Chapter 100: Registered Disciple

At Xie Yuan’s loud command, an elderly man dressed in a gray robe hurried inside without a moment’s delay.

“Cai Kun, register this young brother as a named disciple,” Xie Yuan said, pointing to Yang Ze and gesturing to the elderly man in gray to proceed with the registration.

Cai Kun was a martial artist of the fourth rank, Unity Realm, but upon hearing Xie Yuan’s order, he dared not delay. He approached Yang Ze, took him along, and went to a side chamber to complete the registration formalities.

After Yang Ze followed Cai Kun away, Xie Yuan’s expression shifted slightly. He looked at Ning Teng and cautiously asked, “Senior Brother Ning, does this person have some background that makes you value him so highly?”

Xie Yuan had long been the chief elder of the Qingyang Hall, and he had known Ning Teng even longer. Although Ning Teng showed no particular reaction, Xie Yuan could sense that Yang Ze held a special significance for him.

“This person has no special background. He’s just a minor figure from the martial world that I happened to encounter on this visit. Don’t pay too much attention to him. If he truly had a great background, would he still be a Qi Initiate Realm martial artist at this age? If he had a proper family heritage, I have ways to help him advance directly to first rank,” Ning Teng said calmly, yet with an undeniable air of authority.

Xie Yuan laughed heartily. “If anyone else said that, I might not believe it, but since you say so, Senior Brother, I trust you. Besides you, no one else could hold the position of chief elder in the Outer Court with only fifth rank cultivation.”

He sighed, “Well, the competition among named disciples will start soon. I’m eager to see what kind of results the person you brought can achieve.”

Ning Teng gave Xie Yuan a deep look but said nothing.

Meanwhile, in the side chamber, Cai Kun took out a ledger and began leafing through it until he found a blank entry near the end. He then started recording.

“Name, age, cultivation level, place of origin...”

“Yang Ze, nineteen years old, advanced Qi Initiate Realm, from Yuyang City, Quanyang Prefecture, Yangzhou...” Yang Ze answered each question in turn.

Cai Kun kept his head down while registering, only glancing up briefly when Yang Ze mentioned Yuyang City.

Within a few moments, Cai Kun finished recording. He then produced a jade slip and inscribed Yang Ze’s name at the end.

“The thick ledger contains the basic information of all named disciples in our Martial Academy’s history. This jade slip records the names of those currently recognized as named disciples. Once you lose the status of named disciple, your name will no longer be kept on this slip. Now that your information is complete, you are effectively a half-named disciple,” Cai Kun explained as he pulled out a small pouch about the size of two palms.

He rummaged through the room, gathered many items, and placed them into the pouch before handing it to Yang Ze.

“This contains what every named disciple receives upon entering the academy. I’ve brought all the benefits of being a named disciple for you as well.”

“Inside are your named disciple attire, the academy’s rulebook, a map of Qingyang Peak, the named disciple code, a Peiyuan Pill, and a Qigong manual.”

“Oh, and the Peiyuan Pill can be claimed every month—it’s a named disciple’s benefit. Also included are ten taels of silver as your monthly allowance. Although we’re in the Martial Academy, you won’t be shortchanged financially,” Cai Kun said.

Next, Cai Kun produced a white token inscribed with the words “Named Disciple” on the front and the emblem of the Mystical Martial Academy in the background; the back was blank.

He traced a few lines on it, engraving Yang Ze’s name.

“This is your identity token. Remember, it symbolizes your status. Never lose it. If you cause trouble because of losing it, don’t come looking for me.”

“That completes the registration process for becoming a named disciple. For other matters, just review the rules and the named disciple code on your own. Let’s go—I need to arrange your accommodation.”

After handing all the items to Yang Ze, Cai Kun led him outside, where Ning Teng and Xie Yuan were still waiting.

“Elder, Yang Ze’s registration is complete. Should I arrange his accommodation, or...?”

“You handle it. This is a matter of Qingyang Peak, and it’s not appropriate for me to interfere,” Ning Teng said decisively.

“Alright then. There are still plenty of vacant rooms in District D. I’ll take you there now to assign a place for you to stay,” Cai Kun said, guiding Yang Ze away.

Yang Ze said little, following behind as they descended from the summit of Qingyang Peak to its foot before stopping.

“On Qingyang Peak, the halls are all located halfway up the mountain. Residences below that are for the stewards. At the foot of the mountain, ten residential districts have been established, each capable of housing tens of thousands, named after the ten Heavenly Stems. This is where you, as a named disciple, will live.”

Along the way, Cai Kun explained the layout of the residential areas. Perhaps because of Ning Teng’s influence, Cai Kun treated Yang Ze with politeness.

Being new and ignorant, Yang Ze listened carefully and committed all the details to memory.

As they entered District D, several named disciples emerged. Upon seeing Cai Kun, their faces lit up with smiles as they approached him.

“Steward Cai, so it’s you!”

“Ah, I didn’t expect Steward Cai’s visit. Please forgive our lack of preparation.”

“Steward Cai, I recently acquired something good and wanted to present it to you, but I never had the chance until now…”

One after another, the disciples crowded around, all eager to curry favor with Cai Kun.

Yang Ze had not anticipated this. Judging by Cai Kun’s earlier demeanor, he had thought his status was modest. Only now, seeing the respect he commanded among the disciples, did Yang Ze grasp the true standing of a steward of Qingyang Hall.

Noticing the crowd growing thicker, Cai Kun’s expression suddenly hardened. He snorted coldly, releasing an invisible aura that forced the gathered disciples to step back.

“You lot don’t train seriously and waste your time on crooked schemes. If I see anyone gathering here again, you’ll be assigned to clean the steps of Qingyang Peak!”

Seeing Cai Kun’s anger, the disciples quickly dispersed, unwilling to provoke him. If Cai Kun truly lost his temper, their days would be miserable.

Still, some glanced repeatedly at Yang Ze as they fled. It seemed this newcomer would soon become well-known among the named disciples.

“Such lazy lot—no wonder they’re the worst among the named disciples. With the academy expanding and lowering standards over the years, who knows what kind of people they’ve admitted,” Cai Kun muttered sourly.

Yang Ze remained silent as they entered District D’s interior. Cai Kun assigned him a solitary room away from others.

With accommodations settled, Cai Kun said nothing more and turned to leave.

Watching him go, Yang Ze began cleaning the room. It was unclear how long it had been vacant, but dust covered everything. Without tidying up, it was uninhabitable.

He worked until nightfall and took a bath. Just as he was about to lie down and rest, the door suddenly opened.

Startled, Yang Ze rose from the bed. He saw the door close again, and someone had entered.

“Greetings, Elder Ning!” Yang Ze greeted respectfully. Standing before him was Ning Teng.

Noticing Yang Ze now dressed in the named disciple uniform, Ning Teng nodded slightly and said, “I thought you might be unfamiliar with some of Qingyang Peak’s rules, so I came to explain.”

“The halls are all set halfway up the mountain, and only fifth rank elders can serve as hall leaders. When you’re on Qingyang Peak, don’t wander around aimlessly. If you enter the private domain of these elders, you’ll find yourself in trouble.”

“Another important matter for named disciples is that you must complete at least three tasks each month. Failing to do so means you won’t pass assessment and will be expelled from the academy.”

“However, these tasks aren’t without reward. Completing them earns you contribution points. Though the tasks are simple and the points few, they will be useful to you.”

“As for what contribution points can do, you need them to purchase items within the academy, seek guidance from senior martial artists in the Transmission Hall, or consult martial arts manuals in the Library Hall. We don’t use silver coins here; contribution points are the most valuable currency. You must remember their importance!”

Yang Ze was taken aback, never expecting such a system.

“You joined late. There’s an annual martial competition for all named disciples, and the next one is in three months.”

“Since you are under my tutelage, don’t embarrass yourself at the competition. Understand?”

Yang Ze immediately understood Ning Teng’s intent. He clasped his fists and nodded. “Disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I will give my all and achieve good results in three months.”

“Good. Since I said so, I won’t just stand by. Here is a training manual from when I reached the third rank. Study it well. I hope that next time we meet, you will have entered the Outer Court.”

A small booklet appeared before Yang Ze. Before he could thank him, Ning Teng vanished.