The Purple Sun Sect was founded hundreds of years ago. There are countless descendants from generations of Sect Leaders, Elders, and Supreme Elders. If everyone only reaped the benefits and never contributed, how could the Sect continue to operate?

Of course, that doesn’t mean Outer Disciples get no benefits and only ever give back.

Outer Disciples receive three Qi Replenishing Pills every month. They can also earn contribution points by completing tasks, which can be used to exchange for Outer Sect Martial Arts or cultivation opportunities in Tianfeng Valley."

"Only three years? That’s not a problem at all!" Zhang Yong said with a laugh.

He had struggled in the mire for years. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he could endure anything.

Sun Tao nodded. "A great Martial Dao sect is on another level entirely. Their generosity is truly remarkable."

’To think that an Outer Disciple, which sounds like a common beast of burden, would receive three Qi Replenishing Pills for free each month, on top of Sect contribution points.’

Back in Qingyuan County, even a Bone Marrow Cleansing Master serving as a Tributor for a wealthy family only earned fifty taels a month.

Xu Yang, however, secretly shook his head. He wasn’t nearly as optimistic as Sun Tao and Zhang Yong.

’The Purple Sun Sect is so secretive about its affairs. There has to be a hidden reason.’

’The Martial Arts Examination is held every two years, with at least fifty people achieving Dragon Ascension each time. Yet, you rarely hear of anyone returning from the Purple Sun Sect. Could it be that those who join the sect never end up returning to Qingyuan County?’

’It’s not that they don’t come back... I’m afraid they all die out there.’

’Fifty people every two years means five hundred in twenty years. Yet, back in Qingyuan County, you almost never heard of any Dragon Ascending Genius who left ever coming back.’

’Of course, it was possible he was just overthinking things. After all, there was very little information to go on.’

’Still, he couldn’t let his guard down. Once he entered the Purple Sun Sect, he had to keep as low a profile as possible.’

「Several days later.」

The group galloped into a magnificent, sprawling mountain range. The great mountains lay like colossal, slumbering dragons, with mist steaming and rising like clouds. Ancient trees, centuries old, were a common sight, and a wild, primordial aura washed over them.

For a moment, everyone felt that the very air had become much sweeter.

"Pick up the pace! We’re entering Purple Sun Sect territory now!" Li He called out, cracking his whip.

Everyone’s spirits soared, and they spurred their horses on, kicking up a cloud of dust that filled the sky.

After riding hard for another hour, they finally saw palaces ahead, built into the mountainsides and perched on the peaks. They were brilliant and majestic, like a heavenly palace hidden amongst the clouds, with white cranes dancing in the air and giant birds circling overhead.

In addition to the celestial palaces, nestled amongst the countless mountains and ravines, the group also spotted a city built upon the land. Judging by its scale, it was even a fair bit larger than the capital of Qingyuan County.

"The Purple Sun Sect is a city?" someone asked in astonishment.

’If everyone in this city was a disciple, just how many people would the Purple Sun Sect have? Two hundred thousand? Three hundred thousand?’

"This is Cyan Yang City. It was originally just a small village. After years of development, it grew into a city unknown to the outside world. The people who live here are the descendants of past Purple Sun Sect disciples, or the families of current disciples.

If you can establish a foothold in the Purple Sun Sect, marry, and have children in the future, your families will be able to live here in Cyan Yang City."

Soon, the group arrived before the main gate of the Purple Sun Sect. The three words "Purple Sun Sect" were carved in bold, powerful strokes onto a massive, strangely shaped boulder.

"Everyone dismount. Don’t wander off. Stay with me."

Li He was the first to jump down from his horse, brushing the dust from his clothes.

"What about the horses?" Zhang Yong asked.

’My horse cost ten taels of silver,’ he thought. ’It seems a waste to just abandon it, but from the looks of things, the Purple Sun Sect won’t have a place for me to keep it.’

"The horses are to be left behind! Just take your luggage. You won’t be needing them anymore!" Li He shouted.

Many of the recruits winced, clearly pained by the loss, but they had no choice but to comply.

Xu Yang also felt a pang of regret. A horse worth seven or eight taels, just abandoned like that. ’At the very least, we could have butchered it for meat. That would have fed us for ten, maybe twenty days,’ he thought. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Disciples were guarding the main gate. Li He went forward to present some official documents, and only then was the group permitted to enter.

They followed Li He down a wide road paved with bluestone slabs. Before long, a vast lake came into view. People were out on the water in boats, and others were fishing along the shore.

Beside the lake was a large plaza with a palace built next to it.

Li He led the group to the front of the palace, which he entered alone.

He soon reemerged, accompanied by a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and a profound aura. The man was holding a register.

"I am Zhao Qing, an Outer Sect Steward of the Purple Sun Sect. All of you, with me."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Go on. Just follow Steward Zhao’s arrangements," Li He said with a wave of his hand. He then turned and walked off in another direction.

Everyone gave Li He a fist and palm salute before hurrying to catch up with Zhao Qing.