'This Infinite Demon Sect is truly different from what I imagined.' Gazing around the elegant and peaceful courtyard, Qi Yun couldn't help but mutter to himself.
The bloody selections of the past two years and the life-threatening cruelty of the final trial all pointed to the cold, merciless nature of this Demon Sect.
But after truly stepping through the mountain gates, everything he saw and heard exuded a strange sense of peace and harmony. It was a far cry from the world of demonic flames and the law of the jungle that he had anticipated.
The contrast made him feel an inexplicable sense of unease.
'Perhaps I'm overthinking it. The Demon Sect isn't full of psychos, right? They can't possibly keep trying to torture us to death like before?'
After reassuring himself, Qi Yun took the Taixu Jade Order to the screen wall by the courtyard gate. His eyes scanned the rough surface of the green brick wall for a moment before finding an inconspicuous slot on the right. He fit the Jade Token into it.
HUMMM—
The Jade Token trembled slightly. Wisps of azure light seeped out from it like living things, spreading rapidly and staining the green brick wall.
In the blink of an eye, the entire ordinary screen wall was transformed into a smooth, warm Jade Disc.
Immediately after, dense, organized blocks of text surged and scrolled across the Jade Disc's surface like flowing water, forming a dazzling array of sect mission postings.
[New Elixir Product: Flavor Tasting & Review]
[Mission Description: Seeking fellow disciples with sensitive palates and robust physiques to test newly developed elixirs.]
[Reward: 30 Holy Essence, with a complimentary dose of "Clearing Intestines and Detoxifying Powder."]
[Note: Survival guaranteed.]
...
[Cursed Magical Artifact: Negative Emotion Recycling]
[Mission Description: The Artifact Refining Hall has a large backlog of magical artifacts tainted with Evil Qi. Disciples are needed to wear a designated artifact on their person for three days to absorb its overflowing Evil Qi.]
[Reward: 200 Holy Essence.]
...
[Netherworld Passage: Vanguard Tourism Envoy]
[Mission Description: A stable, small-scale Netherworld rift has been discovered. We cordially invite a person of exceptional courage to act as a "Vanguard Tourism Envoy," wearing a sect-issued "Soul-locking Talisman" to explore for one hour. You need only record: Yin Qi concentration gradients, types of wandering souls, and map new territory. Your name may be recorded in sect history.]
[Reward: 2,500 Holy Essence.]
...
[Ten Thousand Souls Banner: Main Soul Experience Officer]
[Mission Description: Due to a newly refined Ten Thousand Souls Banner, we are in urgent need of a "Main Soul Experience Officer" to take up residence in the core, help stabilize new souls, and sort through their resentment. The experience lasts only seven days. A private, tranquil soul-chamber is provided within the banner, where you will enjoy the worship of ten thousand souls. You will be released upon completion of the term.]
[Reward: 7,000 Holy Essence.]
...
"Pah!"
He couldn't help but spit fiercely, rolling his eyes several times in exasperation.
Any previous thought that 'the Demon Sect isn't so bad' was instantly crushed to dust!
These weren't sect missions; this was treating new disciples like us as cheap consumables.
Of the sect missions appearing on the screen wall, nine out of ten had hidden pitfalls—traps within traps.
And the last one was blatantly using you as a test subject.
'Thankfully, I'm not completely broke.'
Taking out the Storage Pouch he got from Tang Shun, Qi Yun laid out its contents one by one.
A bottle of Treasure Pills of unknown effect, two Dharma Transmission Jade Talismans, and a Silver Bracelet of unknown purpose.
As his gaze swept over the items, the one Qi Yun most wanted to get rid of was the Silver Bracelet. Its origin was unknown, its power was unknown, and it was likely the very reason Tang Shun had been frantically searching for the Storage Pouch like a madman.
The bottle of Treasure Pills looked valuable, but he had no idea what they did.
That only left the two Dharma Transmission Jade Talismans…
'I can't touch the [Red Night Sword Qi]. It's too distinctive. Messing with it will just bring trouble down on my head.'
'But something as common as [Basic Sword Qi] shouldn't be so risky.'
His mind made up, Qi Yun walked to the Jade Disc and swiped his hand across its surface.
Besides accepting sect missions, this Jade Disc also functioned as a marketplace called the [Infinite Treasure Market].
It was the perfect place for him to sell the Dharma Transmission Jade Talisman he had on hand.
Qi Yun quickly found several listings for [Basic Sword Qi], with prices varying considerably from low to high.
The lowest was selling for only ten Holy Essence, while the highest was priced at one hundred and ten.
A difference of more than tenfold.
'The difference must be in the amount of core principles and key insights included. After all, the more detailed they are, the more they help with cultivating Magic.'
'The one I have is incredibly detailed, the cream of the crop.'
'It should sell for around a hundred…'
Just as Qi Yun listed the [Basic Sword Formulas] on the [Infinite Treasure Market], a knock came from the door.
Surprised, he opened the courtyard gate.
Outside stood a young Daoist with heavy dark circles under his eyes. His face had the ashen pallor of chronic sleep deprivation.
Seeing Qi Yun, he wasted no words, directly handing over a gray cloth pouch embroidered with countless tiny Talismans. His voice was as raspy as sandpaper:
"Pickup. Put it in.
Sect-unified valuation and sale.
We take… a ten-percent service fee."
Qi Yun nodded and placed the Jade Talisman for the [Basic Sword Qi] into the pouch. He was about to speak again, but the Daoist had already turned and hurried away without the slightest delay.
Sensing the heavy, oppressive aura from the Daoist, a thoughtful look appeared on Qi Yun's face.
There was no exploitation, no bullying, and no bloody battles to the death.
Just a single annual assessment was enough to force all the Disciples of the Outer Mansion to desperately cultivate and earn Holy Essence.
If you dared to slow down, you would be surpassed by others.
And in this process, many would inevitably be forced, or would unconsciously, abandon their principles, ultimately becoming kindling for the great furnace that was the Infinite Demon Sect.
'How brilliant. They use your own ambition against you, making you powerless to stop yourself from sinking into the mire.'
At this moment, for the first time, Qi Yun felt the true terror of this Demon Sect so clearly.
'This is what a demon is…'
He closed his eyes, his voice low and heavy.
"A true demon that devours people whole, leaving not even the bones!"
...
「Two days later.」
Sitting cross-legged on a meditation mat in his quiet room, Qi Yun was fully focused on circulating the True Qi within his body, guiding it slowly through his meridians to temper and refine it.
Suddenly, a slight vibration from the Taixu Jade Token hanging at his waist broke his concentration.
He opened his eyes and took out the Jade Token. On its smooth surface, a line of clear, azure text glowed faintly.
[Holy Essence received: 105]
'It sold this quickly? It seems that compared to the standard versions of Magic, these detailed editions with core principles and key insights are really in demand.'
With money in hand, Qi Yun immediately went to the screen wall, inserted his Taixu Jade Token, and opened the [Infinite Treasure Market].
"This is the one!"
Having browsed the [Infinite Treasure Market] dozens of times over the past two days, Qi Yun had long decided what he would spend his Holy Essence on once it arrived.
With a swipe of his finger, the hundred-odd Holy Essence that had just arrived, not yet even warm in his possession, were instantly reduced to just five!
Less than two minutes later.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
The knock on the door came as expected.
Qi Yun opened the gate. Outside, as before, stood a Daoist with a sallow face and puffy eyes, looking completely drained. He was holding a parcel wrapped in talismans.
"Hello…"
"Thanks, bye."
Taking the parcel, Qi Yun also wasted no words. He took the item, said his thanks, and closed the gate, all in one smooth motion!
Carrying the parcel back into the courtyard, Qi Yun took a deep breath and unwrapped it.
The next second!
A familiar throbbing sensation welled up from the bottom of his heart.
...