Outside the chamber, Marivelle stood exactly where Adrian had left her, her hands folded behind her back. The corridor's soft illumination reflected faintly against her silver hair, and the tips of her ears twitched slightly as he stepped out.
"We're leaving," Adrian said simply.
Marivelle nodded once and fell into step beside him without question as they descended through the levels of the Crimson Spire. Lara had already departed, likely returning to her own responsibilities. The lower corridors were noticeably quieter than before, with fewer disciples moving through the halls. Those who noticed Adrian immediately stepped aside and bowed respectfully.
Adrian acknowledged them with a brief nod and continued forward. Marivelle's footsteps echoed in perfect rhythm with his own.
News had spread quickly. His image and updated elder status had already been published across the sect's internal information board. Most disciples were aware that a new elder had emerged, one who had not only saved the Sect Leader but secured a relic world.
Adrian activated his UNI-OS node and sent a message to Kaelith.
Where are you guys?
The reply came within seconds.
You are back? We are in the Main Tower in the Education District, Lecture Hall 27. Come fast, an elder is going to take a class now.
Adrian smiled faintly at the message. It seemed his people were already beginning to integrate into sect life.
A sect was, in many ways, an academy for cultivators. To nurture its disciples, cultivation classes were held every day. Classes taught by elders were especially valued, as they were not held frequently. Most daily lectures were handled by core disciples, while elders balanced their own cultivation, research, administration, and missions.
Every sect had its own structure for ranking disciples. In the Crimson Vital Sect, the structure was straightforward. Outer sect disciples were those who had unlocked rule perception but had not yet stepped into the Rule Stage by forming a Rule Core. Inner sect disciples had entered the Rule Stage and were typically in Early Rule Stage. Core disciples were Mid Rule Stage cultivators. Occasionally, a High Rule Stage cultivator might still remain among core disciples, but those who reached High Rule Stage usually rendered significant service to the sect and were typically elevated to Elder status.
Adrian had just reviewed the sect laws from Hestia. So he knew about all these things clearly now. The responsibilities of an elder were relatively light compared to those of lower ranks. Elders were among the strongest beings below the Sect Leader, and the sect's focus was to support their continued growth. Official duties were limited: conducting a lecture once every few months, accepting a high-level mission periodically, and contributing to sect affairs when necessary. Outside of those obligations, elders were largely free to cultivate, conduct personal research, train personal disciples, or even oversee entire departments if they possessed the necessary expertise.
They exited the Crimson Spire.
Sunlight bathed the plaza in warm amber. The twin suns of the Sanguis System hung at different angles, casting overlapping shadows across the polished stone and metal structures.
From outside, Adrian could clearly see the surrounding districts. Massive towers spiraled upward around the central spire, each accompanied by expansive territory. Every tower represented the headquarters of a different department. There were districts for Alchemy, Inscription, Education, Logistics, and many others.
The Alchemy District was visibly larger than the rest, which was unsurprising given the sect's specialization. Its tower gleamed with reddish-gold formations etched into every surface, pulsing faintly with controlled essence. Smoke rose from dozens of chimneys, carrying the sharp scent of refined herbs.
Adrian headed toward the Education District. Marivelle followed silently.
The pathways were constructed from sleek metallic materials with a modern aesthetic reminiscent of the UNI-Hub. Clean lines and geometric patterns dominated the architecture, interspersed with flowing organic curves that softened the overall impression. Subtle formations embedded in the ground regulated temperature and air quality, creating a comfortable environment despite the planet's natural climate.
Upon entering the district, Adrian noticed numerous stalls lining the open areas. Most were owned by disciples themselves, selling everything from food to self-developed divine spells.
A stall to his left displayed skewered meats glazed with mana-infused sauce, the vendor calling out prices in a rhythmic chant. Another offered crystallized essence candies arranged in neat rows, each one glowing faintly with different hues. Further ahead, a young disciple stood behind a table covered in parchment scrolls, each labeled with handwritten descriptions.
"Custom barrier spell! Tailored to our Crimson Vital Dominion! Only five thousand Sect Points!"
The sect officially provided the primary divine concept spell structure required to cultivate Crimson Vital Dominion, but disciples were free to create their own variations and enhancements. Many of the stalls displayed creative spell constructs. These personal creations not only provided income but also helped deepen understanding of the divine concept, as each variation emphasized different rule interactions.
For now, Adrian did not stop.
He proceeded directly to the main tower at the center of the district and navigated towards Lecture Hall 27.
Outside the entrance to Hall 27, a small floating metallic sphere hovered at chest height. As Adrian and Marivelle approached, the sphere drifted forward smoothly and emitted a mechanical voice.
"Ten sect points are required to attend this lecture."
Adrian retrieved his elder token from his spatial ring. The token resembled a small metallic card engraved with intricate inscriptions that shimmered with a soft crimson light.
He extended it forward. "I want access for her as well. Deduct twenty points."
The sphere rotated slightly, a thin beam of light scanning the token's surface. After a brief pause, the voice returned. "Twenty sect points deducted. Access granted."
Sect points were a critical internal currency. Disciples could use them to purchase items from stalls, redeem pills from the Alchemy Tower, or access products and services from other departments. Some sects were notorious for hoarding knowledge behind layers of sect point requirements, effectively restricting advancement unless disciples undertook dangerous missions.
However, from what Adrian had observed in the sect laws, the Crimson Vital Sect provided reasonable monthly allowances. Disciples were not forced into excessive risk merely to access basic cultivation resources, and the fees for classes were extremely low-priced. A class taught by an elder only cost ten sect points, and even an outer disciple received a monthly allowance of a few thousand sect points. Compared to other sects he had seen discussed in forums, this policy was comparatively generous.
As an elder, Adrian received ten thousand sect points monthly. In addition, the spatial ring Hestia had given him contained a dozen mana pills, each holding twenty thousand mana units.
The sphere moved aside with a quiet hum, and Adrian and Marivelle entered.
The Lecture Hall was enormous, capable of holding ten thousand disciples at once. It was already half full, and more disciples continued streaming in through multiple entrances. The seating was arranged in broad ascending tiers, forming a semicircular layout around the central teaching platform below.
The ceiling arched high overhead, reinforced with visible support beams that glowed faintly with stabilization formations. Soft light radiated from floating orbs suspended at intervals, casting warm illumination across the assembled disciples. Conversations filled the space, some debated what they'd studied, others compared recent breakthroughs, and a few chatted about the war with the Everlasting Pill sect.
Adrian scanned the seating and soon located his companions seated together in one section toward the middle-left. They occupied several rows, clustered in a way that made them stand out slightly from the surrounding disciples.
As Adrian approached them, Aerin was the first to notice him.
"Uncle!" she shouted excitedly before leaping off the bench toward him.
Adrian caught her midair and held her, his hands steady beneath her arms.
"Uncle, I can see those weird lines everywhere now, it's so awesome!" she said, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained enthusiasm. She gestured wildly with one hand, tracing invisible patterns in the air. "They're all around us! On the walls, in the benches, even in the air itself!"
Adrian smiled gently at her enthusiasm. "Those 'weird lines' are the rules that hold reality together. It means you've taken your first real step into becoming a Rule Stage cultivator. Just remember, seeing them is only the beginning."
Aerin nodded enthusiastically, though it was clear her excitement outweighed her comprehension. "I know! Elder Maelis said the same thing when she gave us the pills. But it's still so cool!"
Behind them, Aurelia spoke with mild exasperation. "Aerin, you cannot keep jumping around like that. You are growing up now."
Aerin turned and made a playful face at her mother, scrunching her nose and sticking out her tongue briefly.
Aurelia sighed softly. Since the incident in that sealed space, Aerin had matured slightly, yet whenever she was near Adrian, she reverted to her old playful behavior.
Adrian set Aerin down gently, and she immediately darted back to her seat beside Sentinel, who caught her shoulder to keep her from bouncing again.
Adrian looked around. He first noticed his parents. Elara appeared to be arguing animatedly with Selena, her hands gesturing as she spoke. Her expression made it clear she disagreed vehemently with whatever Selena had said. Thomas sat beside them observing quietly, his arms folded across his chest, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the exchange without intervening.
Nearby were the rulers and Celestials, along with Kaelith, Mira, Kael, Morvain, and the others they had brought from their galaxy.
They all seemed well-adjusted and adapting well. Each of them nodded in greeting as Adrian's gaze swept over them. None had doubted Adrian when he informed them he would enter the relic. They had trusted him fully and had expected his safe return.
Draven caught his eye and grinned. "Took you long enough."
Max, seated beside him, snorted. "You complain, but you were the one betting he'd take another week."
"I was giving him time to be thorough," Draven shot back.
Selric leaned forward from the row behind them, "Both of you, quiet. The lecture will start soon."
At that moment, Torvain entered the lecture hall from a side door near the platform. The hall's ambient noise dropped noticeably as disciples noticed his arrival.
"The class will begin shortly," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly without needing amplification.
Adrian met Torvain's gaze across the hall. They exchanged no words, but mutual understanding passed between them.
Torvain would be conducting the lecture.
Within the sect, it was not unusual for elders to attend each other's lectures. Every elder carried unique experiences and insights, and mutual learning was encouraged rather than discouraged.
Adrian guided Marivelle to an empty space near his companions and sat down on the bench.