The next morning, Mingyue was roused from her surprisingly deep sleep on the hard bunk by a cacophony of gongs and the shouts of a junior elder. “All new outer disciples to the Main Plaza! Assembly begins in fifteen minutes!”

Mingyue groaned, dragging herself off the top bunk. Li Mei was already frantically trying to smooth her rumpled robes, her small movements jerky with anxiety. The sheer volume of new disciples, all jostling for position, made her head spin.

They gathered in the Mist Valley Sect’s grand main plaza, a sprawling expanse of polished stone flanked by elegant pagodas and training grounds, all partially obscured by the ubiquitous swirling mists. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of mountain pines and the faint, sweet aroma of incense from distant temples. It was undeniably beautiful, a stark contrast to the utilitarian dorm.

The Head Elder, a venerable figure with a long white beard and eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages, addressed the assembly. His voice, though not amplified by spiritual energy like during the trials, still commanded immediate attention.

“Welcome, new disciples, to the Mist Valley Sect!” he boomed, his gaze sweeping over the thousands gathered – not just the new recruits, but existing outer and inner disciples as well. “For generations, our sect has stood as a beacon of cultivation in the Mortal Realms, upholding the Dao of balance, harmony with nature, and the practical application of spiritual insight.”

He then began to outline the structure of the sect, detailing its core disciplines. “Here at Mist Valley, we nurture talent across many paths. You will receive foundational training in all areas before specializing.”

He gestured to different sections of the plaza, where smaller groups of disciples were already engaged in various activities.

• “Our Martial Dao Peak focuses on combat arts, sword mastery, and body tempering. Here, strength and discipline are paramount.”
• “At Alchemy Peak, disciples learn the intricate art of pill refinement and herb cultivation. Their skill is vital for healing and boosting cultivation.” Mingyue felt a flicker of interest. This was her wheelhouse.
• “From Forger’s Mountain come the masters of spirit weapon crafting and artifact creation. They imbue materials with spiritual essence.” Another area Mingyue knew she could excel in.
• “And within the Formation Hall, our disciples unravel the mysteries of array mastery, from protective barriers to complex spiritual constructs.” Jiang Feng’s primary expertise, Mingyue noted, remembering his array mastery and his bargain with Elder Ling ⁶⁴.

The Head Elder went on to explain the hierarchical structure: “You are now Outer Disciples, the Green Branch. Above you are the Inner Disciples, the Yellow Branch, then the Core Disciples, the Red Branch, and finally, our esteemed Elders.” He spoke of the sect’s ethos, how every disciple, regardless of their branch, contributed to the sect’s strength.

Next, a sharp-faced Elder stepped forward to explain the Contribution Points system. Mingyue instantly recognized the familiar cadence of a bureaucratic explanation.

“Contribution Points are the lifeblood of your progression within the sect!” the Elder announced, holding up a gleaming bronze tablet. “They are earned by completing sect missions – gathering rare herbs in dangerous valleys, patrolling our borders against rogue cultivators, defending nearby villages, or contributing to sect projects. They reflect your dedication and service.”

He then explained how to spend them. “These points grant you access to higher-level cultivation techniques and manuals, allow you to purchase rare herbs, spiritual materials, and vital pills from the sect’s treasury. They are also your key to advancing. To become an Inner Disciple, you must reach a specific point threshold and pass a secondary assessment.”

Mingyue’s internal monologue kicked in. Ah, the old loyalty program. Grind quests for points. I bet there’s a premium tier with exclusive perks and probably a limited-time double points event.  While extremely cliché, she realized that this was her clear path to resources. It might be tedious, but it was quantifiable, unlike the arbitrary whims of an ER chief.

The Elder continued, explaining expectations. “Outer disciples typically remain so for three to five years, during which time you are expected to reach the Foundation Establishment realm.” ³⁷ A murmur went through the new disciples. Mingyue mentally checked her own progress. She was still firmly in Qi Gathering, but the jade slip was speeding things up. Failure to meet standards, he warned sternly, would lead to expulsion.

He then pointed towards a sprawling complex within sight. “That is the Challenge Arena. Here, disciples can spar to test their skills and gain combat experience. However, victory in the arena does not directly earn Contribution Points. Your points are earned through service and missions.”

Mingyue nodded, seeing the logic. It prevented wealthy or naturally gifted disciples from simply buying their way up without contributing to the sect’s maintenance. It also meant her unconventional combat style, while effective, wouldn’t automatically translate to an easy advancement path.

Finally, they were handed their class schedules. Mingyue’s schedule was packed with mandatory introductory courses: “Basic Qi Manipulation,” “Introduction to Sect Etiquette,” “Common Spiritual Herbs,” “Fundamentals of Array Inscriptions,” and “Sword Arts Fundamentals.” More advanced courses like “Forging Workshop” and “Beast Taming” didn’t come until disciples reached higher levels of cultivation. There was no specialization yet; everyone received a broad education.

Her first minor sect mission was also attached: a simple task to gather common spirit herbs from a nearby mountain slope. Her first points opportunity.

As the assembly dispersed, Mingyue looked at her schedule and then back at the massive sect, half-shrouded in mist. The rules were clear, the path laid out. It was a long road, filled with duties and expectations, but also with opportunities. She had a goal, a way to gain strength, and a very demanding, secret patient waiting for her. The Dao of bureaucracy awaited.