Entry: I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World

3: Chapter 3: Development in a Low-Key Manner!A night passed, and as the sun rose, its light spread evenly across Gu Yan’s small courtyard.

He did not immediately rush to the Sect’s Mission Hall to accept tasks and earn contribution points as he had done for hundreds of mornings in the past.

Now that his Golden Finger had successfully loaded, focusing wholeheartedly on cultivating immortality was his top priority.

Gu Yan sat cross-legged on his bed, sinking his mind into his body.

The shanzhong acupoint, the core hub of the first revolution of the Martial Dao, was slowly rotating at this moment, filled with Martial Dao Internal Energy.

He wanted to fill the entire acupoint with Spiritual Qi to complete the transformation from martial arts to immortality.

This process required the continuous absorption and accumulation of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi; it could not be rushed.

After all, using Spiritual Qi to stimulate Internal Energy was relatively easy, like dripping ink into clear water.

But replacing the entire vat of water with a more Advanced nectar was not something that could be finished in a day or two.

Time passed quietly during his meditation.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the hour of Si. He stood up, walked out of his small courtyard, and headed toward the C-rank Herb Garden.

Although cultivation was the core, he couldn’t completely abandon his fixed daily chores on the surface for the time being.

The C-rank Herb Garden was the same as ever, permeated with the fresh scent of mixed herbs and wood.

Outer Sect Disciples and laborers were busy with their respective tasks.

Gu Yan also skillfully began his share of the maintenance work.

His movements were meticulous, but half of his mind was immersed in the cultivation insights from that morning.

At noon, with the scorching sun overhead, a slight commotion suddenly came from the entrance of the herb garden.

Almost all the Outer Sect Disciples who were buried in their work looked up or turned their heads in unison.

Gu Yan followed the crowd and cast his gaze toward the garden gate.

Two people had arrived.

Both wore black Inner Sect Disciple uniforms. The tailoring was impeccable, the materials were exquisite, and they carried an air of ethereal detachment.

More importantly, these two women had exceptionally outstanding appearances and temperaments.

One had hair like a waterfall and a cold expression, cradling a long sword in her arms; when standing still, she was like a solitary pine on a snowy ridge.

The other had apricot-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, with a slightly more lively demeanor.

Gu Yan inwardly praised them as two great beauties.

However, what he saw more clearly was the heaven-and-earth difference between those Inner Sect outfits and his own drab, grey Outer Sect robes.

Being an Outer Sect Disciple sounded better than being a laborer, but in reality, aside from having an independent small courtyard and this iconic clothing,

in the eyes of the Sect’s upper management, their status wasn’t necessarily much higher than the laborers responsible for sweeping and hauling; they were all outsiders.

The Inner Sect held the true Disciples, the core and future of the Sect.

Of course, this lament lasted only a moment.

Envy? A little, but not much.

After all, the path he was walking now was already different from these fellow Disciples who were still groping through the Martial Dao.

They pursued higher Realms of the Martial Dao, while his goal was already the threshold of the Immortal Dao.

The cold woman cradling the long sword took a step forward, her gaze sweeping over the herb garden supervisor, Old Chen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news:

”By order of the Inner Sect, from today onwards, Su Zhi and my Junior Sister Lin Wei will be responsible for guarding Elder Xuan Qing’s herb garden. You may proceed as usual.”

A flash of nervousness crossed Old Chen’s face as he asked cautiously, ”Senior Sister Su, Senior Sister Lin, has something happened to... Elder Xuan Qing?”

The lively woman named Lin Wei took over the conversation: ”The Elder is fine. It’s just that recently, it’s suspected that some demonic cult lowlifes have infiltrated the Sect, causing disturbances and destruction everywhere.

This C-rank Herb Garden is an important supply point for the Sect’s low-grade Medicinal Pill ingredients, so the Inner Sect specifically dispatched the two of us to stay and guard against them.

None of you need to panic; just do what you need to do.”

Old Chen visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as nothing had happened to Elder Xuan Qing himself, it was fine.

He quickly cupped his hands: ”Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sisters! If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Seeing that the two Inner Sect Senior Sisters had nothing more to say, he tactfully backed away and continued with his own business.

Su Zhi and Lin Wei also ignored the people in the garden, each choosing an ancient tree on either side of the herb garden gate.

Su Zhi sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, her long sword resting across her knees, her aura gradually merging with the surrounding vegetation.

Lin Wei drew her personal sword and slowly practiced a set of sword techniques under the shade of the tree. The sword light was clear and her posture graceful, attracting the secret gazes of many young Outer Sect Disciples.

Gu Yan withdrew his gaze and continued his work, but his mind held a few more considerations.

Demonic cult members infiltrating? This was the first time.

Three days passed peacefully under the protection of the two Inner Sect Disciples.

On the evening of the third day, Elder Xuan Qing’s figure appeared at the entrance of the herb garden.

Su Zhi and Lin Wei immediately ceased their work and stepped forward to bow respectfully.

No matter what, the other party was an Elder, even if only an Outer Sect Elder.

Elder Xuan Qing smiled and nodded. After a brief exchange, Su Zhi and Lin Wei took their leave.

Subsequently, Old Chen quickly gathered all the Outer Sect Disciples and laborers on duty in the herb garden in front of Elder Xuan Qing’s pavilion.

Elder Xuan Qing wore a green Daoist robe representing his status as an Outer Sect Elder.

His hair and beard were entirely white, his complexion was ruddy, and his eyes were warm and bright, making people feel an instinctive sense of closeness upon seeing him.

Elder Xuan Qing listened carefully to Old Chen’s brief report of the past few days,

then meticulously inspected various parts of the herb garden, especially several key nursery plots. After confirming there were no abnormalities, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

”Not bad. Everyone has worked hard these past few days; the herb garden has been cared for very well.”

The hearts of the crowd finally settled, and smiles appeared on their faces.

Being able to leave a good impression in front of an Elder was always a good thing.

Just then, Elder Xuan Qing’s gaze slowly swept across the crowd.

He lingered for a moment on the faces of a few younger Disciples, then reached out and pointed:

”You, you, and you... the few of you, come inside with me.”

He pointed out nine people in total, all of whom were Outer Sect Disciples who usually performed well or were young and had considerable potential.

Gu Yan noticed that he was not among them.

His expression remained calm as he stood in place without moving, feeling no sense of loss in his heart.

Meanwhile, the nine selected Disciples were both surprised and delighted.

They quickly followed behind Elder Xuan Qing, filing into the pavilion that was usually rarely entered.

The last clever youth didn’t forget to reach back and gently close the door.

Inside the pavilion, Elder Xuan Qing took the main seat and warmly looked over the nine slightly nervous young people before him.

”No need to be formal.” He smiled and began to examine their bone structure one by one, probing their Meridians and testing their Martial Dao root Aptitude.

The process was very fast, and the results were revealed quickly.

Among the nine, three had acceptable Aptitude, especially with pure bone structures, and were acknowledged by Elder Xuan Qing with a slight nod.

”You, you, and you,” Elder Xuan Qing pointed to those three, ”From today onwards, you may be considered my Named Disciples.

On the first of every month, you may come here to listen to a lecture for one hour. If you have difficulties in your cultivation, you may also ask me with priority.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the three youths immediately beamed with joy and hurried to bow in thanks.

Being taken in as a Named Disciple by an Outer Sect Elder, even if it was just in name,

meant more resources and guidance in the Outer Sect—an opportunity countless people dreamed of.

Elder Xuan Qing paused briefly, looking at the remaining few who showed envy or dejection, and added in a peaceful tone: ”The rest of you need not be discouraged either.

My Taiyi Dao Sect’s rules are strict but also clear; the path to promotion depends entirely on oneself.

Any Outer Sect Disciple, regardless of birth or background, who can raise their Martial Dao cultivation to the Late Stage of the first revolution before the age of thirty, may apply to the Internal Affairs Hall for an assessment.

Once you pass, you can shed these grey robes, put on the Inner Sect black clothes, obtain more profound Cultivation Techniques, and touch a broader world.”

His gaze swept over everyone, continuing with a bit of warning: ”Thirty years old is a threshold.

Blood-qi, bones, comprehension—once you pass this age, it becomes harder than hard to make a Breakthrough, and Inner Sect resources will not be easily poured upon you.

Therefore, I hope you all will be diligent and unceasing, grasping your time; that is the Righteous Path.”

Hearing this, a bit of light rekindled in the eyes of the Disciples who had not been selected.

The door to the pavilion opened again, and the nine Disciples walked out with varying expressions.

The three who had been taken as Named Disciples had uncontrollable excitement and pride on their faces, walking a bit straighter than usual.

The other six could hardly hide their disappointment or forced smiles.

Elder Xuan Qing stepped out afterward, gave Old Chen a few simple instructions regarding the herb garden’s daily affairs, and returned to the quiet room in the back.

Gu Yan followed the gradually dispersing crowd, listening to the three talk about being taken as Named Disciples by Elder Xuan Qing.

He said nothing, only silently returning to his secluded small courtyard.

As night deepened, Gu Yan closed his door, and a trace of a smile actually curled at the corner of his mouth.

Fortunately, his bone structure and Aptitude had already been tested by Elder Xuan Qing a few months ago, so he wasn’t called in this time.

Otherwise, how would he explain his cultivation at the Perfection of the first revolution to this seemingly kind but actually sharp-eyed Elder?

Was he supposed to make up a story on the spot about meeting a master at night who bestowed power upon him, or finding a divine technique in a mountain cave?

In that case, in the next second, what would be waiting for him wouldn’t be some Disciple status, but a severe interrogation from the Hall of Discipline.

Why hide his cultivation?

So what if he grew up in the Taiyi Dao Sect?

He could still be a demonic cult spy.

His parents died at the hands of demonic cult members?

Then perhaps he was a deeply planted hidden piece, lurking for a long time to commit sabotage one day.

Even though the Taiyi Dao Sect was a righteous Daoist Sect, Gu Yan was accustomed to speculating about others with the greatest malice.

The education of his previous life made him deeply aware that while one should not have the heart to harm others, one must never be without the heart to guard against them.

Stay low-key, be cautious, and develop quietly.

With the Golden Finger, this was even more necessary.