Chapter 154: Rules
Chapter 154: Rules
After the new disciples were assigned, each major branch began comparing their gains to see who profited most.
This process gradually revealed each ridge’s current standing to all observers.
Wan Fang had been closely monitoring these developments. Though Fallen God Ridge maintained such a low profile it risked being forgotten, this obscurity ironically made gathering information about others easier.
After two days of inquiries, Wan Fang gained clearer insights into the eight hundred disciples’ overall distribution.
“Master, I’ve confirmed the Divine Trees’ Portal distributed disciples evenly this time. Aside from Anmoon Ridge and Yunjir Ridge, the other six ridges each had disciples directly placed in the upper four palaces. Including our junior apprentice, there are at least seven exceptional talents.”
Han Cang looked surprised. Seven outstanding talents emerging at once seemed excessive.
The Divine Trees’ Portal remained eerily precise in its judgments. Decades prior, Mingmo Ridge’s unparalleled genius had been sent straight to Mingmo Palace, later shaking the Tianyang Empire with his fame.
“Was anyone sent directly to the First Palace?”
“None reported yet. Details require further investigation. Most ridges keep such matters secret, waiting to unveil surprises during the Lou Ri Grand Ceremony. We should consider junior apprentice’s public status. The upper four palaces draw too much attention for someone at Soul Martial’s third stage. Let’s assign him to the Middle Four Palaces’ First Palace—claim he’s from Liyun Palace to avoid scrutiny.”
Han Cang nodded. “Consult him first. Proceed if he agrees.”
“Understood. I’ll ask immediately.”
Wan Fang exited the grand hall, finding Cheng Lingyu awake in the edge quarters.
“How do you feel, junior apprentice?”
“Stronger than ever. My power’s grown tremendously.”
Cheng Lingyu vibrated with energy, unaware he’d slept three days. His body had peaked—only advancing through Soul Martial’s third realm remained.
“You’ve slept three days. Let’s discuss Lou Ri City’s developments outside.”
By the cliff, Cheng Lingyu listened as his elder brother detailed the third disciple batch’s allocation.
“Why doesn’t Master seek more disciples? This batch seems strong—any would shine in Yunyang City.”
Wan Fang shook his head. “Our Fallen God branch stays small by fate. Your companions: Lan Xiaozhu’s in Youxing Seventh Palace’s Third Palace, Qu Wei in Anmoon Sixth Palace.”
Cheng Lingyu brightened, then frowned.
“Youxing and Anmoon are ‘Four Declines,’ barely above Yunjir and us. Not ‘Five Prosperities’ level.”
Wan Fang chuckled. “The Divine Trees’ Portal knows best. Those placements suit them best—Lou Ri Ridge would’ve hindered them.”
“When can I visit?”
“That’s the discussion. Given your current third-stage Soul Martial cultivation, claiming upper four palace status would attract harmful attention. We’ll announce you’re from Fallen God Ridge’s Fifth Palace—Liyun Palace, Middle Four’s First Palace. Thoughts?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Wise choice. Discretion serves me now.”
“Remember—upper palace disciples freely visit lower ones but can’t provoke conflicts. Second Palace disciples access Third Palace onward. Fourth Palace members only visit Third, never Second. Hierarchy rules all interactions between adjacent palaces.”
“So lower palace disciples can’t visit Middle palaces even for friends?”
“Normally, that’s true. Each disciple’s palace represents their status. For example, if I give you Fourth Palace status in the upper four palaces, you could freely roam Fallen God Ridge and visit palaces in other eight ridges too, but only up to the Fourth Palace – never the Third. Only neighboring palaces within the same ridge can communicate directly, which helps pass messages. If I gave you First Palace status in Middle Four Palaces, you couldn’t visit other ridges’ Fourth Palaces at all, limited to Fifth through Twelfth Palaces.”
Cheng Lingyu wondered, “If you give me Second Palace status, could I visit other ridges’ Supreme Spirit Palaces?”
“You could request audience outside, but need the Master’s permission to enter. Breaking this rule means punishment. In Lou Ri City’s Western Fallen Nine Ridges, besides the city lord, even the highest Masters can’t enter the First Palace unless from the same branch.”
“Why?”
“That’s just the rule the city lord set, followed since ancient times.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded thoughtfully.
“Elder brother, after getting my Fallen God Fifth Palace token, could I visit Xiaozhu and Qu Wei in Youxing Ridge and Anmoon Ridge?”
Wan Fang chuckled, “In theory yes, but only when they’re free. If they’re cultivating, you’ll be turned away. You can’t force them to meet you.”
“Sounds complicated but fair. Though this limits sparring chances between branches.”
“Not entirely. Branches often hold combat events to train disciples. Fallen God Ridge rarely hosts these, but we can join others’ events.”
“Do Lou Ri City disciples only cultivate all day?”
“Of course not! We earn contribution points through various tasks.”
Cheng Lingyu tilted his head. “Contribution points?”
Wan Fang grinned, “Our city has many disciples. Though rich in resources, we can’t be wasteful. So we assign tasks matching disciples’ abilities to earn points.”
“What’s the use?”
“They’re super useful. You can trade them for stuff like palace access for cultivation or techniques and ultimate skills. Mainly for lower and Middle Four Palace disciples – upper four get special treatment. With enough points, you can even train in other branches’ palaces or learn their skills, which upper palace disciples love.”
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing! Are the tasks dangerous?”
“Some risks, but that’s part of training. Basic tasks include gathering spiritual herbs, collecting Beast Souls, or taming spirit beasts. Xiyun Divine Mountain’s massive – we’ve only mapped about thirty percent.”
“Only thirty percent? After all these years?”
Wan Fang sighed, “You’re new. Xiyun’s unimaginably huge with mysteries like fleeting divine dragons. Even Masters avoid unexplored zones.”
“So wandering carelessly here is dangerous?”
“Relatively safer ridges are Lou Ri, Feixing, Xuanmoon, Mingmo, and Xingyun – heavily explored but at great cost. Youxing, Anmoon, Yunjir, and our Fallen God Ridge still have many forbidden zones.”
“Elder brother, why don’t disciples keep the herbs they find? Are points better?”
“Silly junior, same herbs lose effect if eaten repeatedly. Points buy anything. Usually keep your first herb, trade extras for points.”
“I see. I want to gather herbs for points too!”
“Patience. After sorting your status, I’ll show you around Fallen God Mountain.”
“How long?”
“Quick. I’m debating showing you Third and Fourth Palaces – risky for your identity.”
Cheng Lingyu shrugged, “Can’t hide forever here, right?”
“Third Palace’s tricky. Let’s observe from afar.”
Wan Fang grabbed his arm. They blinked into a teleportation array.
Fallen God Ridge’s Twelve Palaces each have arrays. This was the second – Supreme Teleportation Array.