Further subdivision was based on seniority, naturally, the higher the seniority, the higher the status.
However, based on Xiaoyao's understanding, such classifications were all superficial. Status had only one standard, ability. This ability basically equaled martial prowess. The higher one's martial power, the higher one's status.
The distinction between outer disciples and inner disciples also lay in the level of martial prowess. Upon reaching a certain level of martial power, one could transform from an ordinary Heavenly Gate person to an outer disciple. Upon reaching another level of martial power, one could become an inner disciple.
Seniority could also be established through martial prowess, as long as your martial power could surpass the barriers of that seniority.
In one sentence, martial power was the indicator of sect status.
This statement applied not only to Heavenly Gate, but to all sects in the world. After all, the existence and status of sects were all defended by martial power.
"Elder!"
"What matter do you have?"
...
...
Xiaoyao was brought to a very imposing building. Inside, there seemed to be nothing except a confused old man, and this old man was the Mountain Guardian Elder.
The several people who brought Xiaoyao here were very respectful toward this old man, because he was their direct superior. They were a group of disciples specifically responsible for Heavenly Gate's security.
Xiaoyao looked at the old man, knowing that although he appeared confused, there was a faint gleam in his eyes, and his strength far exceeded these people's. He should be an Emperor-level expert.
Heavenly Gate was the world's number one sect, and the Mountain Guardian Elder held such an important position. It was impossible for someone in this position to lack strength.
Xiaoyao thought to himself that here, Emperor-level experts were probably common. Without so many Emperor-level experts stationed here, how could they become the number one sect?
You must know that the existence of the ten great sects was almost equivalent to the existence of empires. They possessed powerful martial force that could overturn an empire at any time.
"Elder, we caught someone at the foot of West Mountain who claims to be a lost herb gatherer. We don't know how he passed through our mountain-protecting formation," a disciple answered very respectfully.
"Lost? Herb gatherer?" The elder looked toward Xiaoyao.
"Yes, I came all the way from Clear Sky Peak, gathering herbs along the way. Without realizing it, I got lost. If you don't believe me, look here,cthese are all herbs I gathered," Xiaoyao hurriedly explained. Fortunately, his pack contained quite a few gathered medicinal herbs, which could prove his words.
"Clear Sky Peak. That's quite far from here. It seems you've been lost for quite a while." The elder said, also glancing at Chi Chi beside Xiaoyao without paying much attention.
Chi Chi's presence might be relatively rare in other places, but here it was completely common. Many disciples in Heavenly Gate kept such monster beast pets.
Small monster beasts like Chi Chi could surely be caught by anyone.
"Um, about ten days or so." Xiaoyao answered. The time he had taken was ten days. He couldn't state the time precisely, ordinary people would only give vague estimates, and this vagueness made it impossible for others to verify anything.
"Oh, then how did you get in here?" the elder asked.
"How did I get in? I walked in." Xiaoyao replied somewhat puzzledly. Of course, he wasn't truly puzzled, he was just pretending. The elder was testing him, though quite obviously, but he could only pretend.
"It seems it was just luck." The elder waved his hand. "Just send him away."
"Yes," the disciple replied.
"Um, could I stay here? I know how to gather herbs and refine pills, and I know some medical techniques," Xiaoyao naturally didn't want to leave. If he left, what about the treasure?
As soon as Xiaoyao said this, the others immediately looked at him with some wariness, because wanting to stay here at this point made him very suspicious of being a spy.
"What's your name?" The elder looked at Xiaoyao and asked.
"Xiaoyao," Xiaoyao answered.
"Xiaoyao, why do you want to stay here?" the elder asked.
"Because this is Heavenly Gate. I want to become a Heavenly Gate person. Even if I'm not a disciple, I'd still belong to Heavenly Gate and have backing," Xiaoyao said. This idea was surely shared by many people, not just Xiaoyao. If one entered Heavenly Gate, even as a servant, they would still be part of Heavenly Gate, no one would dare bully them.
"Your words are indeed honest. Becoming one of our Heavenly Gate people, even if you're just doing odd jobs, outsiders cannot casually bully you," The elder looked at Xiaoyao, finding him quite straightforward.
"Yes, that's exactly my thinking," Xiaoyao nodded.
"Entering Heavenly Gate isn't easy. This matter requires the sect master's decision. I heard the medicinal garden seems to be short-handed recently. Your arrival could help out, but someone of unknown background like you, even to become a Heavenly Gate servant, would be impossible." The elder said.
"I understand, But I'm just an herb gatherer. I've only practiced the Divine Farmer's Art and just broke through basic skills not long ago. Anyone you find here could easily defeat me. I don't think I'm dangerous," Xiaoyao said.
"Your skill level is apparent. Divine Farmer's Art... since you practice this, that works. I'll speak with the sect master, you should be able to help manage the medicinal garden," The elder looked at Xiaoyao, seeming somewhat surprised, then actually agreed to Xiaoyao's request to enter Heavenly Gate.
Divine Farmer's Art, everyone knew this was an internal energy cultivation method with almost no offensive power. It might even help opponents recover due to the Divine Farmer's Art's special effects.
People who practiced this technique were either healers, support personnel cultivated by forces, or a very small portion who practiced it for health preservation. The Divine Farmer's Art's health-preserving effects were undoubtedly the best.
If he were a spy sent by opponents, they wouldn't send someone who practiced Divine Farmer's Art, especially someone whose skill had only just broken through basic level. Such a person, forget about him taking action, even an outer disciple could easily handle them. They posed absolutely no threat.
So the elder changed his thinking. Keeping Xiaoyao could help with work, and if any special situations arose, they could also use Xiaoyao's Divine Farmer True Qi.
Xiaoyao knew there would be such a result. He knew that as long as he mentioned practicing Divine Farmer's Art, it would eliminate many suspicions and make others lower their guard against him.
Soon, Heavenly Gate's sect master also agreed, with thoughts similar to the elder's. Xiaoyao didn't see the sect master because he didn't have that qualification yet.
Just like that, Xiaoyao received a Heavenly Gate token, the lowest-level bronze token. He moved into the medicinal garden on the mountain to help tend it. Normally, he just needed to manage the medicinal garden, and sometimes he would accompany outgoing teams to gather herbs.
In Heavenly Gate, there were frequently teams going out for training, mainly to fight monster beasts. This provided training while obtaining precious materials from monster beasts. Sometimes, teams would include people from the medicinal garden to gather herbs along the way.
What made Xiaoyao excited, whether by divine will or not, was that he was actually assigned not far from the treasure entrance, making things very convenient for him.
Of course, Xiaoyao wouldn't act during this period because he knew he was still in a probationary period. Others would definitely be watching him. If he acted now, there was a high probability of being discovered.
Therefore, Xiaoyao decided to temporarily devote himself wholeheartedly to being a good Heavenly Gate person, treating himself as someone who wanted to enter Heavenly Gate, as someone who would work hard in Heavenly Gate to live better.
Just like that, Xiaoyao's initial days were all rule-abiding. His work was beyond reproach, he had always done things best. Because of this, he quickly gained recognition from everyone in the medicinal garden. Everyone liked Xiaoyao very much.
Not only was Xiaoyao serious about work, but he also never took credit. When he helped others with things, he wouldn't claim credit for himself. When others thanked him, he would just smile and say he was idle and helping casually.
Although Xiaoyao had ulterior motives, he also enjoyed life here. The place had clear mountains and beautiful waters, an elegant environment, and the work was very leisurely. Even helping others was equally leisurely. What could be busy about a medicinal garden? Just watching over herbs. Xiaoyao was more than qualified for this.
But it seemed heaven wasn't willing to let Xiaoyao be so leisurely. On this morning, when Xiaoyao began tending to some herbs, a group of young men and women came to the medicinal garden. Among them was a very beautiful girl surrounded by everyone like stars around the moon.
From this group's clothing and the tokens they wore, they all seemed to be inner disciples, and there were even some direct disciples. This was a group of people not to be trifled with.
After discovering this, Xiaoyao prayed to all gods and buddhas that this group of young masters and misses wouldn't target him. Though he felt this possibility was small, because other people from the medicinal garden had already gone up to greet them, it wouldn't concern him.
I hope I'm overthinking. I should have checked the almanac today...
"Miss, young master, may I ask what brings you here?" One person from the medicinal garden greeted the group of disciples. He wasn't an outer disciple, so he couldn't call these disciples senior brother or sister.
Peripheral members like Xiaoyao actually couldn't be considered true Heavenly Gate people, so naturally they couldn't call them senior brother or sister. Xiaoyao had chosen this position precisely because it meant leaving later wouldn't be problematic, peripheral members were the easiest to separate from Heavenly Gate.
There was another point, outer disciples could also leave Heavenly Gate, but after entering the inner sect, leaving would be equivalent to betraying one's master. That problem would become very serious, and this was the same for any sect.
(End of Chapter)