Inside the vast hall, to the right, a counter stood neatly organized. Behind it, a woman in her mid-thirties, dressed in green elder robes, looked up in surprise as both Li Yan and Ji Hong entered.

  Her black hair shimmered in the crystal light, her dark eyes sharp yet steady. She rose to her feet gracefully, bowing. "Good morning, Sect Leader."

  "Good morning, Elder Han," Ji Hong replied with a smile.

  Elder Han’s gaze lingered on Li Yan. Though her expression was polite, the flicker of curiosity in her eyes was clear. A stranger, walking beside the sect leader without wearing sect robes… "Who exactly was he?"

  Ji Hong gestured toward the woman behind the counter. "This is Elder, Han Yujie, the one who oversees our Artifact Treasury."

  Li Yan cupped his hands toward Han Yujie, "Greetings, Elder Han."

  Han Yujie nodded in response as Ji Hong continued to explain. "Here, sect members exchange their earned sect’s internal currency, called Shadow Points, for artifacts, weapons, and other tools. We stock everything from Tier-1 to Tier-7."

  Li Yan’s eyes swept across the racks, stunned by the sheer wealth of treasures. Many of these artifacts would be priceless in the outside world, according to Yan Tian’s memories.

  Ji Hong’s voice dropped into something warmer. "Normally, even I must follow the rules of exchanging Shadow Points if I need anything from here. But for you, Li Yan… you may take anything you wish, free of charge."

  Li Yan froze, his brows knitting together.

  Han Yujie, behind the counter, blinked in shock, her expression betraying disbelief. No one—absolutely no one—had ever received such an offer.

  Li Yan’s thoughts churned, the weight of the moment pressing against his heart. He knew what this meant, yet something within him refused to yield. After a long pause, he shook his head.

  "Thank you for your kindness, Elder Ji," Li Yan said quietly, "but I cannot accept this."

  The room went still. Han Yujie’s lips parted slightly, and even Ji Hong tilted his head, caught off guard by the refusal.

  Li Yan drew a slow breath and continued, the silence deepening. "Please don’t misunderstand. I truly appreciate your offer. But I’ve chosen this path to rely on my own strength. Accepting it would go against the reason I’m here."

  He gave a faint smile, though his voice carried firm conviction. "Elder Ji, if I wanted an easy life, wouldn’t I have stayed with Senior Yao Fuhuo?"

  Understanding dawned across Ji Hong’s face. His expression softened, and he gave a slow nod. "Very well. I respect your decision."

  Li Yan smiled in relief. "Thank you, Elder Ji. If possible, I wish to follow the sect rules like everyone else, to earn what I need through effort."

  Ji Hong exhaled with a wry smile. "You truly are remarkable, Li Yan. But what if the goddess questions why I didn’t provide you with the resources needed for your task?"

  Li Yan’s smile widened. "Don’t worry about Senior Yao Fuhuo. If she asks, simply tell her it was my choice. She’ll understand."

  Ji Hong studied him, still inwardly unsettled by how casually the youth spoke of the Goddess of Life.

  Han Yujie, meanwhile, was nearly speechless.

  The casual tone, the way Li Yan spoke the goddess’s name as though it were familiar, made her heart race. "Could it be true? Was this young man truly close to the Goddess of Life?"

  She had never seen him before, having missed the occasions when Yao Fuhuo had appeared with him. The mystery around him only deepened, filling her with questions she dared not ask.

  Ji Hong’s smile returned, calm but tinged with curiosity. "Alright then. Since you’ve chosen to follow the sect’s rules, let me explain what comes next."

  He turned toward Han Yujie. "Elder Han, please prepare all items reserved for newcomers."

  Han Yujie stiffened slightly, pulling her thoughts back under control before bowing. "At once, Sect Leader."

  She turned her gaze to Li Yan, her expression composed, though her mind still buzzed with questions. "Li Yan, come with me."

  Without hesitation, Li Yan followed, while Ji Hong walked a step behind, watching them both.

  They walked toward the right side of the Artifact Treasury, stopping before a rack marked Tier-1.

  Han Yujie reached up, selecting a small silver ring. She handed it to Li Yan. "This is a Tier-1 storage ring," she explained.

  Li Yan slid it onto his finger, channeling a wisp of Qi into it. A faint pulse responded, and his mind immediately registered its capacity—two thousand and five hundred cubic meters.

  He couldn’t help but marvel at the practicality of such a tool compared to the world he came from and the fantasy novels he read.

  Gesturing to the rack behind her, Han Yujie continued, "Here are Tier-1 weapons. Every newcomer is given one for free. Pick whichever feels right for you."

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  Li Yan stepped forward. Rows of swords, daggers, spears, hammers, and bows gleamed under the soft Qi lamp light, each emanating the aura of the darkness element. Clearly, they had all been forged for those aligned with the sect’s element.

  His eyes lingered on a few swords. Thanks to Yan Tian’s memories, he knew some basic sword skills, but in his previous life, he had received no formal training beyond the use of fists and firearms.

  Even so, Yao Fuhuo had left him with detailed weapon guides inside his spiritual consciousness. On the surface, a sword seemed practical.

  Yet, the thought nagged at him. "Darkness-infused weapons… they’ll hinder me if I try to use them with fire. I need something neutral, something that could handle both affinities."

  Li Yan turned to Han Yujie. "Elder Han, do you have any weapons not infused with the darkness element? I’d prefer something neutral."

  Her brows rose, surprise flickering across her face. Everyone in the sect asked for the darkness element fused weapons, desperate for the boost they granted.

  His request was the opposite.

  "I don’t believe we keep neutral weapons here," she said slowly.

  Before she could add more, Ji Hong’s calm voice cut in. "There are a few. They’re not new, though—old weapons brought back from outside the sect, stored away."

  Han Yujie blinked, then turned to him. "Sect Leader… you mean the discarded collection?"

  Ji Hong nodded. "Exactly. They’ve been gathering dust, but a few might suit him."

  Han Yujie hesitated, then looked back at Li Yan. "Would old weapons be acceptable?"

  Li Yan shrugged lightly. "As long as they’re not broken, that’s fine."

  With a gesture of her hand, she led them to the far end of the treasury. She stopped before what appeared to be an unmarked stone wall.

  Moving her hands in a sequence of precise gestures, she pressed forward, releasing a pulse of dark Qi. The wall rippled, then parted, revealing a hidden doorway.

  Li Yan’s eyes sharpened in admiration. The sect’s secrets ran deeper than he had imagined.

  They stepped into a vast, dim chamber. At their entrance, wall lamps flared to life, casting steady light across long stone tables lined with weapons. Blades, spears, axes, and more were arranged neatly, silent witnesses to countless forgotten battles.

  Ji Hong walked ahead, raising his palm. His Qi surged, and a powerful aura swept the chamber. Dozens of weapons lifted from the tables, rising into the air to hover in formation before them.

  The sheer weight of his power pressed against Li Yan’s chest, leaving him momentarily breathless. "Just how high was his cultivation, really?" Li Yan wondered, awe stirring in his heart.

  Out of dozens, only three weapons drifted forward—separating from the rest at Ji Hong’s gesture: a sword, an axe, and a spear. They hovered before Li Yan, steady and gleaming faintly in the lamplight.

  "These three are the only Tier-1 neutral weapons," Ji Hong said, his tone deliberate. "The rest range between Tier-2 and Tier-6. I think for now, these should serve your needs."

  Li Yan studied the three floating weapons with care. His gaze lingered on the sword—a plain yet finely balanced blade.

  He reached out, drew it from its scabbard, and tested its weight. The edge gleamed faintly in the lamplight, the black hilt worn smooth with age, yet showed no trace of rust or cracks. Guided by fragments of Yan Tian’s sword memories, he gave it a few experimental swings.

  The balance felt right, steady in his hand.

  After a moment’s thought, he gave a small nod. "I’ll take this one."

  Ji Hong’s eyes showed approval. "Very well." With a flick of his wrist, the other weapons drifted onto one of the free tables. "The remaining neutral weapons will stay in reserve for when you’re ready to upgrade to higher tiers."

  Han Yujie, her composure restored, gave a crisp nod. "I’ll organize them properly aligned by tier when I have time."

  Li Yan slid the sword back into its scabbard. A quiet sense of readiness settled over him—not a perfect solution for his dual affinities, but a steady first step. With this neutral blade, he could forge his path forward.

  He saved the weapon in his newly gained storage ring. "Thank you for your guidance," Li Yan said, bowing slightly to Han Yujie.

  They left the secret chamber, he followed Ji Hong out of the Artifact Treasury, and returned to the sect’s core hall.

  Soon, Ji Hong led him into another room.

  This chamber was smaller and far simpler than the Treasury. A lone counter stood before them, and behind it, shelves lined the walls, stacked with neatly folded sect robes of varying sizes and colors.

  A man in black robes, seemingly in his early forties, rose to his feet the instant they entered. His black hair and sharp eyes carried a calm yet observant air, though his posture was respectful. "Good morning, Sect Leader," he greeted formally.

  "Good morning, Kang Ming," Ji Hong replied with a nod.

  Li Yan studied the man quietly, noticing the curiosity hidden behind his professional demeanor. Kang Ming’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if silently wondering what newcomer could warrant the Sect Leader’s personal escort.

  Then he returned to Ji Hong. "Sect Leader, how may I assist you?"

  Ji Hong gestured toward Li Yan. "This is Li Yan. Provide him with the necessary items for a new disciple."

  With a silent nod, he retrieved a silver badge from beneath the counter and handed it to Li Yan.

  The badge was metallic, palm-sized, with intricate carvings along its surface. The words Shadow Haven Sect (Yǐng Xū Zōng) gleamed proudly on its front.

  "Channel your Qi into the badge," Kang Ming instructed, pointing toward a jade tablet set beside the counter. "Form a connection with the Jade Record Tablet, and think of your name."

  Li Yan followed his instructions. His Qi flowed into the badge, and the connection solidified. His name etched itself into the tablet, marking his official entry into the sect.

  Kang Ming pressed his own hand to the tablet, confirming the record of Li Yan’s cultivation. Then he moved toward the shelves of white robes.

  Ji Hong spoke as he watched. "Congratulations, Li Yan—you are now an official disciple of the Shadow Haven Sect."

  "That badge is more than a symbol of identity. It stores your Shadow Points, allows you to exchange them for techniques, artifacts, and resources. It can also send an emergency signal from the Hunting Grounds or valley back to the sect if you’re in danger. Treat it with care."

  Li Yan studied the badge, weighing its significance, and nodded firmly. "Thank you, Elder Ji, for explaining this."

  Li Yan slipped the disciple badge into his storage ring. Kang Ming returned with three neatly folded sets of white robes and a pair of shoes. He passed them to Li Yan.

  "These are your sect robes," Ji Hong explained, pausing briefly before adding, "They have their own benefits. You can cleanse them with Qi, so there’s no need for washing."

  "However, it isn’t mandatory for you to wear them unless you wish."

  Kang Ming’s eyes widened ever so slightly. For every disciple, sect robes were compulsory—symbols of their allegiance and discipline. The Sect Leader’s relaxed stance toward Li Yan was unheard of.

  Sensing the unusual courtesy being extended to him, Li Yan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Elder Ji, for your kindness."

  Ji Hong waved it off with a smile. "Think nothing of it. We’re finished here—let’s move on."