Gai Ling didn't manage to find a mentor.
She has a Spirit Root, but it's only a Three Spirit Roots, which isn't qualified for becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. Eventually, she and some companions were taken to a few nameless peaks near the Mountain Protection Array, where mostly Outer Sect Disciples and servant disciples live.
Of course, being an Outer Sect Disciple isn't a fixed status. If you really put your heart into cultivation and progress quickly, there are still opportunities to enter the Inner Sect.
Gai Ling was brought to a very large courtyard, which seemed to have many layers, but it was certainly large. Moreover, there wasn't just one courtyard; it seemed there were dozens in total, with each courtyard not too far from the others. After entering, Gai Ling was taken to the West Cross Courtyard of the third layer.
This West Cross Courtyard was also large, with some Spirit Plants planted inside. Gai Ling was taken by a disciple to a room in the east wing.
