Chapter Twenty-Three: Dai Wuya

After leaving the Blood Slave Hall, Cao Yun gripped the Ascension Token tightly in his hand. A faint smile played on his lips as he recalled the priceless expression on Elder Gui’s face when they had first met.

The Blood Refining Pavilion, seat of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect’s sect leader, stood magnificently behind the sect’s grand plaza, its grandeur truly breathtaking. This hall was not only a symbol of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect but also the core hub for managing both internal and external affairs. Cao Yun had come here with the Ascension Token obtained from Elder Gui to exchange it for an outer disciple’s identity badge. Although he had gazed at this majestic structure from afar many times in the past, stepping inside now left him stunned by the sheer scale of its interior.

The main hall soared over twenty zhang high and spanned hundreds of acres, spacious and radiant. Standing within it, Cao Yun felt as if he had entered a new world, sensing the profound heritage and overwhelming power of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect. Above, exquisite murals adorned the ceiling, depicting the history and glory of the sect, while runes and arrays suspended in the air emanated a mysterious, awe-inspiring power.

As Cao Yun looked around, his gaze was drawn to a towering phantom in the distance. Approaching it, he saw the phantom stood over ten zhang tall at the center of a massive circular array. The array, several zhang in diameter, was embedded with spiritual stone grooves every few feet, from which spiritual energy flowed in a steady stream toward the projection—a truly spectacular sight. Cao Yun marveled silently; to maintain an image with such an extravagant consumption of spiritual stones, the figure depicted must be either the founding ancestor of the sect or a peerless genius of the past.

Just as his thoughts wandered, a crisp, melodious, yet slightly puzzled voice rang out: "Cao Yun?"

Cao Yun’s heart skipped a beat. He turned quickly, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully. "That is indeed my name. I have just received this Ascension Token from Deacon Gui at the Blood Slave Hall and have come to the Blood Refining Pavilion to report." Remembering Elder Gui’s warnings, he took care to avoid using the title "Elder."

"The Blood Slave Hall? How interesting. It has been a long time since a new disciple arrived from the Myriad Demon Forest." The voice was clear and pure, carrying an otherworldly quality.

Cao Yun finally looked up to see a handsome young man of about twenty years, tall and slender. His long hair cascaded over his shoulders, and he wore attire distinct from that of the outer disciples, though it bore the emblem of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect.

Cao Yun speculated internally: could this be an inner disciple?

The young man smiled slightly and said, "Follow me. I will take you to the Sect Leader to receive your outer disciple identity badge."

With that, he turned and began to walk. Cao Yun replied with a respectful "Yes" and followed closely behind.

"You know Wu Jiao, don't you?" the youth ahead asked suddenly, his tone carrying an inexplicable nuance.

Cao Yun’s heart stirred, and he answered truthfully, "I do." He did not know why the youth mentioned him, but his intuition told him the following words would not be simple.

The young man's voice was clean and pleasant, yet his next words sent a chill down Cao Yun’s spine: "When you purchased the bluestone powder, Wu Jiao had already sensed that you possessed the Hundred-Forged Flower. Under normal circumstances, you would have long since become a cold corpse. However, I happened to be in need of someone, so after learning of this, I did not order your execution, but instead decided to wait until you reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. Of course, had you failed to advance, I would have still granted you an Ascension Token to allow you entry into the outer sect."

These words left Cao Yun horrified. He realized he had completely underestimated the methods and schemes of cultivators. Even the seemingly greedy merchant Wu Jiao possessed such meticulous planning and ruthless intent.

As Cao Yun struggled with the shock, they arrived before an ancient-looking door. The young man spoke softly, his voice tinged with reverence: "Sect Leader, Senior Brother, I have brought a disciple from the Blood Slave Hall to receive his identity badge."

A calm and profound voice responded from within: "Enter."

Stepping into the room, they found a minimalist setting with a few black chairs and ancient scrolls hanging on the walls. In the center, a middle-aged man wearing the same attire as the youth sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, a silver hairpin in his hair. He sat with his eyes closed, attended by two young acolytes—one holding a horsetail whisk, the other clutching a square tray.

As the youth led Cao Yun in, the middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes. "Junior Brother Dai Wuyah, since you have personally recommended this disciple, I assume you have already made arrangements for him?"

Dai Wuyah replied, "This individual will be of great use to my Myriad Demon Pavilion. I hope you will assign him to my pavilion when registering him in the ledger."

The Sect Leader ordered, "Mingyue, bring the disciple registration book and the identity badge."

"As you command, Sect Leader," the acolyte holding the tray replied.

A moment later, the acolyte returned and whispered to Cao Yun, "Senior Brother, please hand over your Ascension Token."

Cao Yun complied and, using his spiritual sense, briefly probed the acolyte. He discovered the boy was only at the first level of Qi Refining, likely one of the rumored servant disciples. Watching the boy turn away, Cao Yun sighed inwardly, lamenting that even in the world of immortals, some were destined to serve as mere errand boys.

The Sect Leader took the Ascension Token, examined it, and nodded slightly. "Cao Yun. Then you shall be assigned to the Myriad Demon Pavilion." With a light tap of his finger on the registration book, the name "Cao Yun" appeared on the badge in the tray.

The acolyte respectfully handed the badge to Cao Yun. Cao Yun examined it closely; the front was engraved with the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect’s emblem and his name, while the back bore a large character for "Outer."

The Sect Leader waved his hand slightly. "I am currently meditating on the Soul Refining Incantation and cannot converse further with Junior Brother Dai. I have not seen Uncle Wang for decades; please convey my regards to him on my behalf." With that, the Sect Leader closed his eyes.

"Understood, Sect Leader," Dai Wuyah bowed slightly before leading Cao Yun out of the room.

As they stepped out of the Blood Refining Pavilion, Dai Wuyah flicked his wrist, and a small white jade boat appeared in the sky, expanding as it emitted a gentle, shimmering light. Dai Wuyah leaped onto the boat, seating himself steadily.

"Come up," Dai Wuyah said to Cao Yun below in a gentle voice.

Cao Yun used his Wind-Riding Technique and leaped gracefully onto the jade boat. He sat down opposite Dai Wuyah with a calm, composed expression, appearing entirely at ease.

"Wu Jiao was not wrong; your temperament is indeed extraordinary," Dai Wuyah praised.