The Spiritual Pivot of Mortal Cultivation

The next day at dawn, the mountain fog had not yet completely dissipated.

When Bai Xuanxin descended from the back mountain, the area around the main hall on the front mountain was much quieter than usual. Normally, outer disciples would only wander between the training grounds, the scripture pavilion, the dining hall, and their residences, rarely venturing near the main hall. This place was not only the meeting place of the sect but also the entrance and exit for the various hall stewards, instructors, and inner disciples; the rules were strict, and the atmosphere was somber. Gray-robed outer disciples, unless summoned, often dared not even linger in the corridors.

This was the first time Bai Xuanxin had actually come here.

After yesterday's trial run, Coach Li didn't say much more, only casually remarking as they parted:

"Wait outside the front hall at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

That's all there is to it.

Bai Xuanxin naturally understood that this meant he was being asked to "list his name" in the role.

It is not entering the hall.

It wasn't that he was summoned by the sect leader.

It was simply to let the people in the hall know that there was such a disciple in the outer sect, and that Instructor Li had seen him, made a note of him, and intended to take another look.

That's enough.

Often, the truly influential path in a profession doesn't rely on someone's startling words or sudden favor, but rather on first making your name known to those who need to hear it, and then slowly moving into a position before others have even realized it.

When Bai Xuanxin reached the bottom of the stone steps in the front hall, two inner disciples were already standing by his side, both dressed in blue robes, their expressions calm, but their backs ramrod straight. Several other stewards were moving back and forth under the eaves, their steps unhurried, yet each step steady, even the swaying of their sleeves perfectly still, clearly showing that they had long been honed by the rules.

Bai Xuanxin glanced at it and immediately made a mental note of it.

—This is “the person in front of the hall”.

It is completely different from the outer gate.

Outer disciples fight for a breath of air, a piece of cake, and a path to advancement.

The people in the hall were arguing over positions: who should speak first, who should speak later, who should stand, and who should sit.

People naturally differ because they compete for different things.

He didn't look around much, but simply followed the instructions given yesterday and stood by the outermost pillar under the corridor, neither forward nor backward, exactly the position an outer disciple should stand in.

Not long after, Instructor Li arrived.

He was still dressed in his everyday clothes, walking slowly but with a deep breath. Seeing that Bai Xuanxin had arrived first, he didn't say much, only nodding slightly to acknowledge her. A steward came forward and whispered a few words to him before Instructor Li followed him inside.

Bai Xuanxin was still standing outside.

The door to the hall was not completely closed, and the voices inside could be heard intermittently, sometimes near and sometimes far, but they were not clear. Occasionally, a steward would lift the curtain to enter or leave, but he would only carry books, pass on messages, or hand out maps. He would always keep his head down and his eyes lowered, without the slightest hesitation.

Bai Xuanxin stood under the corridor, her expression unchanged, but in reality, she had already absorbed the scene unfolding before her eyes.

The Seven Mysteries Sect is large, and most of the outer disciples only know that the sect leader, Wang Juechu, is powerful, and that the elders and senior uncles are even more important. But when they actually stand in front of the sect, they will understand what the word "important" really means.

It's not about who has the best martial arts skills that makes the decisions.

It's not just about who sits where, who speaks first, who is qualified to listen to the whole thing, and who is only qualified to relay messages; there are rules and regulations for all of this.

Just then, the footsteps in the hall suddenly fell silent.

Immediately afterwards, a voice of moderate volume rang out:

"The sect leader has arrived."

The sound wasn't loud, nor was it particularly authoritative. Yet, at the same moment, the stewards and inner disciples in the corridor all tightened their backs slightly, and even their breathing seemed to become heavier.

Bai Xuanxin slightly raised her eyes.

From the inner part of the hall, a middle-aged man slowly emerged. His robes were neither luxurious nor ostentatious; he wore a dark blue long gown with perfectly straight cuffs and hem, so that there was not a single extra movement as he walked. His face was square, with slanted eyebrows. When his gaze was calm, it did not appear particularly sharp, but the moment he stepped forward, the energy that had been scattered throughout the hall seemed to be gathered together by an invisible hand.

Wang Juechu.

Although Bai Xuanxin had seen the sect leader's back from afar before, and even heard many rumors about him from some people in the outer sect, it wasn't until he stood in front of the hall today and saw him walk into it with his own eyes that he truly understood why this person could suppress the entire sect within the Seven Mysteries Sect.

It's not because he gets angry.

On the contrary, it's because he didn't need to get angry at all.

He only needs to stand there, and others will know what should be said and what shouldn't be said; who should answer and who isn't even worthy to interrupt.

This is the sect leader.

Bai Xuan silently made a mental note.

—Wang Juechu: The most powerful person in the sect, do not approach for now, observe from a distance first.

This is not about reverence, but about propriety.

I am currently just an outer disciple. Yesterday, I received a word of encouragement from Instructor Li saying I was "promising," and today I have my name listed in the main hall. I am already doing well. If I were to dream of catching Wang Juechu's eye now, it would be nothing short of wishful thinking. The sect leader is a man who sees the big picture, not some young man who has just made his mark in the outer sect.

Several more people entered the hall one after another.

Among them were the hall master, the steward, and an old man in a gray robe with graying temples but not showing signs of old age. The old man walked very slowly, but every step seemed to be very steady. He did not show any outward sharpness. However, as soon as he entered the hall, even someone like Instructor Li subconsciously gave way half a step to the side.

Bai Xuanxin's eyes narrowed slightly.

This person is most likely a senior disciple or elder brother in the sect.

Sure enough, the next moment, someone in the hall whispered, "Uncle-Master."

These two words alone carry a completely different weight.

Bai Xuanxin couldn't help but take another look.

Such figures are so rare that you'd hardly ever hear their names in the outer sect. Outer sect disciples often talk about "how so-and-so is a senior uncle in the sect," but that "how so" is mostly just hearsay about their prestige. Only today did Bai Xuanxin truly see that these so-called senior uncles were not at a level that the outer sect could easily fathom.

They may not be in charge every day.

But as long as they sit in the hall, others have to think twice before speaking.

The sect leader is the person in charge.

The head of the hall, the instructors, and the deacons are the ones who hold the reins.

These senior uncles, however, are the cornerstones that bring the situation to a head.

Thinking about this, Bai Xuanxin suddenly had a sudden realization.

For some time now, I've been thinking about how to climb the ladder, but when I finally stood before the hall and saw all those people and positions, I realized that climbing the ladder is never a straight line.

It's not enough to just "play well" to climb the ranks.

Instead, you need to know how many levels there are in this door, what each level is looking at, and what each level can give you.

So the image of the person in his mind, which was originally blurry, gradually became clear.

Wang Juechu is the gate.

Behind the door lies power.

The headmaster, instructor, and deacon are the ladder.

The ladder isn't high, but it can still send people up step by step.

Uncle-Master, it's a wall.

It may appear stationary, but if you bump into it, you might suffer a head injury or even be unable to see the door at all.

What I should really focus on right now is not the door, nor the wall.

It is a ladder.

First, let people like Instructor Li think they are "perseverable".

Then make the people in the gang feel that they are "useful".

With these two things, when it comes to bloodshed at the border or when the sect needs people, you will be qualified to be promoted along the way.

Thinking this through, Bai Xuan felt even more at ease.

The meeting had already begun in the hall.

At first, it was all routine stuff: medicinal herbs, escorting them, working on the mine road, and taking turns on duty in the various halls of the sect. Bai Xuanxin stood outside, and although he couldn't hear everything, he could tell from the expressions of the people coming in and out that today's meeting wasn't exactly easy.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from inside the hall.

A disciple, still covered in dust, hurried to the front of the hall, first kneeling down outside the door. His voice was extremely low, yet it could not conceal his urgency:

"Reporting to the sect leader, something has happened again at the border."

The hall fell silent instantly.

Wang Juechu's voice came from inside; it wasn't loud, but it was extremely steady.

"explain."

The disciple swallowed hard and whispered:

"The Wild Wolf Gang crossed the line again last night. They first probed twice on the West Ridge Trail, and this morning they showed up on the route for transporting medicinal herbs. Our men didn't actually run into them, but judging from this... they're probably probing us again."

Upon hearing this, even the air under the corridor seemed to grow colder.

Bai Xuanxin's gaze darkened slightly.

coming.

This is what he has been waiting for.

Whether it's the ten-day examination outside the gate or the name being displayed in the main hall, it all ultimately comes down to matters "within the gate."

But what truly allows one to climb the ranks in the Seven Mysteries Sect is not the victories and defeats on the martial arts field, but the bloodshed on the border.

If the Wild Wolf Gang keeps testing them, the expressions of the higher-ups in the gang will not be pleasant.

As long as the higher-ups look unhappy, the departments, instructors, and deacons will sooner or later start looking for people and assigning tasks.

This is the time when blood will truly be shed and merit will truly be earned.

Everything Bai Xuanxin had done before—

Making a name for oneself in the outer sect, testing one's skills with instructors, and gaining recognition in the main hall—if one stops there, one is merely another somewhat interesting outer disciple in the sect. But if the situation at the border changes, and one happens to be remembered by a certain hall or instructor, then this path can truly be extended forward.

The hall master in the hall said in a deep voice:

"The Wild Wolf Gang's recent provocations don't seem to be random."

Another person continued:

"Not bad. They tested the Xiling medicinal road and the border trails, areas where our defenses are usually weaker. They're probing to see what's going on."

Wang Juechu remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:

"Have the patrol, escort, and border control offices tighten their operations for the next two days. Also, review the handbooks of available personnel in both the outer and inner gates, so that when something really happens, the sect doesn't even know who can step in."

The moment those words were spoken, Bai Xuanxin's heart stirred.

"A handbook for those who can use it."

This is what he wanted.

As long as a name can be included in such a booklet, even if it is only at the end or just a candidate, it already carries a more substantial weight than other outer disciples.

Bai Xuanxin stood under the corridor, her expression still calm, but in her heart she had already planned out the next few steps.

Take your time.

Let's take it easy again.

First, I'll use Instructor Li as a connection to solidify my position as someone who is "mutable" and "usable".

Medical expertise labels must continue to be firmly established.

In this way, once the Wild Wolf Gang actually causes bloodshed within the sect, he can be pushed out legitimately, instead of suddenly appearing and arousing suspicion.

Thinking of this, Bai Xuanxin's lips twitched silently, very lightly and faintly.

This trip to the hall was definitely worthwhile.

What he gained today was not resources, not promotion, and he didn't even get a chance to say a proper word. But he has already seen through everything that is truly valuable.

Within the doorway, who is the door, who is the ladder, and who is the wall?

Which level are you currently closest to, and which level are you far from?

Who should we target next, and when should we move their names forward?

These can all be discerned from observing the front of the hall.

And this is exactly what he wanted to gain today.

A moment later, the hall door opened.

Several deacons emerged carrying books, their pace noticeably faster than before. Instructor Li followed, his gaze sweeping across the corridor before settling on Bai Xuanxin. He said nothing more, only remarking calmly:

"Let's go back."

Bai Xuanxin bowed and accepted.

Instructor Li took two steps, then, as if remembering something, added without turning his head:

"Don't stray too far from the mountain these next few days. If the branch needs more people, I'll call you."

Having said that, he left directly.

Bai Xuanxin stood still, slowly raised her eyes, and looked at the morning mist that had not yet dissipated on the eaves of the front hall.

A mountain breeze blows, and the mist curls slightly.

In the distance, the mountain ranges beyond Caixia Mountain remained still. But Bai Xuanxin knew that this stillness was only temporary.

Now that the Wild Wolf Gang has begun to test the waters again, and the higher-ups within the gang have shown their displeasure, the day when real bloodshed is on the horizon is not far off.

And I am finally about to move from the position of "being able to fight in the arena" to the position of "being able to live in the martial arts world".