As they approached the outer sect administration hall, the crowd of disciples started to become thin, though murmurs and whispers continued to echo around them. Some stared in disbelief, while others seemed excited to see a male disciple inside the Sect’s grounds.
The outer sect disciple’s hall was a large, ancient building surrounded by lush gardens and flowers. It stood as a testament to the sect’s lone history, a place where new blood was pumped into the sect.
Shen Yuan looked around to see the surroundings being beautifully designed, “Looks like the predecessors spent a lot of time designing the sect’s layout. Every place is so beautifully decorated.”
Xun Shuren proudly replied, “This sect was designed by the third disciple of our Founding Ancestor, she was an alchemist as well as a formidable cultivator. She was one of the brightest stars of her time. Later she became the second generation Sect Master of our sect.”
Shen Yuan nodded his head while glancing around, he still noticed the disciple stealing glances at him but he soon shook his head and continued towards the outer sect administration hall.
As they entered the hall, the atmosphere grew more formal, the disciples were coming and going from inside the hall. There were different sections for different things inside of it. There were disciples gathered in front of a board where missions were on display, so the disciples could choose what type of mission they wanted to do.
Another bunch of disciples were taking monthly resources which the sect gives each month to them. And other such places.
Shen Yuan looked around for a bit, noticing that nearly everyone stopped whatever they were doing and was staring in his direction curiously.
The Elders, on the other hand, were clearly aware of the significance of having a male disciple in the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect, and more so, they could sense his unique air even among those top disciples of other Divine Sects after seeing so many of them.
Some had already heard whispers of the Ancestral Pagoda trial, and rumors about Shen Yuan were spreading like wildfire.
Xun Shuren, noticing the stares towards Shen Yuan, cleared her throat and stepped forward, “This is Shen Yuan, who cleared the Ancestral Pagoda Trial and earned the qualification to become a core disciple of the sect.”
She paused, looking at the reaction of everyone, which turned to awe and shock as soon as they heard it, after all becoming the core disciple was no easy task.
She soon continued, “But after having a talk with him, he decided to start as an outer disciple to learn more about our sect and to get used to this new place. He will have to go through all the tests that a normal disciple has to go through so you guys don’t have to worry that he will take your spot.”
All the disciples looked at each other in bewilderment as they couldn’t believe their ears.
“Is this real?”
“Someone actually completed that trial?”
“Even the Holy Scions of other Divine Sects couldn’t complete it.”
…
The murmurs grew intense as they started observing Shen Yuan with even more intensity.
Xun Shuren, looking that the commotion wouldn’t die down soon, brought Shen Yuan to the place where the monthly resources were being allocated.
“Give him his monthly quota of resources and what new disciples get.” She said to the older disciples on duty who were distributing resources to the disciples.
The older disciples came out of the shock from receiving a male disciple in the sect and hurriedly went inside to fetch the items.
“What resources will I receive as a new outer sect disciple?” Shen Yuan came toward Xun Shuren and asked her curiously.
Xun Shuren turned towards him and answered him with a soft smile, “You will receive exactly what outer sect disciples receive upon entering the sect, hehe, you wanted to experience the life of a sect member right? You will receive exactly what every new disciple receives.”
Shen Yuan smiled in amusement hearing her reply, “I see, I would appreciate if we keep it that way, after all, even if I receive the year’s worth of resources at once I doubt they would be useful. It will be more meaningful this way.”
Moments later, the older disciples returned, carrying a storage pouch and a jade token. The storage pouch contained various cultivation resources, including basic Qi-gathering pills, cultivation manuals, a few low-grade spirit stones, and a basic Sect’s uniform. These were standard for new recruits in the outer sect, meant to lead them in their early cultivation journey.
“This will be your initial allocation,” Xun Shuren said, handing the pouch to Shen Yuan after taking it from the older disciples. “You’ll also receive a monthly allotment of spirit stones and pills to support your cultivation efforts. The jade token will allow you access to the sect’s resources and missions, it will work as your identity token as well inside the sect.
So, keep it on you all the time.”
Shen Yuan took the items from her and gave them a brief look before putting them away. “Thank you for the efforts.” he nodded politely towards the sect disciples who brought him the resources.
As they left the hall after taking the monthly resources, Huo Rong couldn’t help but ask him. “How do you like the sect so far, Yuan’er? Is it to your liking? or did you not find it interesting enough?”
Shen Yuan chuckled softly. “It’s refreshing, actually. This sect is peaceful from what I have observed so far, probably due to the serene cultivation atmosphere, i will enjoy my time here thoroughly.”
Han Qingyu walked beside them, her excitement showing clearly on her face, “Still, it doesn’t make sense that you got basic resources when you have completed a trial that no other has been able to complete in such a long time. But I guess that’s what makes your approach meaningful, otherwise, it would lose its purpose if you get preferential treatment.”
Shen Yuan smiled lightly and agreed with her, “You just need to focus on cultivating diligently and leave the rest of the work to me. I still need to learn a few things. But now that I have come here and joined the sect, I have all the time in the world to do that.”
Xun Shuren led the group toward Shen Yuan’s assigned living quarters in the outer sect. The path they walked was lined with cherry blossoms and tranquil gardens, offering a serene atmosphere for cultivation practice and exchanging pointers with each other. It also suited the gentle temperament of the teachings of the sect.
As they walked, Shen Yuan could sense many eyes on him—some filled with curiosity, others with a hint of awe or attraction. But he didn’t mind them one bit and continued walking forward.
“Here we are,” Xun Shuren said, gesturing toward a small courtyard. “These will be your quarters for now. It’s modest but comfortable, though you should have been in a courtyard with 3 others, but since you are a male disciple, I think there would be a lot of disturbance if other disciples raised questions about that. You have received your own courtyard, isn’t this nice?”
The courtyard was simple yet elegant, with a small pond at one side and a bamboo grove to one side. It was a peaceful and secluded spot, ideal for focused cultivation. Shen Yuan nodded in approval.
“Hehe, I wouldn’t have minded sharing a courtyard with those cute disciples,” he said, stepping into the courtyard. “This place is good as well, I can spend my time peacefully with my family.”
Huo Rong felt her lips twitch as she nudged his back harder, “You want cute disciples to live with you eh, should I tell that to Master?”
Shen Yuan jumped a little forward, chuckling lightly as he replied, “Hehe~ she would want them to join my harem if they were good enough.”
Huo Rong just stomped her foot on the ground and ignored his comment.
Xun Shuren smiled, ignoring their banter as she said. “Good. You will find that the outer sect is indeed a cozy place to live in and the disciples are also quite good, though I don’t know how they will treat you. Hehe~ you will have to figure that out yourself.”
Huo Rong, who had walked back towards the entrance leaned against the door, her usual smirk on her face. “It will be fun to see how you will take care of all of this now Yuan’er. Let’s see how much you can enjoy yourself before Master comes back.”
Shen Yuan glanced at her, amused. “You sound like you’re expecting me to struggle if she comes out of seclusion.”
Han Qingyu giggled, “Maybe not struggle, but it’ll be fun to see how you handle her once she finds out you were going to get a few outer sect disciples into your courtyard, Brother Yuan.”
Shen Yuan grinned. “Challenges are what I thrive on. I’ll let her know who she is dealing with.”
He also sneakily sends a message to Huo Rong through Harem Connect, ‘[And what will Mom even do when she comes out? Heh~ we will get wild once she comes out, she won’t have time to worry about this minor matter.]’