William instinctively caught the robes thrown at him. He held it away from his body to give it a once over, wondering why he was given what he already possessed, before realizing that the sleeve was different. One filled gold circle, and another next to it that was just an outline with around a tenth filled in.
It signified his new cultivation level.
It was a little design on the robes of all the disciples that he had come to gloss over. It was hard not to when he saw the same thing everywhere. Since he was in the Outer Court, all the disciples had the outline of a single gold circle that was filled in varying stages, signifying that they were in the Qi Gathering Realm.
Not too important in William’s mind since he didn’t care to know about the approximate cultivation of every disciple in the Outer Court. They could never be a threat to him, and more importantly, he wouldn’t be around most of them to care enough.
However, that was now changed. While the system would still be far more accurate by showing the exact level of someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm, it was useless with anyone stronger.
From what the Grand Elder mentioned, a disciple didn’t automatically stop being a disciple once they advanced past the foundation establishment realm. He would eventually meet disciples that the system could not read. The gold circles would be of help, then.
That still brought up a question that had been on his mind since he learned about these little features ages ago.
“Thank you, Elder Yu,” William said as he folded the robes neatly before storing them in his ring, “The texts about the sect regulations never really mentioned why the robes needed to show the cultivation levels. Is it for status?”
His understanding was that while every disciple had one sleeve with those circles, only the sentinels valued it in any capacity. Cultivation was never the top priority for the normal disciples who focused on alchemy and healing. It was the qualifications for their specialty that mattered more.
To give those qualifications equal importance as cultivation, it was represented by the number of stars on the opposing sleeve. They were differently colored for alchemy and healing, with the former represented by red stars and the latter gold.
None of the disciples in the Outer Court had any stars whatsoever, with everyone in the Inner Court having at least one. William should have noticed these stars while accompanying the Grand Elder on the short tour, but he had become so used to ignoring the details on the sleeves that he honestly couldn’t recall.
“Wei Liang!”
He blinked rapidly to see Elder Yu frowning at him.
“Where did you wander off to? I haven’t seen you this distracted since I gave you the entrance test. Did you even hear my answer?”
“Sorry,” William winced, “I was thinking about the robe's decorations.”
“Decorations,” Elder Yu repeated back to him with a twitch of her lips, “Such an insult might cause a riot from most disciples. And let me repeat the answer to your question. It isn’t for status, but to promote competition. It works. Most disciples are competitive to the extreme.”
“That’s… good?”
Elder Yu stared at him. “Of course it is. The Jade Healing Sect might not be as focused on cultivation as other traditional sects, but competition is always helpful.”
William nodded, accepting the explanation. While that may have been the overall goal, this seemed like an easy way for disciples to lord over the ones with lower qualifications. Then again, that might be another positive in the sect’s view, another reason for disciples to work their hardest.
“Your dwelling in the Outer Court will be left to you until you decide otherwise. I don’t want you to be immediately cut off from anyone you’re friendly with. Inner Court disciples cannot return here unless they are stationed here. The loophole is to have a dwelling.”
He didn’t think that was necessary and was about to decline it. Another disciple would be able to make use of it.
“Even if you have nobody you’re friendly with, it’s still useful,” Elder Yu seemed to know that he was about to decline, “It can act as a place for you to have privacy from the Inner Court itself.”
William instantly understood why this was being offered. A safe haven would be available if needed. That brought up a question.
Why?
The sect seemed friendly thus far. Would it suddenly change after entering the Inner Court?
“Is that something I’ll need?” William asked, “Will I be in danger, Elder Yu?”
“That is not something I can predict, but you will have a place where you cannot be reached.”
He nodded with a slight frown. That implied he would be, as much as it could without her telling him directly.
“Before I let you go, tell me, did you enjoy the teahouse?”
William was a little thrown off by the change in subject, but remembering the Crimson Flame Lotus Tea quickly righted his mind.
“It was an opportunity I was glad to have,” he tried to be composed. Still, he visibly gulped to keep himself from drooling, “The price to visit again is high, but I intend to when I can bear the cost.”
“Hmm,” Elder Yu smiled, “It can be a thrill to taste some of the teas offered there for the first time. I still remember tasting the Frost Lotus Tea a few years ago.”
“Frost Lotus?” William repeated as he tried to imagine it, “The Grand Elder treated us to the Crimson Lotus Tea. It felt like everything unnecessary was burned away.”
Elder Yu smirked as she shook her head. “Remind me to treat you to my preferred tea the next time we meet. I wager that you will prefer it over the Grand Elder’s choice.”
He nodded without thinking, glad another opportunity to visit the teahouse had randomly fallen onto his lap.
“I look forward to it, Elder Yu,” William said seriously. He wanted to ensure she knew the offer would be called in.
“Hm, I’m sure you are,” Elder Yu chuckled, “Gather whatever you need from your dwelling and say your goodbyes before returning to the Inner Court. And take this.”
She handed him a small jade tablet that was identical to the pass for the Outer Court, the only difference being the color. Instead of red, it was a deep purple.
“This will allow you entry into the Inner Court but don’t expect any other benefits. You will be on equal terms with all other new admits, unlike your experience in the Outer Court.”
William gave her a small shrug, “That’s fair. I just wish I had more time to enjoy these benefits I supposedly had.”
“The fault is on you,” Elder Yu said directly, “If you hadn’t breezed through the Qi Gathering Realm, you would have done so.”
He smiled sheepishly, privately thinking about how much it hadn’t felt like a breeze. The only reason he catapulted himself into the Foundation Establishment Realm was the numerous near-death experiences he had faced.
“Do you have any other questions for me?”
William was about to shake his head when he remembered the quest he had never finished.
“Did I fail the mission I took from the mission hall?”
“Interesting,” Elder Yu said with a slight tilt of her head, “It completely passed my mind with all the excitement of the Shard. Do you want to complete it?”
“I have a choice?” William asked with doubt.
“Of course, but if you choose not to complete it, you will be hit with whatever the penalty is for the mission.”
That wasn’t a choice at all. It was just failing the quest. William glanced at the penalty.
“So I lose a hundred sect points.”
“Indeed you do,” Elder Yu nodded, “You can head to the Mission Hall in the Inner Court if you decide to cancel.”
He sighed, disappointed that the penalty wasn’t waived, but he supposed that was asking for too much favor.
“Is that all?” Elder Yu asked.
William nodded and said, “Nothing else comes to mind.”
“Then you may leave. Leave for the Inner Court by tomorrow.”