Chapter 11: Three Meridians and Four Paths

Liang Yan followed Lin Fei into the valley, where he beheld lush mountains, clear waters, and drifting colorful clouds. Various types of architecture were hidden amidst the scenic mountains and rivers; though they appeared to be distributed without order, they gave off the sensation of a hidden paradise or a transcendent realm beyond the mortal world.

At that moment, Lin Fei said to him, "My sect holds selection tests for outer disciples every February, and the recruitment period has already passed. However, I happen to be going to report on a mission to the Pavilion Master, so I will take you along. As long as the Pavilion Master gives consent, your entry into the sect will be a simple matter."

Naturally, Liang Yan had no objections, so under Lin Feis's guidance, he walked toward the depths of the valley.

After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and after passing through a lotus pond, an ancient-style building rose up before his eyes. Although it lacked the ornate carvings and painted beams of the secular nobility, it exuded a subtle sense of primitive grandeur that inspired awe in anyone who looked upon it. A plaque hung above the main gate, inscribed with the three words: "Discussion Pavilion." Liang Yan secretly speculated that the materials used to build this structure must not be of the mortal realm.

With a respectful expression, Lin Fei straightened his clothes and led the group inside.

More than a dozen people were already waiting in the hall. Liang Yan looked up and discovered that most of them were at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the cultivation of four individuals remained inscrutable. He thought to himself, "Although the old monk's cultivation technique has its tricks, my current strength is too low; at most, I can only see through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Anything higher is beyond me. Hmm, these four must have already broken through Foundation Establishment to reach the legendary Yuan Gathering Realm."

As he was lost in thought, he was suddenly startled by a cold gaze sweeping over him, only to realize a woman was sitting at the back of the hall. She appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in purple robes and a purple skirt. Her features were dignified and her expression cold. As her gaze swept over him coldly, a cold sweat broke out on the back of Liang Yan's neck, as if all his secrets were laid bare before her.

"How powerful. This person is definitely not comparable to the others in the hall; her cultivation has likely reached a realm beyond Yuan Gathering." Thinking this, Liang Yan lowered his head in silence, not daring to meet her eyes again.

At this time, a middle-aged man in gray robes spoke up in the hall: "Lin Fei, you certainly carry yourself with great airs. Today is the appointed day to return to the sect, and the fellow disciples responsible for presiding over the various exchange meetings have all arrived. Only you are late; do you expect everyone to wait here for you?"

Following the sound, Liang Yan looked over and saw that the speaker was one of the four whose cultivation he could not see. The purple-clad woman sitting in the center of the hall also turned her gaze toward Lin Fei, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Lin Fei said respectfully to the purple-clad woman, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, it was not that this disciple intended to delay, but rather that I was escorting a junior on the road. The speed of our flight was not convenient to go too fast, which caused the delay in returning to the sect. I beg the Pavilion Master for forgiveness."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward Liang Yan. Clearly, no further explanation was needed; the "junior" Lin Fei mentioned was undoubtedly Liang Yan.

The purple-clad woman remained silent. Her gaze shifted to Liang Yan before returning to Lin Fei, clearly waiting for his follow-up.

Lin Fei continued, "Years ago, while training in the Mangyun Mountains, I was besieged by several Six-Clawed Nether Wolves and was poisoned by their venom. Fortunately, a senior happened to pass by and saved my life, even extracting the venom for me. Had it not been for that senior, even if I had survived, my cultivation would likely have struggled to progress for the rest of my life. This time, when I went out to host the Cuishan Auction, that senior found me and asked me to introduce this youth to the sect. Being deeply indebted to his kindness, I could not refuse. I ask the Pavilion Master to investigate this matter clearly."

After hearing this, the purple-clad woman's face remained indifferent and cold, though she nodded slightly and said, "So there is such a connection."

Lin Fei hurriedly said to Liang Yan, "Liang Yan, what are you waiting for? Greet the Pavilion Master!"

Answering the call, Liang Yan stepped forward, bowed to the purple-clad woman, and said loudly, "Disciple Liang Yan greets the Pavilion Master!"

"There is no need for greetings." Without even looking at him, the purple-clad woman spoke coldly to Lin Fei, "Hmph, a mere Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root, and you want to recommend him to my pavilion? What does this senior of yours take my Yixing Pavilion for? Can just any piece of trash come here?"

Upon hearing this, a surge of angry fire erupted in Liang Yan's mind. By nature, he was arrogant and would have lashed out under normal circumstances. But currently, he was surrounded by high-level cultivators; any one of them could turn him to ash with a flick of a finger. He could only grit his teeth and suppress the anger in his heart. Even Lin Fei looked embarrassed at this moment.

Fortunately, the purple-clad woman continued, "However, every cause has an effect. Since that person saved a disciple of my pavilion, if I show no face at all, it would invite ridicule from outsiders." As she spoke, she turned to look at Liang Yan.

Liang Yan knew there was a turning point. He held his breath and waited for her next words.

Sure enough, the purple-clad woman said slowly, "Your spiritual roots are messy and poor; I fear you will not even be able to break through to the third level of Qi Refinement in this lifetime. However, my Yixing Pavilion has Three Veins and Four Paths. If you feel you have talent in these, you may choose one to join as a handyman disciple. With a period of six years, if you can prove your value to the sect after six years, you will naturally be permitted to enter the outer sect to cultivate and enjoy all the resources of an outer disciple. But if you possess no talent, then leave the mountain."

Having said this, she did not wait for Liang Yan's answer. She waved her hand at the beautiful woman in blue who had accompanied Lin Fei, her face showing clear impatience.

The woman in blue understood. She bowed and led Liang Yan out of the hall.

Liang Yan remained silent until they left the hall and arrived under the blue sky, where he finally let out a long, frustrated breath.

Seeing his state, the woman in blue spoke, "You needn't take it too much to heart. The cultivation world is fundamentally based on strength; the strong are respected. If you think positively, although your aptitude is poor, being able to receive the sect's protection here is better than suffering in the secular world."

After hearing her, although Liang Yan did not care much, he knew she was trying to comfort him, so he thanked her, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. However, I do not know what the 'Three Veins and Four Paths' mentioned by the Pavilion Master specifically refer to?"

The woman in blue smiled slightly and said, "You needn't call me Senior anymore. Once you enter the sect, even as a handyman disciple, you can call me Martial Aunt Zhou. As for the Three Veins and Four Paths you asked about, the Three Veins refer to the Pill Vein, Talisman Vein, and Array Vein, while the Four Paths are the four arts: Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting."

"I see!"

A look of realization appeared on Liang Yan's face, and he thought to himself, "That old witch said I must prove my use to the sect after six years to be formally admitted. These four arts—Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting—are all about self-cultivation. In terms of contribution to the sect, they certainly cannot compare to Alchemists, Talisman Masters, or Array Masters. I once heard the old monk mention that Alchemists need to condense their own Pill Fire, which has extremely high entry requirements; it would be very difficult for me to achieve anything in six years. As for Talisman Masters, it requires a quiet temperament and a mind as still as water, which I might also find difficult to achieve. It seems I can only try the Path of Arrays."

Having made up his mind, Liang Yan spoke, "Martial Aunt Zhou, this disciple wishes to join the Array Vein."

Martial Aunt Zhou looked at him with a strange expression. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, "Although the choice is yours, you are, after all, a junior brought by Lin Fei, so I must explain this to you. Although the founding master of our pavilion, Master Yixing, was renowned for being a master of both Chess and Arrays, the Path of Arrays has steadily declined over the thousand years of our heritage. Nowadays, few can comprehend it. The Array Vein has very few people; the difference between it and the Talisman or Pill Veins is too great. If I were you, I would choose one of the other two."

"So there is such a situation..." Liang Yan pondered for a moment before saying, "Martial Aunt Zhou, my mind is made up. I have a great affinity for the Path of Arrays. I implore Martial Aunt to lead me into the Array Vein."

"Very well," Martial Aunt Zhou sighed. "Follow me."

In a remote apricot grove within the Yixing Pavilion valley, there stood a pavilion with red bricks and green tiles, built in an ancient style. Beneath the eight corners of the eaves, bells hung individually. As the breeze blew through the apricot grove, the eight bells would occasionally chime "dang-dang," sounding like singing orioles and dancing swallows.

In front of the pavilion was a large table made of yellow wood. A middle-aged man was slumped over the table, wearing long-sleeved yellow robes, with a wide nose, thick lips, and an unusually high forehead. He was currently snoring loudly.

Suddenly, his large ears twitched slightly. He lifted his head and looked forward, seeing two figures emerging from the end of the apricot grove path—a man and a woman, who were Liang Yan and his companion.

The man in yellow was startled. He immediately stood up and rushed toward them. Upon reaching them, he bowed to Martial Aunt Zhou and said, "The handyman disciple deacon greets Martial Aunt. I did not know you were visiting; please forgive my failure to welcome you properly..."

"Enough, enough!" Martial Aunt Zhou interrupted him impatiently with a wave of her hand and said flatly, "I have brought him here to join the Array Vein as a handyman disciple." She then pointed at Liang Yan.

The man in yellow was momentarily stunned, then looked at Liang Yan and said, "I did not expect our Array Vein to have a new handyman disciple joining. Hehe, rest assured, Martial Aunt, I, Wang, will certainly get him started as quickly as possible."

Martial Aunt Zhou nodded slightly. With a lift of her right hand, a parchment scroll flew into Liang Yan's hand. She then said to him, "From this day forward, you are a handyman disciple of the Array Vein of our Yixing Pavilion. This is the sect map. Tomorrow morning, go to the Ritual Pavilion and the Law Pavilion to register and collect the sect's code of laws. You must strictly abide by the laws in the future; if you violate them, the law enforcement disciples will surely arrest and punish you. Do you understand?"

Liang Yan's expression became solemn, and he replied respectfully, "This disciple understands!"

Only then did Martial Aunt Zhou nod with some satisfaction and turn to leave.

The middle-aged man surnamed Wang watched Martial Aunt Zhou leave the apricot grove before turning back to Liang Yan. The gentle expression on his face vanished, replaced by a stern look as he asked, "What is your name? Do you have any family elders or siblings in the sect?"

Liang Yan was taken aback but spoke the truth, "My name is Liang Yan, and I have no relatives cultivating in the sect."

Upon hearing this, a flash of contempt crossed Wang's eyes. He then took a wooden plaque from his sleeve, used his spiritual power to write on it, returned to the table where he had been sleeping, took an ink seal to stamp the plaque, and then tossed it to Liang Yan.

"This is your handyman disciple identity token. Starting tomorrow, report here every morning. You must chop fifty bundles of spiritual wood, fetch ten vats of water from the spiritual spring, and then clean the Library behind me. If you fail to complete your tasks, I will have my own punishments. Hmph, remember this: my name is Wang Yuan, and I am the one in charge of all matters, large and small, here. Do you understand?"

Liang Yan took the token. It was a simple wooden plaque made of coarse wood, with the words "Handyman Disciple" written on the back, "Liang Yan" on the front, and a dark red seal stamped below. He thought to himself, *This immortal token is far too ordinary.*

However, he still bowed and said, "This junior will certainly do his best to complete the tasks."

"Mhm," Wang Yuan added, "There is a residence in the northwest of the apricot grove; that is where you handyman disciples live. You can use this identity token to break the outer courtyard's restriction. Go inside and pick a room for your future quarters." Having said that, he ignored him again, returned to the table, and closed his eyes to rest.

Liang Yan put away the token, bid Brother Wang farewell, and walked toward the northwest residence. Before long, he saw a grayish-brown courtyard with about ten rooms. Having practiced the "Hunching Technique" for a long time, Liang Yan's six senses were superior to ordinary people; from a distance, he could see that of those ten rooms, only two had closed doors, while the others had wide-open doors and were empty. He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

"It seems the Array Vein truly is in decline."