Dearest Parents and Little Baihu, I have arrived at the Soring Fire Phoenix Sect and passed the initiation test. The elder in charge of the examinations told me I did well and that I have a bright future in the Sect. For scoring so highly, I was given a slightly more advanced cultivation technique than the regular Outer Disciples, though nine others also got this prize. They will be my competition come the end of the year to see who gets into the Inner Sect. I wish I could write more, but I am too busy with lessons and chores to spend the time putting all my thoughts on paper, and every spare moment is spent cultivating. I’ve got to keep up. 

- Your adoring son, Chaoxiang

Dearest Parents and Little Baihu, I apologise for not writing more often. Things have been hectic at the Sect. I learnt a Sword technique, it is called Fangs of the Serpent. It allows me to strike three times with only a single thrust of my sword. The Librarian told me it’s a building block for a much stronger technique, though I would have to make Core Disciple to get access to that technique. It’s a Heavenly Rank technique, while the one I have is only Earth. It’s called Thousand Fanged Strike of the Nine-Headed Hydra. A mouthful, but one of the best sword techniques the Sect has.

Actively using Qi in this manner feels strange, like my body is finally listening to me. Shackles have been lifted from my arms, yet the rest of my body still is weighed down. I am looking for a movement technique to compliment this sword art and to hopefully remove the shackles from the rest of my body. The instructors tell me this feeling usually goes away after going from Body Refining to Qi Gathering, and I can actively use Qi throughout my body without having to be guided by techniques.

I must rest now. I am going out with a few friends on a mission tomorrow to earn more Sect Contribution Points. Nothing is free here other than the most basic of amenities, a roof, basic robes, and rice porridge. My body aches for a better bed, so I must prove that I am worthy of it. 

- Your adoring son, Chaoxiang

Dearest Parents and Little Baihu, I got into a fight today. I’m not sure why I’m bothering to tell you, getting into fights is extremely common here. Even among friends, a spar is the normal way to end an argument, or even make friends. Fighting is everything to a Cultivator, after all. Even those who don’t actively fight monsters or bandits still practice the martial arts, it’s a way to defy Heaven and ascend, or so I’ve been told. 

The boy I fought was someone who had been an Outer Disciple for four years. He was Body Refining Six, while I’m Body Refining Five now. It seems he didn’t like that I had almost caught up to him. I won. It does not feel like a victory. You raised me to be kind, to not harm others unless protecting people. Yet, every day I find myself more and more willing to do violence. Especially since that mission a month ago. We were only sent out to kill some low-cultivation monkeys, yet I still wonder what effect that had on my mind. 

- Chaoxiang

Dear Parents and Little Baihu, I went on another mission. This time it was to eliminate bandits. They have come down from the mountains and kidnapped a bunch of girls, and burnt down a village. None of them had any cultivation other than the leader. My cultivation, now at Body Six, almost at Seven, dealt with them easily. 

My new movement technique meant they couldn’t even touch me. It’s called Petal Dancing in the Wind. Some of the other guys mock me for it, because you practice it by dancing. But I like it. My mind feels at ease when I practice the technique, and the Sect told me I have the Wind attribute, so I have greater control over it than most. The end-of-year tournament to see who enters the Inner Sect is only a few months away. I’ve saved up enough Sect Points to buy some cultivation resources. A jade bracelet that draws in Qi to help with breakthroughs, and the bandit leader had an earring that is Wind attuned too, though I am not sure what it does, only that the wind seems to like it. 

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I must cultivate. I am hoping to get to Body Eight, though Nine would be better. I’ll try to write before and after the tournament. 

- Chaoxiang

Dear Parents and Little Baihu, I broke through to Body Eight today, and there is still an entire month to go before the tournament. I doubt I’ll make it to Body Nine, but the Elders have their eyes on me anyway. They tell me that making it so far in less than a year is astonishing, though a few of my yearmates are keeping pace. One of them, Qui, is already at Body Nine and is beginning to prepare to break through to Qi Gathering, though he says that it's unlikely to happen before the tournament. It would be easier if he broke through before. Anyone who does so before a year is up is taken to the Inner Sect. 

I also got a third technique. This one is a defensive technique, it makes my skin harder, and more resistant to slashing. Though it does nothing for bludgeoning or piercing weapons, it's the best I have access to without going on another mission. The librarian warned me that it might not be the best suited to me and that I should wait until I could afford something better, but with the tournament coming up, I need something. Most of my cohorts use slashing weapons anyway, the Dao is very popular in my year, while I prefer the Jian, it works better with my sword and movement techniques. I must return to my cultivation. I will write soon.

- Chaoxiang

I came second in the tournament. Qui beat me, he broke through mid-fight right as I had him, and the powerup meant that he demolished me. The power difference between realms is as vast as the ocean, even for someone who only just ascended. The experience brought me to Body Nine, and watching someone break through has given me many insights. I can feel my cultivation leaping forward by bounds. I will break through before the end of the year, I have until the next year's group arrives for their initiation to ascend and make it to the Inner Sect. That is the cut-off date, two months from now. 

- Chaoxiang

I apologise that it has been so long since my last letter. I managed to break though a few days before the new arrivals. One of my tasks as an Inner Disiple was to look after them, show them around the sect and make sure they were settled. One of them is very different from the rest.

Her name is Lin, and everyone keeps calling her a Jade Beauty. It is a little weird to hear old men over a hundred years old calling a fourteen-year-old girl a Jade Beauty, and it makes her uncomfortable as well. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Outer Sect with her. She is nice, Mother would like her. A few Young Masters have made passes at her, both while I was there and away. But I’ve been dealing with them. I’ve also been helping her with cultivation resources so that she can ascend faster and join me in the Inner Sect. Not that she really needs that help. She’s much more talented than I am and is ascending quickly.

- Chaoxiang

One of the Outer Elders is giving Lin grief. He’s been stuck there for nearly fifty years, not even ascending a minor realm the entire time. I’m not sure what his cultivation level is, it is hard to tell that of those above you, but I’m sure it’s not too high. He seems to have gotten his rank through age and bureaucracy, not cultivation. 

But anyway, he keeps harassing Lin when I am not around. Inviting her for tea and constantly trying to be alone with her. It’s is disgusting. I am planing on confronting the Elder about this, along with some Inner Elders I know. This behaviour is unbecoming of the Soring Fire Phoenix Sect and that of a man.

- Chaoxiang

The Soring Fire Phoenix Sect Regrets to inform you that your son, Chaoxiang, Inner Disciple, has passed. Your son insulted the honour of Outer Elder Wei, forcing him to challenge the Inner Disciple to a duel. There, your Son had his cultivation shattered, an event he did not live through. As is his right, Outter Elder Wei has claimed Inner Disiple Chaoxiang’s belongings as his prize. The Sect gives you this modest sum as recompense for your loss.

- The Soring Fire Phoenix Sect.