The next day, Bai Tian opened his eyes and found himself wearing gray clothes, marking his status as a labor disciple. The fabric felt rough against his skin, yet loose enough to move freely. He lifted his body slowly and did some stretching exercises, feeling the soreness in his muscles start to ease. The morning sunlight poured into his simple room, casting soft shadows across the wooden floor.
Thinking about the tragic fate that befell his parents, Bai Tian steeled his resolve. He realized that nothing could be expected from the past; the only path forward was to cultivate diligently and survive within the Rainbow Cloud Sect. His heart was filled with a mix of sorrow, anger, and burning determination.
Not long after, he was called to the place where disciples received their daily tasks. There, he saw a young man in tattered clothes, his face full of disdain. His sharp eyes fixed on Bai Tian, as if assessing how "worthless" his presence in the sect was. The young man let out a cold laugh, a sound that pierced Bai Tian's chest with a twinge of tension.
"So, you're Xio Tian (Bai Tian)? Go join the others and wait for instructions," said the young man in a condescending tone.
Bai Tian met his gaze silently, quiet but defiant. The young man sneered again, "Kid, starting tomorrow morning, you'll come to me to work. Fail, and don't expect any food, and I'll report you to the elders so you'll be expelled. Don't cause trouble."
After speaking, he tossed a small book to Bai Tian and closed his eyes. Bai Tian opened the book and saw a list of daily tasks he had to complete. It felt like a punishment, but he only nodded slightly.
"Where should I complete these tasks?" Bai Tian asked, his voice calm yet firm.
The young man didn't even open his eyes and replied lazily, "Go north until you see a row of houses. There is a purification hall there. Give your plan to the disciple in yellow robes in charge, and they will explain the details of your tasks."
Bai Tian walked north. Each step took him past the sect's vast, silent corridors, where green leaves rustled softly in the wind. The young man opened his eyes briefly and muttered with disgust, "Hmph, he really is useless..."
Along the way, Bai Tian observed the other disciples, all in gray robes, their faces pale and cold. Some carried buckets, tools, or rolls of thread, and everyone moved hurriedly. There were no smiles, no greetings, only busyness and exhaustion reflected clearly in their eyes.
After a while, Bai Tian arrived at the row of houses. There, the gray-robed disciples were busy with their own tasks, barely acknowledging one another. He handed his plan to a yellow-robed disciple who appeared authoritative. The young man pointed to an open area, "Do your best. Focus on the low-level plants."
Bai Tian had grown accustomed to the cold stares here. He immediately started working: weeding, carefully watering herbal plants, and arranging each pot as if nurturing the little lives themselves. By evening, he was filling water barrels for irrigation, sweat dripping down his forehead, yet he remained focused.
When night fell, Bai Tian returned home with weary steps. He passed other busy disciples without greeting anyone. Upon reaching his dwelling, he collapsed onto his bed, so exhausted that he forgot to eat dinner.
In the middle of the night, hunger woke him. Reluctantly, he rose and walked to the nearby forest. The cold night wind swept against his skin, but Bai Tian only thought of one thing: survival. He touched his stomach, took out some sweet potatoes, and began roasting them over hot stones. The sweet aroma of roasted potatoes spread, intensifying his hunger.
As he began eating, a young man appeared, eyeing the food with gleaming eyes and a drooling mouth. In a low but clear voice, he said, "Can I have a piece?"
Bai Tian smiled faintly and offered some pieces, "I have a few here. Take them."
The young man quickly grabbed them, poured himself a glass of water, then complained loudly, "Damn! I haven't eaten all day. What's your name?"
Bai Tian told him his name. The young man suddenly laughed, but this time without insult. "So you're Xio Tian, the trash barely scraping by…" He paused for a moment, then added, "Brother, my name is Zhang Hun. Honestly, no one in the sect doesn't know about you. Don't take my words the wrong way. I even admire your perseverance."
Bai Tian laughed bitterly, making no attempt to explain, and handed over a few more pieces of sweet potato. Zhang Hun ate quickly while drinking water, complaining, "Damn, this sect is insane. They treat us like unpaid labor."
Bai Tian sighed deeply and continued roasting the sweet potatoes. Zhang Hun sat beside him, sipping water, and said, "Ah, that nagging, cynical guy from this morning? He's the one who assigns labor disciples their tasks. He's also an honor disciple, so don't ever offend him."
"I heard you were married and divorced in just a few days with that fairy… Ah… her name is Mu Xingyue, right?" Zhang Hun asked hesitantly.
"It was just due to circumstances, nothing more. Now my parents are gone, and the business has been taken over," Bai Tian replied, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
*"I'm sorry…" Zhang Hun said, realizing he had opened an old wound.
"It's alright… it feels more comfortable without uncertain ties," Bai Tian said, exhaling deeply, staring at the dwindling fire.
They talked until the night wind grew colder. Time passed unnoticed, and eventually, they returned to their respective quarters. Their hearts felt a little lighter, though the world of the Rainbow Cloud Sect remained harsh and full of challenges.
When Bai Tian reached his dwelling, he paused and gazed at the night sky. Moonlight gently reflected on his face, highlighting every line of fatigue on his body. His eyes were drawn to a distant hill always bathed in moonlight, as if calling him to come closer. He longed to walk there, to feel tranquility beneath the silver light, but he restrained himself—tomorrow still held work awaiting. With a heavy heart, he turned away and entered his dwelling, letting the night pass in silence.
The next morning, Bai Tian woke earlier than usual. He realized that only discipline and hard work could allow him to survive in the Rainbow Cloud Sect. With that resolve, he immediately began his duties methodically: watering plants, filling water barrels, and organizing tools, all moving in a rhythm almost like meditation.
A month passed. In addition to fulfilling his labor disciple duties, Bai Tian took time to study the uses of various herbal plants and the basics of alchemy. Each night, after his body was exhausted and sweat had dried, he would sit cross-legged to meditate. In the stillness, he began to understand the flow of spiritual energy, feeling how it moved within his body, gradually adjusting to its rhythm.
Now, Bai Tian had reached the mid-stage of the Elementary Realm. Though still far from advanced levels, this progress gave him confidence that with determination and consistent practice, one day he would be able to face greater challenges in the world of cultivation.