The strategy Kevin had always used to get neutral people to support him had three stages. First, you intrigued them, then you nailed that intrigue down, then you finished by offering assurances.

Elder Ming was sitting calm and straight-backed, neither impatient nor engaged with the conversation. Despite his earlier words, Kevin wouldn’t say he was intrigued yet. Time to hit him with something big.

“Thank you for the opportunity to speak, Elder,” Kevin began, giving a second bow from his seat. “The key reason you should take a risk on me is that the potential rewards far outweigh what the sect risks losing.”

“I’m not another cultivator here to get as much quick power as they can before leaving for a cushy job somewhere else. My goal is immortality; reaching the peak is the entire reason I came to this world.”

The elder was difficult to read, even now the slight upward shift of an eyebrow was the singular change in his expression. Still, that was enough to hint at interest.

Not approval, of course, that was unlikely yet with such an over-the-top goal. But a good start; he’d managed to separate himself from the sea of average applicants. Now to drive it home.

“This is not an idle dream,” Kevin continued, keeping his tone steady and serious. “Almost five months ago, before arriving in this world, I was on the verge of death. Cultivation was but a myth for me.”

His throat twinged as he skirted the bounds of his contract, but it was light enough to show he wasn’t risking anything yet. Statements of fact without reference or background information were the key.

“I took a deal to get here, with extreme consequences.” More pushback from the binding, but he was still OK. “If I die, then my soul will be destroyed utterly. For me, the peak is the only path forward.”

His throat had almost closed up by the end; he’d been right at the edges with such continued pushing. Any more and he’d have been in trouble, so it was a good thing he was done.

“I’m sure you can imagine how much that drives me to succeed,” Kevin smiled, the expression wry. “How many of your other disciples can say their very soul is on the line? With such motivation, I’ll work harder than anyone.”

“So,” he opened his arms, “this would be an investment with not just years or decades of payoff for the sect. I’m never going to stop advancing, I can’t stop advancing. Even if I fall short of my goal, there will still be centuries of improvement where I can be useful to the Twisted Path.”

Relaxing back into his seat, Kevin waited for the elder to respond.

There was a long pause as the man lifted a teacup that hadn’t existed a second ago. He took a delicate sip, then placed it down again, no faster than a mortal. “Bold claims.”

“I can see the theory you speak of, yet you are only in the second grade, of the first stage, of the first realm. Is it not far too early to speak of such heights?” Elder Ming’s eyes locked onto Kevin as he finished, more intent than at any stage yet.

Kevin resisted the urge to fidget or lick his lips; this was not the time for expressions of doubt. He'd gotten the elder interested but he still had to anchor it in reality.”

“Indeed, I am still at the very beginning, yet I have achieved that success quickly given my lack of education on matters of cultivation and my significant blockages. As I said, cultivation was a myth to me.”

“Now, not even five months later, I have progressed without even a functioning Dantian. Without such a limitation, how much further could I have gotten? I would wager that it would be a great deal more.”

Kevin leaned forward, with an eager grin as he continued. “With each bypassed blockage, I’ll progress further. Yes, this will require resources and knowledge, but that is only more proof of how hard I will work for the sect.”

“I need the backing you can provide, just as I needed the OIM’s help when I arrived. To ensure I can maintain access to your resources, I’ll have to keep the sect happy in any way I can.”

It was a deflection, of course; he had no actual evidence to justify faith in achieving the peak at his level, but it was a good one. He had to keep drawing the conversation back to how motivated he would be to work for the sect.

The argument was even true, which always helped.

Another pause, another glacial sip of tea. “A fair point. I will concede that your motivation is intact, whether your goal is achievable or not.” From the way the elder emphasized the last words, it was clear what his opinion of the matter was.

“You speak of being useful to the sect, yet your application lists few skills of any kind. Nor did your examinations reveal anything new. To be useful, one must have use.”

Despite the harsh words, Kevin had to suppress a grin. That was the second stage down, he’d locked in the initial intrigue, solidifying it as fact. Now he just had to give assurances that the sect wouldn’t lose out.

“Yes, you're correct. I’m a complete blank slate, ready to fill any role you need,” he said, nodding in response to the elder’s statement. It wasn’t something he could refute, but he could transform it into another advantage.

“I understand the Twisted Path teaches and employs a broad range of activities, professions, and skills. Surely some are less popular, but still require workers? I’m a faster learner, I dissected the Twisted Step technique despite never seeing anything like it.”

“Just point me at anything you need more off, and I’ll be up to speed in no time.” Any organization had roles that were vital, but unpopular. Signing up for one was the best way to get a foot in the door, and you could always try to move away once you’d shown how proficient you were.

“I’m not asking for any permanent commitment,” Kevin continued, “Just give me a year, or even six months, then kick me out if you aren’t satisfied.” Leaning back, he waited for a response.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

He could have pointed out how low a risk that was, but pushing too hard could be just as dangerous as not pushing hard enough. No one enjoyed being treated like an idiot, and it was easy to see the logical conclusion.

Sure, it was a risk on his part as well, but he’d always landed on his feet in new jobs. He’d had far shorter probations with excellent results before.

This time there was no tea sipping, instead, the elder stared off into space, fingers tapping lightly on his desk. Energy flowed around his head as he did so; it had to be a mental technique.

Seconds dragged by until he snapped his gaze back to Kevin. “A fine gamble indeed. As you say, taking you for six months only risks a few resources, and the potential of whoever else would take your spot.”

Elder Ming smiled a tight, amused thing. “You project confidence well, so let’s give you a challenge. Every outer sect display must show sufficient merit to maintain their position.”

“This is, of course, in addition to their tuition payments. We don’t take just anyone here. In most cases, they have a year to reach this minimum level; you will have six months. Further, we will hold you to your offer of taking on a less popular role.”

Kevin grinned, nodding back. That sounded a little worse than he’d hoped, but still doable. Depending on how merit worked, he might have to build it up at twice the usual rate to get a year’s worth in six months.

Still, it was the opening he needed, he just had to perform above average to keep it. And, at worst, he would still be a lot better off with six months of the sect's backing than with none.

“Thank you for the opportunity,” he said, bowing for a third time. “I won’t disappoint.”

“See that you do not,” Elder Ming responded, holding out a sheet of paper. “Sign this.”

The page was in plain language, detailing their agreement, along with an oath to not share the sect's secrets, or spread its teachings or techniques without permission. Despite the brevity, the document shed more power than Kevin had in his entire Sealed Land.

Another contract, no doubt working similarly to his first. After a quick check for surprises, Kevin signed and slid the contract back across the desk.

Without even glancing at it, Elder Ming stood and tossed something across the desk.

Scrambling, Kevin caught the object before it could hit the desk. It was a circle of jade, with a woven cord threaded through a hole at the top; Outer Disciple stamped across the face.

“With this, I formally induct you into the Outer Sect of the Twisted Path,” the elder intoned, his tone serious. “For the duration of your membership, we will provide all reasonable support and expect your best efforts in return.”

“I accept, and will strive to uphold, the sect’s expectations,” Kevin responded, bowing one last time, then slipping the necklace over his head.

“You will be directed to quarters when you leave the room,” Elder Ming continued, a genuine smile crossing his face. “See Doctor Vaughan at the earliest opportunity about your cultivation blockages, then see to class assignment tomorrow. I will inform them of your promise.”

Without further ceremony, the man returned to his seat and pulled a fresh document from thin air.

It was a clear dismissal, so Kevin turned and walked out of the office without bothering the elder further. His heart was racing, and he couldn’t shift the broad grin on his face.

He’d done it.

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A new cultivator was waiting as he left, a woman close to Travis’ strength. Energy Gathering realm, either second or third stage then. She looked to be in her early thirties, with auburn hair and a bright grin.

“Made it, hey?” she laughed when she got a good look at his face. “Then let me be the first person to congratulate you. I’m May, an inner sect disciple and your guide for the day.”

“You may call me Ma’am, Miss May, or Senior Sister,” she finished, winking at him.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Kevin responded, shifting into a bow. “I was told to report to Doctor Vaughan as soon as possible.”

May glanced away for a second, then nodded. “A cultivation blockage specialist in the inner sect. No wonder the elder called for an inner disciple escort.

Follow me,” she finished, turning without any further explanation.

Shrugging, Kevin followed her, having to hustle to keep up. Was the inner sect forbidden to outer disciples? That would explain why they sent someone far more important than him to be his guide.

And just when had Elder Ming ‘called’ for an escort? When he’d been staring off into the distance with that technique? The idea was intriguing but would have to wait.

They strode out of the building at speed, nearing a jog for all that May moved like she was taking a morning stroll. Through the compound, past another sixteen massive constructions in odd styles, until they reached the back gate.

“Stay close,” May said, reaching forward and pushing on the gates. As they slid open, she took a single step through and vanished, leaving Kevin staring at the normal-looking road leading away.

For a moment he froze, blinking at the bizarre sight. Then he remembered her words and hurried to follow. Between one step and the next, the view in front shifted from an empty road to a full city.

Or at least that was what it looked like. Dozens of colossal buildings filled a new compound. Its walls towered at least twice the height of the outer sects, and the buildings within matched the scale.

Nor was this some hidden area revealed as he’d stepped through. The view past the walls had also changed, placing them on a different section of the peak. A higher one from how thin the air was.

“Welcome to the inner sect,” May said from just in front of him. “You may stay for the day, but no longer, and must remain within my sight at all times.” The words came out formal and stilted as if she’d memorized them rote.

“Understand,” Kevin responded, his face serious. Even the outer sect had been impressive enough that he’d have believed it was all they had; what he was now seeing was out of this world.

Was this the wealth and power of a sect with a spot in the country’s top thirty-six? Going off cultivation tropes, there would be an even more ridiculous core sect somewhere else as well, along with all sorts of crazy secrets.

Just how much was he paying in tuition for this place? Or, to be more accurate, how much debt was the OIM taking on for him? Perhaps he should have asked, though he wouldn’t have refused whatever the price.

With how much the sect was already helping him on the first day, it would be worth it, anyway. A doctor specializing in cultivation blockages? That might even be better than Dr. Grange.

Travis had said Grange was a specialist in odd cases, which didn’t necessarily mean cultivation blockages. If that was all Dr. Vaughan focused on, he might have fresh insights.

Was this why Dr. Grange had encouraged him to wait until he got into a sect before looking for further answers?

“Impressive, I know,” May laughed, drawing his attention to where she was tapping her foot on the ground. “But I don’t have all day. They're offering decent merit for this, but not enough to miss that much cultivation.”

“Sorry,” Kevin said, hurrying to catch up. “Can I ask you to explain merit on the way? I need to reach a threshold in the next six months.”

“A six-month check for a fresh disciple?” May grunted with a hint of amusement. “Rough. But sure, it’ll pass the time.”

“Merit is a resource the Twisted Path uses to track a mixture of potential and usefulness. You have a total merit score, which is all you’ve ever received minus any punishment deductions, and a current score.”

“The current score has more immediate uses; you can spend it on additional resources, tutoring, or reducing your tuition. Your total merit defines your ranking within the sect. It's particularly important for outer sect disciples.”

“Get enough at your next merit check and you get into the inner sect, end up too low, and get booted. Most stay somewhere in the middle until they run out of money or find an advantage. Both thresholds change from year to year, so you'll have to check the specifics.”

So it was like the contribution points in so many cultivation stories, with the added complexity of deciding if you weren’t good enough. And he had to get above the minimum threshold in six months.

A difficult task, but one he could worry about later.

After he’d found out if Dr. Vaughan could solve his meridian problem.