The door creaked open, revealing Zhang Wei. The old cultivator looked remarkably better than the last time Kai had seen him. The wounds from his encounter with the bandit leader had all but vanished.

Looks like he got his hands on a healing pill or something, Kai mused. I've got to figure out how to get some of those for myself. The bandit camp had none remaining, most likely they used the little they had during the battle.

"Good afternoon, Kai," Zhang Wei said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important?"

Kai shook his head, gesturing for the old man to enter. "Not at all. I was just finishing up some meditation. What brings you here?"

Zhang Wei settled himself on a small stool. "I have some news that might interest you, given your... unique circumstances."

"Oh? What kind of news?" Kai raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Well," Zhang Wei began, stroking his beard, "I know you mentioned to Chen Lao before that you weren't quite ready to join a sect. And given your mysterious background, I can understand why these local sects might not catch your interest."

He's not wrong there, Kai thought. Most of the sects I've read about in xianxia novels are either comically evil or frustratingly rigid.

Zhang Wei continued, "However, I thought you should know that the Azure Sky Sect is conducting their yearly recruitment soon. It's likely that an Outer Elder will arrive in our village within the next few weeks."

Kai leaned forward, his interest piqued. "The Azure Sky Sect? That's the one you used to be part of, right?"

Zhang Wei nodded, a mix of emotions flashing across his face. "Indeed. And while my time there didn't end as I'd hoped, I still believe it's a great opportunity for talented young cultivators like yourself."

"What makes you think they'd be interested in me?" Kai asked, genuinely curious.

Zhang Wei chuckled. "My boy, your talent is obvious to anyone with eyes to see. The purity of your qi, the speed at which you've advanced, that Qi Condensation skill... trust me, you'll catch their eye."

Kai mulled this over. A recruitment drive, huh? That's pretty standard for xianxia stories. But...

"Wait a minute," Kai said, voicing a thought that had just occurred to him. "These immortal cultivators... they don't just, you know, kidnap mortals with potential, do they?"

Zhang Wei burst out laughing, the sound filling the small hut. "Kidnap mortals? Heavens, no! Where did you get such an idea?"

Kai shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "Oh, you know... just stories I've heard."

Stories I've read, more like, he thought. But I guess those authors took some creative liberties. Thank goodness for that – I'm not in the mood to get kidnapped anytime soon.

"No, no," Zhang Wei said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "As strange as cultivators can be, that would be counterproductive. The Azure Sky Sect, like most respectable sects, values willing disciples. Forced recruitment only leads to resentment and betrayal."

"I see," Kai nodded. "So, tell me more about this Azure Sky Sect. What are they like?"

"Ah, the Azure Sky Sect,” Zhang Wei's expression grew thoughtful. “They are one of the most prominent righteous sects in this region. Their main compound is located at the top of the highest peak of the Azure Mountains, surrounded by clouds that are said to be filled with spiritual energy."

"Sounds impressive," Kai commented.

"Oh, it is," Zhang Wei agreed. "The sect is known for its mastery of wind and lightning techniques. They value honor, discipline, and the pursuit of immortality through righteous means."

Kai nodded, encouraging the old man to continue.

"The sect is divided into Outer, Inner, and Core disciples," Zhang Wei explained. "New recruits start as Outer disciples, of course. But those with exceptional talent can advance quickly. The sect provides resources, training, and protection to its members."

"What about their cultivation resources?" Kai asked, recalling the importance of such things in xianxia settings.

Zhang Wei nodded approvingly at the question. "The Azure Sky Sect is known for its rich spirit veins and well-maintained herb gardens. Outer disciples receive a monthly allowance of spirit stones and access to basic cultivation manuals."

Resource management, check. Probably some kind of currency or point system for higher-level stuff.

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"And what about missions or quests?" Kai inquired, trying not to sound too game-like in his terminology. Despite knowing most of this stuff already, he didn’t see any harm in hearing the old man’s experience, perhaps he may learn something that is different from the stories.

"Ah, you mean sect assignments," Zhang Wei said. "Yes, disciples can take on various tasks to earn merit points and resources. These range from gathering herbs to exterminating monsters plaguing nearby villages."

Fetch quests and monster-slaying. Classic.

"And what about the downsides?" Kai asked, knowing there had to be some.

Zhang Wei sighed. "Well, like any large organization, there can be politics and infighting. The competition can be fierce, especially for those seeking to advance to Inner or Core disciple status. And of course, there are strict rules and expectations that all disciples must follow."

Kai absorbed this information, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Pros of joining a righteous sect like Azure Sky:

1. Access to resources and training

2. Protection from other cultivators and sects

3. Potential for rapid advancement if I play my cards right

4. A "good guy" reputation, which could be useful

Cons:

1. Strict rules and expectations

2. Internal politics and competition

3. Possible limitations on my freedom

4. Might make enemies of rival sects

As Kai pondered this, a thought struck him. "What about the Dark Moon Sect? How do they handle recruitment?"

Zhang Wei's face darkened at the mention of the name. "Ah, the Dark Moon Sect. They are... a different matter entirely."

Kai leaned back, surprised by the venom in the old man’s tone. "I take it you're not a fan?"

Zhang Wei sighed, visibly trying to calm himself. "Forgive me. I should not let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. You asked, and you deserve an unbiased answer."

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Wei continued, his voice carefully neutral. "While righteous cultivators won't kidnap you, the same cannot be said for demonic cultivators like those in the Dark Moon Sect. They are known for their... aggressive recruitment tactics."

"You mean they do kidnap people?" Kai asked, his eyebrows raised.

Zhang Wei nodded. "Among other things. The Dark Moon Sect is one of the most powerful demonic sects in the region. They're known for their mastery of yin energy, blood cultivation techniques, and other... darker arts."

"But surely they must have some appeal," Kai mused aloud. "Otherwise, why would anyone join them willingly?"

"Well, to be fair, they do offer certain advantages,” Zhang Wei stroked his beard. “Demonic cultivation techniques often promise faster power growth, and the Dark Moon Sect is less restrictive in terms of personal conduct. They also have access to rare and forbidden techniques that righteous sects won't even think to touch."

Kai nodded, mentally cataloging this information.

Pros of joining a demonic sect like Dark Moon:

1. Potentially faster power growth

2. Access to forbidden techniques

3. Less restrictive rules

4. Might suit my more... pragmatic approach

Cons:

1. Reputation as "evil" could cause problems

2. Aggressive recruitment tactics (I’ll probably get kidnapped)

3. Probably even more cutthroat internal competition

4. Higher risk of dying or being used as a sacrifice by some evil elder

As Kai weighed his options, he came to a sobering realization. As much as he valued his independence, he couldn't ignore the realities of this world. His cultivation would soon hit a plateau without proper resources and guidance. Not to mention, he'd need powerful backers for protection in this dangerous realm.

I'd be a fool to think I could make it on my own, he realized. This isn't a single-player game. I need a faction.

Remembering the cutthroat nature of the xianxia worlds he'd read about in novels; Kai made a decision.

"I think I'll entertain the idea of joining the Azure Sky Sect," he said aloud. "It seems like a solid opportunity, at least for now."

Zhang Wei's face lit up. "A great choice, Kai! I'm sure you'll do well there."

As Zhang Wei stood to leave, Kai had one more question. "What kind of tests can I expect during the recruitment?"

The old cultivator paused at the door. "Ah, well, that can vary. But typically, they'll test your cultivation level, your aptitude for their techniques, and your character. Be prepared for anything from qi sensing exercises to combat trials."

Kai nodded. "Thank you, Zhang Wei. This has been helpful.”

As Zhang Wei rose to leave, he placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "Whatever you decide, know that you have my support. You've done much for this village, and I believe you're destined for great things, boy."

After Zhang Wei left, Kai lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling as he thought about the upcoming recruitment.

Typical xianxia recruitment tests, huh? Let's see...

1. Qi sensing: Probably something like finding hidden objects or navigating a maze using only qi perception. I'll need to practice that.

2. Combat trials: Could be anything from one-on-one duels to surviving against multiple opponents or even spirit beasts. With my small qi capacity, I'll have to be clever and use my skills strategically. I wouldn’t be surprised if the other potential recruits are the later stages of Qi Refining.

3. Technique aptitude: They might have me try to perform basic wind or lightning techniques. I should experiment with my qi to see if I have any natural affinities.

4. Character tests: These can be tricky. Could be moral dilemmas, tests of courage, or even hidden tests to see how I treat others when I think no one's watching. I'll need to be on my guard at all times, don’t want to scare them off with my ‘pragmatic’ approach…

5. Written exams: Some sects test knowledge of cultivation theory or general intelligence. I might have an advantage here with my Earth education and the stories I’ve read, but I should brush up on local knowledge too, I’m still not certain this world is exactly the same as the cultivation novels.

6. Alchemy or forging tests: Probably not for initial recruitment, but it's possible. I should at least learn the basics.

7. Endurance trials: Withstanding pain, resisting poisons, or cultivating for long periods. This could be rough, but I'll have to tough it out.

As he continued to brainstorm potential challenges, a notification popped up in his vision:

New Quest Available: Join a Cultivation Sect

Description: Successfully pass the recruitment trials and join either the Azure Sky Sect or the Dark Moon Sect.

Reward: Sect Membership, 1000 XP, 3 Random Cultivation Resources

Failure: Remain Sectless, Limited Future Growth

Now we're talking, Kai grinned.