Felix followed Xue through the town as he brushed the dirt off his robe. The sect robe was surprisingly resistant, and dirt sloughed off with relative ease. Finally getting his clothes in decent order, he began to take the town in.

The buildings along the main boulevard were kept in good order. The street bustled with merchants yelling and cultivators proudly strutting. Well, until they sensed Xue’s unrestrained aura. Felix could see the moment people realized how outmatched they were as they scampered out of the way. Seeing the change in people’s expression, he couldn’t help but shake his head.

It just feels wrong that people fear others so openly. I can’t read from Xue’s expression what she thinks of this. That aside, I must admit I am enjoying the visit. There is simply so much life going on. Like that old lady selling herbs, or that man over there bragging about his exploits’, or those three men down the alley…

Felix stopped and stared as he watched two men blatantly beat up a third. He pulled on Xue’s sleeve and pointed down the alleyway.

“Um, senior Xue. Shouldn’t we help?”

She glanced down the alley with a look of mild interest. Instead of answering, she spoke to the guard.

“Shouldn’t you do something?”

The guard blushed and ran into the alley. At the sight an actual guardsman, the two men frowned and ran off.

“Huh,” said Felix, as they watched the guard help the man to his feet “I would have expected you to go all core cultivator on them.”

Xue leaned closer to his ear, “Well, you truly don’t remember your shameless lessons, do you? Be careful when in murky waters. It would be different if we were on the road, but we have this fine guardsman here. Though I am glad you said something. It is good to not be callous.”

Felix smiled as he found he was susceptible to the compliment. Feeling strangely happy, he went back to observing the town. They had nearly made it to the heart of town but Felix still couldn’t put his finger on the population of the city.

It seems quite large for a preindustrial society. Especially if this is just a ‘town’. Though who knows what the effect of magic or I suppose I should say spiritual energy, has on the demographics.

Still, Felix found that people mainly fell into three groups; cultivators, merchants, and mortals.

As they passed another stall, he spotted a group of cultivators that stood out. It was composed of five figures clothed completely in black. The group was facing away from them and seemed to be in communications with a merchant.

"Senior Xue, do you know who they are?"

Xue glanced over and stopped walking.

"Yes, yes I do. Those are the Onooka Clan. Though I am surprised they are so close to the Sect. Their clan is to the south. Creepy bastards."

Before Felix could ask more questions, Xue headed toward the group.

"Onooka Clan,” Said Xue over the crowd, “what brings you so close to the Thousand Season Sect?”

Felix nearly flinched when the figures turned around. Every single one was wearing a blank wooden mask with black eyes. The simplicity of the masks made them even eerie and many a horror story danced through his mind.

The figures stood there staring at them for a minute. Felix began to feel nervous as he realized that the surrounding crowd had vacated the premise. Then the shortest of the group stepped forward and reached into their robe. They pulled out a small black chalkboard. With their other hand, they pull out a piece of chalk and began to write. After a few strokes, the board was flipped toward them.

It read "Excuse us senior. We are here to meet a disciple who is coming from the north. We apologize for being so close to your sect. We were only supposed to be here for half a day."

One of the taller figures in the back snapped his fingers to get the short one’s attention. When they had, the taller figure began signing furiously with their hand. Felix realized it seemed to be a type of sign language as the small one responded in turn.

The short one turned back and wrote furiously on their sign again. "Forgive him his impertinence senior. This is his first time out of the clan and he does not know the vastness of the heavens yet."

Xue had a wry smile on as she couldn’t understand what the slight was. "Well, I am happy to help educate him."

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The short figure paused but then moved in a soundless chuckle.

With a few more strokes of chalk, their board read "While that would be amusing, many of my clan would not be happy with that kind of help from an outsider. It is mostly just an issue of his fire cultivation. The ‘anger’ issue should be gone in a few days."

"Well, then don't let us keep you," Xue said with a shrug, turning away.

As Felix went to follow her, he saw the taller figure flash a hand signal at Xue that he knew. It was a common street slang from the region. It roughly translated to something to do with a dog, a frog, and a cultivation furnace. Unfortunately for the tall one, Xue knew it too.

The world suddenly turned very cold. Felix felt a rush of air and a crack resounded through the area. The tall figure was suspended in the air by a single one of Xue's hands. Her delicate fingers had penetrated the figures mask and crack spiral throughout it. Even as blood dribbled from the holes, the figure wiped a scythe from its cloak at Xue’s neck. Without missing a beat, Xue caught the blade with her bare hand.

Xue and Felix turned at the sound of the small figure smacking their mask in consternation. The short figure furiously wrote on their board. "Please hold your hand senior. Though at this point I am honestly not sure if this idiot is worth saving."

The tall figure began squirming as these words yet Xue's hand remained locked in place.

“Well,” said Xue slowly. “Even my patience has its limits. Luckily for him, I can feel the fire spiritual energy going out of control. I am honestly surprised it took him this long to snap.”

Calming visible at Xue’s relax response, the short one wrote more. "This idiot is the son of Elder Lee. I didn't realize it was this bad. Both the clan and the Elder will owe you a personal favor if you spare him. I swear this as the inheritor of the clan." The figure pulled out a badge and then wrote more. "take my personal badge as a sign of this promise."

Xue reached out and took the badge. "I must admit, I did not realize I was talking to the young miss of the Onooka clan."

Xue turned to stare at the poor disciple still suspended in the air. With a quick motion, she hit the back of the figure's head and they crumpled to the floor. Two of the cloaked figures rushed forward to help

"Well, with this debt I shall consider the earlier slight in the past." Said Xue.

The short figure nodded, and she quickly hurried the rest of the Onooka people away. Xue watched them go and as soon as they were out of sight she sighed.

"That is not how I wanted that to go. Hopefully, that kid doesn't feel he has lost face when he gets himself under control.”

The guard who had backed up during the exchange came forward and they continued up the road.

Felix felt a little overwhelmed by the whole exchange. It had escalated so quickly that he was having a hard time processing it. Making sure the guard wasn’t close enough to hear, he decided to seek Xue’s opinion.

"What did you want to happen?”

Xue shook her head, "Honestly? Nothing at all. However, as both a core cultivator and as a representative of the Sect, I can’t ignore such open provocation as that. Though I admit I struck in anger as well. Still, he wouldn't have even been hurt if I wasn't so unused to my Core level strength.”

Felix felt like he had missed something. “But couldn’t you be the bigger person. Just walk the other way?”

“If only it were so easy. You must understand Face. Do you remember that? Either way, it basically means that there is a heavy emphasis on reputation. Directly attacking that reputation can be as bad or even worse than just attacking. It is not a terrible convention when people have a level head but when people don’t… it can get ugly quickly. That’s why it is taken so seriously.”

Felix thought about that. This is really a convoluted custom. Though with so many people having superpowers, maybe it is a cultural necessity to have a line in the sand.

"Senior Xue, what was with those Onooka clan people?"

"You mean the whole cloak, mask and eerie silence?"

"Yes, it was a little disturbing."

"Not surprising. A lot of people, including myself, find them off putting. I am not sure of the mechanics, but their clan’s main technique allegedly has the side effect that everyone below Nascent soul can't speak.”

Felix grimaced at the idea. "What technique is worth that? It seems like a high price to pay."

Xue snorted. "That is nothing. Some techniques require a much higher price. Sometimes that is because the technique is badly designed but often it is essential to make the technique powerful. In fact, their clan is considered quite powerful for their level."

Felix urged her to continue.

"Their technique all operates around disrupting other people’s external control of qi and I've heard that at later levels they can even disrupt spiritual sense. They have been known to crush groups who only use external techniques."

Felix's jaw dropped. "Isn't that too powerful? I mean, why haven't people stolen it yet. That seems like an Ace in the hole"

Xue raised an eyebrow. "Ace in the hole. I am not sure what that means. Either way, their technique is not all powerful. For one, I am pretty sure that it is only useful if you have their clan's bloodline. Two, Body cultivators and other more physical fighters would be completely unaffected. Finally, only their most powerful prodigies can use that technique effectively by themselves. More often the Onooka clan will act in groups or in concert with an array."

Felix lapsed into silence after that and Xue seemed happy to let him. He had honestly wanted to steal the technique as soon as he heard it invalidated other people's power. That even such a powerful technique had weaknesses made him realize power isn’t everything.

It almost feels like a complex game of rock, paper scissors. Though I suppose that analogy falls through in several areas.

Finally, their journey came to an end as the guard led them to the most ornate building yet. Weirdly, the architecture reminded him more of the sect than the rest of the town. Outside the building stood a group of men in official looking clothing. The men clasped their hands in respect and the middle figure stepped forward.

“Fairy Xue,” he said “my guard has notified me that you have come to pick disciples from my town. We are truly grateful for this opportunity and I am sure that the young children of Greenwood will live up to your expectations.”

Xue returned the sign of respect. “I appreciate the warm welcome. It is always good to visit such a fine town.”

"Great, great.” Said the man with a smile “I have also heard that there was a small conflict in the street. I hope it was nothing of consequence."

"You don't have to worry about it. Nothing should come of that small squabble” responded Xue.

The Mayor's face broke into a genuine smile.

"Fantastic, truly fantastic. Please follow me. I have already started gathering the town's children in my courtyard and I am sure you will be happy