Hao could think very little as he approached the bell.

An ugly mass of blue rust barely rested on the sticks that held it.

It had no shine or lust, just hanging, something he thought would be special.

He struck it. The only tool he had was his hand; the sound was loud but nothing special. Hao was hoping the Immortal Artifact would shake the entire world. He had to end a life to reach it.

Then the air shook from the sound, his inside vibrating with the bell.

His bones shook as a blue mist left his body, going to the bell. The bell grew more blue rust, but Hao could not see it.

Something else was happening. World energy lashed his skin once again, yet deeper than before.

The world energy burrowed into his bones as they shook, filling them, filling his muscles. Pathways tearing through his flesh and muscle as world energy flooded him more and more. It was coming in a little faster than before.

Second of Reclamation.

Less pain than before, or perhaps he didn’t care to react to it. Only grinding his teeth as he braced for more; wanting more.

More than the pain feared the reactions of people, his deal with The Second Elder was not done.

The reverberations of the bell pulled attention from the ‘arena’. People were leaving the stage—it was now covered in footprints. Stained red with blood.

Only a few had heard such a bell before, one so dull.

The ‘arena’ was just having its special moment as things were wrapping up.

Hao simply stood on the path, watching the night come, a knot in his stomach.

He wanted to close his eyes, at least sleep. But he knew the night was just starting.

The response was quick to come towards Hao, but it was not a crowd.

One man, bald, beardless, in robes of blue bulging under the presence of his stomach. Landed nearby from a float. He landed just off the path where Hao stood. Not taking a step closer.

What is it now?

Exhausted, mentally and physically. Covered in filth, blood, flesh, and far more. Hao simply wanted his games with the Elders finished.

Hao approached the man, who was waiting.

Why the reverent look?

The man was older than Hao and could walk in the air; that was how he got over here.

Hao did not understand why the man looked at him with respect.

“Haha, congratulations on completing the trial. It’s been a long time since anyone has challenged or passed.”

His hands were together as he spoke, not for long. He took a few steps towards Hao, giving one glance of curiosity at the bell.

“Am I going to meet the Elders, Senior?” Hao asked.

The man wince as he approached, an awkward smile hearing the words.

“Yes, I thought you might wish to clean up well before you meet the Elders. They have things to attend to. They will see to the friends and guests that came to the trials. I can show you a bath. Would you like me to get someone to carry your things?” He said. His words were a bombardment in speed and sound.

“No need, a bath would be fine if I must wait, Senior,” Hao said. Reaching back to hold his bag in his hand, his fingers squeezing the top.

The man nodded his head.

The moment Hao walked off the stone path, a fair distance from the bell, the man dashed forward.

He placed his hand on Hao’s shoulder. Hao could feel an energy richer than any world energy wrapped around him, lifting slowly into the air.

“No need to call me Senior. I may be one of the Lower Peak Hall Leaders. But you may enter directly into the inner Sect. It is not uncommon for those with good aptitude to move up fast; especially if it is someone who completed the Bone-Shaking Trial.”

He spoke their entire flight, most of the words a flurry that made Hao uncomfortable.

“So your name is Hao… little friend can call me Senior Taoyi.”

Hao remembered the name. Spoken by the person who clipped the mining hall tag to his servant’s badge.

When questions about aptitude came up, Hao could only shrug—not after the man had just put weight on it.

Hao was unable to tell how long or far they flew; he had never flown before. Still, it felt both fast and far, like he was being rushed away. Away from the sound he made.

He didn’t even get the chance to see the world below him. Only getting to glance at the clouds above. The only time he got to look down was when Taoyi pointed out the place where he could stay. A path up another mountain, far from where they started, far from the sect itself.

Hao was dropped down in the stone-tiled courtyard. Most of the mountain walls around him remain, shooting vertically up. It was like a man-made valley. It was confined, except for the path they led down towards the long walk to the sect.

Rows of buildings identical first to last, most connected in a line. Until it turned a corner, three large rows of buildings. Each one was dark, a few falling apart.

“Little brother, I will be right back,” Taoyi said.

Hao did not get a break from the chatter, questions, and false praise until he was in a room.

It was the closest building to where he landed. It was the first building in a row, but further from the path on the left side of the shelf, the entrance to the courtyard to the right.

The building was glorious in a way, to Hao at least. The door did not squeak and latched shut. Inside were four arm spans from right to left, and Hao could take three large steps before reaching the wall opposite the door.

It seemed unused but recently tended to. A little deteriorated and dusty, but decorated with vases without flowers. A folding privacy wall, plain but brilliant in craft; behind it was a large basin to wash in. There was water inside, neutral to the touch, a little murky.

He thought he would need the Source Stone to see anything in detail, but he could still see quite well, better once again.

The first thing he did was grab one of the smaller flower vases; he put whatever was left of the food pills in his bag inside. Sealing and stuffing the top with his old hemp clothing. Placing it in his bag. Then he forgot about them; he did not want to think of them again.

Hao slid his robe off. It was the first time they collected real dirt other than dust and berry stains.

While wearing just the lower parts of his servant’s garbs and keeping the bag on his back; He started carrying buckets of water out of the building. Once he was finished, he took more in from the well in the courtyard.

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Hao did not notice the impurities leaking from his pores as he was carrying the swinging buckets; not spilling a drop of water. There were already ten awful smells around him. Blood, death, and the food pills that had their bottles broken in his bag.

He knew something was off because he was struggling to take the filth off his skin when he tried.

After a few trips, the bald man returned. He was standing at the door with two women as Hao approached from behind.

“Ah! It appears I was too late. I was just bringing servants to handle these tasks for you. They are not the most beautiful women, but they work well.” He said. Speaking with a smile, till he turned his head to the women. “More water, go, hurry!” he said. His face and tone changed in an instant.

The two men began to scurry. Is this man trying to annoy me on purpose? Should I hit him in the head with the bucket?

“I have all the water I need. This was my last trip,” Hao said. His voice was no longer quiet. As Hao got closer, the one called Taoyi covered his face with his sleeve, blocking off his nose.

“I’m more late than I thought. I will take my leave then. You can have them work as you please.” Taoyi said, flying off with the world below him. The women were left behind.

What does he mean they are not beauties?

The two of them were older, one older than the other. They had similar faces, while the one who looked older was slightly shorter.

Hao could guess the relation. The older one had white hair, but fewer wrinkles than women on the island with white hair, mainly under her eyes.

The other one was presumably her daughter. She had jet-black hair and dark bags under her eyes herself. Callused fingers, she pulled at. She was old enough to be a mother herself.

They were plenty attractive to Hao’s standard, but he grew up on the Island. Perhaps they were not as fair as the Second Elder, but such a comparison was unfair itself. Hao felt bad for trying to make it.

As Hao approached, they stood with their heads bowed. Their eyes were closed and their hands were held across their belly.

“Please… There is no need for that.” Hao said. Far more awkward than the two of them.

The older of the two looked Hao up and down, making the shirtless teen feel strange.

Both headed towards the door, the older one checking the water.

The younger one holding the door for Hao.

Hao walked past her, placing down the water.

“Your water’s cold; You can’t wash with this.” The older one said before starting to work.

Hao was whisked away as a part of her work.

They were both familiar with the room as the door closed behind Hao. Then a cauldron was placed above the fire pit. Wood was thrown underneath. A fire started in seconds.

“Please, I can take care of it,” Hao said.

His words got a laugh from the older woman. She eyes him again, and again, a few more times.

“Ancestor Taoyi told us you are meeting with the Elders. We can not let Young Master show up in filth.”

Hao was a little stunned by the words, not just the word ancestor or the phrase young master. But they acted timid when Taoyi was around.

Like a storm, they stripped Hao, which he tried to resist, not using violence. But they insisted. “Can Young master remove the impurities on his own?”

Using the hot water in the cauldron, they scrubbed him down, deepening his discomfort.

They peeled impurities off his skin, taking the hair with it, then threw him into the tub-like basin. The Older of the two asked him questions as she worked. Hao stayed silent.

Hot water was exchanged for the cold that was in the basin.

He was already embarrassed as they had seen him ‘whole’.

Then the daughter began to scrub him. He thought he could hide in the water but it started clear, his face going red.

His reactions became entertainment for the two women, even the near-silent and exhausted woman behind him.

It was nice to hear laughter. Even if it was at his embarrassment.

The water turned inky soon, more impurities coming off his skin as his bones and muscles creaked.

The inky water was removed and thrown out the window behind the basin. Every time it opened, it was a reminder of the cold night air starting its approach.

Hot water was added back in, boiling as it splashed on Hao’s shoulder.

Hao would fling his head back every time, which only made his experience more complex.

The two of them wore robes far fancier than that of an average servant. Softer in material and brighter. When Hao’s head went back, he could see their modesty clothing underneath the wet robes of the woman behind him. It made his teenage imagination spin.

Hao did not have an escape. The daughter grabbed his head while it was back, and she began to scrub his hair. Using floral scented blocks, she called soap.

He was thankful there was a dark layer on the surface of the water.

He stood no chance against her soft smile. A world of calm took him in moments. Before he knew it, his eyes were closed.

“Mother, look at this,” the younger one said, holding up strands of golden hair. “The way ancestor was acting, this may be a chance… Could you check?” She said.

The mother nodded her head, caring little for the hair color and more for the mind.

The older woman began to dance, a skill and grace unknown to man. The moons, far off, gone from the sky, and the water of the world whispered to her.

Hao’s dreams became an open book, his heart a song for her to hear, to dance to.

Hao’s exhaustion began to leave him.

And for it she stumbled back, to cough for air, the wrinkles beneath her eyes deepening.

“Mother…”.

“No need to worry, he is not bad… however he…”

She saw all his heart in dreams, even one with the two of them. One he would wish they could never see, her face a little red. However, she had a smile, half happy and deep in thought. She could see his discontent and confusion, a raging desire to know and to have more important to be. “He could be perfect…”

“The Elders are gathering in the Elder’s hall!” a voice called from outside.

There was steam in the room, the scent of flowers and firewood.

Hao wasn’t sure of everything that happened in that room. The first thing he did on waking up was touch his neck, checking it was in one piece.

While his elbows were up, they were grabbed. Small, calloused hands dragged him out of the water.

They started a rush, scraping him dry.

The woman who washed his hair stood behind him. She pulled his hair back, tying it up.

Hao was given new clothing, something left by Taoyi. Thankfully, they allowed him to put the undergarments and pants on himself.

Then the two together began to wrap him in a blue robe. It was Hao’s least favorite color. It was all you could see on the Island.

They tied the robe in a very different way than Hao tied his gray robe. Understanding why they insisted on doing the robe themselves.

As he was dressed, they turned from him. One of them reached for his bag. Still covered in grim, stained, with stressed threads; nearly falling apart.

“Don’t touch that,” Hao called out.

The woman flinched, both straightening their backs. Their hands were placed on their stomach and they lowered their heads. Yet it was them, covered in sweat and soap.

“I’m sorry, but it’s important,” Hao said, feeling bad for his reaction.

“There is no need for an apology. You are the Ancestor’s guest, and meeting with the Elders. It’s us who should have asked the Young Master for his permission.” The older woman said.

Hao flinched this time, Is this Ancestor she was referring to that two-tongued Taoyi? Hao could not believe it, Taoyi was the younger-looking of them. He knew little of cultivation but outside of appearance, would descendants fear to look up at their ancestor…

“Please, no need to call me Young Master,” Hao said. He started walking to the door; he was getting eager to get away.

The daughter, young by twenty years or so, spoke. “Young Master is kind and handsome. He does not need to consider our feelings. We are here to serve. I hope we can see Young Master again. I hope one day you can meet my daughter as well.” She said.

The older one pinched her daughter’s arm, “Of course, the Young Master is handsome and kind, not just any lout can meet the Elders.” She said. Her words and actions were the opposite. She was staring Hao in the eye.

She looked a little older, more tired since he woke. It was the opposite for Hao, he felt his exhaustion was a little alleviated. Even stranger Hao could remember someone familiar dancing in his dreams. But he felt he had many during his nap.

Hao was overwhelmed, stepping outside and closing the door behind him. He did not want to look back and see them bow.

The night was nearly set, and the sky was completely dark on one side. The wind had yet to come, bringing real cold with it.

There was a man just outside the door, looking down at Hao. As he looked down at Hao, he felt like a piece of grass.

“Follow me to the Elders,” he said. Turing and leading Hao on a walk.

The last few seconds in the room haunted Hao for the entire walk.

Did I give them a reason to panic? Do they show me a favor because they think I’m someone important? Are mortals forced to act in such a way in front of cultivators?

A discomfort welled in his stomach. He felt he had deceived them, even though he did not. He felt he wronged them.

Perhaps cultivators had already wronged them.

Were they showing goodwill out of their own will? The thought solidified in his stomach. An uncomfortable rain, sitting with the flames in his heart.

By the time they stopped, night had fully arrived. Hao had to rely on the sound of footsteps to follow. The cold carried by the wind just started pushing against Hao as he walked.

The man stopped, sliding open a door. The sound the only indication to Hao.

“The one who rang the Bone-Shaking Bell,” He said, announcing into the room, pushing Hao inside.