Unless they were admitted into the Xuantian Sect, these mortals had no true understanding of the hardships and various stages of the cultivation path.
To them, anyone from the Xuantian Sect was considered a living, breathing immortal!
Soon, a beautiful maid approached them and greeted them respectfully, "You must be the celestial immortals of Xuantian Sect who have just completed the trial in the back mountain, correct?"
"Yes."
The young junior brother, looking back at Lin Li and seeing that he remained silent, excitedly nodded.
The maid glanced at their attire and noticed that the two disciples at the late stage of Qi Refining wore the yellow markings of the sect. She said, "It seems the two of you already have your own celestial residences within the mountain. Please forgive our inadequate hospitality and feel free to head there yourselves."
"No problem."
The two late-stage Qi Refining disciples waved their hands and then clasped their fists towards Lin Li. "Junior Brother Lin! Thank you for saving our lives today! We will see you at tomorrow's full sect assembly. We will never forget your great kindness!"
"No need for formalities, Senior Brothers. We will see each other tomorrow."
After Lin Li replied, the maids addressed the remaining four disciples, "Esteemed celestials, please follow us. We will arrange your private celestial residences within the mountain gate."
Lin Li looked slightly puzzled, and the young junior brother beside him, who seemed quite eager to please, said enthusiastically, "Senior Brother Lin, you seem unfamiliar with this, don't you?"
"Yes."
Lin Li recalled the hardships he had suffered before joining the Xuantian Sect—cursed and with no backing—and his eyes dimmed as his expression became troubled.
"Don't worry."
The young junior brother said with a cheerful smile, "Before I joined the Xuantian Sect, I was the eldest son of a top cultivation clan in Zhao Kingdom! I know all the inner workings of sects very well. My family's elders have already told me everything."
"A cultivation clan?"
At this moment, Ye Fan, the sword Lin Li carried at his waist, also perked up with curiosity!
Having been in this cultivation world for so long, Ye Fan still wasn't fully aware of how the world was structured or its dynamics.
Earlier, from the conversation between Elder Zou and the outer disciples, he had gleaned some insights.
But now, hearing a new term, Ye Fan eagerly awaited what the young junior brother would say next.
Lin Li, having endured many setbacks and hardships, remained cautious despite having saved this junior brother's life and the young disciple's friendliness. He wasn't about to let his guard down.
This world was harsh!
Often, the people you helped wouldn't necessarily help you in return. In fact, after receiving help, they might hold a grudge if you didn't continue to help them, and could even turn on you when given the chance.
On the contrary, those who had helped you once might subconsciously help you again. Of course, whether that help came with ulterior motives or personal gain in mind was another matter entirely.
Having learned this lesson well, Lin Li merely said indifferently, "Junior Brother, with your approach of making friends too easily, you may suffer for it in the future."
"It's fine!"
The young junior brother said carelessly, "I'm the eldest son of the Liu family, a top cultivation clan! Unless I run into the kind of danger we faced in the back mountain, in the cultivation world, anyone who hears the name of the Liu family has to give me some respect!"
"But you, Senior Brother, are different! You're my savior and so powerful! Even though you're at the same mid-stage of Qi Refining as I am, you fought like a great expert and even killed the Golden Leopard King! I admire you so much!"
Lin Li couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking, "He really is an inexperienced young master!"
Deciding to ask more, Lin Li said, "Fine. Since that's the case, tell me more about these cultivation clans and private celestial residences."
"Alright!"
The young junior brother, Liu, said excitedly, "Cultivation clans have a long history! Many cultivators don't belong to sects but are instead rogue cultivators. Over time, they spread their lineage among mortals, passing down cultivation techniques to their descendants, which is how cultivation clans first came about. Later, some cultivators from sects, after realizing they had no hope of advancing in their cultivation, chose to retire from the sect and live luxuriously among mortals. They taught their descendants and others the ways of cultivation. These clans are usually stronger and have deeper foundations."
"Generally speaking, cultivation clans with only Qi Refining stage cultivators are considered unranked. Those with cultivators in the early stage of Foundation Establishment are third-rate clans, while those with late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators are second-rate clans."
At this point, Liu proudly raised his head and said, "As for my Liu family... Heh heh!"
"My Liu family's ancestor has lived for over 600 years and reached the Core Formation stage! Just like Elder Zou and Fairy Qinglian! In Zhao Kingdom, my Liu family is considered one of the top cultivation clans, a first-rate family with significant influence!"
"And what about clans with Nascent Soul cultivators?" Lin Li asked casually.
At this, the young junior brother frowned and said, "If someone reaches the Nascent Soul stage, there's no need to establish a cultivation clan! Most cultivation clans are founded by Foundation Establishment cultivators. The first-rate clans with Core Formation ancestors were usually started by cultivators who founded the clan while in the Foundation Establishment stage and later broke through to the Core Formation stage."
"Once a cultivator reaches the Core Formation stage, they can become an elder in a major sect and may even have a chance to compete for the position of Sect Master. As for Nascent Soul cultivators, they are revered as Grand Elders within a sect! At that level, all seven major righteous sects of Zhao Kingdom would regard them as honored guests and call them their Supreme Elders. There's no need to form a cultivation clan anymore."
"I see."
Lin Li nodded. "What about private celestial residences?"
By this time, they had walked a considerable distance, following the maids ahead.
The maids, upon hearing that the young junior brother was the eldest son of the Liu family, became even more obsequious than before!
"No need to trouble the young master. Let me explain it for you."
One of the maids said softly, "Every celestial immortal of the Xuantian Sect, after completing their first trial in the back mountain, is entitled to a private celestial residence at the mountain gate for their cultivation."
"I'll add to that," the young junior brother chimed in. "These private celestial residences are unlike ordinary mortal dwellings!"
"The reason the seven major righteous sects stand above the many cultivation clans and demonic sects isn't just because of their large numbers or powerful elders, but also because they occupy lands with spiritual veins!"
"Although this mountain gate isn't as great as the five peaks of the Xuantian Sect, it is still the starting point of the spiritual vein."
"The reason these residences are called 'celestial residences' is that they are located atop spiritual veins. Cultivating within them allows for much richer spiritual energy, making breakthroughs and progress far easier compared to other locations!"