Chapter Eleven: The Special District

The Liu, Shen, Tang, and Chen families were the four great houses, controlling the vast majority of resources and power within the Divine Sun Sect. Without exception, every sect master in each generation emerged from among the strongest members of these four families—a process rife with open rivalry, covert schemes, and games of opposition, hardly needing further elaboration.

Tang Yueran herself was a member of the Tang family. To say nothing of her other advantages, the information and cultivation resources available to her were far beyond the reach of those prosperous disciples from commoner families. Thus, the words she left before her departure must have carried a deeper significance.

Recalling Old Han’s behavior, Luo Tian found himself even more puzzled by the underlying reasons. Shaking his head slightly, Luo Tian decided not to waste further energy speculating; with information so scarce, any analysis would be fruitless. It was better to familiarize himself with the cultivation conditions of the outer disciples and work on enhancing his own strength.

The miraculous uses of the Divine Eye, Luo Tian suspected, went far beyond what he had discovered thus far. He was determined to fully unravel its mysteries.

As for the body-refining secret art, Luo Tian had no intention of replacing it. Tang Yueran’s suggestion was sound, but Luo Tian was well aware of his own strengths.

Selecting a cultivation method and a martial technique almost at random, Luo Tian left the Scripture Pavilion. Comparing his choice with the map in his hand, he found the residential quarters for outer disciples in the eastern district of Mount Ziyang. From a distance, the place looked rather impressive.

Though it couldn’t be called a collection of grand pavilions or elaborately decorated buildings, the quarters were orderly, row upon row, and even included a small section of independent courtyards, which appeared far more upscale.

After all, this was where several hundred outer disciples lived. Naturally, the living conditions could not be too poor, and within that framework, it was only normal that there were both standard and superior accommodations.

The roads nearby bustled with outer disciples in crimson robes coming and going. Luo Tian walked among them, not standing out in the slightest.

“Are you new? What’s your name?”

Just as Luo Tian reached the edge of the residential area, a woman’s voice called out to him, carrying an unspoken distance, as though the two of them were in the same place yet worlds apart.

Turning his head, Luo Tian reported his name. Before him stood an exceedingly beautiful middle-aged woman with a plump figure and a proud bearing, though her eyes were cold and indifferent.

“Come with me,” she said crisply, seeing the youth’s unfamiliar face and leading the way. “I am Liu Lan, an inner disciple. This residential area is divided into two sections. One is the standard area, requiring two hundred sect contribution points per month, with six people to a suite, two per room. The independent courtyards are the premium area, single occupancy, with meals and cleaning provided, costing five hundred contribution points per month. Unless you have business, don’t disturb the disciples in those private courtyards. I’ll take you to the standard area first.”

“Master Liu, I’d like to stay in the premium area,” Luo Tian interrupted as soon as he realized Liu Lan was about to lead him to the standard section.

There was no doubt the premium area was more expensive, but considering he would eventually need to instruct other outer disciples, the cramped space of the standard section would be inconvenient. Luo Tian would rather spend extra contribution points—he was confident he could earn them back. With hundreds of outer disciples, as long as things went smoothly, there was no need to worry about such matters.

“The premium area?” Liu Lan turned, staring at Luo Tian as if he were a fool. “Newly promoted outer disciples like you only receive five hundred contribution points for passing the test, and you still need to exchange for treasures and elixirs. If you use it all on better housing, how will you train and develop yourself?”

No one from the four great families had come to greet him, so Liu Lan naturally assumed Luo Tian was from a prosperous commoner family. Her disdain deepened—apparently, his years as a menial servant had failed to erase his penchant for comfort. He was ready to squander his first allotment of contribution points on premium lodgings.

How could someone like that accomplish anything?

“Master Liu, there’s no need to worry. I have my own way,” Luo Tian replied, offering a slight bow. Inner disciples, by virtue of their status and strength, deserved his respect. Besides, whatever the tone, her words were well-intentioned.

Liu Lan could not be bothered to argue further. She snorted coldly and led Luo Tian to the premium area, randomly selecting an unoccupied courtyard and producing her identity token. “Touch yours to this and simply think about transferring five hundred contribution points to me.”

Luo Tian did as instructed. Throughout the process, he had no idea what the woman’s name was or how many contribution points she had left; clearly, the sect had designed it this way to protect every disciple’s personal information.

Once inside his new domain, Luo Tian’s mood soared.

The courtyard was several dozen square meters in size, with stone tables and benches shaded by willows, exuding a leisurely air. The room itself was simple—one sitting room and one bedroom, with only basic necessities and nothing more.

Luo Tian was perfectly content. He sat comfortably on a stone bench and took out his handbook, ready to study it thoroughly.

Within the outer disciples’ quarters were places to accept assignments—outer disciples could earn contribution points by completing tasks. There was also a trading hall where treasures, elixirs, and other goods could be bought and sold. In addition, a large open market area was set aside for disciples to trade items they found useless.

Above all, sect contribution points were of paramount importance; they could be used everywhere. Even recruiting other outer disciples to form teams for training required contribution points.

It was like a self-contained society.

Luo Tian nodded slightly. The Divine Sun Sect had stood for centuries; naturally, its systems were well designed. This suited him well—if he was to become Senior Brother, even aside from the intangible prestige, the experience needed to upgrade the Divine Eye and the contribution points alone were cause for delight.

Excellent!

A fine thing!

“Number thirty-six in Zone A, this is the place!” Suddenly a voice shouted from outside the courtyard gate. “Luo Tian, come out!”

Frowning slightly, Luo Tian sensed the visitor’s hostility, but felt no fear. He walked to the gate and gazed calmly at the outer disciple standing outside, saying nothing.

The visitor was short but powerfully built, his face fierce. Seeing Luo Tian appear, he grinned maliciously. “So you’re Luo Tian? Come out—someone’s paid me to teach you a lesson!”

On Mount Ziyang, private fighting was forbidden—any issues were to be settled on the dueling stage. However, if one party absolutely refused to accept a challenge, that, too, was allowed.

Luo Tian, put off by the man’s ugly face and hostile attitude, felt particularly annoyed. “I’m busy,” he said, turning to go back inside.

“Hey! Wait! Wait!” The challenger was stunned, then began hopping with anxiety. “Don’t go! I already took the contribution points—I have to teach you a lesson! If you won’t fight, what am I supposed to do?”