The Seven Sky Pillars Sect of Tianhe Mountain was ranked tenth in the list of the ten greatest sects across the cultivation world.
Unlike other sects that focused on a specific path of cultivation, the Seven Sky Pillars Sect embraced a diverse, almost messy collection of cultivation paths. After almost five centuries of existence, seven peak master positions were installed, and their cultivation paths became their disciples' cultivation paths.
Unlike other sects that closed their gates to commonfolk and handpicked their disciples through a rigorous selection process, the Seven Sky Pillars Sect opened its door to everyone at every age, who aspired to become a cultivator.
The accepted disciples, referred to as outer disciples, were given white beginner robes and dark blue belts with no accessories upon their entrance. They were required to attend classes, led by various peak masters and peak elders, for more or less three years to learn the rules of the sect and to be introduced to the specialties of each peak.
Subsequent to the successful completion of a written graduation examination, disciples were invited to an induction event, where they were to be selected by one of the seven peak masters as inner disciples of their respective peaks. This selection was contingent upon mutual consent between the disciple and the peak master.
This important induction event was formally recognized as Induction Day.
Every three years, the induction event took place at the sect's Heaven and Hell Pavilion. This time was no different.
Around two hundred outer disciples in white robes and blue belts stood with straight backs and stiff faces in rows, all facing the elevated platform at the head of the pavilion. Seven white marble seats, streaked with blue veins, were placed on said platform to accommodate the peak masters.
Mo Zhiyuan's eyes drifted from one solemn face to another. They all looked so powerful, so unbeatable. But didn't they all succumb under his blade? Heh.
From left to right, the peak masters sat in a particular order.
Zhanfeng Peak, led by Peak Master Shang Jieyun, specialized in weapon-based cultivation, encompassing everything from slingshots to maces.
Shang Jieyun was a tall man, almost two meters in height, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His spiritual weapon was a double-edged straight sword. Normal cultivators required two hands to wield it, but Shang Jieyun had always managed with one.
Huayuan Peak, led by Peak Mistress Shang Meili, focused its cultivation on a diverse spectrum of musical instruments, starting with the simple wooden flute and extending to the complex heavy string instruments.
Shang Meili was Shang Jieyun's biological younger sister. Unlike her elder brother, who was clad in light armor, she was dressed in a bright pink and peach-colored gown. Her spiritual instrument was a guqin with the special ability to float in the air.
Yangshen Peak, led by Peak Master Jiang Kexue, concentrated on alchemical cultivation, possessing the expertise to produce both therapeutic medicinal potions and highly effective potent poisons.
Jiang Kexue was the sect's internal physician, with almost a hundred years' worth of experience as a commonfolk doctor. He was the oldest peak master in the sect.
Jiqiao Peak, led by Peak Master Chun Shiqie, was well-versed in the art of building mechanical devices of various forms and functions.
Chun Shiqie's left eye was torn during a battle with demonic forces, and he replaced it with a mechanical eye. It was said that this mechanical eye could see beyond the constraints of mortal eyes.
The entire sect was used to hearing explosive sounds coming from Jiqiao Peak. Entrance was generally prohibited because newly-born golems tended to go rampant and attack uninvited guests.
Gaozhuan Peak, led by Peak Master Gu Zhenren, instructed disciples in talisman creation and the construction of magical arrays for diverse applications.
Gu Zhenren was strikingly thin, with pallid skin and dark eye pockets surrounding his bloodshot eyes. He was a workaholic who only slept four hours a day and ate during work.
Jinlian Peak, led by Peak Master Shen Ruizhe, was the most popular peak of all seven although it had only been established for seven years.
Shen Ruizhe, the youngest peak master at the age of twenty-seven years old, was proficient in all the aforementioned skills, with a particular focus on exorcism.
Situated at Tianhe Mountain, the Seven Sky Pillars Sect served as the primary watch point for the Gate of Hell at the mountain's base. Thus Shen Ruizhe, despite not being the Sect Leader, was the one who called all the shots at Seven Sky Pillars Sect. All other peak masters had to abandon whatever work they had if Shen Ruizhe needed their help.
If that wasn't impressive enough, Shen Ruizhe possessed an extraordinarily beautiful facade, so stunning it could make celestial beings blush and avert their gazes.
Beneath a pair of thin brows was a pair of perfect, almond-shaped eyes, with a deep, inky black color. The darkness stood stark against the red tails at their corners. Many disciples swore that they could lose themselves simply by locking eyes with Shen Ruizhe at close distance.
His fair skin contrasted with his long, dark hair, which was styled in a half-ponytail and secured by a golden crown atop his head.
Unlike the other male peak masters who tended to choose dark-colored robes, Shen Ruizhe liked to wear white. There was no mistaking him for any outer disciple, though, because he had delicate golden chains wrapped around his waist. This was his spiritual weapon.
Shen Ruizhe was famous for both his cultivation as well as his appearance, but there were many hidden aspects about him that many others didn't know.
For example, that he was ruthless enough to kill his own disciple without blinking an eye.
Or that he could insult someone while smiling at their face.
Or that he had a particularly lewd and sensitive body that could drive any man crazy with lust.
Mo Zhiyuan did not recall a time in bed with Shen Ruizhe, when he did not emerge from behind the curtain with a gratified smirk across his face.
He was not sure which one satisfied him more --- fucking Shen Ruizhe to climax or watching Shen Ruizhe hit climax against his will.
Probably both.
As if aware of Mo Zhiyuan's dirty thoughts, Shen Ruizhe, who was chatting with the sect leader, Wu Mansong, suddenly turned his head and stared in Mo Zhiyuan's direction.