As they flew over the empire to reach the capital city of Ashengarde, Hope marveled at the sight below.

The Crimson Phoenix Empire was a picture of prosperity, with lush fields stretching endlessly, bustling towns filled with vibrant markets, and majestic rivers weaving through the land like veins of liquid silver. The energy in the air was palpable, far denser than anything Hope had experienced in the Inner Region—perhaps four times as much. It was no wonder that this empire was considered a hub for cultivation.

The buildings scattered across the empire radiated a sense of grandeur and elegance, with fiery symbolism woven deeply into their architecture. Red and gold were predominant, representing fire and glory, while black accents symbolized resilience. The designs were intricate, as if every building had been sculpted with painstaking detail. The sight filled him with awe, he had never seen anything like this in his life.

Shortly after, the avian beast they rode on began its descent, and Hope caught his first glimpse of Ashengarde.

His breath hitched. Compared to the buildings outside the city, Ashengarde was on another level entirely. Every structure seemed to exude an aura of dominance and wealth. The buildings were crafted from crimson jade, a rare material that emitted a soft red glow, giving the entire city an otherworldly ambiance. This crimson jade was combined with polished black obsidian and golden accents, creating a striking contrast that demanded attention. The streets were wide and paved with smooth, shimmering stones, while intricate carvings of flames and phoenixes adorned nearly every surface. The artistry and resources poured into the city’s construction were mind-boggling. Hope couldn’t help but wonder how many lives had been spent building such splendor.

Hope noticed three towering mountains overlooking the capital city, each one seemingly carved from the same crimson jade as the buildings. Their peaks were shrouded in mist, adding an air of mystery and grandeur. From their positioning and size, Hope guessed that these mountains were home to the Imperial Palace, the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, and the Ember Phoenix Sect, the three pillars of power in the empire. The sheer presence of the mountains made them seem like silent sentinels guarding the city.

As he pondered this, the avian beast steered toward the leftmost mountain. Cedric, one of the elders accompanying them, turned to the group and said, “We have arrived. Follow me to get your badges, uniforms and our basic cultivation technique. I will explain the rules while we walk.”

The avian beast landed gracefully on an open field near the base of the mountain. Cedric, along with Marcus and Lea, the other two elders, were the first to disembark. The rest of the group followed, some visibly nervous, others brimming with excitement.

Hope landed lightly on his feet, his eyes scanning the area. The open field was vast, with perfectly trimmed grass and a few stone pathways leading to various parts of the mountain. Other disciples, some clad in black and some in crimson uniforms, were moving about, some sparring in the distance while others carried weapons. The aura of the place was vibrant and intense, each person exuding a level of strength that made Hope’s heart race. For a moment, he felt small—a single drop in a roaring river.

Cedric began walking toward a three-story building that stood not far from the landing site. The structure was entirely crimson, its surface shimmering faintly under the sunlight.

As they approached, Cedric spoke, his voice firm yet calm. “We’re heading to the reception. There, you will receive your sect uniforms, your badges, and the cultivation technique known as the ‘Crimson Feather Breathing Art.’ It’s an Earth-grade cultivation technique. If you want a better one, you’ll need to earn it through missions or by accomplishing meritorious deeds for the sect.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. An Earth-grade cultivation technique! Back in the Inner Region, such a technique would be considered an invaluable treasure, something that noble families guarded with their lives. Yet here, it was given freely to new disciples. It was a stark reminder of the disparity between their old lives and the opportunities now before them. Hope clenched his fists, determination surging within him. He would not let this chance slip through his fingers.

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Cedric continued, his tone turning stern. “The Phoenix Cry Pavilion has only a few rules, but they are absolute. Do not kill fellow disciples. Do not betray the sect. Do not harm the sect in any way. Punishments range from crippling your cultivation to death. I trust this will not be a problem for any of you.”

As they walked, Hope took in the sights around him. The disciples they passed were clearly of varying ranks, their uniforms indicating their status within the sect. Outer disciples wore simple black robes with crimson accents, while Inner disciples had more elaborate designs with golden trims. When the other disciples noticed Cedric, Marcus, and Lea, they stopped what they were doing and bowed slightly, greeting them with respect. “Greetings, Elders,” they said in unison, their voices filled with reverence. Hope noticed how some disciples avoided making eye contact, their postures tense. The power dynamics within the sect were already evident.

Finally, the group arrived at the reception building. Its interior was just as grand as its exterior, with walls lined with polished obsidian and intricate carvings depicting phoenixes in flight. The air inside was cool and filled with a faint, calming fragrance. Cedric led them to a counter where a clerk was seated, meticulously sorting through stacks of jade slips. The clerk’s sharp, calculating gaze flicked over the new disciples, and Hope felt as though he were being weighed and measured.

“Give these new disciples their belongings and show them where they will be staying” Cedric instructed the clerk. Turning to the group, he added, “This is where I leave you. From now on, it is up to you to grow stronger. Remember, your journey begins here, but where it ends is entirely in your hands.”

With that, Cedric, Marcus, and Lea departed. The group of new disciples bowed and said in unison, “Thank you, Elders.” Hope, however, remained silent, lost in thought. The weight of Cedric’s words lingered in his mind. Where it ends is entirely in your hands.

The clerk, a middle-aged man with sharp features, stood and addressed the group. “Form a line” he said curtly. As the disciples complied, he began handing out their belongings one by one. Each person received a badge, a jade slip, and a neatly folded uniform. When it was Hope’s turn, the clerk handed him his items and said, “Keep the badge with you at all times. Inside it is inscribed a formation that will allow you to freely enter and exit the sect. You’ll understand more once you read the jade slip.”

Hope examined the badge. It was a small, intricately carved piece of crimson jade, glowing faintly with inscriptions that he couldn’t yet decipher. The jade slip was smooth and cool to the touch, and he could feel a faint pulse of energy emanating from it. The uniform, on the other hand, was simple but elegant—a pitch-black robe with crimson accents. Holding the items, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders.

These weren’t just tools; they were symbols of his new life.

The clerk continued, “The jade slip contains detailed information about your living quarters, an overview of the sect, and other miscellaneous details. Make sure to go through it thoroughly. Your uniforms mark you as Outer disciples. If you wish to advance, you’ll need to prove yourself.”

Hope clutched his belongings tightly, his mind racing with thoughts. As the others murmured among themselves, sharing their excitement about the future, Hope was looking at his new uniform.

The clerk gestured toward a side door and said, “Follow me. I’ll show you to your quarters.” The group trailed behind him as he led them through a series of hallways, each one more elaborate than the last. Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceilings, their golden light casting intricate patterns on the polished floors. Finally, they emerged onto a large courtyard surrounded by rows of identical buildings. “These are the Outer Disciples’ dormitories” the clerk explained. “Each of you will have your own room. The jade slip will show you which one is yours.”

As the group dispersed to find their rooms, Hope lingered for a moment, looking up at the sky. The mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks bathed in golden light. For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of hope—a feeling he hadn’t allowed himself to embrace in years. But he knew better than to let his guard down.

Clutching his badge, jade slip, and uniform, Hope turned and walked toward his assigned dormitory. Room 18. As he stepped inside, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Hope muttered under his breath,

“My new home.”