Chapter 123: Chapter 119: Du Youqian’s New Assignment
Having lived for over two hundred years, Feng Xiaoyi had long since developed incredibly discerning eyes.
She saw right through Du Youqian’s probing question and smiled faintly. "Don’t even think about it. The Sect Leader must be selected from the True Inheritors. This has been the rule since the Holy Blood Sect was founded tens of thousands of years ago. People are slowly finding loopholes in some of the old rules, but this is one no one dares to break."
Du Youqian felt a pang of regret, but on the surface, he just smiled nonchalantly. "I didn’t mean that. Does this mean you have no chance of becoming the Sect Leader either, Master?"
Feng Xiaoyi rolled her eyes at him. "Of course. I didn’t come from the ranks of True Inheritors. Reaching Core Formation was something of a fluke for me. If you become a True Inheritor, it’s like you already have one foot in the Core Formation Realm. For those of us who aren’t, the path to Core Formation is far more arduous. If you’re truly dedicated to the Great Dao, you shouldn’t have chosen me as your master. You should have sought out Old Ghost Lin or Old Ghost Chen. They train their disciples with the express purpose of becoming True Inheritors."
Du Youqian grinned. "You are the best master. Even if I searched for a hundred or a thousand years, I could never find a master better than you."
"Enough with the flattery," Feng Xiaoyi said, leaning forward. The expanse of fair, smooth skin revealed by her neckline nearly blinded Du Youqian. She feigned a slap, but her delicate, boneless-seeming hand ended up just tapping him gently on the cheek. "Since you don’t want to compete for the title of True Inheritor but still want to keep your chance at Core Formation, your two best options are the External Affairs Hall and the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall."
"What about the Bright Law Hall?" Du Youqian asked, curious.
Feng Xiaoyi just shook her head. "Definitely not. The Bright Law Hall is its own isolated system, and it offers few resources or perks. Those who go that route have almost no chance of reaching Core Formation. The Inheritance Hall is unsuitable for the same reason."
Du Youqian asked humbly, "Master, between the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and the External Affairs Hall, which is better?"
’He had actually been looking into these two halls himself.’
The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall’s main duties involved issuing missions and distributing Contribution Points. Its members weren’t high-ranking, but they held significant influence.
Over the last two thousand years, fifteen Core Formation Lords had risen from the ranks of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall—a remarkably high number.
It couldn’t compare to the True Inheritors, of course.
True Disciples, three per generation, were almost guaranteed to reach Core Formation.
The External Affairs Hall, on the other hand, offered plenty of perks but seemed to involve more menial tasks. Its members were also constantly away from the sect, which could slightly hinder one’s cultivation.
Even so, the External Affairs Hall had also produced a considerable number of Core Formation Cultivators.
Moreover, the External Affairs Hall’s greatest advantage was that of the twenty-odd Core Formation Cultivators currently in the sect, three had come from its ranks. They naturally looked after and promoted their juniors from the hall.
’But Du Youqian knew this was all just surface-level information.’
’His master’s guidance would surely help him avoid many pitfalls.’
Feng Xiaoyi raised a hand to cover a lazy, beautiful yawn. "They each have their pros and cons, of course."
Taking the hint, Du Youqian immediately boiled water, steeped some tea, and presented a cup to Feng Xiaoyi with both hands. "Master, please have some tea."
Feng Xiaoyi shot a look at Hai Tang, who took the cue and promptly excused herself.
Only then did Feng Xiaoyi turn back to Du Youqian. "If you don’t have any strong preferences, I suggest you choose the External Affairs Hall."
She offered no explanation, however.
Du Youqian didn’t ask why, simply agreeing. "Yes, Master. I will go to the External Affairs Hall tomorrow to register."
Feng Xiaoyi laughed, her ample chest trembling. "So eager?"
Du Youqian sighed. "You can’t just live off your savings forever. I need to find a post. Otherwise, no matter how much I got from Xi Mengran, it’ll run out eventually."
Inner Disciples naturally received a generous monthly stipend.
It included both Spiritual Jade and a set amount of Contribution Points.
Even if they only completed the single mandatory mission every three years and didn’t take on any others, they could live comfortably.
But for a Cultivator aspiring to the Great Dao, this stipend was barely enough to cover the costs of cultivation.
There certainly wasn’t enough left over to forge protective Spiritual Artifacts or practice advanced Secret Techniques.
The difference in monthly income between having a proper post and not having one was immense.
Feng Xiaoyi smiled. "There’s no rush. Go whenever you’re ready. I’ll make the necessary arrangements."
"Once you’re in the External Affairs Hall, you can start as a Senior Steward. When you reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, I’ll work things out to make you a Vice Hall Master."
"As a newcomer, you’ll definitely have to participate in garrison duties for a few years. When the time comes, you must choose your post carefully. Pick a suitable one. Do you have any place in mind?"
Du Youqian didn’t know much about this, so he naturally asked for her guidance.
Feng Xiaoyi waved her hand. "Once you join the External Affairs Hall, you’ll find out which places need a garrison. In any case, there are posts all across the Nine Countries of Momenan Desert. If you’re not afraid of desolation and loneliness, you could also garrison a Secret Realm, a High-level Evil Pool, or a Mining Area. The Contribution Point income is quite high, and the extra perks are plentiful. When you have an idea of where you want to go, come ask me again."
She smiled again as she spoke. "Actually, many people use their time in the External Affairs Hall to pave the way for their future. After all, not everyone can hope to reach Core Formation. Most are mediocre and simply die of old age in the Foundation Establishment Realm. As they grow old, they start thinking about passing on their bloodline."
"So, during their tenure, they’ll choose a single post to manage long-term, building up their own personal territory. When they retire from their duties, they apply to the sect for an external assignment, go to their chosen location, marry wives and take concubines, and raise a large family to establish their own Cultivation Clan."
"You could do the same, if you’re interested."
Du Youqian refused unequivocally. "There’s no need. I am dedicated to the Great Dao and have long since severed my worldly attachments. I have no intention of starting a bloodline."
Feng Xiaoyi merely gave a faint smile at Du Youqian’s declaration, then waved her hand. "Go on, then."
After returning to his residence, Du Youqian first performed a divination.
The hexagram indicated that going to the External Affairs Hall was an exceptionally auspicious choice.
He cast another for the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. That path was also auspicious, but the hexagram was far inferior to the one for the External Affairs Hall.
’Then there was no need to hesitate. The External Affairs Hall it was.’
’Du Youqian actually found it a bit strange. Feng Xiaoyi herself hadn’t come up through the External Affairs Hall.’
’He’d heard that in her early years, Feng Xiaoyi had climbed the ranks of the Eight Desolates Hall.’
’If the External Affairs Hall handled diplomacy and intervention, the Eight Desolates Hall’s mission was pure, unadulterated combat.’
’Although the Holy Blood Sect and the Taihe Sect dominated the current age, and most other sects were obedient...’
’...there were always those who were stubbornly defiant, who wouldn’t give up until they were at death’s door.’
’That was when the two sects’ respective combat halls were deployed.’
’It was hard to imagine a delicate beauty like Feng Xiaoyi as a baleful star who once left fields of bodies in her wake during her time in the Eight Desolates Hall.’
’But that was truly how she had risen through the ranks.’
’Then again, it wasn’t particularly surprising that a Core Formation Lord from the Eight Desolates Hall would build her own little faction within the External Affairs Hall.’
「A few days later.」
Du Youqian arrived at the External Affairs Hall with Luo Jinyu and Gu Xiaofang in tow.
