Chapter 289: Chapter 288: Eight Major Benefits, Three Major Rules (First Update, Please Subscribe)
Lu Family.
In the grand hall, Lu Xuanji sits high upon the throne.
Standing to the west of the throne is a woman, her expression respectful, she speaks, "Becoming a guest minister of the Dan Yang Sect comes with the following benefits."
"First, you will receive one thousand middle-grade spirit stones annually as salary!"
"Second, you may withdraw a piece of fourth-grade divine material from the Dan Yang Sect, for crafting divine weapons."
"Third, you can obtain an elder token, and in times of crisis, you can use the elder token to call for assistance from Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators!"
"Fourth, you can acquire some talismans or tokens as life-preserving measures."
"Fifth, purchasing cultivation techniques in the Dan Yang Sect will be at half price, pill formulas at thirty percent, elixirs at seventy percent, and browsing non-cultivation books at thirty percent."
"Sixth, a mountain peak will be bestowed to you as a place of cultivation!"
"Seventh, some territory, civilians, and cultivators will be granted as your vassals."
"Eighth, there might be guidance from Nascent Soul elders or Golden Core elders!"
The female cultivator spoke, explaining some benefits and treatment from the Dan Yang Sect.
These benefits are quite generous and favorable.
Yet Lu Xuanji, listening, remained unmoved, instead asking, "What do I need to give in return?"
"First, you must adhere to the sect rules of the Dan Yang Sect. Although Golden Core cultivators have the ability to break rules, it is best not to do so; second, complete some tasks of the Dan Yang Sect periodically; third, establish a branch within the Dan Yang Sect, recruit disciples and leave a heritage in the sect; fourth, you may form a Dao companion with a female cultivator or take in some female cultivators as concubines in the Dan Yang Sect."
The female cultivator spoke, stating some rules.
"As a Golden Core cultivator, what rules must I follow?" Lu Xuanji asked, "In the Dan Yang Sect, what are the sect rules?"
"These are the sect rules, senior, please take a closer look!"
The female cultivator respectfully handed over a booklet.
The booklet contained numerous rules, around three hundred in total.
Browsing through it roughly, these sect rules had a lenient side and a strict side, overall they seemed reasonable.
"Sorry, senior, I took the wrong one!"
The female cultivator apologized, seemingly realizing something, handed over another booklet.
Lu Xuanji smiled, not minding the female cultivator’s little thoughts, accepted the booklet, which merely contained three rules: First, do not slaughter ordinary civilians, do not practice demonic techniques; second, follow the rules, do not attack ordinary cultivators; third, do not betray the sect.
In comparison, many rules in the earlier booklet were directly omitted.
The previous booklet clearly stated, collusion with demonic cultivators means death, collusion with demon cultivators means death, practicing demonic techniques means death, fleeing in battle means death.
Yet after reaching the Golden Core level, these rules vanished.
If Purple Mansion cultivators befriend demon race cultivators, they may be labeled as traitors and directly slain; but if Golden Core cultivators befriend demon race cultivators, it’s seen as resolving grievances with the demon race;
If Purple Mansion cultivators practice demonic techniques, they may be hunted by strong cultivators to eliminate demons; but Golden Core cultivators practicing demonic techniques are seen as sacrificing oneself to feed demons for better detecting flaws in demonic techniques.
In the sect rules, Foundation Establishment cultivators, Purple Mansion cultivators must fight to the death; if opting to flee, they may be executed by the Elder Council to warn others, even implicating their clans;
But if Golden Core cultivators opt for strategic withdrawal, many perceive it as a rational act.
"I understand the sect rules, what are the periodic tasks?"
Lu Xuanji inquired.
"Golden Core senior, you need to complete some sect tasks every thirty years, mainly involving alchemy, training disciples, or stationing in certain areas, it won’t consume much time." the female cultivator said: "These tasks won’t take long and won’t disrupt cultivation time."
"The third rule, leaving a heritage in the Dan Yang Sect will instill a sense of belonging to the sect; the fourth rule, having Dao companions, concubines, and offspring within the Dan Yang Sect will strengthen a sense of belonging! I hope senior treats the Dan Yang Sect as home!"
Lu Xuanji asked, while the female cultivator answered, the interaction was quite harmonious.
Joining the Dan Yang Sect and becoming a guest elder seems to offer less work and more pay, close to home, with high position and light responsibility.
If passing the examination period, becoming an official elder, the treatment and benefits will further enhance.
Then, introducing the power structure of the Dan Yang Sect.
The Dan Yang Sect has a structure of five major clans, nine halls, and eighteen peaks.
The five major clans are the Ye Family, Zhao Family, Qian Family, Sun Family, Jin Family, etc., these clans hold enormous power within the Dan Yang Sect, each guarded by several Golden Core cultivators, constituting great strength.
The nine halls include the Law Enforcement Hall, Pill Hall, Artifact Hall, Inheritance Hall, Spirit Medicine Hall, Spiritual Stone Hall, Talisman Hall, Array Hall, Merit Hall, each named and overseen by Golden Core cultivators. However, Golden Core cultivators are primarily occupied with cultivation and don’t concern themselves with mundane matters, leaving all affairs to be managed by vice hall masters.
The eighteen peaks mainly carry on cultivation techniques and are also overseen by Golden Core cultivators.
Lu Xuanji pondered, "How many Golden Cores does the Dan Yang Sect have?"
"It’s hard to say, hard to say!"
The female cultivator said: "In the Dan Yang Sect, some Golden Core elders have not been seen for a long time, some are in secluded meditation, some have entered secret realms, some have ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, some are traveling outside, some might have perished."
"As for how many Golden Cores the Dan Yang Sect possesses, I don’t know either. Officially recorded are about a hundred, yet regularly active and confirmed alive are only fifty, with approximately eighteen active in Purple Sun Mountain."
Lu Xuanji asked, "Are there no soul lamps to verify the life or death of Golden Core cultivators?"
The female cultivator showed a peculiar expression, but still replied: "Senior should know that some demonic techniques can use blood or hair to cast curses. If a demonic cultivator acquires a certain soul lamp, it may use it to cast some curse and kill the cultivator."
"In the ancient era, some sects set up soul lamps with two purposes: one was to determine the life or death of sect cultivators; if a cultivator died, it could revive them by using the soul lamp, this was a positive side; but on the flip side, it threatened sect cultivators by using the soul lamp, locating the cultivator’s position and casting curses on them."
"Later these rules were abolished due to the significant negative impact."
"What’s the difference between soul lamps and a slave contract!"
Lu Xuanji nodded.
This brought to mind how rules differ greatly between ancient and modern times.
The female cultivator continued: "Upon attaining Golden Core, you can become a guest elder, yet according to the examination, it’s divided into bronze, silver, and gold grades. Senior, it’s best to attend the Dan Yang Sect examination in three days!"
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PS: It’s New Year, a bit chaotic. The second Chapter is being written.