The Loose Tail Family was organized similarly to Yuan's former sect, the Howling Wind Sect, at least in some aspects.
For one, they also had many halls, each with its own purpose and significance. Even their disciple ranking system followed a familiar structure.
At the lowest level were the mortals, whose rankings were assigned not by power, but by experience and contribution. These ranks included titles such as Royal Advisor, Advisor, Mortal Guard, Royal Guard, Noble Retainer, Spy, Messenger, or simply Worker.
While these titles might seem insignificant in the world of cultivators, among mortals they were considered prestigious and honorable. Many who were born without the spiritual essence necessary for cultivation aspired to obtain such positions of influence.
However, Yuan hadn't bothered to ask for details beyond the general naming of these mortal ranks. To cultivators, such positions held little weight.
In the world of cultivators, the hierarchy was defined by strength and stage. Those who had awakened one sense were called Trainees. Cultivators with two awakened senses were Soldiers, while those with three senses were known as Captains. A cultivator who had awakened four senses earned the title of General, and those who reached all five senses were honored as Commanders.
Naturally, this system applied only to those within the Mortal Awakening Stage. Cultivators who stepped into the Blood Purification Stage, even at the earliest level, were treated entirely differently. They were referred to as Supreme Commanders.
These were the ranks that mattered to Yuan, as they were tied to the Military Hall under the Loose Tail Family. As for the overall structure of the Loose Tail Family itself, it was divided into three main branches: the Outer Family, the Inner Family, and the Main Family.
The Outer Family consisted of those who could not cultivate. Their authority was limited, roughly equivalent to that of a Trainee or Soldier.
However, if an Outer Family member somehow rose to become the king of the Mortal Kingdom, their authority would match that of a Captain, granting them the right to issue commands to Trainees and Soldiers within reason.
The Inner Family was made up of cultivators who were often the illegitimate or unrecognized sons and daughters of Main Family members.
They were allowed to join the Military Hall and earn their own ranks through merit. If one of them reached the level of Supreme Commander, they could take on the position of a Lower Elder. In fact, once an Inner Family member achieved the Commander rank, a five awakened senses, they were already considered equal in authority to a Supreme Commander, with the right to reject orders from others, including princes or princesses of the Main Family.
The Main Family, however, stood on an entirely different level. All members were direct, officially recognized blood descendants of the clan's core lineage.
Chosen Main Family members could compete for the title of the Clan Head. Whoever claimed it gained the power to rename the clan in alignment with their lineage's ideals.
According to a book, the ancestor of the Loose Tail Family had five children. Each developed their own philosophies and visions for the clan's future.
When those visions clashed and could not be reconciled, they agreed on a compromise, each of the five factions would be allowed to nominate one Sect Head, a representative who would embody and lead the path their faction wished to follow.
Each of the five nominated Sect Heads must then compete against one another, and the one who wins, or has the greatest achievements, becomes the new Clan Head.
The five factions of the Loose Tail Family are known as Longshou, Longbi, Longyi, Longtui, and Longwei, named after the five key parts that make up a dragon: the head, arms, wings, legs, and tail.
Longwei Feng belonged to the Longwei faction, the "dragon tail." Since Yuan had been accepted under Longwei Feng's guidance, he now officially became part of the Longwei faction, entering the clan as a Supreme Commander Candidate.
The title of Supreme Commander Candidate is given to any cultivator accepted by a Low Elder or higher within the Loose Tail Family.
If a candidate eventually reaches the rank of Supreme Commander, they earn the right to marry into the faction's main family, or, if they choose, into the Inner Family. Through this, their descendants may one day rise to become members of the Main Family.
Even without full integration, a Supreme Commander Candidate holds a status just below that of the Main Family, and may be appointed as an Outer Elder. An Outer Elder has the same authority as a Low Elder but their authority only applies within their married faction.
Members of other factions, particularly the Main Family, may choose not to obey them, though anyone beneath the Main Family must follow any elder's command, regardless of faction.
The elder rankings within the Loose Tail Family are simple but rigid, a Low Elder is a cultivator up to the peak of the early Blood Purification Stage. A High Elder is someone who has reached the mid Blood Purification Stage.
Once one reaches the peak of the mid Blood Purification Stage, they are eligible to become a Sect Head.
Cultivators in the late Blood Purification Stage are known as Grand Elders. These individuals do not participate in normal clan matters, they serve only as guardians to the Sect Head and take orders from no one.
Based on the current family name in use, Longwei, Yuan could reasonably conclude that the Longwei faction currently holds the position of Sect Head, with the other four factions operating beneath them.
"So many things..." Yuan muttered to himself as he closed the book in front of him. It had already been a few days since he had first met Old Man Longwei Feng, who had given him time to read and memorize the general structure and history of the Loose Tail Family.
That included details about the important mortal towns within the kingdom, the neighboring kingdoms, and the clan's internal ranks and halls.
Setting the book down on his bed, Yuan let his gaze wander around the room he had been given. It was far larger than the small cave he once occupied at the Howling Wind Sect. And not only was it spacious, but it was also furnished with more than just the basics.
There wasn't just a bed, a table, and a few chairs, this room had a few small touches that made it feel more like a home than a temporary space. A soft woven rug covered part of the wooden floor, warm to the feet.
A simple painting of a misty mountain range hung on the far wall, its colors calm and subdued. A small wooden shelf held a tea set and a few books, most of these books were the ones that yuan read for the families structure or about the detailed locations of the towns or the other kingdoms.
By the window sat a potted plant, its green leaves a subtle contrast to the otherwise muted tones. The room was quiet, clean, and comfortably modest.
"Sigh." Yuan exhaled as he looked around the room. It felt far more alive than the cold cave he once called home. The memory of that cultivation cave brought a complicated look to his eyes as thoughts of the Howling Wind Sect resurfaced.
Now, thinking about the politics, he couldn't help but recall the inner workings of his former sect.
"The game is the same, just new players," Yuan thought quietly. In essence, nothing had changed. Only the faces and rules had shifted slightly.
The Howling Wind Sect, though small, was strong. It had nine elders, three grand elders, and one powerful Sect Head. Compared to that, the Loose Tail Family, with its many low and high elders, felt bloated and weak.
Where Yuan's old sect had Blood Purification cultivators as inner disciples, here, those same cultivators were considered elders.
In the end, it was always the same game, just with different pieces on the board. Different pawns, different players. But the core of it all never changed.
"Heh." Yuan let out a bitter chuckle. He forced himself to let go of the past and shifted his thoughts to the future, his future.
To clear his mind, he walked to the window beside the potted plant and opened it. A cool breeze brushed against his face. It was a little cold, but bearable.
The weather was neutral, not yet winter, but the warmth of autumn had already faded. The sky was quiet, blanketed in gray clouds.
He stood there for a while, enjoying the fresh air. Then, with a calm breath, Yuan closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression was firm.
He shut the window and turned around.
"Time to meet Old Man Feng again," he muttered.
He made his way down the corridor to the office room he had first seen on his arrival. Once standing before the wooden door, he raised his hand and knocked.