Chapter 9: Three Teachings and Seven Sects
In the heart of a colossal immortal mountain, layered peaks rose amid swirling mists, with immortal cranes soaring and colorful phoenixes dancing through the air.
At the mountain's pinnacle floated a grand palace, its entire structure gleaming purple-gold, bathed in a radiant purple-golden halo.
Within the palace's most secluded chamber lay a misty hot spring. Crisp laughter and feminine gasps echoed from its steamy waters, where several nude beauties frolicked playfully.
A woman of noble bearing and peerless beauty, appearing around thirty or forty, reclined against the jade rocks behind her. A cinnabar mole adorned her brow, her willow brows slanting into her temples, her bright phoenix eyes half-lidded in languid bliss. Her exquisite melon-seed face was smooth and pale, her nose refined, her cherry lips parted slightly. Her raven hair cascaded down her back, and below her snowy neck rose a pair of lofty, full jade breasts. The lower half of her body was veiled by rising steam, mysterious and alluring.
Several stunning maidens swam around her in the water. Two others, equally nude with flawless porcelain skin and ravishing faces, flanked her chest—one on each side—each suckling a jade breast. Their vermilion lips parted, tender tongues gliding as they gently nursed her breast flesh and nipples, savoring her with relish.
Between the noble woman's parted thighs crouched another beautiful girl with snow-white skin, lost in rapture as she licked her mistress's pink labia, sucking on the tender folds and the sweet nectar that periodically seeped from her immortal grotto.
Two more lovely maidens each embraced one of the woman's slender legs, their nimble tongues sweeping back and forth over her delicate pink jade feet, producing soft smacking sounds.
One hand of the noble woman gently stroked the head of the girl lapping at her pussy, her lips emitting soft mmphs of pleasure. Suddenly, a rich fragrance emanated from deep within her tender hole, her skin exuding a clear scent that filled the entire spring with an enchanting aroma. The girl eating her out quickened her pace upon catching the scent, her tongue delving into the woman's slick channel, stirring rapidly. As the fragrance intensified, the woman cried out with a "Ah!", her long legs clamping lightly as her body trembled. Her abdomen contracted sharply, her plump crimson mantou lips fluttering open and closed, spurting gushes of slick nectar that the girl caught eagerly in her mouth. The fluid was sweet as immortal brew!
The other girls nursing her breasts and feet crowded forward, mouths open to vie for the nectar flowing from her pussy.
The surrounding maidens watched enviously—one taste of that nectar surpassed years of bitter cultivation!
As the phoenix-eyed woman savored her climax's afterglow, her delicate frame shuddered. She opened her eyes, their gaze flowing with grace, and her clear voice rang out coolly. "The jade pendant's spiritual energy is depleted. He must be in danger..."
"Lady." The women paused, all turning to her.
The phoenix-eyed woman's eyes remained serene. "Zi Yi, descend the mountain. Go to Feng Zhou and find a youth wearing a Purple Moon jade pendant on his chest. Settle him safely, far from the cultivation world."
"As you command!"
One maiden shot forth. Before her feet touched the ground, a set of purple gauze robes from a nearby jade tray flew up, along with undergarments, draping over her. Purple silk stockings of heavenly silkworm thread encased her legs, lending her an air of nobility, mystery, and allure. She coiled her hair into soaring cloud buns.
"Don't let the sect master know of this..."
"Disciple understands."
The maiden's bare feet hovered snow-white above the ground. With each step, ripples spread like water waves. She glanced back suddenly. "Lady, why not go see him yourself? Just a glance—the sect master won't know."
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "I dare not. If I see him... I fear I won't want to leave."
"Disciple understands."
The maiden turned, vanishing as a streak of purple light.
…
The next morning, the Medicine King Sect's bell tolled, its melodious peals drifting across the sect grounds.
All members streamed toward the grand hall—they knew a sect assembly was called.
It was because they still hadn't found who delivered the corpse bones; Yao Lao Ren planned to address it at the gathering.
Footsteps echoed endlessly as disciples filed into the hall to pay respects to the sect master and elders.
"What's going on?"
"Heard some disciple brought back a corpse from who-knows-where. Super inauspicious. Sect master's hunting for the guy..."
Wei Yun arrived arm-in-arm with Mo Xiu Yun, taking spots at the rear. From there, they could glimpse the sect master seated on the high mat, flanked by the four elders and their three true disciples.
One was a handsome, elegant man with a longsword on his back; another a woman with starry eyes, snow-white skin, and ethereal grace, like an immortal descended—like a heavenly beauty. She cradled a small jade vial. Beside her stood a youth with a jasper gourd at his waist, a faint smile on his face. These three were Bai Wu You, Ye Chen Yu, and Qing Feng—the Medicine King Sect's true disciples.
The other seven true disciples were reportedly away on sect missions.
Beautiful... so beautiful!
Wei Yun admired Ye Chen Yu's stunning visage, sighing inwardly. Compared to the soul-snaring seductiveness of Shui Hong Yao, he'd rather die in Ye Chen Yu's embrace...
At that moment, Yao Lao Ren's voice resounded.
"Yesterday, a disciple returned the remains of a senior with great merit. Which disciple was it? Step forward—the sect has a reward."
Murmurs rippled below, but no one came forward.
Wei Yun's heart thumped. A reward?? Probably a punishment... This young master ain't falling for it. No way I'm admitting it...
With no claimant, Yao Lao Ren continued. "We'll set this aside for now; the disciple may come to me later. Today, beyond this, I have words for you all—especially the new initiates."
"We cultivate for immortality, ascension to the immortal realm; to slay demons, uphold justice. Thus we justify our time in this world. All else is trivial. Tian Yun Continent's history spans hundreds of thousands of years, birthing countless predecessors who attained the Dao, leaving legends and ruins. They wielded heaven-shaking might, yet the world remains unrestful—for where the Dao rises one foot, the demons rise ten.
"As you know, the present age has the Three Teachings and Seven Sects: one great demon sect, two great demon sects, and our righteous path's seven great sects."
Wei Yun had heard of the era's top ten sects, divided into four factions: Tai Xuan Immortal Sect, Purple Moon Immortal Sect, Fu Yun Ge, Medicine King Sect, Guan Miao Zong—these five Daoist sects; Da Fo Si and Xiao Mi Zong, the two Buddhist sects; Xue Shen Jiao and Tian Mo Jiao, the two demonic sects; and the enigmatic Xie Yi Jiao of the demon race. Together, the Three Teachings and Seven Sects, each with doctrines distinguishing righteous from evil—the Three as evil, the Seven as righteous.
Buddhism emphasized compassion and salvation, subduing demons; Daoism saved only the worthy, slaying demons decisively; demonic sects knew no good or evil, sparing no means; the demon sect acted bizarrely, beyond mortal logic, for all were demon cultivators.
Buddhist and Daoist sects agreed: most worldly evils stemmed from demonic sects disrupting order. Thus, righteous and demonic stood irreconcilable.
Yao Lao Ren went on. "Eight hundred years ago, the cultivation world saw an immortal-demon war. Evil cannot triumph over good—we righteous prevailed. Now our path flourishes, demons wane. Yet worry lingers! Recently, visiting Guan Miao Zong to consult Tian Ji Zi on heavenly secrets, I learned the demonic sects stir again. Demons lurk everywhere—this is why Medicine King Sect expanded this year. Train diligently, raise your cultivation, contribute to our righteous cause."
After much lecturing, Yao Lao Ren fell silent, eyes closing.
The burly Shi Zhu Elder rose, his piercing gaze sweeping the disciples. "Who brought the senior's bones? Truly no one claims it? Fear the sect mistreats you, or harbor guilt!"
Silence gripped the hall.
Shi Zhu's fiery temper was infamous; Bai Zhi was sharp-tongued but soft-hearted—he meant business, striking if enraged.
His roar left Wei Yun rattled, far from confessing.
With no answers, Yao Lao Ren dismissed the assembly.
As they dispersed, Shi Zhu snarled. "That thief hides guilt, eyeing the Universe in Sleeve divine ability!"
Su Mu Elder smiled slyly. "Brother, your bluster won't coax him out."
Shi Zhu eyed him. "Then what?"
Su Mu fell quiet.
Yao Lao Ren opened his turbid eyes, waving dismissively. "Enough. Shift focus to Feng Hu—no news in days. Something's amiss."
Bai Shu Elder reassured. "Sect Master Brother, rest easy. With their strength, no benefits perhaps, but no mortal peril."
Yao Lao Ren nodded.
Wei Yun slunk back to his cave trembling, sealing himself in for half a month of rigorous cultivation. Only when he'd maxed several arts, including the Medicine King Scripture, did he emerge, opening his door to breathe the early spring air.
Now at Foundation Establishment perfection, Wei Yun needed just one final push to Golden Core—but that step was arduous, demanding not just qi accumulation but heart-tempering.
Golden Core meant promotion from outer to inner disciple, with greater sect perks.
"Junior Brother, long time no see."
Mo Xiu Yun appeared in azure robes from a side path, a three-foot sword at her waist, ancient in style.
Wei Yun blinked. "Whoa, Senior Sister, what's with the new magic tool after a few days? Struck it rich?"
She approached, caressing her sword, grinning. "Sharp eye—this mid-grade artifact has over a dozen Earth Fiend restrictions, mighty fierce. I've done tasks to earn ten talisman notes, bought it at sect discount—half off!"
"Senior Sister, our Medicine King Sect rules with wood arts. Why not hone the Medicine King Scripture with a healing tool instead of swordplay?"
She patted his shoulder. "You wouldn't get it. I've decided on the sword path—for common ground with Senior Brother Bai Wu You, see? And for you, perfect the Medicine King Scripture for Ye Chen Yu Senior Sister... though a sword never hurts. Sword-bearers are all handsome."
"Swords make you handsome?"
"Of course! Look at you—no sword, not handsome. Now Senior Brother Wu You..."
"Senior Sister speaks wisdom." Wei Yun ogled exaggeratedly. "Whoa, Senior Sister, your breasts grew again in days, legs longer too. Wu You Brother will fall for you!"
"Really? I don't feel it."
She smiled. "Natural. Learn, Junior Brother—spruce up. Get handsome, and Ye Chen Yu Senior Sister might notice."
Wei Yun nodded sagely, following her into her cave.
True to a girl's touch, it was dainty: green plants by the door, copper mirror on the table with rouge and powder, Bai Wu You portrait on the wall, spotless clothes on bamboo racks.
Wei Yun eyed a red bellyband. "Tsk, Senior Sister, not as pretty as the one you gave me."
Her cheeks flushed. "Mine's for wearing—not picked for you."
"Which one's on you now, Senior Sister?"
"Not telling."
"Show me—won't cost flesh."
"Scram."
"So harsh to Junior Brother?"
"Harsh it is."
"I'll strip too—fair trade?"
"Scram!" Mo Xiu Yun bellowed.
Wei Yun clutched his ears, fleeing.
Mo Xiu Yun watched his back, mind wandering, comparing him to Bai Wu You—her face soon red to the neck.
Wei Yun craved Golden Core breakthrough but knew haste failed. He wandered the sect, hoping for opportunity.
He reached a plaza bustling with inner and outer disciples hawking wares, bargaining over swords, blades, elixirs.
This was the sect's permitted disciple market.
Sect trades fixed prices, profiting more than disciples via low buy, high sell.
Here, free pricing meant bargain hunts.
Wei Yun browsed, inquiring casually. Sellers enthusiastic, buyers stingy—high sells met low buys, some deals closing.
"Bad luck—selling this jade at loss to Brother!"
"Heh, Brother, it's warm and spiritual, but three rank-one talisman notes cover it."
…
Wei Yun saw nothing he needed.
Then a rat-faced, squat outer disciple caught his eye, glancing about without hawking—clearly selling something obscure, ignored.
Growing anxious, he spotted Wei Yun, grabbing his arm. "Junior Brother, prime goods—you need this!"
Wei Yun pried free slowly. "Wrong mark, Senior Brother."
He panicked. "If Tian Guang cheats you, may thunder strike me five times!"
Intrigued, Wei Yun asked. "What ya got?"
He whispered. "Prime stuff!"
From his bosom came a white jade slip. "Junior Brother, treasure—only here in the sect."
"Oh? Tell me more."
"A cultivation art I chanced on during a mission. Usable thrice—original owner once, me once, one left. You're decent, so cheap for you!"
"What art?" Wei Yun grew curious.
Tian Guang barely breathed. "Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art…"
"What?!" Wei Yun's eyes widened.
"Shh!" Tian Guang clamped his mouth. "Quiet, Junior Brother!"
Wei Yun eyed the scrawny outer brother speechlessly.
Medicine King Sect, one of the righteous seven, allowed romance and women—even sold potency pills—but regulated shady arts like Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art. Only pavilion-approved; private practice meant Bai Zhi's discipline.
No wonder the secrecy.
Wei Yun wavered. He needed it—his physique absorbed yin essence for gains; twice drained of yang left trauma. He craved dual-cultivation prowess to avoid repeats.
Prime age for spring urges, yang bursting—no way he'd swear off women.
"How much?" he whispered.
Tian Guang grinned sleazily. "Cheap—ten rank-one talisman notes. Friends' price, no profit."
Wei Yun scowled. "Too steep, Brother."
As he turned, Tian Guang yanked him. "Not steep! No loss! Most arts are yin-for-yang or yang-for-yin—mine benefits both, ancient high-grade!"
Wei Yun hesitated.
"Junior Brother, post-art, my short root grew thick, half-foot long! Women scream ecstasy. I keep two concubine beauties downhill—can't tell, eh?"
Wei Yun eyed the rat-faced dwarf dubiously.
"Bonus: Sakura Sect beauty rankings! Handy for whoring there!"
He thrust the slip and thick colorful booklet eagerly.
Wei Yun grudgingly pulled five rank-one notes. "That's it."
"Junior Brother, c'mon—add more!"
After fumbling, two more. "Really out."
Tian Guang pocketed seven, beaming. "Generous, Junior Brother! May your arts soar. Off to Sakura Sect for fun!"
He turned and left.