The moment he stepped outside the mansion, a gentle breeze brushed past him.
The sky was clear. The sect, as always, was vast and lively.
Every fluctuation of spiritual energy, every distant presence—his perception had undergone a qualitative leap.
However, he did not head toward his teacher's residence. Instead, after a brief pause, his figure shifted direction.
Earth Flame Cave.
That was the place Elder Shi had mentioned.
A location specifically meant for tempering flames and refining pills.
Along the way, Xiao Feng stopped a few passing disciples to ask for directions.
Most of them were outer sect disciples. Upon looking at his robes, their attitudes immediately became respectful, even cautious.
After a few inquiries, he finally arrived near Medicine Peak.
The environment here was noticeably different. A faint heat lingered in the air, mixed with a subtle medicinal fragrance.
And not far ahead, a massive rocky formation stood quietly.
At first glance, it did not seem particularly special.
Only when Xiao Feng drew closer did he notice that the visible part was merely the entrance.
The true structure… extended deep underground.
The cave mouth was wide, with a steady stream of disciples entering and exiting. Most wore alchemist robes, while some radiated the scorching aura from their body.
They should be disciples who practiced flame-based cultivation techniques.
Stepping inside, Xiao Feng's brows lifted slightly.
The interior was far more complex than he expected.
Numerous passageways extended in different directions, intertwining like a labyrinth. The temperature varied subtly from path to path, and the deeper regions faintly emitted stronger fluctuations of fire energy.
For a moment, he actually felt a bit lost.
Just as he was about to choose a random direction, a voice sounded from the side.
"First time here?"
Xiao Feng turned.
A young man in an inner disciple robe stood there, a friendly smile on his face. His demeanor was relaxed, without any trace of hostility.
Xiao Feng paused briefly, then nodded.
"Yeah."
The young man chuckled lightly.
"I could tell. Most people who come here for the first time look exactly like you."
He stepped closer, gesturing casually toward the passageways.
"This place is basically a maze if you don't know the layout. Want me to show you around?"
Xiao Feng glanced at him, then gave a small nod.
"Alright."
The two began walking side by side.
"You joined the sect recently, right?" the young man asked casually.
"Hmm, how do you know?" Xiao Feng asked with a surprise.
He could tell that he had met this person first time. How did he know that he had joined the sect few days ago?
The young man turned his head, looking at Xiao Feng with a big smile.
"You are only at Spirit Refining Realm, but still wore Inner disciple robe. As much as I heard, that during this year's entrance test, the top ten disciples would be directly promoted to inner disciples and enjoy the same resources."
His gaze lingered on Xiao Feng for a moment.
"So… you're probably one of them, right?"
Xiao Feng did not confirm it.
He simply gave a noncommittal hum and let the topic pass.
Seeing that, the young man did not press further and continued speaking.
"Anyway, about this place…"
He pointed deeper into the cave.
"The Earth Flame Cave is divided into three layers."
"The outermost layer—the one we're in now—has the weakest flame energy. It's mostly used by first and second-rank alchemists."
Xiao Feng asked, "Isn't it divided based on cultivation level?"
The young man shook his head.
"Not really. It's more about alchemy rank and flame control ability."
He pointed further inward.
"The second layer is for third and fourth-rank alchemists."
"And the deepest third layer…"
His tone turned slightly more serious, "That's where fifth-rank alchemists cultivate."
As they walked, Xiao Feng observed the surrounding rooms.
Each passageway had numerous stone chambers carved into the walls.
Some were seems occupied, as faint red light flickering on their gates.
Yet strangely, many of the inner-positioned rooms, which clearly had stronger flame energy, were vacant. While the outer ones were more crowded.
Xiao Feng's brows furrowed slightly.
"Why are the better rooms empty?"
The young man's expression immediately darkened, a trace of irritation flashing across his face.
"Hah… those?" He clicked his tongue, "Those are basically claimed."
"By who?" Xiao Feng asked calmly.
"Personal disciples. Or disciples with powerful backing."
The young man's tone carried undisguised dissatisfaction.
"Technically, every disciples can use any room within a layer. But those guys…"
He let out a cold snort.
"They rely on their status and background to occupy them long-term. When the month starts, others just give up the rooms early to avoid trouble."
His voice grew slightly harsher.
"Bunch of people hiding behind their masters, acting like they own the place…"
Hearing this, Xiao Feng fell silent for a moment.
A faint trace of awkwardness flickered across his face.
After all—
He was also a personal disciple.
Though he had no intention of abusing that status…
From another perspective, he was exactly the kind of person being complained about.
The young man did not notice Xiao Feng's brief reaction and simply shook his head, as if the matter was not worth dwelling on any further.
"Anyway… that's how it is."
He pointed ahead again.
"Come on, I'll take you to the elder, where you can exchange your cave token."
Xiao Feng nodded slightly, his expression returning to calm as he followed.
"But, little brother, I have to say that you are really something. In just three days after joining the sect, you've already gathered enough contribution points to train in the Earth Flame Cave."
There was clear admiration in his tone.
"That's actually quite impressive."
Xiao Feng, who had been calmly observing his surroundings, confused ever so slightly when he heard those words.
"Contribution points to train here?"
The young man simply stared at Xiao Feng as if trying to confirm whether he was joking.
"…You're serious?"
He remained silent, his expression calm but clearly puzzled.
The young man still had not noticed his puzzled look.
"Of course you need contribution points," he said, "If I had enough contribution points, I'd already be training here every day."
Xiao Feng's lips twitched slightly.
So training here actually requires contribution points…
A trace of helplessness rose in his heart.
That old man didn't even bother mentioning something this important…
He silently cursed his master few times in his heart.
If he had known earlier, he would have at least prepared beforehand instead of coming here blindly.
Seeing his silence, the young man thought he was simply calculating his contribution points and continued speaking.
"Not everyone could enjoy benefits like those personal disciples."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What do you mean?"
The young man grinned, though there was a faint trace of envy hidden beneath it.
He shrugged, "Every month, personal disciples are allowed to cultivate in any layer of the Earth Flame Cave for five days for free."
There was no need to hide the dissatisfaction in his voice. To ordinary disciples, this kind of privilege was something they could only look up to.
Xiao Feng's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.
"So that's how it is…"
At least this solved his problem. He didn't need to worry about contribution points for now. Otherwise, today's trip would have been completely wasted.
The young man did not notice his reaction and simply continued walking forward.
"Anyway, once we reach the elder, you'll understand everything."
—
Soon, the two arrived at a spacious stone hall within the cave.
At the front stood a long counter carved from dark stone. Behind it sat an elderly man, his eyes half-closed as if resting.
Yet despite his seemingly casual demeanor, a faint pressure lingered around him, making others instinctively lower their voices.
The young man immediately became more respectful.
"Elder."
The old man slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm yet sharp.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Feng stepped forward and took out his disciple token, placing it on the counter.
"I wish to enter the Earth Flame Cave for cultivation."
The elder glanced at the token casually.
His gaze first fell lazily upon the token. But in the next instant, a subtle change flickered within his expression.
"Oh?"
His gaze shifted to Xiao Feng, carrying a trace of interest.
Then, without asking anything, he raised his hand and waved it lightly.
A dark crimson card appeared in his palm.
He placed it on the counter.
"Take it."
His tone was calm and indifferent.
Xiao Feng reached out and picked up the card. It felt slightly warm to the touch. On its surface, ten thin engraved lines, faintly glowing like smoldering embers.
For a brief moment, Xiao Feng did not think much of it.
The young man beside him, however, was completely stunned.
"Ten… days?"
He blurted out before he could stop himself.
The elder glanced at him indifferently.
"Is there a problem?"
The young man quickly shook his head, but the shock in his eyes did not fade.
"Thank you, Elder," Xiao Feng said calmly while picking up the card.
The elder nodded slightly and closed his eyes again, as if losing interest.
As they stepped away from the counter, the young man finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
"You didn't even exchange contribution points… and yet you got ten days?"
This time, it was no longer confusion.
It was realization.