Within the domain of the demonic Stain Sect,
billowing seas of cloud surged like raging waves, while countless peaks rose from within, scattered like islands adrift upon a boundless ocean — or pieces set upon a celestial chessboard.
On the outermost edge of that grand board stood a mountain shorter than the rest, its summit sheared flat as though cut clean by an unseen blade. Upon that level peak, flying vessels descended and took off one after another, while a line of newly admitted disciples stood awaiting their turn.
Lü Yang was among them.
He had just crossed over, and upon opening his eyes, found himself here, with fragments of memory in his body informing him that his current situation seemed less than ideal.
According to the original body's memory, the Stain Sect ruled a country named "Chen."
Every three years, Chen Country would send a batch of Registered Disciples to the Stain Sect, and in return, the Stain Sect promised Chen Country peace and stability, while ensuring the Imperial Rulers' unwavering grip on power.
At first glance, becoming a disciple of the Stain Sect seemed like a blessing — a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue immortality.
Yet in truth, none of Chen Country's nobles were willing to go. Only the poor — people like Lü Yang — were sent in their stead.
After all, clearly thousands of Registered Disciples were sent to the Stain Sect every three years, yet the number of Official Disciples never noticeably increased, with the Registered Disciples disappearing one by one, as if they hadn't gone to a sacred place of cultivation but rather into a bottomless abyss.
Just the thought of it was enough to send chills down one's spine.
"No wonder my body is so weak, feels like it is completely drained..."
Lü Yang pinched his arm, finding it without any firm muscle, and when he tried to get to his feet, a pang of pain came from his chest.
"Seems this body is also sick...Barely hanging on. Damn!"
Lü Yang cursed a few more times. It wasn't just a matter of weakness anymore; he was critically ill, with only a few days left to live.
Just as Lü Yang was sinking into despair because he felt like he was about to speedrun life itself the moment he crossed over, a tiny light suddenly appeared before his eyes, and then rapidly expanded, turning into a virtual panel!
[Name: Lü Yang]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: None]
[Talent Skill: None]
[Cultivation Technique: None]
[Abilities: None]
[Artifacts: None]
At this moment, looking at the panel before him, Lü Yang suddenly felt like crying.
"There's always a way out. System, give me some points!"
Then Lü Yang was dumbfounded.
Because he looked left and right, up and down, but couldn't find the plus icon to upgrade skills in the interface, not even a minus icon.
"System, where's my points and how do I allocate them?"
After looking for a while, Lü Yang had to despairingly admit a fact: that his personal panel seemingly didn't have a feature for adding points.
In other words, he'd have to rely on himself to improve.
Lü Yang: "....."
WTF! Before awakening the system, I struggled on my own. Now that I've awakened it, I still have to rely on myself… What's the point of awakening then?!
System! Go f**k yourself!
[Available Leaves of Centome: 100]
[Centome: After death, you can return to the initial time point and start a new life.]
[In your new life, you can choose one of the artifacts, cultivation, or lifespan from your previous life, or forsake all gains from your previous life to awaken a talent skill.]
That's why it's called Centome — not a century of years, but a hundred reincarnations.
System. You are my daddy now.
Lü Yang suddenly became excited. A hundred lives, what an enormous wealth that is! If used well, it could completely propel him to tremendous heights!
"Those whose names I call, come and stand before me."
At this moment, a black-robed Daoist with a sinister expression appeared before the crowd, holding a registry in one hand, with a candlestick floating beside him.
"Drip your blood into the Life Lamp beside me to ignite your Life Fire, and from then on, you will be the registered disciples of our Stain Sect."
Upon hearing this, no one present showed any joy.
The reason being that most of those sent here had heard of Stain Sect's notorious reputation, knowing that the so-called Registered Disciple was more of a curse than a blessing.
However, the black-robed Daoist ignored everyone's thoughts and began calling names one by one.
"Chen Liang."
"Here!"
A rosy-cheeked young man beside Lü Yang stood up and hopped to the front of the line.
This young man was very good-looking, with bright and lively eyes. Most importantly, he had an air of brilliance about him that even non-cultivators could perceive. Judging by his demeanor, he was mature for his age, certainly a sought-after prodigy among mundane academies.
As expected, the black-robed Daoist showed an expression of amazement:
"What a natural cultivator!"
"Thank you for your praise, Daoist Brother," the young man respectfully greeted, his youthful voice naturally inviting affection.
The black-robed Daoist's smile grew even wider.
"Good, our Stain Sect needs talents like you!"
As the words fell, the black-robed Daoist lightly crossed out [Chen Liang]'s name from the register.
Thud!
The next moment, without the slightest sign, the young man's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, no longer drawing breath.
After finishing all this, the black-robed Daoist casually instructed:
"Send his blood and flesh to the Alchemy Hall, bones and soul to the Artifact Hall, and the internal organs to the Beast Taming Hall. Such excellent material should not go to waste."
These few words left all the disciples dumbfounded.
The black-robed Daoist let out a wicked laugh upon seeing this and said, "Brothers, don't misunderstand."
"The Stain Sect has always cherished "Values". Therefore, the excellence of a disciple is measured by their ability to create enough value for the Sect."
"That junior brother was a born cultivator, with a strong physique. So only in death could he create the greatest value for the Stain Sect, hence his demise."
"As for you, brothers, your mediocre talent means you provide value alive, so naturally, you need not worry about such things."
"Next one."
The black-robed Daoist continued to call names, while the crowd beneath the platform wore faces of horror yet had no choice but to comply, fearing they might share the young man's fate and have their lives erased.
"Lü Yang."
"Present."
Lü Yang responded and stepped forward with a respectful demeanor.
The black-robed Daoist's gaze instantly fell on Lü Yang's handsome face, showing delight at first before he checked Lü Yang's physique.
But soon, he shook his head in disappointment.
Clearly, in his view, Lü Yang had nothing worth considering aside from his looks.
"Go to Yin-Yang Unity Hall then."
Lü Yang dared not question further and promptly replied, "Yes."
....
After the assignments were over, Lü Yang received a jade token, almost transparent, engraved with his name, seemingly sealing a flame inside.
In addition, he was given a cultivation technique.
The technique was called "Essence Exchange Cultivation Art", the specific technique of Yin-Yang Unity Hall. It was said to allow cultivation of Qi and to step into the Qi Refining Stage.
While leading the way, the elderly servant casually said, "Within the token burns your Life Fire; remember to carry the token with you all the time. The Sect's defenses--the protective wards, guardian plants and beasts--don't recognize faces, only the token. Forget it just once, and you'll end up a corpse inside our sect."
Before long, they arrived in front of a grand hall.
A voluptuous woman stood there in a long dress, the hem slit up to her thighs, exuding allure with every glance.
"Gulp..."
Lü Yang clearly heard someone beside him swallow.
Seeing the crowd before her, instead of blushing, the beauty let out a soft laugh behind her hand, gently flicking up one side of her skirt from her waist.
Beneath the skirt, a jade token dangled.
The name on the token: Yu Suzhen.
"This is Yin-Yang Unity Hall, and I am Yu Suzhen, your Senior Sister."
The next second, Lü Yang noticed that Yu's beautiful eyes lit up, her gaze fixated directly and unashamedly on him.
"This junior brother is so handsome; looks like you were meant to end up in the Yin-Yang Unity Hall."
With a soft laugh, Yu swayed forward with a serpentine grace, her skirt flowing and folding with every step. Her charm made Lü dizzy.
"You look quite good. Come with me, I'll show you around."
Lü Yang hurriedly bowed his hands, "Thank you, Sister Yu."
"Why so formal?"
Yu Suzhen cast Lü a teasing look, then turned and swayed off, leaving the air around her a few degrees hotter.
Lü Yang dared not take another look and followed silently.
"In our Stain Sect, there is a distinction between inner and outer disciples. The Outer Four Halls—Artifact, Alchemy, Beast Taming, and Yin-Yang Unity—are intended for you Registered Disciples."
"Only by passing the tests of the Outer Four Halls can you enter the Inner Sect, learn the true cultivation arts, and become an Official Disciple."
"You're quite lucky to enter Yin-Yang Unity Hall, sparing you the hardship and toil of the other three. After all, our test is much easier..."
At this, Yu Suzhen suddenly leaned close to Lü Yang.
"Do you want to know what it is?"
The next moment, Lü felt a warm breath brush his ear and caught a whiff of fragrance. As he turned, he found a delicate, pretty face close by.
"I ask for Sister's guidance," Lü Yang said, looking up.
"And that is..." She paused, her smile deepening. "Cultivation."
The sweet voice whispered in Lü's ear, like a lover's murmur, making him draw in a sharp breath.