Chương 158: Chapter 157: Leaving the Outer Sect

I went through all the replies and votes I received on the poll I held on both Patreon and Royal Road and have reached the conclusion that the pinyin terms, instead of adding something, are creating issues for more than half of my readers. So from now on instead of Shixiong or Shidi, I will be using Senior Brother and Junior Brother. As for people of the same sect like Bo Yu, Lin Yi, and the other people in White Cloud Sect. It will be Senior/Junior Sect Brother/Sister.

(It was previously Senior/Junior Martial Brother but I like Sect Brother/Sister better suggested by HeresyOfSomnus) I will edit out the terms in previous chapters"Yang. Where did you get this painting?"

"Senior Brother?" Yang asked, trying to gauge whether he was alright while he thought of what to say, but Senior Brother Zhen Hao kept staring at him, clearly waiting for an answer, and Yang decided that if he wanted a genuine bond with his new Senior Brother, he couldn't build it on a foundation of secrets.

"Senior Brother, I received it. Or rather, I bought it from someone. A cultivator who brought me here."

"To White Cloud City?" Senior Brother Zhan Hao asked.

"No. To this continent. I didn't even know cultivation existed before I met him. I was trying to become a martial artist at the time," Yang explained. Senior Brother Zhen Hao stared at him for a moment, then shook his head slowly.

"You will have to tell me about your life before the sect someday. You claim mortal origins and yet keep surprising me." He let out a short laugh, though it carried less humor than usual.

"One can't help but wonder what the future has in store for you." He gestured towards the painting with a flicker of unease.

"Wrap it. Use your bedsheet. Make sure it's secure." Yang obeyed, carefully wrapping the painting. He noticed Senior Brother Zhen Hao deliberately keeping his gaze away while he worked. He understood the impulse; even now, the painting exerted a gravitational pull on his focus that made it impossible to get any work done while it was on display, which was why he kept it stored in the alcove rather than anywhere more visible.

"Show it to the Master," Senior Brother Zhen Hao said, his voice careful.

"There is something inherently… off about that painting. It is well beyond my abilities to comprehend." Yang wasn't really surprised. He had long suspected that Senior Cheng Mo was more than a simple Golden Core Cultivator. He would have to see what his new master makes of it. If he was being honest with himself, despite his apprehensions, he valued the chance he had been given.

He had long appreciated the guidance he had received from Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu and Senior Sect Sister Wei Wei, and later from the inner sect seniors. Having a master and his own senior brothers to guide him felt like an extension of that. Support always made things easier than facing them alone.

"Is that everything, Junior Brother?" Senior Brother Zhen Hao asked, giving the small collection on the table a cursory glance.

"Yes, Senior Brother. This is everything I own and want to bring. I have some cups and a kettle, but I was going to leave those here."

"That is fine. Your new residence already has several sets." Senior Brother Zhen Hao waved a hand over the items on the table, and they vanished, drawn into his storage ring. He left the spare sect robes where they were.

"Junior Brother, you will not need these anymore. Leave them." Yang agreed, and they walked outside. Yang waited for Senior Brother Zhen Hao to take out his sword and stopped short when Senior Brother simply kept walking instead.

"Senior Brother?"

"Junior Brother?" Zhen Hao Senior Brother turned to look back at him and seemed to realise what he meant.

"Ah. We need to stop by the Outer Sect Hall. Normally, when a disciple reaches Foundation Establishment, the outer and inner sect halls handle the transfer between themselves." He gave Yang a mischievous smile.

"But Junior Brother, since you have decided to skip the middle part entirely. We just need to deregister you from the Outer Sect and Master will handle the rest." The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Yang made a sound of understanding and fell into step beside him as they made their way towards the outer sect hall. They walked in quiet contemplation. Senior Brother Zhan Hao seemed preoccupied, likely still shaken by the painting.

When they reached the Outer Sect Hall, Yang spotted Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu at his usual station and moved towards him, Senior Brother Zhen Hao slowing and trailing a few paces behind. Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu's face lit up with relief when he saw Yang, though his demeanor snapped to formal the moment he noticed Senior Brother Zhen Hao behind him.

"Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu," Yang bowed.

"I hope you have been well."

"Me? It's you I should be asking about, Junior Sect Brother," Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu said, his voice thick with concern as he scanned Yang for injuries.

"I heard about your accident." Yang gave a slightly sheepish but pleased smile.

"I am sorry for worrying you, Senior Sect Brother." He turned to Senior Brother Zhen Hao.

"Senior Brother, this is Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu. He's been taking care of me and guiding me since I joined the sect. He turned back.

"Senior Sect Brother, I've been taken in as a Core Disciple by the Peak Master of the Soaring Cloud Peak. My Senior Brother is accompanying me to help move my things." Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu stepped forward and gave a deep bow.

"Greetings, Senior Jiang Zhen Hao." Senior Brother Zhen Hao returned the bow at the same depth.

"Thank you, Junior Sect Brother Bo Yu for taking such good care of my Junior Brother all this time. You've taught him well. Just call me Senior Sect Brother Zhen Hao" Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu shook his head vigorously, his face reddening slightly.

"No, no, Senior…Sect Brother Zhen Hao. All of this is simply Junior Sect Brother Yang—" his eyes widened mid sentence "—Senior Sect Brother Yang's hard work." Yang's own eyes widened.

"Senior Sect Brother, please don't call me that. I can't bear it. I am and will remain your Junior Sect Brother." He said this with sincerity. He understood the hierarchy, that the inner sect ranked above the outer sect regardless of age or tenure, but he found the idea of Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu addressing him that way intolerable. Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu's eyes softened, but he shook his head gently.

"Titles and hierarchy must rema—""Junior Sect Brother Bo Yu," Senior Brother Zhen Hao interrupted gently, "do not take it too seriously. Hierarchy and titles matter, certainly. But feelings come first. You guided and looked after Junior Brother Yang as a Senior Sect Brother should. It is only right that Junior Brother Yang affords you the respect you've earned." He gave Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu a firm look, leaving him momentarily speechless, then Yang an approving nod.

Yang was reminded that Senior Brother Zhen Hao himself had never allowed his old friends to address him with a different title despite surpassing all of them in generation and cultivation realm. Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu found his voice again.

"Junior Sect Brother, congratulations on becoming a Core Disciple of the Soaring Cloud Peak. I've heard wonderful things about the peak and about Peak Master Hua Yong."

"Thank you, Senior Sect Brother."

"We are here to register Junior Brother Yang's transfer," Senior Brother Zhen Hao said, steering the conversation back to business. Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu looked visibly relieved to have a task in front of him, and returned to his usual efficient manner.

"Of course, Senior Sect Brother." He went behind the counter and took out a registration ledger along with ink and brush, beginning to record the necessary information. He glanced up at Yang.

"Junior Sect Brother Yang, from this point on your outer sect allowance will cease." Yang nodded as Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu continued writing, then extended one hand palm up towards Yang, "Your identity token, Junior Sect Brother." Yang reached for it but Senior Brother Zhen Hao spoke first.

"We will hold on to it for now. There are still a few things to move so we will be keeping the cave residence for a little longer." Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu looked hesitant before schooling his expression.

"Of course, Senior Sect Brother. There are enough empty cave residences that one will not be missed, but if the hall elders—""Use my name," Senior Brother Zhen Hao said simply.

"If anyone has a problem, they can come to me for an explanation." He added, "I will personally return Junior Brother's identity token to the Outer Sect Hall." Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu looked relieved, and Yang realised holding onto the outer sect identity token and access to an outer sect cave residence was likely against the rules under normal circumstances.

"It's done. I've recorded Junior Sect Brother Yang's transfer out of the Outer Sect Peak. Should I also—" Senior Sect Brother trailed off, looking uncertain and Yang wasn't sure what he meant either.

"No," Senior Brother Zhen Hao said.

"Since this is not following the usual practices. Master will handle the rest when Junior Brother is recorded under our lineage."

"We'll take our leave now," Senior Brother Zhan Hao said. Yang bowed to Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu as Senior Brother Zhen Hao added, "Junior Sect Brother, Junior Brother's tea offering ceremony would be arranged soon. You will receive an invitation. I can arrange transport for you there and back if needed." The Senior Sect Brother bowed, "Thank you, Senior Sect Brother, I would like to attend the Junior Sect Brother's ceremony, but I can make my own way there."

Senior Brother Zhen Hao inclined his head in acknowledgement. Yang bowed and said goodbyes to Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu and followed Senior Brother Zhen Hao out.

"You can invite whoever you want to the ceremony. If transport is an issue for anyone, I'll arrange it," Senior Brother Zhen Hao offered as they walked towards the landing area.

"I don't know many people, "Yang admitted.

"Apart from Senior Sect Brother Bo Yu, there is only Senior Sect Sister Wei Wei and Ye Xuan. I suppose I should also invite Senior Sect Brother Zhang Linghe, since he brought me to your banquet." Senior Brother Zhen Hao let out a laugh.

"My little cousin? He'll be there, don't worry about him." He straightened slightly, a touch of arrogance creeping in.

"Apart from Master getting a new disciple. All of us Senior Brother are getting a new Junior Brother, and most importantly, I am becoming a Senior Brother for the first time. The celebration and the audience to witness it needs to be appropriately grand." Yang shook his head amused. They reached the landing area and Senior Brother Zhen Hao's sword carried them up into the air, heading towards the inner sect.