Ishin opened his mouth and then promptly closed it. The action didn’t go unnoticed; Elder Su’s blue eyes measured him thoroughly, cool and assessing.

  “Let me offer you four advice,” the icy elder said. All four new Outer Sect disciples listened with rapt attention. “The Crimson Abyss Sect has no place for the weak or foolish. Remember that during your first few weeks here.”

  Good to know. Ishin glanced back at the jade tablet. “Is there any other advice you are able to offer us, Elder?”

  Rhee raised a brow, evidently curious about Elder Su’s response. The Elder did not reply immediately.

  “If you haven’t already,” Elder Su continued, “determine your Dao and focus your Immortal Path in that pursuit.”

  Her answer was different than what Ishin had expected. My Dao is the spear. Is she suggesting that I focus my training entirely around it? Ishin had hoped to broaden his skills, to find complementary techniques, but committing wholly to one path still felt limiting.

  Though first I need to acquire a new spear. His broken half-spear was still somewhere on Desolate Island, abandoned when they’d been teleported away. Probably something I’ll need points to purchase.

  “Once we determine our Dao,” Rhee asked, “what should we do then, Elder?”

  Elder Su turned and began walking toward the front doors of the Administrative Hall. She beckoned with a single pale hand. “Come with me.”

  She led them outside, into the open grassy coastal fields of the Crimson Abyss Sect. A gentle breeze swept through the land, brushing across their robes and carrying the crisp scent of salt water. Warm sunlight spilled across their faces—bright, almost startling after the dim, candlelit atrium they had just left. The sea murmured against the rocky shore to their west, a rhythmic backdrop to Elder Su’s voice.

  With a graceful gesture, Elder Su pointed to distant structures and lands as she spoke. “The Crimson Abyss Sect has many organizations focused on different disciplines. Each is led by an Outer Sect elder and is composed of disciples with similar pursuits. The Combat Hall focuses on all martial paths and daos. The Alchemic Hall is ideal for those who pursue the Dao of Alchemy. Those who wish to raise or bond with spirit beasts can find a place in the Spirit Stables. If you pursue a dao focused on crafting—mortal items or spirit tools—the Sect Forge will hone your progress.”

  Elder Su turned to face them. “Once you’ve settled on your Dao, you should seek to join the Outer Sect organization that aligns with your path.”

  “If I may be so bold to ask, Elder,” Long said humbly, stepping forward, “which organization do you lead?”

  Ishin’s brows furrowed. Mei already told us she oversees the Outer Sect Library. Why is he asking as though he doesn’t know?

  “I manage the Outer Sect Library,” Elder Su replied elegantly. “The disciples who serve beneath me often pursue more scholarly daos.”

  “Thank you for telling me,” Long said, bowing respectfully.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Come visit the library once you acquire the necessary token. Most new disciples fail to realize the value of our texts until they’ve wasted a year stumbling blindly.”

  “We need a token to visit the library, Elder?” Rhee asked.

  “You’ll need specific tokens to access most resource facilities. There are various types with different functions. You’ll find a detailed breakdown in the catalog provided by the Market Hall. Just know that contribution points are required to obtain them.”

  Another reason to earn contribution points as quickly as possible.

  “Elder Su,” Mei said suddenly, surprising Ishin. She had been quiet the entire time, almost afraid to speak. “I’ve heard that the sect can help new disciples with aspecting their second chakras.”

  Elder Su narrowed her eyes almost imperceptibly. “Do you have a question, Disciple Wen Mei?”

  “I…” Mei’s gaze flickered nervously toward Ishin and Long.

  “Speak, Disciple.”

  Mei closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “My apologies, Elder.” She bowed low at the waist. “Will the sect assist us in aspecting our second chakra?”

  Elder Su looked down upon her niece, expression unreadable. Mei held her bow, awaiting an answer.

  “You are correct, Disciple Wen Mei.”

  She is? Rhee’s eyes widened, and Long made a thoughtful hum. Mei lifted her head.

  “Can you please assist us, Elder?”

  “I will.” Elder Su began walking down the path leading northwest. “Follow me to the Cultivation Chamber.”

  The four disciples obeyed quickly, maintaining a respectful distance. Ishin moved beside Mei.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered, hoping the Elder wouldn’t overhear.

  Mei offered him a strained smile. “Yes. Thank you.” She glanced at Elder Su’s back. “It’s just… different than I expected.”

  “Use this time to consider which type of qi you wish to aspect your second chakra to,” Elder Su called back, her voice cutting cleanly through their conversation.

  Both Ishin and Mei fell silent.

  Which qi aspect would work best? The question weighed heavily on Ishin. The decision would shape the rest of his Immortal Path.

  They continued walking for several miles. The land around them shifted from grassy coastline to forested stretches and training yards. Along the way, they caught their first glimpses of other Outer Sect disciples. Some wore pristine robes, others tattered. They looked cleaner—and far less battered—than Ishin’s group. He became abruptly conscious of how foul they must smell after weeks without a proper bath.

  Those they passed offered Elder Su deep, respectful bows. One disciple rode a long emerald serpent as though it were a horse; another, bald and tattooed, carried a staff marked with runic carvings. A beautiful young woman smiled briefly at Ishin, carrying only an erhu slung across her back.

  There was variety here—but fewer people than Ishin expected for a sect of this size.

  “What caused that?” Rhee asked suddenly.

  To the east lay a wide crater nearly twenty feet across, its center a deep depression with jagged fissures spreading outward. Ishin spotted faint streaks of scarlet staining the rock.

  “The penalty for violating one of the Eight Laws,” Elder Su answered without pausing. “The Punishment Elder is not known to be merciful.”

  Evidently not. Ishin’s gaze lingered on the crater. Which law was broken?

  After another hour, they arrived at a vast domed structure covering nearly two square miles. The overhead dome was broad and squat, constructed of reinforced glass panes that gleamed beneath the sun. The walls below were polished stone painted in the sect’s signature red and black, giving the entire building the appearance of a slumbering giant.

  “This is the Cultivation Chamber,” Elder Su explained. “Normally, you would require a Meditation Token to enter, but the sect grants all new disciples one free usage to aspect their second chakra.”

  Her cold blue eyes drifted across the four of them.

  “I am curious to see which aspects each of you will choose.”