My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 376: Chapter 182: A Big Event

A month had passed, and Qin Fang was no longer the clueless country bumpkin he had been when he first joined.

These days, aside from his cultivation, he would go to the Tempering Martial Hall to attend lectures.

The daily Lecturers were almost always senior brothers, senior sisters, or Elders from the Guiyuan Lineage... When Qin Fang attended, they naturally took good care of him, explaining many of the basics about Divine Domains and Sect customs, allowing Qin Fang to mature quickly.

...Of course, besides the Guiyuan Lineage, members from the other five lineages would occasionally hold lectures in the Tempering Martial Hall as well...

After all, lecturing at the Tempering Martial Hall was a significant source of contribution points...

’Contribution points...’

Thinking of this, Qin Fang sighed in resignation.

That stuff was just too precious. He hadn’t earned a single extra contribution point this entire month.

Thankfully, meals within the valley didn’t cost contribution points. Otherwise, he was afraid he wouldn’t even be able to afford to eat...

Just then...

”Junior Brother.”

Suddenly, the Token at his waist grew slightly warm, and a voice echoed in his mind.

It was Wen Suxin’s voice.

”Senior Sister?”

Qin Fang snapped back to reality. With a stir of his Divine Sense, he sent back a thought in response.

”Are you back yet? Today is your Master-Acceptance Ceremony. You mustn’t miss the appointed time.”

Senior Sister Wen’s voice rang out again a moment later.

Only then did it dawn on Qin Fang...

’Oh, that’s right. It’s been a month since I joined, and today... is the day I formally become a master’s disciple!’

...In fact, preparations for the ceremony had begun within the valley more than half a month ago: cleaning, arranging seating, preparing ingredients, erecting a ceremonial platform, laying out red carpets, hanging the lineage’s banners, and so on...

They might have seemed like trivial matters, but they were quite laborious.

The essence of a Sect lies in its succession!

A lineage’s Hall Master accepting a True Inheritance disciple was no small affair.

The invitations were likely sent out a month ago, and it was highly probable that the entire upper echelon of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect would be in attendance.

With the exception of a few reclusive Supreme Elders in seclusion, even the Sect Leader himself was expected to grace the event.

...The scale of this event was far grander than the entry ceremony for Inner Sect Disciples.

This was a major event concerning him, so Qin Fang dared not be negligent. He quickly sent back a thought: ”Yes, Senior Sister. I’m on my way back now.”

Then, with a shift of his body, Qin Fang levitated into the air, streaking away.

Soon, Qin Fang had returned to Guiyuan Valley.

The usually quiet and serene Guiyuan Valley was completely transformed today, its bustling atmosphere permeated with a sense of solemn dignity.

The path from the valley entrance to the main hall was lined on both sides with black banners symbolizing the Guiyuan Lineage, snapping smartly in the mountain breeze.

On the wide plaza, heads bobbed in a dense crowd. Guests from the various lineages arrived in a continuous stream to witness the ceremony. Inner and Outer Sect Disciples, dressed in robes of different colors, weaved through the crowd, their hushed conversations filled with anticipation.

In front of the main hall, a high platform had already been erected. It was covered with a red carpet, an incense table was set up, and ceremonial bells, drums, and regalia were arranged on both sides. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of spiritual incense and an air of solemnity.

Evidently, Guiyuan Valley had been preparing for this day’s grand ceremony for the Hall Master to accept a disciple for a long time. With the guests now assembled, all that was left was to wait for the auspicious hour...

Qin Fang descended from the sky, landing before his own cottage.

He saw Wen Suxin already waiting there with several female disciples.

”Senior Sister.”

Qin Fang landed and quickly bowed in greeting.

Seeing Qin Fang arrive, Wen Suxin let out a sigh of relief and quickly said in a low voice, ”The auspicious hour is almost upon us. Hurry and bathe to purify yourself. Today is a major event for you, and it also represents the honor of our Guiyuan Lineage. You cannot afford to be careless.”

Qin Fang froze for a moment. He subconsciously glanced behind her, where several female Inner Sect disciples were watching him with sparkling eyes. They were holding trays, upon which were laid out garments that flowed with a soft light... including, to his surprise, undergarments.

There was also some rouge and powder, along with various accessories that glowed with spiritual light!

Qin Fang was dumbfounded and taken aback. ”Senior Sister, do I... do I have to wear makeup, too? Th-that’s really not necessary, is it?”

”What do you know?”

The usually gentle Wen Suxin glared at him, a rare sight. ”Our Guiyuan Lineage practices Hidden Blade and Simple-mindedness; we rarely make a show of things. But today is different. This is the Hall Master accepting a disciple. It concerns the honor of our lineage and is a moment to display our foundation and bearing to the entire Sect. ’Hiding’ is about cultivating inner substance, but ’revealing’ must also be done with dignity and grandeur. How can we appear shabby and disrespectful before the entire Sect?”

She pointed to the clothing and accessories. ”This isn’t common makeup. It’s ’Purifying Facial Cream,’ formulated with Spirit Flower Essence and Warm Jade Powder. It will help you in Strengthening the Foundation and Cultivating Essence, allowing your spiritual light to shine from within. The clothes aren’t just for show either. This is the ’Guiyuan Cyan Cloud Robe,’ tailored for the ceremony, embroidered with our lineage’s subtle cloud-and-water pattern. It has the effect of calming the mind, clearing the spirit, and gathering spiritual energy. The accessories are even more impressive—they are meticulously crafted Small Profound Artifacts for protection. They are part of the formal attire, but they will also keep you safe... Hurry and get ready. Don’t delay.”

She looked at Qin Fang and said softly, ”Junior Brother, after today, you will be Master Yue’s Direct Disciple, announced to the entire Sect. Your every word and action will be under scrutiny. To present yourself with dignity and maintain a proper appearance is also a way of showing respect to your master and the path of cultivation, and of understanding your own new status... Go on.”

Seeing Wen Suxin’s expression, Qin Fang knew he had no choice in the matter. He could only sigh. ”Alright... In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, Senior Sister.”

He bowed slightly before opening the door and entering his cottage.

Wen Suxin gestured for all the female Inner Sect disciples to follow. At someone’s call, a few male disciples carried buckets of hot water over and entered the cottage as well.

Watching the bustling crowd, Qin Fang felt a mix of helplessness... and gratitude.

’All these people... they were all bustling about for his sake.’

”First, go and bathe.”

Once the hot water was ready, Wen Suxin told Qin Fang to take his bath, handing him the undergarments at the same time.

Resigned, Qin Fang entered the bathing chamber. He was immediately greeted by a heart-refreshing fragrance wafting up from the wooden tub before him.

It contained hot water, but the water itself was crystal clear and bright. A few emerald-green leaves floated on the surface, the source of the delightful scent...