Han Li committed every word to memory.
"Since you've collected your supplies, come with me to meet the teaching disciple." Junior Brother Wang mounted his magical treasure once more, and Han Li climbed on behind him.
This flight was shorter than the last. In the blink of an eye, they descended at the base of a nearby mountain. Before them stood a massive stone building constructed against the mountainside. A stone tablet before the entrance bore three gilded characters: "Scripture Pavilion." A number of young disciples moved in and out of the building, lending the area a certain liveliness.
This time Junior Brother Wang said nothing. He walked straight inside with Han Li trailing behind him. Several disciples clearly recognized Junior Brother Wang and bowed repeatedly in greeting, which he acknowledged with a genial nod. His reputation within Yellow Maple Valley appeared to be quite favorable.
Once inside, Han Li was surprised to discover that the rear half of the Scripture Pavilion extended deep into the mountain's interior, revealing a vast interior space. Before him stretched a row of stone doors, and disciples could be seen entering and exiting through them.
Han Li was about to take a closer look, but Junior Brother Wang had already pushed open the third door on the right and walked in without waiting. Han Li hesitated, uncertain whether he should follow.
"Come in." Junior Brother Wang did not leave him waiting long. He reappeared at the doorway shortly after and beckoned Han Li inside.
The room held only one other person—a disciple in green robes, approximately thirty years of age, standing respectfully at Junior Brother Wang's side. When Han Li entered, the man offered him a warm smile.
"This is Wu Feng, the disciple specifically responsible for instructing new disciples in cultivation techniques. If you have questions about your technique in the future, you may come to him. In the mastery of foundational techniques, Wu Feng ranks comfortably among the top ten of our generation." Junior Brother Wang's words carried unmistakable admiration.
"I look forward to Senior Brother Wu's guidance." Han Li bowed respectfully. He understood clearly that this man would serve as his technique instructor for the foreseeable future—it would be unwise to show any discourtesy.
"Oh, Senior Brother Wang flatters me too much. I've only scratched the surface of lower-level techniques, really. I'd be happy to exchange insights with Junior Brother Han rather than claim any superiority." Wu Feng replied with becoming modesty.
"Nephew Wu, I know full well how capable you are. There's no need for false modesty. Nephew Han's cultivation matters are in your hands now. I've only brought him to introduce you two—I still have several other places to visit with him, so I won't linger here." Junior Brother Wang was nothing if not efficient. Having said his piece, he and Han Li took their leave under Wu Feng's respectful escort.
Over the ensuing period, Junior Brother Wang proved diligent in his duties. He took Han Li to several other necessary locations, introduced him to various stewards and officers, and briefed him on a number of daily guidelines. Finally, he brought Han Li back to the cluster of stone houses where the gray-robed elder resided, told him to choose any dwelling he liked, and departed.
Han Li stood before his chosen stone house and surveyed his modest quarters with a rueful expression.
He now knew that any disciple who advanced their foundational technique to the tenth layer could leave this area and relocate to a place called Xuan Kun Mountain. There, disciples enjoyed considerably more freedom—not only could they build their own residences as they pleased, but there were no restrictions on the size or style of construction. The thought was tantalizing.
Still, though his technique had yet to reach the tenth layer, Han Li had no intention of remaining long in this stone house.
He chuckled softly, then produced the green-leaf flying treasure from his storage pouch. After channeling spiritual power into it, he tossed it into the air and leaped aboard.
At first, Han Li's unfamiliarity with the device made for a turbulent ride—veering up and down, listing side to side. But before long, he had it under control and could fly with his hands clasped behind his back, much as Junior Brother Wang had done, gliding effortlessly through the air.
The treasure was easy to master and simple to control, but its speed was nothing remarkable—barely faster than a galloping horse. This explained why every disciple in the valley could afford one. The green-leaf was modest in performance, but it was Han Li's first time airborne, and he spent a spirited half hour simply enjoying the experience.
With a laugh, Han Li finally grew accustomed to the joy of flight and steered his treasure toward a specific destination.
Along the way, he passed several other disciples also aloft on their flying treasures. Perhaps because Han Li's face was unfamiliar, they cast curious glances his way. But the moment they perceived his ninth-layer cultivation, their expressions turned to disdain and they drifted away.
Han Li observed their behavior with an impassive face, though a cold laugh echoed in his mind. So-called cultivators of the great sects were no different from ordinary mortals—equally consumed by snobbery.
As he reflected on this, his destination came into view: a sprawling complex of buildings. He descended before a grand hall bearing the plaque "Hundred Mechanisms Hall" and strode inside.
A middle-aged steward looked up in surprise at Han Li's entrance. "Junior Brother Han? How is it that you've returned so soon? Where is Junior Brother Wang?"
This was the very place Junior Brother Wang had briefly brought him to earlier—this steward had only just met Han Li that day, so seeing him again so quickly was startling.
"Steward Yu, when I was here earlier, I was told this is where miscellaneous tasks are distributed. Is that correct?" Han Li did not answer the steward's question directly, instead wearing a pleasant smile.
"That's right. Surely you're not thinking of picking up work already? As a newly admitted disciple, you're entitled to familiarize yourself with the sect for a full month before taking on any tasks. There's no rush!" The steward's tone was one of mild surprise.
"Oh, it's no trouble. I'd like to find something to do. Are there any cultivation-related tasks available—gardening or herb-tending, perhaps?" Han Li replied with a modest smile.
"That may be difficult. All disciples who come for tasks are assigned whatever work is available—there's no choosing. Unless you can demonstrate a particular expertise, in which case some accommodation may be made." The steward looked troubled.
Han Li's brow creased. Did he truly need to seek out that Elder Ye after all?
"It's no trouble at all—let Nephew Han choose whatever cultivation task he likes." A voice Han Li recognized came from behind him, causing him to turn in surprise. Elder Ye stood there, having appeared without a sound, a smile on his face as he regarded Han Li.
"Hall Master, you've returned!" The middle-aged steward straightened at once and bowed deeply.
"Mm, I'm back." The elder's response was noncommittal.
"Elder Ye!" Han Li quickly offered a respectful bow as well.
"Haha, Nephew Han wastes no time at all! I was just preparing to instruct my subordinates to let you choose freely once I returned." The elder appeared to be in excellent spirits, his tone half-joking.
"I appreciate Elder Ye's concern. I only came to have a look around, to see if I might find something suitable without troubling you." Han Li replied, affecting a shy manner.
"I am the one who speaks here—where is the trouble? Steward Yu, bring out all the cultivation tasks and let Nephew Han choose to his heart's content." The elder waved his hand generously, directing his subordinate to comply.
The steward, surnamed Yu, was struck speechless by this display. He studied Han Li with a measuring gaze before hurriedly departing to retrieve the bamboo slips containing the task listings, his mind racing with speculation about the nature of his superior's relationship with this young newcomer.
"The cultivation tasks assigned from above are all here. Please take your time reviewing them, Junior Brother Han." Steward Yu returned quickly, cradling a bundle of jade-green bamboo slips.
Han Li thanked him and accepted the slips, studying them carefully.
"Tend thirteen Crimson Blossom Trees and deliver two hundred fruits annually."
"Meticulously care for one three-hundred-year-old Fire Cloud Ginseng, ensuring its spiritual properties remain intact."
"Cultivate one mu of Moon Grass and deliver one hundred jin of dried herbs each season."
"Tend a grove of Golden Jade Bamboo..."
The list went on. The variety of cultivation tasks recorded on the slips was impressive—quite numerous indeed. But the early entries failed to catch Han Li's eye. It was not until he reached the middle of the slips that a task appeared which truly satisfied him.