The carriage creaked softly along the dirt path as trees whipped by, golden sunlight seeping through their boughs.
"How long to get there, mister?" Isshin asked, leaning forward from the back of the carriage.
The driver, a grizzled middle-aged man with a short gray beard and weary eyes, nodded over his shoulder. "Should only take a day. We'll rest at around noon."
"That's not bad," Rune said, stretching. "Been a long time since we left the grounds of the academy."
They pulled off the trail at noon to a grassy clearing along a stream. They constructed a small fire, and the scent of seared meat filled the air. The four sat by the fire as smoke curled harmlessly into the air.
"So," Rune began, chewing on a stick of barbecue, "where are you from, anyway?"
The driver jerked his head in the direction they were traveling. "Same place we're going. The ShenLou Sect."
All three of them looked up from eating, startled.
"No way," said Karin. "So you're a cultivator too?"
The man smiled weakly. "Was. Not anymore. Haven't been in the sect for years."
"Then. can you tell us more about it?" Isshin inquired.
The driver's eyes grew faraway as he poked at the fire with a stick. "The southern sects are isolated for a reason. They train hard, live hard, and die harder. It's a tough life. If you rise through the ranks, you're part of the sect's sword — you go wherever you're sent. War, combat, bodyguarding, monster hunting, whatever."
"Sounds intense," Rune grumbled.
"They don't take kindly to strangers," the driver continued. "Unless you're useful. That's the only language they understand — power."
"Right, we're not here to make friends," Isshin stated, looking at Rune and Karin. "We're here to learn, perhaps train if they'll allow us."
"Then you'll be all right," the man said to him. "Just… don't expect a warm welcome."
The rest of the journey was quiet. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the peaks of the southern mountains came into view — jagged silhouettes against the dying light. Nestled among the cliffs was a large stone compound of ancient build and tall wooden gates.
They reached the gates of ShenLou Sect under the moonlight.
"This is it," the driver said, leading the carriage to a stop. He dismounted, dusting his sleeves off. "Thanks for riding along. I'll be on my way."
"Wait," Isshin shouted after him, his eyes tightening. "Isn't this your sect? Where are you going?"
The man did not respond. Prior to taking another step, a voice shouted from beyond the gate.
"You've brought strangers again?"
A band of cultivators arrived — six or seven of them, all wearing dark blue robes with silver sashes. At their head was a young man who was quite tall, with narrowed eyes and a cruel smile.
"You think this trick will work twice?" he growled.
Others joined them shortly, the air heavy with aggression.
What's happening?" Karin queried, perplexed.
"That man is a traitor to our sect!" a voice cried from the crowd.
The driver tightened his fists. "I did what had to be done," he muttered. "Somewhere, sometime, you'll all realize your error." And he turned and fled into the woods, vanishing into the darkness.
Awkward silence descended.
Everyone's attention was focused on Isshin, Rune, and Karin.
"This… does not look good," Rune grumbled to himself.
One of the elderly men among them came forward — a tall man with a long beard and a kind but piercing look. His robe bore the emblem of a sect elder.
"Speak. Who are you, and what brought you to ShenLou?"
Isshin stepped ahead and bowed his head slightly. "We're not with him. We met him along the road. He offered to bring us here, that's all."
"Why are you here?" asked the elder once more.
Karin said. "We wanted to learn more about the world, about cultivation — not from classrooms and books"
The elder studied them for a long moment. Then he nodded.
"You understand that everything has a cost here, right? The only payment we accept is strength and contribution."
We know, Isshin stated. "We don't need special treatment. We'll work for our place.".
"Good," said the old man. "You may sleep under that tree for the night."
".What?" Karin blinked.
"As I said, you are not members. You receive nothing until you give." The elder started to walk away.
Wait—can we do something now?" Rune asked. "Something to get a room at least?
The old man paused. "I can make some arrangements. Follow me."
They trailed him further into the sect's grounds. Down stone steps into a broad open plaza, scores of disciples sparred, meditated, or practiced. As the guests arrived, activity slowed. Heads turned one by one toward them.
"Three of you," said the elder, "will pick a person to fight. You win, and you'll receive a room."
Karin, Rune, and Isshin exchanged glances.
Isshin stepped forward. "I'll go first. System… whom do I fight?"
The system analyzed the scene quickly.
Evaluating threat levels. optimizing strength-to-reward ratio. opponent chosen: Inner Disciple – Tahir.
The system analyzed the disciples ranks and based on them, found the perfect opponent for Isshin who would also have a room that is the best ratio
A disciple with a red sash and a black sword bound across his back stepped forward as the group drew a collective breath of surprise.
"Tahir?" someone spat. "That foreigner's mad."
Does he consider Tahir weak or what?
Tahir scowled. "Does he believe that I am the weakest of us?"
Isshin walked into the ring slowly.
Come then," Tahir said, unsheathing his sword. The duel commenced in a burst of movement. Tahir dashed ahead with a speed of lightning, his sword flashing through the air with a whistling swish. Isshin defended with a Thunder Qi Palm, deflecting the attack and retaliating with a shockwave that shook the platform. Tahir stumbled but regained his footing. His Qi surged. "Inner Technique: White Frenzy!" Dozens of white Qi blades appeared in the air and shot towards Isshin. He used Flash Step, disappearing between attacks like lightning itself. When the blades went by, Isshin reappeared overhead and slammed a Thunder Spear down. There was a cracking thunder as the spear hit. Tahir fell, unconscious. Gasps erupted. Elder Zun raised a hand. "Winner: Isshin.". Then it was Rune and Karin, who wished to secure their places to stay overnight