Supreme Taming Authority

Chapter 76: Entering the Four Symbols Sect

The sun rose as they traveled, warming the cool morning air. The landscape grew more dramatic, with steep hills and forested valleys. Spirit beasts could be heard in the distance, their cries echoing through the mountains.

After about two hours of riding, they spotted another group on the road ahead. Xian Tiandi recognized the robes immediately.

Xian Clan robes, but from a different branch.

As they drew closer, Xian Tiandi could see the group more clearly. There were two carriages accompanied by several riders on horseback. An elder rode at the front, his cultivation base radiating Foundation Establishment realm power.

"That’s Elder Hai’s group," Elder Ming observed. "Xian Long and Ying Yue should be in that carriage."

The two groups slowed as they approached each other. Elder Feng raised his hand in greeting.

"Elder Hai," Elder Feng called out. "Well met on the road."

Elder Hai was a lean man in his fifties with a weathered face. He oversaw the branch families of the Xian Clan in Crimson City and handled their affairs. He bowed slightly from his horse.

Xian Tiandi had moved to a different place considering his night plan previously.

So they didn’t move together.

"Elder Feng, Elder Ming," Elder Hai replied. "I didn’t expect to meet you on the road. Your timing is fortunate."

The groups merged, horses falling into step together. One of the carriage curtains pulled back immediately.

"Big Brother Tiandi!"

Xian Long’s excited voice rang out as he leaned out of the carriage window. The young boy’s face was beaming with joy at seeing his older brother. He had passed the sect trials and earned his place as an outer disciple.

"Long," Xian Tiandi greeted him warmly. "I’m glad to see you made it safely."

"Elder Hai brought us from the branch family compound," Xian Long explained eagerly. "We’ve been traveling since yesterday. The roads were crowded with other sect disciples heading back."

The second carriage’s curtain pulled back slightly. A young woman’s face appeared, her features delicate but her eyes sharp.

Ying Yue.

She bowed her head respectfully from inside the carriage. "Young Master Tiandi."

"Ying Yue," Xian Tiandi greeted her. "Congratulations on passing the trials."

"Thank you," Ying Yue replied. Her voice was calm and composed. "I was fortunate to meet the requirements for outer disciple status."

She had earned her place through her own efforts. Her cultivation at late-stage Qi Refinement realm had been sufficient, combined with decent performance in the combat assessment. Now she would have access to sect resources and proper training.

"Is Xiao Ming well?" Xian Tiandi asked.

Ying Yue’s expression softened slightly at the mention of her younger brother. "He’s staying with the clan for now. He’s too young to begin cultivation training yet, but Elder Hai has assured me he’ll be well cared for."

Elder Hai rode up alongside Elder Feng. "I assume you’re all heading to the sect for official registration?"

"Yes," Elder Feng confirmed. "The enrollment ceremony and trials are complete, but new disciples still need to formally register and receive their assignments."

"We’re in the same situation," Elder Hai said. "These two passed their assessments. Now they need to complete the administrative requirements."

The combined group continued toward the sect together. The road climbed higher into the mountains, winding between peaks and through narrow valleys. The spiritual energy in the air grew denser with each mile.

Xian Long had moved his horse to ride beside Xian Tiandi, his earlier excitement tempered by nervous energy. "Big Brother, what do you think sect life will be like?"

"Structured," Xian Tiandi replied. "You’ll have assigned duties, training schedules, and missions to complete. The sect expects results from its disciples."

"I’ll work hard," Xian Long promised. "I want to advance quickly and become an inner disciple like you."

"Focus on building a solid foundation first," Xian Tiandi advised. "Rushing advancement leads to instability."

After several more hours of riding, they crested a hill and the Four Symbols Sect came into full view.

It was magnificent. Four massive peaks surrounded a central valley, each peak representing one of the four cardinal symbols. Azure Dragon to the east. White Tiger to the west. Vermillion Bird to the south. Black Tortoise to the north.

Buildings were carved into the mountainsides, connected by bridges and pathways. Formations shimmered in the air, creating protective barriers around the entire complex. Waterfalls cascaded down cliff faces, their water glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

The central valley held the main sect compound. Massive halls and pagodas rose from the valley floor, surrounded by gardens and training grounds.

Spiritual energy was visible even from this distance, swirling in concentrated eddies around the peaks. This was a true cultivation holy land.

"Incredible," Xian Long breathed, his eyes wide with wonder.

"A worthy place for cultivation," Elder Feng said with satisfaction.

Ying Yue also looked awed by the sight. It was her first time seeing something like this.

They descended toward the sect entrance. A large gate marked the boundary of sect territory. It was carved from white jade and stood at least thirty feet tall. Guardian formations flickered across its surface.

Disciples in outer sect robes stood guard at the gate, checking credentials of everyone entering. Several other groups were already lined up, all new disciples arriving for official registration.

Their combined group reached the gate and dismounted from their horses and carriages. The guards stepped forward, their expressions professional.

"State your business," one guard said.

"We’re bringing new disciples for official registration," Elder Feng replied. He produced documentation from his spatial ring. "From the Xian Clan. They passed the enrollment trials yesterday."

The guard examined the papers carefully. "Names?"

"Xian Tiandi, inner disciple. Xian Long, outer disciple. Ying Yue, outer disciple."

The guard made notes on his scroll. "Inner disciple?" He looked at Xian Tiandi with new interest. "You must have performed exceptionally well in the trials."

"He did," Elder Feng said with pride. "He was even offered core disciple status."

The guard’s eyebrows rose. "And you declined?"

"I prefer to advance through proper channels," Xian Tiandi said simply. "Core disciple status can wait until I break through to Foundation Establishment realm."

The guard nodded with approval. "Humble and patient. Good qualities." He handed back the documentation. "You’re cleared to enter. Report to the Administrative Hall for registration. Follow the main path to the central valley. The Administrative Hall is the large building with blue roof tiles."

The massive jade gates swung open. Formations glowed briefly as the group passed through, scanning each person.

Inside the sect grounds, the spiritual energy was almost overwhelming. It pressed against them like a physical force. Xian Long took a deep breath, his eyes widening at the density.

"The spiritual energy here is amazing," he said. "I can feel my cultivation base responding already."

Servants came forward to take the horses and carriages. The group would proceed on foot from here.

Elder Feng, Elder Ming, and Elder Hai would accompany them to complete the registration process, then return to the clan to make their reports.

They followed a wide stone path that led down into the central valley. On either side, disciples trained in open courtyards. Some practiced martial techniques. Others sat in meditation circles. The sect was clearly a place of serious cultivation.

The Administrative Hall was exactly where the guard had indicated. It was a massive structure with blue roof tiles and red pillars. Dozens of new disciples were already gathered outside, waiting to be processed.

A sect official stood at the entrance, directing traffic. "New inner disciples to the left entrance. Outer disciples to the right entrance. Have your trial assessment documents ready."

Xian Tiandi separated from Xian Long and Ying Yue. "I’ll see you both after registration is complete."

"Yes, Big Brother," Xian Long said.

Ying Yue bowed. "Good luck, Young Master."

Xian Tiandi proceeded to the left entrance while the other two went right. The inner disciple registration area was less crowded. Only about twenty new disciples had achieved inner disciple status in this enrollment cycle.

Inside, several desks were set up with sect officials handling paperwork. A middle-aged woman in inner sect robes looked up as Xian Tiandi approached.

"Name and trial results?" she asked.

"Xian Tiandi. I scored top marks in all three assessments."

The woman consulted a scroll on her desk. Her eyes widened slightly. "Ah yes. You’re the one who was offered core disciple advancement. Sect Leader Yue Lian made a personal note here." She looked up at him. "You’re guaranteed core disciple status upon breakthrough to Foundation Establishment realm. That’s quite rare."

"I’m honored by the sect leader’s confidence," Xian Tiandi replied.

The woman pulled out several documents and a jade token. "This is your inner disciple identification token. It grants access to inner sect facilities, the technique pavilion up to the third floor, and the inner sect resource hall. Your monthly stipend is fifty contribution points."

She handed him the token along with a small booklet. "This manual explains sect rules, contribution point system, and mission procedures. Read it carefully. Violations of sect rules result in punishment or expulsion."

"Understood," Xian Tiandi said.

"You’ll be assigned quarters in the inner sect residential area on Azure Dragon Peak. Report to the housing coordinator there. He’ll assign you a specific residence." She made additional notes on her scroll. "Do you have any questions?"

"When do formal duties begin?"

"You have three days to settle in and familiarize yourself with sect facilities. After that, you’re expected to attend inner sect training sessions and accept missions regularly. Contribution points are earned through missions, which are used to purchase resources and techniques."

"Thank you," Xian Tiandi said. He took the token and manual.

"Welcome to the Four Symbols Sect," the woman said. "May your cultivation journey be fruitful."

Xian Tiandi stepped outside and waited for Xian Long and Ying Yue. The outer disciple registration was taking longer due to the larger number of people being processed.

After about twenty minutes, both emerged from the right entrance. Xian Long was grinning widely, clutching his own jade token. Ying Yue looked more subdued but satisfied.