Chapter 109: Sect

Mei Xuan was startled by Wei Yuning's exaggerated expression.

"If you are a destined person, I'll naturally sell you the wood spirit; as for Nie Ziqing, I only need my heart, and he can't do anything to me. When I advance to the Heart-Moving Stage, I'll naturally go kill him, I don't need your help!" she said immediately.

"My killing him has nothing to do with you! This… scoundrel actually dared to use me; just for that, I can't let him go!" Wei Yuning explained with unusual forcefulness.

"Boss, if you kill Nie Ziqing, what will the Hundred Alliance do when they find out?" After Mei Xuan shut off the cold of her Frost Snow Armor, Snow Eagle and Sea Swallow both rushed over. Snow Eagle, seeing the boss seemed a bit impulsive, quickly reminded him not to do anything foolish.

"Senior Brother, Master Nie will bring the White Sail Jade Badge next time he comes; if you want to kill him, you at least need to take the jade badge first!" Sea Swallow also stepped forward to remind him.

"Then it's settled: once we get the White Sail Jade Badge, we'll shut the shop door, and then strike together, killing him outright!" When it comes to ruthlessness, Snow Eagle is a top figure.

Mei Xuan: "…"

Within the protective mountain formation of Guest-Coming Peak, any outsider staying must be vouched for by an inner disciple, and they may only reside in the commercial district, not mixed into the sect disciples' quarters or residential area.

Mei Xuan cares greatly about her safety and doesn't want to stay in a crowded, nosy inn, which makes the problem unsolvable.

"How about it, Sister Mei Xuan, join the Cloud Hidden Sect!" Sea Swallow suddenly said from the side.

When Mei Xuan lifted her veil, she appeared as a delicate young girl—not particularly beautiful, but with graceful bearing and the aura of an educated woman; moreover, accustomed to being the head of a manor, despite her modest looks, she exuded the presence of someone in authority.

Sea Swallow and Snow Eagle were both under twenty, yet they both instinctively called her sister.

"May I join the Cloud Hidden Sect?" Mei Xuan asked, puzzled.

"It should be possible; you're also a villager within the Cloud Hidden Sect's sphere of influence… as long as your aptitude is sufficient, there's no problem," Wei Yuning said uncertainly.

Mei Xuan has a wood-type spiritual root, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, under twenty years old; within the sect, her aptitude is slightly above average. However, she possesses a special bloodline, and her actual combat power is not weaker than that of a Heart-Moving Stage cultivator; by that standard, she could directly become an inner disciple.

"But why has my father never dealt with this? I thought I couldn't join a celestial sect!" Mei Xuan said.

Wei Yuning also hesitated a bit; Red Plum Manor is so unique, less than two hundred li from the sect, so logically the sect must know about this place.

"If you truly wish to join the Cloud Hidden Sect, I can take you to meet someone!" Wei Yuning said.

The person they need to see is naturally Hong Zhi; accepting new disciples into the sect is one of Hong Zhi's duties.

To avoid a miss, Wei Yuning first communicated with Steward Hong Zhi via the Flying Bird messenger. After a incense stick burned, in the external affairs office hall, Mei Xuan and Wei Yuning met Hong Zhi.

Wei Yuning suddenly felt a strange sensation; back then he was introduced into the sect by Senior Sister Qing Ling, and now he has become the introducer.

Qing Wu now has an independent office right next to Hong Zhi; she no longer stands by his side as before. This meeting is of a private nature, so Qing Wu is not present.

After the three took their seats, Wei Yuning first introduced Mei Xuan's identity.

"The owner of Red Plum Manor?" Hong Zhi asked, a bit surprised, confirming again.

"Yes, what's the matter, Senior Uncle? Is there any problem with Red Plum Manor?" Wei Yuning asked curiously.

"Red Plum Manor is the territory of the Ancient Immortal Mei Hua. The sect's founding ancestor also had a relationship with him. Mei Hua's ancestor possessed Earth Immortal cultivation, profound skills, especially adept at the art of techniques. Why would his descendants want to join the Cloud Hidden Sect?" Hong Zhi asked, puzzled.

"The Ancient Immortal Mei Hua left the manor long ago; why can't his descendants join the Cloud Hidden Sect?" Wei Yuning looked at the equally puzzled Mei Xuan.

"The sect certainly has no such rule, but such cases are still quite rare!" Hong Zhi stroked his beard, pondering.

"Since there's no rule against it, it's permissible. Rise, Red Plum Manor is also within the Cloud Hidden Sect's sphere, its origins are clear; joining the sect is just right," Wei Yuning said.

Hong Zhi glanced at Wei Yuning, understanding his meaning. The Cloud Hidden Sect does not accept people of unknown origin; that's a basic rule.

Wei Yuning is a special case, yet strictly his background is clear, just a bit odd. Another is Qing Yun, whose situation is similarly special; she arrived at the Cloud Hidden Sect while still in a cradle.

Although she entered the sect, Qing Yun, despite her outstanding aptitude, still cannot become an inner disciple. The same applies to Wei Yuning; Hong Zhi's request to admit him as an inner disciple has yet to receive a reply, and if there were no issues, it should have been approved long ago.

Compared with those two, Mei Xuan's background is definitely spotless.

"Junior Disciple Qing Mo, there's something you don't understand. Within the three‑thousand‑li range of Jiuyun Peak, although it's all under the Cloud Hidden Sect's influence, the Cloud Hidden Sect is not an established sect; as long as one does not oppose the sect, whether a wandering cultivator, a middle sect, or a mortal faction, they are free and not subject to sect control. However, the Cloud Hidden Sect generally does not accept members of major powers into the sect, such as inherited wandering cultivators and sects, even large mortal forces are not accepted; instead, ordinary villagers within the influence area who do not practice cultivation are not subject to this restriction," Hong Zhi said.

"Does Senior Uncle mean that Miss Mei Xuan cannot join the sect?" Wei Yuning asked.

"Not exactly. What I just described is the normal case; in special circumstances they can also join the sect. For example, if they are willing to detach from their original power, or if that power is willing to become a vassal of the Cloud Hidden Sect," Hong Zhi said.

Wei Yuning glanced at Mei Xuan, saw her hesitation, and turned to Steward Hong Zhi, asking, "Senior Uncle Zhi, what responsibilities come with becoming a vassal of the Cloud Hidden Sect?"

Hong Zhi smiled slightly and said, "The sect has always been generous and self‑sufficient; on ordinary days it doesn't require anything from its vassal forces. However, as a sect‑affiliated power under the sect's protection, you must pay a tax of eleven percent of income, and any special products within your domain, aside from personal use, must be supplied to the Cloud Hidden Sect first; of course, the sect purchases them at market price."

"In that case, joining the sect doesn't cost much, and you gain the sect's protection; why then do many surrounding powers still refuse to join?" Wei Yuning asked curiously.

"Hehe, Junior Disciple stays inside the gate and never goes out, becoming narrow‑minded. It's not that they are unwilling; it's that we don't accept them. Of course, there are forces and wandering cultivators who prefer freedom; they'd rather take the sect's employment than become peripheral vassals. In short, the Cloud Hidden Sect is self‑sufficient, rarely borrowing external resources; each additional power adds a burden," Hong Zhi laughed.

"And Red Plum Manor?" Wei Yuning asked, looking a bit confused at Hong Zhi.