Two days had passed since I’d made my decision to refine the healing hydrosol, and I now found myself seated across from Elder Zhu in one of the smaller, more private rooms of the Alchemy Pavilion. The air was filled with the faint, lingering scent of herbs and fresh ingredients.

Elder Zhu studied the vial in his hand, turning it slowly to catch the light. The liquid inside shimmered with an ethereal, turquoise glow.

“You’ve made significant improvements,” Elder Zhu said, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of approval. “The increased purity and concentration will undoubtedly increase its effectiveness. This is a fine contribution to the sect.”

I felt a surge of pride at his words, but I kept my tone humble. “Thank you, Elder Zhu. I left some essences in storage as a small token of my gratitude. Let me know if you need more.”

I've already made Instructor Xia Ji aware of my healing hydrosol and how they could incorporate it into their training regimen. It wouldn't be long before the disciples would sing praises in my honor!

Elder Zhu’s eyes flickered with something akin to surprise before he nodded appreciatively. “That is most generous of you, Kai. The sect will certainly put them to good use.”

I couldn’t help but reflect on how much time I had spent in the past two days extracting essences. The repetition had led to a surprising result.

Spiritual Herbalism has reached level 4.

“The extraction process turned out to be quite a learning experience for me as well,” I continued, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice.

“The heavens often rewards those who act with sincerity and purpose. It seems your efforts to help the sect have led to your own advancement as well. That is the essence of true cultivation—growing in harmony with the world around you. Now, have you made all the necessary preparations? You don’t want to leave anything behind."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and melancholy. "Yes, I think I have everything. I just want to do one last check in the guest quarters to make sure I didn’t forget anything."

"Good. It’s always better to be thorough," Elder Zhu remarked, his tone practical but with a trace of affection. "Safe travels, Kai. And remember, the Verdant Lotus Sect will always welcome you back."

"Thank you, Elder Zhu," I replied, bowing respectfully. "I’ll make sure to carry the lessons I’ve learned here with me, wherever I go."

With that, I left the Pavilion, stepping out into the familiar paths of the sect grounds. The late morning sun bathed everything in a warm, golden light, and the air was filled with the distant hum of disciples going about their daily routines. As I walked, I exchanged nods and greetings with those I passed, each interaction bringing a wave of nostalgia.

I was going to miss this place.

As I approached the guest quarters, my eyes were drawn to the roof, where Tianyi was perched on the roof, as she often did, her tiny form solemn against the vast sky. I had caught her here more often over the past few days.

"Tianyi," I called softly, not wanting to startle her.

She turned her entire body slightly, acknowledging me with a gentle flutter of her wings.

'Kai,' she replied, her voice as delicate as her appearance.

I smiled up at her. "You’ve been quiet lately. Is everything alright?"

There was a brief pause before she answered, her voice carrying a hint of something I couldn’t quite place. 'I’m just… thinking.'

"About what?"

'About change. About what’s to come.'

It was discomforting to realize even a butterfly could suffer an existential crisis, but I suppose her heightened intelligence as a spirit beast came with that.

"Well, there's one thing that won't change, and it's that we're in this together. Right?"

'Right.'

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Although her tone didn't sound fully convinced, I could feel her contentment through our bond. Hopefully, my words provided some comfort.

With a final glance up at Tianyi, I headed into the guest quarters. The room was as I had left it, neat and tidy, with everything in its proper place. It was hard to believe that I’d spent so much time here, and now it was time to leave.

I moved through the room, checking the drawers and shelves to make sure I hadn’t overlooked anything. My mind drifted as I did so, thinking about the experiences I’d had in this room—the late nights spent refining pills, the early mornings preparing for training, the quiet moments of reflection. It was hard to let go of a place that had become so familiar.

Finally, I patted my pockets, making sure I had all my essentials. My hand brushed against the cool surface of the jade amulet, and I pulled it out, examining it closely. The jade felt warm in my hand, a reassuring weight that I slipped back into my pocket.

I didn’t want to forget this one.

With everything in order, I called out softly to the butterfly perched on the roof. "Come on down, Tianyi. Time to go."

She fluttered down from her perch, landing gracefully on my shoulder. I could feel her wings brush against my cheek.

Next, I approached Windy, who was curled up on the floor, still in a deep sleep. His scales gleamed in the soft light, a subtle sheen of blue reflecting off his white body. I crouched down and gently lifted him, feeling the warmth of his small, coiled form in my hands.

Windy stirred slightly as I picked him up, his eyes blinking open. He slithered up my sleeve, curling around my arm and poking his head out from behind my collar. His tiny tongue flickered in the air, tasting the cool breeze, and I could sense his displeasure at the temperature.

"Sorry, buddy," I murmured, rubbing his head lightly. "I'll make sure to wear the coat when we're going back home."

With Tianyi perched on my shoulder and Windy nestled against my neck, I took one last look around the room. It was strange to think that this would be the last time I stood here.

As I stepped outside, the sun was higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the sect grounds. The day was beautiful, the kind that made you want to linger, to soak in the peace and tranquility of the place. As I walked down the familiar path to the stables, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks—a small gathering of people just outside. My cart and horses were already prepared, waiting patiently in the warm sunlight, but what caught my attention was the group standing nearby.

A small group stood by my cart and horses, which were already prepared and waiting in the sunlight. Feng Wu, Han Wei, Li Na, Lan Sheng, Instructor Xia Ji, and Instructor Xiao-Hu—all of them were there, watching me with small, knowing smiles. They stood together, a united front of friends, mentors, and comrades who had become an irreplaceable part of my life here.

A tingle started at the tip of my nose, the telltale sign that tears weren’t far behind. I swallowed hard, pushing the emotion back down. Now wasn’t the time for that.

Taking a deep breath, I plastered a grin on my face and walked toward them. “You all seem a little too eager to see me go,” I joked, keeping my tone light.

Han Wei was the first to respond, his grin as wide as ever. “What can we say, Kai? It’s not every day we get to kick someone out of the sect!”

Li Na rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips was genuine. “Ignore him, Kai. We’re here because we’re going to miss you. And because we wanted to make sure you don’t leave without a proper send-off.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, and I forced myself to keep the grin in place. “You guys are making it really hard to leave, you know that?”

Feng Wu stepped forward, his usual demeanor tinged with something softer. “I wish I could go with you, but unfortunately, I’ve some obligations here. I hope Lan Sheng will be a suitable escort in my stead.”

Before I could respond, Lan Sheng chimed in with a grin. “Trust me, Kai, you’ll be much safer with me than with Feng Wu. At least I won’t lead you into any unnecessary fights.”

A round of chuckles went around the group, and I couldn’t help but join in. The lighthearted banter helped ease the tension in my chest, but it was a temporary reprieve. The weight of the moment was still pressing down on me, even as I tried to keep things light.

Instructor Xia Ji cleared her throat, drawing my attention back to her. Her stern expression softened as she looked at me. “Kai, your contributions to the Verdant Lotus Sect have been invaluable. You may not be an official disciple, but you’ve shown dedication, skill, and heart. We’d like to present you with something, as a token of our appreciation.”

She nudged Instructor Xiao-Hu playfully with her elbow. "Don't just stand there like a statue, Xiao-Hu. Hand over the goods!"

Xiao-Hu, ever the stoic instructor, cleared his throat and attempted to regain his composure, shooting a half-hearted glare at Xia Ji. "Must you always undermine my authority in front of the young ones?" he muttered under his breath, but a faint smile betrayed his amusement.

With a dignified nod, he stepped forward, presenting a finely crafted charm. "Kai Liu," he said, his voice gruff yet warm, "accept this token as a symbol of our respect and gratitude. May it guide you on your path and remind you of the bonds you've forged here."

I took it from him, my fingers tracing the intricate lotus design etched into the metal. It was beautiful, with fine craftsmanship that spoke of both elegance and strength. Recognition dawned on me—it was the same type of charm Feng Wu had used to gain entry into Crescent Bay City, to get discounts at shops, and other privileges.

"This charm signifies your affiliations with us. It’s a mark of our trust and respect. With this, you’ll be recognized as one of us, no matter where your journey takes you."

The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over, hot and stinging. I tried to blink them away, but they kept coming, a relentless stream that blurred my vision.

"I... I don't know what to say," I stammered, my voice cracking. I looked at each of them, their faces a blur through my tears.

My words were clumsy, inadequate, but they were the only ones I could manage. The gesture, the recognition, the love and support they had shown me... it was overwhelming, a tidal wave of emotion that threatened to drown me.

"I promise... I'll make you all proud."

A chorus of warm laughter erupted from the group. Han Wei slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. "You already have, you oaf!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with affection. "Now come here and let us give you a proper send-off!"

Li Na joined the embrace, her hug surprisingly firm despite her petite frame. "Come back and visit us soon. If you make us wait until we're second-class disciples to visit you, I'm going to be mad."

Even Feng Wu, usually reserved and calm, offered a smile and patted my head. "Safe travels, Kai. May your journey be filled with adventure and good fortune."

The instructors, maintaining a more professional distance, stepped forward to shake my hand. Instructor Xiao-Hu's grip was firm.

"Remember everything you've learned, Kai," He said, his voice stern yet kind. "And don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

"You've got a bright future ahead of you," Instructor Xia Ji said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Nurture it."

The horses, sensing our departure, pawed at the ground impatiently.

I looked down at Windy and Tianyi, both nestled against me—my constant companions through all of this. I reached into the cart, pulling out a cloth robe, draping it over myself and Windy to ward off the slight chill of the breeze. More than that, I discreetly used the edge of the cloth to wipe my eyes, clearing away the tears that had managed to escape.

Enough of this! This is unbecoming of a genius like myself! What would the world think if they saw me like this? A future legend, blubbering like a child?

I sniffed one last time, straightened my back, and pointed dramatically at the sky. "Alright, Lan Sheng!" I declared. "It’s time to depart! The heavens are waiting, and so are the great deeds I’m destined to accomplish! Let’s go!"

Lan Sheng chuckled, clearly amused by my antics, but played along, giving a mock bow. "As you command, young master."

With a butterfly on my shoulder and a snake nestled against my neck, I climbed onto the cart, feeling a strange mixture of sadness and excitement. As we rolled through the sect gates, I couldn’t help but glance back one last time. The rolling hills, the sprawling training grounds, the familiar faces—it all felt like a part of me, a home I was leaving behind.

But I knew I would always return.