Nuya handed the token to Aksai before elaborating.
“This token is a privilege token, allowing outsiders of the sect to claim something they desire from the Purple River Sect.
Depending on your request, it can be single-use or limited-time. The sect has strict guidelines for such matters. So you won’t be at a loss when using it to gain something of value from the sect.
Additionally, the token self-destructs once the sect fulfills its promise to the holder. So you need to be absolutely sure of what you want. You can not change your requests midway once they have been processed.”
“Interesting,” Aksai mused as he examined the token closely, sensing its mysterious nature with his Spirit Sense.
“I’ve arranged a meeting for you with one of the elders from the Purple River Sect,” Nuya continued, gazing at the starlit sky.
“This elder will assist you in obtaining most of what you seek. However, you’ll need to visit the Purple River Sect yourself for the upgrades. For metal-related spells, the cost is approximately 300 spirit stones per spell. Ensure you have enough spirit stones before you go. Would you like me to lend you some?” she inquired.
A smile lit up Aksai’s face. He intended to depart for the Purple River Sect once he settled his affairs at his new residence.
“No need to lend me spirit stones,” Aksai replied as he stowed away the token. “I appreciate the offer, though. And thank you for arranging the meeting, Nuya,” he expressed his gratitude.
“You can call me Nuya from now on,” she suggested, meeting his gaze. “And in return, I’ll call you Aksai. Is that alright?” she asked.
“Haha, of course. I rather like your name, Nuya. It has a pleasant ring to it,” Aksai remarked, meeting her eyes.
Nuya nodded, a smile gracing her lips. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave, Aksai,” she said, retrieving her flying sword from her storage.
“Until next time, Nuya,” Aksai replied as he watched her ascend into the sky.
One couldn’t help but notice the faint blush on Nuya’s cheeks when Aksai addressed her by her first name.
***
A few days later.
Purple River Sect.
It didn’t take long for Aksai to return to the mainland and go directly to his intended destination.
The privilege token did its magic and Aksai got inside the Purple River Sect. When he arrived at the place, he was immediately struck by the grandeur of its grounds.
The sect was nestled amidst lush, verdant mountains, with cascading waterfalls adding to its picturesque beauty.
The external zone, where Aksai found himself, was vast and bustling with activity. Here, external disciples trained in various Spirit cultivation techniques under the watchful eyes of their seniors.
The Foundation Building Elders would take open lectures under some trees, gilding their listeners in various arts related to Spirit cultivation.
The architecture was awe-inspiring, with towering pagodas and intricate pavilions dotting the landscape. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, displaying the sect’s emblem—a majestic purple river flowing through a serene valley.
As Aksai ventured deeper into the sect, he entered the internal zone. Here, the surroundings took on a more serene and refined ambiance.
Imposing halls and elegant gardens greeted him, and the disciples moved with purpose and determination. This area was reserved for internal disciples, who delved deeper into the sect’s teachings and honed their skills under the guidance of their Foundation Building masters.
The atmosphere in the internal zone was imbued with profound Spirit essence. Here, the internal disciples of the sect pursued enlightenment and mastery.
Apart from the external and internal zones of the sect, there was also a core zone that Aksai couldn’t get in even with his privilege token. The core zone of the sect was reserved for the core disciples and it wasn’t something Aksai could get in casually.
As Aksai explored the Purple River Sect’s grounds, he couldn’t help but marvel at its splendor. For the first few hours, he simply visited all the places he could visit as an outsider of the sect, trying to learn about everything that he could about the sect.
Aksai had no regrets in his heart after giving the sect discipleship token to Ruan. However, he wanted to know what he had missed out on nonetheless.
This way, he would be inspired to achieve even more as a drifting cultivator just to justify his previous decision. He believed that no decision was innately right or wrong. One had to turn these decisions into ‘right decisions’ with their own work.
“Haha. Boy, do you like our sect? Do you want to join it?” while Aksai was lost in his thoughts as he approached a certain open pavilion, a voice came from behind him. He turned around and saw the sect elder he was looking for had finally arrived to meet him.
Elder Xin was a figure of venerable presence for many of his disciples within the Purple River Sect, his demeanor carrying the weight of years of cultivation.
His stature was imposing yet graceful, his robes adorned with intricate patterns that spoke of his status within the sect. His eyes, deep and piercing, held a keen intelligence honed through decades of study and cultivation practice.
His face, weathered by time and experience, bore the marks of countless trials. As he approached Aksai, there was a palpable aura of Foundation Building Expert that radiated from him, enveloping the air around him in an almost tangible aura of mystique.
“Elder Xin, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Aksai smiled and offered a bow.
“However, I must decline your invitation to join the sect, now that I own an independent island. Regrettably, I have other obligations,” he added with a wry smile.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Elder Xin chuckled, lightly tapping his head.
“We mustn’t get too friendly and attract the ire of Haan Di. You are right,” he said, gesturing for Aksai to follow him to the nearest open pavilion, which was empty and ideal for their discussion.
Seated across from each other, Aksai explained his requests to Elder Xin, presenting the privilege token for reference.