Sect

**Sect** (宗 zōng) (派 pài) – an organization dedicated to the practice of cultivation and/or martial arts. Typically led by a *Sect Leader* (掌门) or *Patriarch* (老祖). With the help of *Sect Elders* (老), they instruct *Disciples* (弟子) in the proper methods of cultivation or training in the martial arts styles of the Sect. The Disciples live in the Sect, which provides for their daily needs. There is practically always a strict hierarchy amongst members of a Sect, and respect for the elder generations is demanded.

* In some novels, the common Disciples are divided into another hierarchy of Core Disciples (核心弟子), Inner Disciples (内门弟子), and Outer Disciples (外围弟子) – based on their level of talent and meritorious service to the Sect. Disciples higher on the hierarchy have greater status and receive more resources from the Sect.
* **Religious Sect** (教 jiào) – a sect with a strong religious background. If the religion being practiced is evil, then this term is translated as a **Cult**. Commonly seen in Wuxia novels.

## Overview

For common sects, the phrase 100 years dynasty, 1000 years sect, 10,000 years Holy Land comes to mind.

1000 year sect, 10,000 year Holy Land. The reason that a Holy Land could exist for 10,000 years was because they had an Emperor level powerhouse that could also live up to 10,000 years. With an Emperor level powerhouse guarding the Holy Land, that Holy Land would never be destroyed for that full 10,000 years.

Sects live on spiritual land.

## Types

There are two paths a sect will likely take, either if it follows the orthodox path of cultivation or divert towards the devil arts.

However, regardless of their martial way, a sect will be classified into two parts;

* **Secluded Sects**
	+ They are recluse organizations that purely cultivates their martial path rather than dealing with the political nuances of ruling and subordinating other lesser powers. Basically, a hermit sect that secludes themselves from the mundane world.
* **Ruling Sects**
	+ They are sects that deal with controlling the mundane world. Meaning, that the monarchs and rulers from subordinating kingdoms or states would not hold true power in their nation, rather, they are part of the sect and are obliged to follow the decree of the greater sect.
	+ Most sects in the novel follow this system of dominating a specific region in order to accumulate resources through their vassal states. Examples include the Seven Profound Valleys, Peacock Mountain, White Peak Sect, and Falling Cloud Sect.

## System

In Eastern cultures, the number 'three' is highly emphasized, particularly in this setting;

There are three primary layers, **Earth**, **Man**, and **Heaven**. There are also three minor levels of cultivation for most periods. Thus, there are three layers to Sects as well, cause they mirror the natural order - the **Outer Court**, **Inner Court**, and **Core Section**.

### **Selection Process**

Depending on the overall ability of a disciple, the amount of resources allocated to them will correspond to their status within the sect.

* **Core Disciple**
	+ When it was time for an organization to select their best disciples, the entire testing ceremony would be similar to a beast cage. All talents were gathered, just like those trainers that would find those beasts with good bodies and trap them in a cage, feed them good meat and water, and finally let them slaughter each other to select the final king of beasts.

## References

1. ↑ Terms in Wuxia, Xianxia and Xuanhuan