At this moment, Ye Changqing was rather grateful to have joined the Dao Yi Sect. As the leading righteous sect in the Eastern Continent, at least within the Dao Yi Sect, he didn't have to worry about safety issues.

Moreover, the Dao Yi Sect had strict rules, and there was no infighting among its disciples.

On the contrary, the disciples of the Dao Yi Sect were very united and friendly. At least within the sect, even as a menial disciple, Ye Changqing had not suffered any bullying.

This might be related to the sect's disciple recruitment assessment.

Within the Dao Yi Sect, there was a treasured artifact called the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, which could discern right from wrong and good from evil. Every disciple who wished to join the sect had to pass the test of the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, and only those with a benevolence score of ninety or above could pass.

Next came the talent test. If one couldn't even pass the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, then no matter how extraordinary their talent, the Dao Yi Sect would not accept them.

This applied even to menial disciples.

Because of this, there were no petty thieves or scoundrels within the Dao Yi Sect, and the atmosphere of the entire sect was harmonious. Coupled with the fact that the number of disciples was not large, it indeed resembled the legendary sacred land of immortals.

The entire Dao Yi Sect consisted of thirty-six peaks, with about seventy to eighty thousand outer sect disciples and just over ten thousand inner sect disciples.

In comparison, the number of menial disciples was much larger, exceeding one hundred thousand.

However, given the status of the Dao Yi Sect, such a number of disciples was considered quite few.

This was also the belief that the Dao Yi Sect had always upheld: better to have fewer but better disciples, not caring about the quantity, but ensuring each disciple was elite.

Take the inner sect disciples, for example; the lowest cultivation level was the Core Formation Realm, and among them, there were even those in the Purple Mansion Realm or the Elemental Infant Realm.

As for the outer sect disciples, although there were no strict requirements apart from age and talent, as long as their talent, constitution, and comprehension were of high quality and they passed the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, they could become outer sect disciples.

But before the age of thirty, if they couldn't break through the Meridian Surge Realm, they would be directly sent by the sect to manage the Dao Yi Sect's industries in the mundane world, which meant they would have no further connection with immortality.

It's no exaggeration to say that any disciple of the Dao Yi Sect would be considered a genius in the outside world, which is why the Dao Yi Sect has been able to stand firm in the Eastern Continent.

Of course, this naturally does not include menial disciples, as they are not really concerned with talent.

To put it bluntly, menial disciples are more about maintaining connections, just like Ye Changqing.

Yet even so, countless people still try to squeeze their way into the Dao Yi Sect, even if it's just as a menial disciple.

Ye Changqing felt that the Dao Yi Sect was perfectly suitable for him, with harmonious relationships within the sect and strong power, allowing him to live peacefully.

Checking the time, he realized it was almost mealtime.

The kitchen at Divine Sword Peak served two meals a day, but generally, only menial disciples came. Outer sect disciples never came here, and even among menial disciples, not many came.

Divine Sword Peak had several thousand menial disciples, but less than a hundred came to the kitchen daily.

"Let's have braised noodles for lunch today."

Turning to the kitchen, Ye Changqing began preparing lunch for the day.

***

Meanwhile, halfway up the mountain, two pretty young girls were cleaning the courtyard for an outer sect disciple.

This was also part of the menial disciples' duties.

They had been busy since morning and had finally finished everything. One of the girls wiped the sweat from her forehead and said with a smile, "We probably won't have time to cook today. Let's go to the kitchen to eat."

Menial disciples generally cooked in groups of three or five, and outer sect disciples didn't care about what they ate; a Five-Grain Pill could suffice. Compared to eating, they cared more about quickly breaking through to the Core Formation Realm to become inner sect disciples.

Therefore, the kitchen Ye Changqing was responsible for was almost invisible at Divine Sword Peak.

Unless, like these two girls, they were too busy to cook, they would go to the kitchen for a meal.

Hearing this, the other girl frowned slightly and said, "The kitchen, huh? The food there is terrible. I don't want to go."

"But we don't have time now, and I'm so tired."

After working all morning, both girls were indeed tired. After hesitating for a moment, the previously reluctant girl reluctantly nodded and said, "Alright, let's just get by with a meal, and we'll cook ourselves tonight."

"Okay."

As they spoke, the owner of the courtyard, a handsome young man, also came out.

It must be said, there seemed to be no ugly people within the Dao Yi Sect. Even among menial disciples, the men were handsome, and the women were beautiful.

Of course, in terms of looks, Ye Changqing was definitely at the top, a peerless talent. So far, no one could compare to him, except perhaps the readers themselves.

"Thank you for your hard work."

He smiled at the two girls, who quickly bowed respectfully upon hearing his words.

"Senior Brother Wu, you're too kind. This is our duty."

Facing menial disciples, this Senior Brother Wu showed no arrogance; on the contrary, he was very kind. This was the usual way Dao Yi Sect disciples interacted, very normal.

He rewarded them with some silver as a token of appreciation and then let the two girls leave.

Although menial disciples had to do a lot of work, at least the daily life of many outer and inner sect disciples at Divine Sword Peak was taken care of by menial disciples.

But once their work was done, they could manage their remaining time as they wished.

Leaving Senior Brother Wu's place, the two girls walked down the mountain path toward the foot of the mountain.

At the same time, from various parts of Divine Sword Peak, other menial disciples were also heading to the kitchen.

Not many people, at most fifty or sixty, were planning to have a meal at the kitchen for various reasons.

At the kitchen entrance, Ye Changqing had already set up a large pot and brought out a large table.

Water was boiling in the pot, ready to cook noodles at any time. On the large table beside it was a big bowl of minced sauce, along with green onions, cucumbers, and other various ingredients.

To maintain the taste, Ye Changqing, learning from his past life, didn't cook the noodles in advance. Instead, he cooked them fresh when someone came, ensuring the noodles tasted better.

Before long, the first batch of menial disciples entered the courtyard, three young men coming together.

"Changqing, Junior Brother, what are you doing?"

Seeing Ye Changqing standing at the kitchen entrance with a large pot and table, the three were a bit puzzled.

Didn't they usually just cook rice and stir-fry dishes, and then they would serve themselves? Why was he boiling water today?

Facing their questions, Ye Changqing replied with a smile, "I've invented a new dish, specially made for you to try. Three servings, right?"

Hearing this, the three nodded.

"Yes, three servings."

Even so, the three didn't hold much hope in their hearts. They had tasted Ye Changqing's cooking before; it was edible, very ordinary, nothing special, so they had no expectations.

As long as it filled their stomachs, it was fine.

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan