had been made, but everything was orderly, maintained with strict efficiency.

Compared to the damp, suffocating darkness of the caves, this was paradise.

Even so, Feiyin didn't let his guard down.

Upon arrival, they were handed their new robes and identification tokens.

Feiyin ran his fingers over the fabric of his robe, black, with a single white streak running down the shoulder. It was plain, yet it marked them as First-Class Menial Disciples.

The token, a small but sturdy piece of metal, had his name engraved on one side and his rank on the other.

"Keep these safe," one of the assistant instructors warned. "If you lose your token, you'll have to pay a heavy price to replace it. And without it, you won't be able to take on sect tasks or receive your rations."

Feiyin pocketed the token. Losing it wasn't an option.

With that done, they were escorted toward their assigned cabins.

As they walked, Feiyin decided to take the opportunity to introduce himself and his group to the girl who had joined them.

She walked slightly behind them, keeping her distance. Her expression was unreadable, her presence almost cold.

Feiyin slowed his pace until he was beside her.

"Hey, we haven't really spoken yet." He offered a slight smile. "I'm Cai Feiyin. This is Ren, Yue, and Shen Mu. We came from the same training batch."

She glanced at him briefly, then ahead again.

"...Hui Ying."

A short, curt response.

Feiyin waited for her to say more.

She didn't.

He blinked, then chuckled lightly. Not much of a talker, huh?

Ren smirked, whispering just loud enough for Feiyin to hear. "I think she likes you already."

Feiyin elbowed him. Yue giggled, and even Shen Mu let out a small snort.

Hui Ying ignored them, her gaze fixed ahead, as if completely unbothered.

Still, Feiyin could tell, it wasn't arrogance or indifference. It was shyness.

She didn't know how to respond.

He decided to leave it at that. For now.

The cabins for First-Class Menial Disciples were different from what Feiyin had expected. Unlike the shared quarters for lower-ranked menials, these had an option, either share a cabin or take one for themselves.

It was an unexpected privilege.

"You may choose," the assistant instructor said. "As First-Class Menial Disciples, you are given more freedom. But don't mistake this for true status, you're still at the bottom of the sect."

Feiyin and his group exchanged glances.

"I'd rather stay together," Yue said almost immediately.

Ren shrugged. "Same. We work better that way."

Shen Mu nodded in agreement.

That settled it. They took a shared cabin.

As for Hui Ying,

"...I'll take one for myself."

She didn't elaborate, didn't look back. She simply took a key and left toward another cabin.

Feiyin watched her go, not surprised. She was used to being alone.

Their cabin was surprisingly spacious for four people.

Each of them had their own bed, a personal storage chest, and a small desk for study or personal work.

There was even a small meditation space in the corner.

"Not bad," Ren remarked as he threw himself onto one of the beds.

"Better than a cave, that's for sure," Shen Mu muttered, running his fingers along the sturdy wood.

Feiyin sat on the edge of his own bed, adjusting the new First-Class Menial Disciple robe. It fit well.

Yue was already looking through her storage chest, checking what they had been given.

"There's a set of basic uniforms," she noted. "And… a guidebook?"

Feiyin took the booklet and flipped through it.

It contained information about sect rules, contribution tasks, and the ranking system.

"Looks like we'll be working for everything we get," he mused.

Before they could discuss further, there was a knock at the door.

Feiyin opened it to find two older disciples standing outside.

One was a tall young man with sharp features, dressed in the same First-Class robe as them. His eyes were keen, assessing them immediately.

Beside him stood a girl with dark hair tied in a loose bun, arms crossed, looking entirely unimpressed.

"New recruits, huh?" the young man said, his voice smooth but firm. "Welcome to the bottom of the food chain."

Feiyin remained silent, waiting.

The girl sighed. "We're here to hand out your antidotes. Your first one is free, but after this, you'll need contribution points to get more."

She pulled out a small wooden box, opening it to reveal several vials of dark liquid.

"Unlike before, this dose lasts for three months instead of one," the young man continued. "But that just means you'll have to work harder to keep earning more. The sect doesn't keep useless people."

Feiyin and his group each took a vial.

He held it for a moment, watching how the liquid moved inside. This was what kept them alive.

The older disciple smirked slightly. "You look like you've got questions."

Feiyin met his gaze. "And you look like you have answers."

The girl let out a short laugh. "I like this one."

"We're your seniors, for now," the young man said. "I'm Han Zhi. She's Lin Yao. First-Class Menial Disciples, same as you."

Lin Yao tilted her head. "Though unlike you, we've been here for a while. We know how things work."

"And if you don't want to die early, you'd do well to listen," Han Zhi added, arms crossed.

Feiyin nodded. "Then we'll listen."

"Good." Han Zhi stepped back. "Finish settling in. We'll be back later to explain more about how to survive in this place."

Lin Yao gave a lazy wave before turning to leave.

As Feiyin closed the door, Yue let out a deep breath. "That was… interesting."

Shen Mu was reading the guidebook. "We need contribution points for antidotes, but also for food and training resources. If we don't work, we don't eat."

Ren grinned. "Then I guess we better start working."

, -----------------------------

Han Zhi and Lin Yao returned later that evening, their expressions unreadable. The air was different this time, less casual, more serious.

Feiyin and his group were seated inside the cabin, waiting.

Han Zhi didn't waste time. He tossed a guidebook onto the table with a heavy thud.

"You read this yet?" he asked, looking between them.

Shen Mu picked it up. "We skimmed through some of it."

Lin Yao snorted. "Skimming won't keep you alive."

Feiyin met her gaze. "Then tell us what will."

Han Zhi smirked. "Good attitude."

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Here's the reality, you're not here to be fed and protected. You're here to serve the sect."

"Everything costs contribution points," Lin Yao added. "Your antidote? 250 points every three months. If you can't afford it, you die. The cabin you're living in right now? It's only given for free for the first month, but afterward, you'll need to pay 200 points per month."

The room fell into silence.

"First-Class Menial Disciples need to earn at least 500 points per month," Han Zhi continued. "If you fail to reach that number two months in a row, you get demoted. And once you're a Second-Class or Third-Class, your life becomes a different kind of hell."

Ren scoffed. "So we work or we suffer. Got it."

Lin Yao smirked. "Suffering is guaranteed. The question is how much."

Han Zhi sat down on one of the chairs, resting his chin on his hand. "There are different ways to earn points. Daily tasks like cleaning, cooking, or assisting in minor sect duties can get you a few points at a time. Then there are more dangerous tasks, hunting, gathering rare materials, or running errands for higher-ranked disciples."

Lin Yao stretched her arms lazily. "And of course, if you really want to make it, you need to aim for the branches."

She pointed toward the guidebook.

"Six branches. If you want to be more than a disposable servant, you need to join one."

Feiyin opened the book, scanning the sections.

Saint Body Branch – Focused on pure physical cultivation and combat, where disciples honed their bodies into living weapons.

Spirit Beast Branch – Specializing in taming and controlling powerful creatures, used for battle and labor.

Joyful Union Branch – Dual cultivation, a path that focused on refining energy through intimate partnerships.

Saint Alchemy Branch – The study of medicine, pill refinement, and poison as well as artifact refining and craftsmanship.

Saint Spirit Branch – The mystical arts, including formations and soul-based cultivation.

Saint Blood Branch – A sinister path that focused on using the blood of others to strengthen oneself.

Yue grimaced. "Joyful Union? What kind of branch is this?"

Lin Yao chuckled darkly. "A practical one. If you're beautiful enough, you'll get dragged in whether you like it or not."

Yue's expression darkened.

"How do you join a branch?" Shen Mu asked.

Han Zhi leaned forward. "You need to earn at least 5000 contribution points and then pass the test for your chosen branch. Each one has different requirements for skills and knowledge, that you also need to purchase and practice beforehand on your own."

Shen Mu narrowed his eyes. "And if you fail the test?"

"Then you stay here and try again later. Or you die."

Another heavy silence filled the room.

Feiyin stared at the guidebook. He had expected harsh conditions, but this…

Everything required contribution points.

Food? Points.

A place to stay after the first free month? Points.

Learning techniques? Points.

Access to teachers or training resources? Points.

"You're telling me the sect doesn't provide anything?" Feiyin asked.

Han Zhi chuckled. "They provide opportunities. You're the one who has to survive."

"So how long have you been here?" Ren asked, arms crossed.

"Nearly three years," Han Zhi said. "Saving points, taking tasks, climbing our way up."

Lin Yao smirked. "And we're finally about to take the branch selection test."

Feiyin observed them.

They weren't much older than him, maybe thirteen or fourteen at most. And yet, they carried themselves with the weight of survivors.

He understood why.

This sect had no room for weakness.

"So if we want to survive, we need to work, earn points, and get strong," Feiyin summarized.

Han Zhi nodded. "Exactly."

Yue clenched her fists. "Then we better start earning."

Ren leaned back with a smirk. "Let's see who racks up the most points first."

Shen Mu exhaled deeply. "No room for mistakes, huh?"

"None," Lin Yao said. "One misstep, and you're dead weight. And dead weight doesn't last here."

Feiyin tightened his grip on the guidebook.

They had one month of free lodging. After that, they'd have to earn their place.

He glanced at Bai Yu, the small white snake curled up on his shoulder.

This was only the beginning.