Finding the courtyard wasn't difficult; the cacophony of aspiring cultivators practically echoed through the outer region of the Outer Sect Area, a stark contrast to the serene quietude of the inner region where the true powerhouses resided.

  The courtyard itself was a sea of vibrant colors, a kaleidoscope of robes that ranged from the humble browns to greens of the outer disciples with ostentatious silver embroidery.

  He navigated the gathering, his senses assaulted by a heady blend of incense and qi fluctuation in the area. Li Zhen wrinkled his nose. Are they hiding a murder with the amount of scent? he mused, stifling a cough.

  "Junior Brother Li! You actually made it!"

  Li Zhen turned to see Senior Sister Lian practically bouncing towards him, her emerald outer disciple robes billowing dramatically behind her.

  The color perfectly complemented her bright, enthusiastic smile. Compared to the somewhat drab attire of the outer disciples, her robes practically screamed, "Look at me! I've made it!"

  "Senior Sister," Zhen replied with a respectful bow, trying to ignore the way his new blue robes felt like they were made of starched parchment. "I wouldn't miss this… uh… whatever it is." He gave a sheepish grin. "To be honest, I'm still a bit lost."

  Senior Sister Lian's laughter tinkled like wind chimes. "Think of it as a… cultivator's convention," she explained, her eyes twinkling. "A chance for us outer disciples, and those still dreaming of ascension, to mingle, exchange wisdom, and maybe even forge some alliances. Oh, and of course," she added with a conspiratorial wink, "to engage in a bit of healthy competition. You know, subtly flaunt our superior qi control and casually mention our latest breakthrough."

  Zhen chuckled. "Subtlety" doesn't seem to be a highly valued trait here,' he thought, glancing at a nearby disciple who was practically glowing with self-importance.

  She led him through the throngs of disciples, who were divided into four or five distinct sections.

  Small groups huddled together, each radiating a distinct aura.

  Some, Li Zhen noted with amusement, resembled a flock of startled pigeons, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror. 'Poor sods, probably just arrived like me,' he thought, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face. Sheeps waiting to be slaughtered in this den of ambitious cultivators.

  Others strutted about like peacocks in a mating ritual, their voices booming with exaggerated tales of their accomplishments. Li Zhen rolled his eyes. And then there are the "lone wolves," he thought, spotting a few figures standing apart, their arms crossed and lips curled in disdain. Judging by their expressions, they've already mentally disqualified everyone here, including themselves, probably.

  "Speaking of new disciples," Senior Sister Lian said, her gaze shifting slightly. "Have you heard anything about He Shan?"

  "He Shan?" Li Zhen furrowed his brow, trying to recall the name. "I heard rumors about him. Said he was quite the rising star, but failed and got injured."

  "He was," Lian agreed, her voice lowering slightly. "But rumor is, he suffered some sort of setback, a heartbreak due to a Velvetbliss disciple." She shook her head, a hint of pity in her eyes. "No one's heard from him in a while. Might have even developed an inner demon, who knows."

  "Inner demon…" Li Zhen mused thoughtfully. "I don't think he'd develop an inner demon. Seems a bit extreme for heartbreak, even if it was with a Velvetbliss disciple. Maybe he just needed some time to, you know, lick his wounds and eat his feelings."

  "Then it will be good for him" Senior Sister Lian had a thoughtful look on her face. "Do you know any other promising disciple?"

  "I'm afraid my information network isn't quite as extensive as yours, Senior Sister," Zhen admitted. He'd only just arrived, after all.

  "Hmm," She mused, tapping a finger against her chin. "There's that artificer, Fang Qiang. Nothing special in terms of cultivation, but he supposedly refined nine Foundation Establishment artifacts within a month!"

  "That's quite a lot," He said while thinking about the production quantity of this world.

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  Senior Sister Lian continued, her voice a low hum as she shared information like a seasoned merchant displaying her wares. "Then there's that rogue cultivator, Zhao Lin, known for his unorthodox sword techniques. They say he can cleave a boulder in half with a single swing. And of course, there are always rumors about hidden talents, those who prefer to keep their abilities under wraps. It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for," she added with a knowing smile.

  Li Zhen nodded along, trying to give the appropriate "oh"s and "ah"s while mentally filing away the gossip. He was starting to realize that this gathering was as much about information gathering as it was about cultivation.

  "Oh, and I heard whispers of a disciple who claims to have mastered a lost pill recipe, one that can boost cultivation by leaps and bounds," Lian added, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

  "Though, I take those rumors with a grain of salt. Most of these claims are usually just hot air." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "What about you, Junior Brother? How is your cultivation progressing?"

  "Slowly but surely," Li Zhen replied with a modest shrug. "I'm still trying to master the basics. Foundation Establishment feels a long way off."

  "Don't be discouraged," Lian said, her voice encouraging. "Everyone starts somewhere. Just focus on your goals, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. We're all in this together, after all. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And if you ever find yourself needing resources, just let me know. I might be able to pull a few strings."

  Zhen smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Sister. I appreciate that."

  Just then, a hush fell over the courtyard. Conversations died down, and all eyes turned towards the entrance. Zhen felt a prickle of anticipation.

  A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the pool of light cast by the courtyard lanterns. It was a young woman, no older than himself, clad in immaculate white robes that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow.

  A translucent silk veil concealed the lower half of her face, but what was visible was breathtaking. Her eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, were like pools of liquid night, both alluring and intimidating. Full lips, painted a vibrant crimson, curved into a subtle smile that promised untold delights. She moved with a seductive sway, drawing all eyes to her.

  Zhen felt a shiver run down his spine as those eyes met his for a fleeting moment. An odd sense of familiarity tugged at his memory, but he couldn't quite place it. 'Where have I seen those eyes before?' he wondered, a frown creasing his brow.

  No– Not from those eyes… but the technique behind them. The way they seemed to pierce through him, assessing his very soul.

  "Wow… who is that?"

  "That's Senior Disciple Su! She's… stunning."

  "She's like a goddess…"

  "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies."

  "They say she can… influence people… with just a look."

  "Senior Disciple Su, it's time," an outer disciple announced, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the group.

  Senior Disciple Su, the woman in white, inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment as she walked away.

  Thankfully, she entered one of the halls inside the courtyard, more than twenty disciples, mostly male, trailing in her wake like lovesick puppies. Zhen watched in amusement as several disciples practically drooled, their eyes glazed over with infatuation.

  "Ugh, those pathetic fools," Senior Sister Lian muttered under her breath, her voice laced with disdain. "Fawning over her like lovesick puppies. Honestly, you'd think they'd never seen a woman before."

  Zhen raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. There seems to be a story there… "Someone's a little jealous—"

  Lian's cheeks flushed, but she quickly recovered. "Jealous? Of that... that seductress? Please. She's nothing but a manipulative—" She caught herself, taking a deep breath. "Just because she's the Elder's daughter and has a few tricks up her sleeve doesn't mean she's anything special."

  "Tricks?" Zhen questioned, intrigued.

  "Charm Cultivation," Lian spat, as if the words tasted like poison. "They use their beauty and charm to manipulate others. It's disgusting. Those Velvetbliss Peak bitches think they can control everyone with a bat of their eyelashes."

  "Velvetbliss Peak?" Zhen repeated, the name sounding utterly foreign to him. "What's special about it?"

  Lian's anger seemed to dissipate slightly, replaced by a grudging respect. "It's... different. They practice Charm Cultivation. Famous for its mesmerizing techniques and intricate charm formations. They cultivate by enhancing their beauty and charisma, using it as a weapon, essentially." She gave a small, almost imperceptible shudder. "Some say it's alluring, others say it's dangerous. They say that a simple smile from one of them could make you do anything."

  Charm cultivation? Zhen thought to himself. So, they cultivate by being beautiful? It sounds... unconventional. But powerful, I suppose. If you can control someone with just a look, that's quite the advantage.

  Similar to how Seventh Core Disciple Lan Xingchen used her gaze. Is she also from Velvetbliss Peak? He filed the information away, adding it to his growing understanding of the complex world of cultivation.

  "Sounds intriguing," Zhen said aloud, keeping his voice neutral. "Though, I think I'll stick to the more traditional methods, for now."

  Lian nodded, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good. Don't let those vixens distract you. They're nothing but trouble."

  Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby, shattering the relative calm of the courtyard. The sound of shouting and the clatter of something breaking drew their attention.

  CRASH!

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