Devour

Chapter 354: Sect Level

Pan Zhonghan didn't even bother to look at it, and said with disdain, "Spiritual boats are always better when they are big, with very few exceptions. The Magic Martial Arts Light Boat is at least 20 feet long, and those that are only more than 10 feet long are probably cheap semi-finished products that some poor cultivator uses to show off. There are many poor people at the bottom of the Ranger Club, who work hard for money and are easily used by us."

Wang Xiongwu frowned and asked, "Uncle Master, what are your plans for the next step?"

Pan Zhonghan stood up, patted his buttocks slowly, and said decisively: "Follow me to Wucan Mountain in Tianning Village."

Wang Xiongwu looked confused and asked, "Disciple has never heard of Wucan Mountain. Is there such a place in the Beilin Wilderness? Is it suitable for cultivation?"

Pan Zhonghan was unwilling to answer, and frowned and scolded: "It is absolutely right to follow the instructions of the master uncle. Your performance has been unsatisfactory many times, causing Qingluan to be recalled by the sect and assigned to Pan Guanxia. I almost thought you were a body of thousands of lives and calamities that were plagued by bad luck! If you are so useless, don't expect to use the chariot in the future."

After a fierce voice, Wang Xiongwu bowed his head and said, "I know I am wrong. I will accept your orders even if I die!"

……

Jin Lian led Cheng Bai and the others to the Ranger Meeting Hall, and talked along the way: "The structures of various sects of cultivation are very different, and the positions are different. Most of them are divided into ten levels. Our Ranger Association is naturally no exception."

Cheng Bai knew a little bit about it, so he followed up the conversation and said, "Sister Lian, please tell me the details."

Jinlian cleared her throat and explained, "There are many servants but they are not on the list. They are at the bottom and obey the orders of the second-level outer disciples. Outstanding outer disciples are promoted to the third level and serve as outer sect guardians or deacons. Some sects have incense masters. Those with high moral character are promoted to the fourth level and become outer sect elders or flag masters."

Cheng Bai smiled and agreed, "From the fifth level, you are an inner disciple, and you have to climb step by step before you can get in touch with the core of the sect."

Jinlian continued, "Inner sect disciples are the backbone of the sect. When they reach the sixth stage, their development tends to be diversified. If they seek comfort, being an inner sect guardian at this level is their lifelong wish. Those who are interested in taking power can serve as the chief of a local hall. A few ambitious ones travel around the world, mediating disputes between sects and the secular world. They are called 'world travelers'."

Cheng Bai interrupted, "Traveling around the world facing unknown challenges and going through hardships is not easy!"

Jinlian nodded slightly in agreement: "The martial arts world is dangerous and treacherous, and the grudges and hatreds are unpredictable. Not many people can return to the sect safely after going through thousands of trials and tribulations and advance to the seventh level. At least they can become inner sect elders, responsible for key positions related to the sect's lifeline such as the Law Enforcement Court, the Transmission Hall, the Dharma Protection Hall, the Sutra Library, the Refining Hall, the Formation Hall, the Spirit Beast Garden, etc., or they can command multiple halls in one area."

Cheng Bai asked curiously, "Shouldn't he be promoted to Holy Son?"

Jinlian chuckled and said, "The Holy Son is unique! Not everyone in the world is lucky enough to be the Holy Son. Different sects have their own dangers, and it is possible that only one in ten will survive the competition. It is hard to describe without personal experience. But if you can overcome the dangers, the Holy Son will be the first choice for the future head of the sect or the head of the association."

Ningxiang smiled sweetly and said, "It is said that when Sister Jinlian was selecting the Saintess, she went through a lot of trouble to establish six major contributions to the guild. She was highly regarded by everyone and was considered the best person in the Ranger Guild in ten thousand years. That's why she was finally promoted to the head of the guild!"

Cheng Bai recalled that he also possessed the identity of the Holy Son of Medicine Sect, and he had obtained it without much trouble. It must have been the result of Yang Kaiping's decision to simplify things when he was in desperate situation.

Jin Lian was deeply touched and said, "The Holy Son has a transcendent status. Although he is also ranked seventh, he is higher than the average inner sect elders. In name, he is under the supervision of those above the eighth level. However, those powerful elders consider the long-term future, so even if they are dissatisfied, they usually won't offend him casually."

Cheng Bai pondered and said, "So-called power, after all, is still a product of appearance."

Jin Lian sighed, "How many people in this world don't covet high positions and power? The eighth level is the role of the head of the main temple, such as the cabinet elders headed by the elders who protect the way, the elders who transmit the skills, and the elders who enforce the law. If the saint son can't wait for the head of the sect to step down, and the new generation of saint sons is about to rise, then in this level, he can seek a deputy head or replace a powerful elder. It doesn't matter if it's sharing affairs or just eating and waiting for death, it's always a good job."

Cheng Bai asked, "The ninth level is the one with the real power, the saints, dragon heads and other big guys. But why is there ten levels?"

Jinlian patiently explained, "The old generation of the Holy Lord, Dragon Head, Law Enforcement, Dao Protector, and Kung Fu Transmission who have retired are honored as the 'Elders' Council. On the surface, they don't care about worldly affairs, but in fact, they are the tenth level of dark power, hidden from outsiders. If a sect or school encounters a disaster, the chief elder will raise his hand and call for others to respond. They may even be able to overthrow the power in the open and rebuild the structure."

Cheng Bai said politely: "Those are the top figures among the big guys. What cultivators compete for is their cultivation experience. If it is not a big sect, it will be difficult to survive with enough foundation." But he disagreed in his heart: "The power hierarchy of the sects in the Five Continents is very detailed, and the sects in the Qiongqi Continent are relatively simple and easy to remember."

Jin Lian said with a smile: "Your sect, Tian Tun Zong, has a strong lineup of elders in the cabinet, and it has all the conditions to become a first-class sect of cultivation."

As everyone entered the meeting room, a solemn and dignified atmosphere hit them. Jinlian talked about business: "Saint Lord Baidi, let me introduce you to this person, Master Qian of the local branch."

Master Qian, who was standing nearby, was wearing Kuixing battle robe and stepping on cloud shoes. He looked smart and capable, and he directed the assistants on both sides to move the sand table and set up the meeting table in a simple and efficient manner.

He looked around at everyone present with a sharp gaze, bowed slightly, and said in a loud voice: "I am Qian Buduo, and I am honored to be the head of Liushui Hall in Adu City. Today, I respectfully welcome all of you Taoist friends to come and give guidance. It is really an honor for our humble home!"

Jinlian gently reminded: "Please trouble Master Qian to take more care and go to Tianning Village as a guide."

Qian Buduo put on a smiling face and said, "I will obey the order of the leader and do my best to live up to your trust!"

Soon, the sand table model of the conference table was set up properly, showing the distribution of urban buildings, mountains, rivers, roads and bridges, so that everything within reach could be clearly seen at a glance.

Qian Buduo held a thin wooden stick in his hand, pointed at the mountains and rivers in front of the sand table, and explained: "Tianning Village is about 2,000 miles away from Adu City, across the Wobble Bone Plain, and bordering the Great Wilderness in the west. Because the Ciyin Kingdom deliberately blocked the main traffic routes and prohibited the smooth passage of carriages and spiritual boats, it was not easy for ordinary people, even monks, to travel there on weekdays. I went there once more than a hundred years ago."

Jinlian asked, "Is it the years when the Tumin Society and the Jingtao Sect were at war?"

Qian Buduo nodded and said, "That's right. That sect war led to a dramatic change in the power of the Beilin countries. Rumor has it that the Jingtao Sect's Saint Master Wang Hong killed the Tumin Society's chief assassin."

Zixuan, who was lazily lying on Jinlian's shoulder, immediately perked up and interrupted, "Jingao Island is also very mysterious and secretive, and few outsiders know its exact location. The assassins of the Tumin Society came to the door, which is tantamount to announcing, 'I know where your lair is and I am ready to kill you at any time'! But Wang Hong didn't buy it at all."

Jin Lian asked curiously, "At that time, I had not yet been honored as the leader of the Ranger Association. Why did Master Qian leave the city and go to Tianning Village?"

You have to know that being the leader of the Rangers Guild is an important figure in a secular country, and it is rare for him to leave his post without permission unless something important happens.

Qian Buduo's eyes flashed with horror, and his face was solemn as he said, "That year, I successfully broke through the early stage of Wuwei Realm, and I was proud to be the top cultivator in Adu City. Suddenly one day, a terrifying killing intent arose in the western wilderness, which made me panic, but those with low cultivation seemed to be unaware of it. I thought it was a miracle, and I dared to avoid the blockade of the Ciyin Kingdom soldiers alone to explore the source."

Cheng Bai saw the fear on his face and asked, "What did Master Qian find out?"

Qian Buduo calmed down and said, "The Yellow Springs Rotten Soil and the Frost Blade Boundary separated as soon as they touched each other, and then everything was silent. I knew the gap was too big and dared not act rashly, so I sneaked back to Adu City."

Ningxiang was confused and asked suspiciously, "What the hell is he talking about? How could I not understand?"

Jinlian smiled and said, "I understand. Tu He is a thick earth spirit, and the phenomenon of his domain is called 'Yellow Spring Rotten Earth'. And Wang Hong has an ice-condensed body and possesses the ability of 'Frost Blade Barrier'. The two sides fought briefly but no one was victorious."

Zhai Xufei judged: "Comparing the two phenomena, the Frost Blade Barrier is of higher grade. But according to the common sense of the Five Elements, it is restrained by the Yellow Springs Rotten Earth. Even if both sides win a tragic victory, they will have to pay a high price. It is better to retreat."