Chapter 21: The Way It Was Opened Was Wrong

Inside the Flying Dragon airship cabin, Lu Ye glanced around. When he collected himself, he noticed Elder Tang already seated on the prayer mat. He quickly walked over and sat formally in front of Elder Tang.

Fate can be strange; Lu Ye never expected that his encounter with Elder Tang in the mine would lead him to join his sect. Regardless, he now had a place in this world, and a sense of warmth flowed through him at the thought. Choosing the Azure Blood Sect had been a reluctant decision, but if it was Elder Tang's sect, then it wasn't entirely unacceptable.

“I am Tang Yifeng!” Elder Tang announced. “The tenth Sect Master of the Azure Blood Sect.”

Lu Ye was slightly taken aback. Though he didn't know much about the cultivation world, he certainly understood the meaning of "Sect Master." While he had suspected Elder Tang held a significant position within the Azure Blood Sect, he never imagined he was the Sect Master. He quickly bowed. “Disciple greets the Sect Master,” he said.

Elder Tang nodded. “Although I admit you into the sect today, just as a nation has its laws, a sect has its rules. Currently, you are not a formal disciple, but merely a registered one. You must pass certain assessments to be truly initiated. The details of these assessments aren't important now; you'll learn them once we return to the sect. Furthermore, your current cultivation level is far too low to undergo any assessments.”

Lu Ye listened attentively and replied, “This disciple understands.” Even the former mine slaves had to undergo assessments to join Evil Moon Valley, so Elder Tang’s words didn't surprise him. It wasn't just him; none of those previously chosen by the various sects were considered formal disciples. Every sect had its own assessments, which screened disciples based on their character, virtue, and other aspects. Only upon passing these assessments could one truly enter a sect.

“The Azure Blood Sect is located in Ao Mountain, Bing Province. Founded a thousand years ago, it has cultivated 63,662 disciples, including a total of…” Elder Tang began, his voice trailing off as he mentioned the number of Divine Sea Realm cultivators. As Elder Tang spoke, a historical tapestry of the sect slowly unfolded before Lu Ye, providing him with a basic understanding of the Azure Blood Sect. At the time, he didn't grasp the significance of those numbers, but later, he would come to understand their profound weight.

A moment later, Elder Tang looked at Lu Ye. “If there’s anything you wish to know, feel free to ask me.”

Lu Ye then asked a question that piqued his curiosity. “Sect Master, during this assault on Evil Moon Valley, why were there no senior brothers or sisters from our Azure Blood Sect?”

When Elder Tang had approached him earlier, he hadn't noticed anything amiss. However, upon realizing Elder Tang was the Azure Blood Sect's Sect Master, a question immediately arose in his mind. The Azure Blood Sect… it seemed only Elder Tang was present. Otherwise, the Sect Master wouldn't have personally sought him out; a welcoming task like that could easily be handled by any disciple.

“Ahem…” Elder Tang cleared his throat, lightly coughing into his fist. “The truth is, our Azure Blood Sect doesn't have many people.”

Lu Ye nodded in understanding. “So, our talent pool is dwindling, and the sect is in decline.”

It made sense. As a Ninth-Rank sect, the lowest tier in the Nine Provinces' cultivation world, recruiting disciples was likely not easy. For instance, among the more than a hundred rescued mine slaves, only Lu Ye chose the Azure Blood Sect, and that was only after Pang Dahai’s guidance.

“What you say… isn't entirely wrong,” Elder Tang admitted with a hint of helplessness.

“Then, Sect Master, how many people are currently in the sect?”

Elder Tang replied, “Ask a different question.”

“Huh?” Lu Ye blinked.

“Do you not have any questions about your cultivation?”

“Yes!” Lu Ye quickly nodded. “My first aperture is now full, but I can't find the location to open the second. Please guide me, Sect Master.”

Elder Tang nodded slightly. “Indeed, this is a common issue at the start of cultivation. However, to open your second aperture, you will need a suitable cultivation technique.”

“I have a cultivation technique,” Lu Ye said, and then began to loosen his clothes. Under Elder Tang’s astonished gaze, he retrieved a second storage bag that he had kept hidden close to his body. This was Steward Yang's storage bag. When Lu Ye decided to leave the dark passage, he had hidden it securely on his person, fearing others might covet the many valuable items inside. Now that he had joined the Azure Blood Sect and was in the Sect Master’s presence, there was no longer any need to conceal it.

Observing the storage bag at Lu Ye’s waist, then the second one he produced, Elder Tang instantly grasped the situation. The boy hadn't just killed one Evil Moon Valley member in the mine passage!

“Sly one!” Elder Tang remarked.

Lu Ye chuckled awkwardly, then took a book from Steward Yang's storage bag and handed it to Elder Tang. “This ‘Golden Cicada Freedom Art’ was found among an Evil Moon Valley cultivator’s possessions. Is it suitable for me to cultivate?”

“Since it's a cultivation technique, you can cultivate it. What are you worried about?” Elder Tang took the book and opened it.

“After all, this is a technique cultivated by Evil Moon Valley disciples. I worry it might be an evil art…” Lu Ye trailed off mid-sentence.

Strange, peculiar sounds suddenly emanated from Elder Tang’s direction. In the quiet cabin, they were jarringly loud. Lu Ye’s eye twitched involuntarily. Elder Tang, however, watched with great delight. The sounds grew increasingly boisterous—a cacophony of undulating moans and groans, with strange, rhythmic dialogues. Anyone unaware would surely assume someone in the cabin was engaged in something illicit.

Unable to resist, Lu Ye leaned half his body forward to look at the book in Elder Tang’s hands. He saw Elder Tang infuse spiritual power into the book, causing the previously stiff figures within to come alive. The sounds Lu Ye heard were indeed emanating from this book. It was then that he realized he had grabbed the wrong item. Steward Yang’s storage bag contained three books: the ‘Biography of Sword Saints,’ the ‘Golden Cicada Freedom Art,’ and the very book Elder Tang now held. Lu Ye had grabbed it casually, not intending to pull out *that* one. When he had glanced at it previously, he had only noted the extraordinary artwork and lifelike figures. He never imagined the book possessed such a magical quality. Had he been opening it incorrectly before? Lu Ye was utterly stunned!

As Lu Ye stood in shock, Elder Tang closed the book he was holding, and instantly, both the images and sounds disappeared. Their eyes met. “Elder Tang, this book…” Lu Ye began.

Elder Tang’s expression became solemn. “This is a dual cultivation technique. While it has its merits, you are still too young to be exposed to it.”

“No, Sect Master, this isn't mine. It’s spoils of war I confiscated from an Evil Moon Valley disciple,” Lu Ye quickly clarified.

Elder Tang nodded. “That’s good then. Since you’re still young, I’ll hold onto this for you for now. I’ll return it when you’re a bit older.”

Lu Ye had a strange feeling these words sounded familiar…

Elder Tang had already put away the peculiar reading material. Lu Ye didn't see him retrieve a storage bag, nor did he know where the Sect Master had stored it.