Chapter 55: The Newly Built Pavilion, the Dim Light in the Dark Night
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The "Quiet Contemplation Pavilion" of the Law Enforcement Hall isn't a gloomy prison, but rather a tranquil, independent courtyard nestled in the hills behind the hall. Separated by a formation, it houses a quiet room and study, complete with all the essentials. However, access is restricted, and law enforcement disciples take turns guarding the area. It's more like house arrest than detention.
For Ye Li, this place had become a rare tranquil spot after the hustle and bustle. Without anyone to disturb her, she could focus on consolidating her cultivation and digesting the knowledge gained from the secret realm.
She sat cross-legged on a cushion in the quiet room, her mind immersed in her body. The "Emperor's Scripture of the Underworld" slowly flowed, and extremely cold spiritual energy flowed like a stream through her increasingly resilient and wide meridians. Within her Dantian, the sea of qi, spiritual energy was thick and dense. It had reached the limit of the Awakening Spiritual Realm. Only one step was left to condense the spiritual veins and enter the Condensed Veins Realm.
But she wasn't in a rush to break through. The inheritance of the Xuanhuan Master and the tempering of the Star Origin Fluid had given her an incredibly strong foundation. She needed to polish this foundation to perfection, paving the way for a bright future.
In her sea of consciousness, the fragments of the Samsara Mirror hovered quietly, emitting a warm and clear glow. After receiving the inheritance, she felt a stronger connection to the mysterious fragment, and her control over the refreshing aura it emanated, which heightened her understanding, became even more adept. She began to draw upon this power to repeatedly deduce the various variations of "Star Flash," the first level of "Universe Traceless Step," and the power generation techniques of "Ice Mark," the first move of "Ice Soul Sealing Heaven Finger."
Time passed quietly during her retreat. While the outside world's controversy intensified, within the Jingsi Pavilion, there was complete tranquility.
Three days later, Lay Buddhist Mu Yun came to visit. He dismissed the disciples on duty and sat down with Ye Li at the stone table in the courtyard.
"How do you feel?" Mr. Muyun brewed two cups of tea, his tone as gentle as ever.
"Thank you for your concern, Master. I am fine. This is a good opportunity for me to calm down." Ye Li responded respectfully.
Lay Buddhist Muyun nodded and gave her a penetrating look. "The sect's elders have discussed your case several times. Senior Brother Situ Zhan Kuangfeng was adamant and insisted on severe punishment. However, I and several other elders I'm friends with all believe that Gao Sheng and his men attacked first, and that you were acting in self-defense, which is understandable. As for inheritance... the sect has finally decided that as long as it's not a demonic skill, and the disciple has good opportunities, the sect will not interfere, but rather encourage them."
Ye Li had anticipated this outcome. The Xuanyun Sect had stood for a thousand years, and they possessed a certain magnanimity. They couldn't have so brazenly snatched away a disciple's opportunities, especially without definitive proof of "demon power." Zhan Kuangfeng, despite his immense power, couldn't completely control everything.
"Thank you, Master, for your protection." Ye Li thanked him sincerely. She knew that Master Mu Yun must have played a great role in this.
"No need to thank me, you've earned your stripes." Lay Buddhist Muyun waved his hand and changed the subject. "However, while the death penalty may be avoided, the punishment for life is unavoidable. The sect has finally ruled: you severely injured a fellow disciple (Shi Feng). While there were reasons for the incident, your methods were excessive. As a punishment, you will be confined to Yundan Peak for three months to reflect on your mistakes, and one year's sect offering will be deducted. You will also have to compensate Shi Feng for the healing pills. Do you have any objections to this?"
Three months of house arrest and a year's worth of tribute deducted? This punishment was all talk and no action. House arrest was just the perfect opportunity for her to cultivate in peace. The tribute was already meager, and now that she was wealthy, she didn't care. As for the compensation for the elixir, it was even less of a matter.
"Disciple has no objection and is willing to accept the punishment." Ye Li accepted it calmly.
"Good." A hint of satisfaction flashed in Mu Yun Jushi's eyes. "You can leave Jingsi Pavilion tomorrow and return to Yundan Peak. However, Li'er, after this incident, you are now in the spotlight. There are many people in the sect who are jealous of your successor, and Zhan Kuangfeng will not let you go. Outside the sect, the news may have leaked, and it is inevitable that there will be scoundrels coveting you. You must be more cautious in your future actions."
"Disciple understands." Ye Li's eyes narrowed slightly. Mu Yun Jushi's warning was exactly what she had worried about. Individual strength eventually reached its limits, and facing potential threats, she needed her own strength.
"Master," Ye Li pondered for a moment, then spoke, "I have an unwelcome request. I would like to form a small group within the peak, named 'Youge', with the goal of exchanging cultivation experiences with a few trusted fellow disciples, helping each other and benefiting from each other, and dealing with possible disturbances. I wonder if this complies with the sect's rules?"
She did not hide her intentions, but chose to be frank with Master Muyun. Gaining the tacit approval or even support of this peak master was crucial.
Upon hearing this, Lay Buddhist Muyun wasn't surprised. Instead, he let out a knowing smile. He took a sip of his tea and said, "The sect encourages normal interactions among disciples, helping each other improve. As long as they don't violate sect rules, form cliques for personal gain, or harm the sect, there's nothing wrong with disciples organizing small groups. 'Youge'...it's a nice name, mysterious yet profound, and carries a profound meaning. Since you're so determined, just go for it. Yundan Peak will always have your back."
With the almost explicit support from Mu Yun Jushi, Ye Li felt relieved: "Thank you, Master!"
The next day, Ye Li calmly walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall under the gazes of countless people, and was personally taken back to Yundan Peak by Master Muyun. The sect's final decision on her punishment was then announced, sparking much discussion among the crowd, but most people felt that it was a case of raising her high and then lowering her lightly, which clearly demonstrated the sect's high-ranking officials' attitude towards Ye Li.
After returning to her own courtyard at Yundan Peak, Ye Li did not immediately begin her retreat. She first sent a secret invitation to several people through Lin Feng.
…
Two days later, at night, deep in a secluded bamboo forest on the back mountain of Yundan Peak.
Moonlight streamed through the gaps between the bamboo leaves, casting dappled specks of light. Ye Li stood with his hands behind his back, his posture erect, his cold gaze sweeping across the four figures standing before him.
Lin Feng was still as calm and capable as ever, with the same loyalty and respect in his eyes.
Zhao Xiaoyi seemed a little nervous, but more excited and determined.
In addition to the two of them, there are two new faces.
The first was a tall, serene woman named Xia Zhihe, an inner disciple of Yundan Peak. She had reached the middle stage of Condensing Veins and specialized in alchemy and spiritual plants. While gathering a rare spiritual herb in a secret realm, she was attacked by demonic beasts. Ye Li, passing by, helped her escape. Xia Zhihe was aloof and averse to socializing, but she distinguished between gratitude and resentment. She deeply remembered Ye Li's life-saving favor. Upon learning of Ye Li's intention to establish Youge, she carefully considered and decided to join.
The other was a short, yet incredibly bright-eyed youth named Sun Xiaohou, a renowned "gossip" within the sect. Though only at the late stage of the Spiritual Awakening stage, he was incredibly well-informed, particularly adept at uncovering secrets and market trends. He had once offended Zhan Kuangfeng's men by selling information, but was secretly rescued by Ye Li, leaving him with both admiration and gratitude. Lin Feng had carefully observed him, believing him to be both capable and relatively clean, and so recommended him to Ye Li.
These four individuals were the core team Ye Li had initially selected for Youge. Lin Feng would coordinate the overall situation and be responsible for intelligence analysis; Zhao Xiaoyi would handle external liaisons and miscellaneous tasks; Xia Zhihe would provide elixir support and some high-level connections; and Sun Xiaohou would specialize in information gathering.
Ye Li's eyes slowly swept over the four people, and her voice was cold and clear: "I invited you all here today. I believe Lin Feng has already explained the reason. I want to establish 'Youge', not to fight for power or form cliques. The original intention is just four words: self-reliance and mutual assistance."
She paused, then continued, "The path of cultivation is like sailing against the current; it's difficult to support oneself. Although the sect is large, it's not a pure land. Resources are limited, and conflict is inevitable. We gather together to share information to avoid deception; to share resources and overcome difficulties together; to provide assistance in times of crisis; and to be tempered on the path."
"When Youge was first established, we didn't seek scale, but rather excellence. We had three initial goals:"
"First, establish a secret and reliable information network, especially information about the movements of Zhan Kuang Peak, sect missions, market conditions, and external events. All of this needs to be kept up to date."
"Second, limited internal resource sharing and exchange. For example, the elixirs refined by Senior Sister Zhihe can be supplied to members of the pavilion at an internal price. The cultivation techniques and talisman materials we have obtained can also be exchanged."
"Third, develop in a low-key manner and accumulate strength. The existence of the Secluded Pavilion will not be made public for the time being, and the identities of its members must be strictly confidential. All actions must be conducted without attracting the attention of the sect."
Ye Li finished speaking and looked at the four people: "To enter my Youge, you must swear an inner demon oath that you will never betray your fellow members and never reveal the secrets of the pavilion. There may be risks ahead. If you are unwilling, I will not blame you if you withdraw now."
Lin Feng did not hesitate and was the first to step forward. He knelt on one knee and made a vow to his inner demon: "I, Lin Feng, am willing to follow the Pavilion Master and join You Pavilion. I will never abandon you, no matter life or death, and I will never betray my alliance!" He had already bet his future on Ye Li.
Zhao Xiaoyi followed closely behind, swearing excitedly: "I, Zhao Xiaoyi, swear to follow the Pavilion Master until death!"
Xia Zhihe was silent for a moment, then looked at Ye Li with cold eyes and said slowly: "I, Xia Zhihe, clearly distinguish between gratitude and resentment. I should repay the life-saving grace. The philosophy of Youge is also in line with my wishes. I am willing to join." After that, she also made an oath.
Sun Xiaohou scratched his hair and chuckled: "I, Sun Xiaohou, don't have any special abilities, I just have sharp ears and swift legs. The Pavilion Master thinks highly of me, so I will sell my life to Youge with this information!" He also swore an oath.
Seeing that the four of them had sworn the oath, Ye Li's eyes flashed with relief. She raised her hand and said, "Okay! From now on, we are all members of Youge, sharing honor and disgrace together!"
She took out several items she had prepared long ago. Four black tokens, made of a special material and engraved with secret cloud patterns, were distributed to the four people. "This is the Youge Token. It serves as both an identity certificate and a small communication talisman, allowing for emergency contact within a certain distance. I'll tell you how to use it later."
She then took out a few jade bottles, which contained high-grade Spirit Tempering Pills she had refined using some of the spiritual herbs she had harvested from the secret realm, and distributed them to everyone: "This is a meeting gift to help everyone in their cultivation."
Finally, her eyes became sharp. "Youge has just been established, and many things need to be done. Lin Feng, you will be responsible for the overall affairs and formulate the initial rules and regulations of the pavilion. Xiaohou, your primary task is to closely monitor the movements of Gao Sheng, Shi Feng and others from Zhan Kuangfeng after they are discharged from the hospital, as well as the spread of rumors about the secret realm inheritance within and outside the sect. Zhihe, please pay attention to the market prices of elixirs and spiritual herbs in Danxia Peak and the various markets, especially those related to healing and breakthroughs. Xiaoyi, you will assist Lin Feng and be responsible for the daily communication between us."
"Yes! Pavilion Master!" The four responded in unison, their eyes flashing with excitement and a sense of mission.
Under the moonlight, amidst the shadows of a bamboo forest, the prototype of an organization destined to shake up the spiritual world in the future quietly took shape. Like a tiny glimmer of light in the dark night, though faint, it held the potential to ignite a prairie fire.
Ye Li looked at the four original members before her, a surge of pride rising in her heart. The road ahead would still be difficult, but at least she was no longer alone. The Secluded Pavilion would be the foundation from which she would face all challenges.
"Go away, be careful." Ye Li waved his hand.
The four of them bowed and blended silently into the night of the bamboo forest, as if they had never appeared.
Ye Li stood alone for a moment, looking towards Xuantian Peak with deep eyes.
"Goldman Sachs, Situ Kuang... and those enemies hiding in the shadows... just wait, the game has just begun."
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