He came here to act as a guide. This kind of task—welcoming newcomers—was neither dangerous nor particularly tedious. Although the sect contribution was minimal, the cost-effectiveness was still quite high. For it to fall into his hands, it was clear that James Bolton had some tricks and connections.

At this moment, he led Ian Quinn outside. Once they stepped out the door, Ian Quinn realized that in front of them was a cluster of ancient-style buildings. Though not exactly palatial, they were unique in their own way, and the air was much fresher than in the previous place.

“This Yunquan Peak is where we outer sect disciples live. Don’t wander around if you have nothing to do. With our status, there are many forbidden areas in the immortal sect. If you trespass, not even the elders can save you. As outer sect disciples, we don’t receive any monthly offerings. If you want spirit stones or pills, you have to work for the sect and exchange for them with sect contributions. But since you don’t even have a spiritual root, you can forget about that path. Just muddle along and wait for death.”

As he said this, a trace of pity appeared on his face, but then he smiled as if relieved: “Actually, it’s nothing. Among the outer sect disciples, how many aren’t just muddling along waiting for death?”

Chapter 14: A Bleak Future

Ian Quinn was taken aback when he heard this. “Senior brother, according to what you’re saying, if we don’t want to earn sect contributions, does that mean we don’t have to do any work for the sect?”

“Just muddle along and wait for death—does the sect really support us for nothing, without assigning us chores?”

This was quite different from what he had imagined.

James Bolton laughed when he heard this. “Chores? What chores?”

“Like sweeping, cooking, or tending the herb garden…”

“Pfft…” The other couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this, looking at Ian Quinn with an amused expression. “Sweeping, cooking, even guarding the herb garden—where did you hear that?”

“Isn’t that what all the books say?”

Ian Quinn was studious and liked to read miscellaneous books, many of which described the world of cultivation. Of course, whether those descriptions were accurate was another matter.

“That’s all nonsense.”

Seeing the look of surprise on Ian Quinn’s face, James Bolton didn’t keep him in suspense and explained with a smile: “The immortal sect has a strict hierarchy. Although outer sect disciples aren’t valued, they are still proper disciples of the sect. How could we be made to do such menial labor? Those tasks are done by mortals.”

“Mortals do them?”

“That’s right, they’re what we call menial workers.”

Then Senior Brother Bolton explained the structure of the immortal sect to him, and sure enough, there was a lot to it.

All together, there were over ten thousand people in the Luoxue Sect, but half of them were menial workers.

As the name suggests, menial workers are those who do odd jobs in the immortal sect. They are all mortals who cannot cultivate, and their sole purpose is to serve the sect. Of course, the Luoxue Sect pays them handsomely—after all, cultivators have no shortage of gold and silver.

So, even though the status of menial workers is low, mortals scramble for these jobs. If you’re not good-looking or clever, you don’t even qualify.

Above the menial workers are the outer sect disciples. Currently, including Ian Quinn, there are exactly three hundred and sixty disciples in the sect. That’s not a small number, but in fact, there are even more inner sect disciples.

Inner sect disciples are those who have undergone the spiritual awakening ceremony, been recognized by the sect, and possess outstanding spiritual roots. They have bright futures, each one full of vigor and ambition. Unlike the outer sect disciples who are left to fend for themselves, inner sect disciples not only receive careful instruction from the sect, but also get a certain amount of spirit stones and pills as a monthly offering.

But despite how impressive it sounds, inner sect disciples aren’t actually that valuable. After all, their cultivation is only at the Qi Refining stage, and their lifespan is about the same as ordinary mortals. To put it bluntly, they haven’t truly set foot on the path of cultivation. In the eyes of powerful cultivators, they’re not worth mentioning—at most, they know a few basic spells.

This group forms the foundation of the sect, numbering around three to four thousand.

Next are the true disciples.

As the name implies, true disciples are those who receive the utmost attention from the sect.

Every true disciple is forged through trials and tribulations—only those with exceptional abilities can become one.

In terms of both status and strength, they are far above ordinary inner sect disciples, true prodigies. But what’s most enviable is that when an ordinary inner sect disciple passes various assessments and is promoted to a true disciple, they receive a chance to form their foundation from the sect.

If they succeed, it’s like a carp transforming into a dragon—not only does their strength soar, but their lifespan jumps to over two hundred years, instantly doubling that of their peers.

Just think: when others have already turned to dust in their graves, you’re still alive and kicking. That alone is enough to make people envious and jealous. Not to mention, once you succeed in forming your foundation, you’re immediately promoted to a deacon, and your former peers have to address you as “uncle-master.” Isn’t that enough to make you so happy you’d laugh in your sleep?

Of course, prodigies who succeed in forming their foundation on the first try are rare.

So, whether it’s true disciples or foundation-stage deacons, they are rare creatures in the Luoxue Sect.