While the new disciples were settling into their quarters, Cedric, Marcus, and Lea walked through the sprawling corridors of the sect’s central mansion.
The structure was majestic, a testament to the sect’s strength and prestige. Intricate carvings of mythical beasts adorned the walls, and the air carried the faint scent of burning incense. The three elders moved with purpose, their expressions calm but tinged with gravity. They stopped before a pair of massive double doors engraved with phoenix patterns, the red and gold hues gleaming under the soft glow of jades embedded in the walls.
Cedric stepped forward and said respectfully, “We are here to report about the trial that took place in the Ember Empire.”
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, after a minute or two, a deep and steady voice came from within. “Come in.”
The three elders pushed open the doors and entered a room that was almost as grand as the hall of an imperial palace. The chamber was massive, with high ceilings and walls adorned with murals of fiery phoenixes soaring through golden skies. The patterns seemed almost alive, flickering as if imbued with a sliver of the Dao of Fire. The room was bathed in warm, golden light, creating an aura of majesty and solemnity.
In the center of the room stood a throne, crafted from a single piece of crimson jade, its surface shimmering faintly. A figure stood in front of the throne, his hands clasped behind his back. His presence was imposing, radiating a natural authority that made even the three elders feel a twinge of pressure. The sect master’s robes were white trimmed with gold, and a faint aura of heat surrounded him, as if the essence of fire itself obeyed his will. Though his face was calm, his piercing eyes seemed to see through everything, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
The three elders immediately bowed deeply, their voices unified as they greeted him. “Greetings, Sect Master.”
The sect master turned slightly, nodding in acknowledgment. “Mhm. How was the trial this time around?”
Cedric stepped forward, taking the leading role in the report. He recounted the events of the trial in detail, starting with the initial number of participants and moving through the various challenges the candidates faced. His tone was steady and professional as he explained how the group had been whittled down to just 54 disciples who passed the trial. He described the standout performances of Hope and Ren.
At first, the sect master listened with only mild interest. The Ember Empire was a lower-tier region compared to the central area empires, and it was rare for true geniuses to emerge from such places. He doubted they could find anyone worth special attention. But as Cedric elaborated on the abilities displayed by Hope and Ren, the sect master’s expression shifted slightly. He raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
When Cedric finished his account, the sect master’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “On which one of them do you think we should focus?”
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Cedric hesitated for a moment, carefully organizing his thoughts before responding. “Ren.”
The sect master’s eyebrow arched higher, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. From Cedric’s own account, Hope had demonstrated greater raw power and skill. Why, then, did Cedric choose Ren? He fixed his sharp gaze on Cedric and asked, “Why did you choose him?”
Cedric took a deep breath, his tone measured but firm. “Hope is a wild card. I’ve never seen a teenager so brutal in battle, and he carried it out with an indifferent expression, as though it was second nature to him. Someone like that is dangerous—not just to his enemies, but potentially to us as well. I don’t think we should invest the sect’s resources in someone who might abandon or even betray us the moment we’re in danger. Ren, on the other hand, feels more dependable. He lacks the rashness typical of young cultivators but also isn’t timid. He’s steady, focused, and has the potential to become a pillar of the sect. These are my reasons.”
Marcus and Lea, who had been standing silently to the side, nodded in agreement. “We share Elder Cedric’s opinion” Marcus added. “Hope’s talent is undeniable, but his personality makes him unpredictable. Ren’s temperament and potential align better with the sect’s values.”
The sect master fell silent, his gaze distant as he mulled over their words. His instincts told him that Hope was no ordinary cultivator. The boy’s ferocity and indifference hinted at a dark past or an unyielding determination forged through suffering. Such individuals often walked paths of great glory or great destruction—sometimes both. However, Cedric’s caution was not unfounded. A sect’s resources were not infinite, and focusing on the wrong person could lead to disaster.
After a long pause, the sect master nodded. “Very well. Then I will have Grand Elder Xerath take Ren as a disciple. We don’t have much time. In six years, we will face the Ember Phoenix Sect in the fifty-year event. We must win and secure the right to claim the next emperor’s seat. Understood?”
The air in the room grew heavy as the sect master’s tone turned more serious. His voice carried an unyielding authority, and the three elders straightened their postures, their expressions solemn.
“Yes” they said in unison, their voices firm.
The sect master waved his hand dismissively. “Good. You may go. I will contact Grand Elder Xerath personally.”
The three elders bowed deeply before turning and leaving the hall. As the doors closed behind them, the sect master remained standing before his throne, his expression unreadable. For a while, he stood in silence, his thoughts hidden behind his calm façade.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and almost inaudible. “Tell Xerath to take Ren as his disciple. The ceremony must be held within the month.”
From the shadows of the room, a voice replied, “Yes, Sect Master.”
The presence that had been concealed disappeared as quietly as it had appeared, leaving the sect master alone in the vast chamber. He raised a hand to his temples, massaging them as if to ease a growing headache. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on him, and the stakes of the upcoming event loomed large in his mind.
“I hope we can claim the throne this time” he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with both determination and unease.
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Meanwhile, outside the hall, Cedric, Marcus, and Lea exchanged brief glances as they walked down the corridor. The sect master’s words had ignited a sense of urgency within them. Six years might seem like a long time, but in the world of cultivation, it was merely the blink of an eye. They knew the Ember Phoenix Sect would not be an easy opponent, and the weight of their sect’s future now rested on their ability to prepare their disciples for the battle to come.
As they stepped into the bright sunlight outside the mansion, Cedric couldn’t help but glance back at the towering structure behind them. He hoped his decision to recommend Ren over Hope was the right one. Time would tell whether they had chosen wisely or if they would come to regret their choice.
“Hopefully I’m right” He muttered.