The sky was falling and the heaven's were poised to crush Hector Vale or at least that's what the over worked talent manager for the verdant path corporation felt. Walking into the office of the local branch elder he trembled with fear seeing his piercing gase staring him down. Hector was so terrified of the branch elder, it took him almost half a dozen seconds before noticing the bloody body in the corner.

"Ah I see you've arrived, let's get everything in order as I don't have any additional time in my schedule" gesturing at the body the branch elder continued. "Mister Caldwell has been relieved of his position and as the acting branch elder of the verdant path in Westbank I appoint you Hector Vale as head of the foundational strengthening division here". "But elder l" a gust of wind blasted him on his ass while the elder ignored him continuing his speech. "The first two orders of business I expect you to accomplish is recruiting a scholar in Blackrock port that goes by Pryor and secondly I'll have you take possession of a new group of slaves I've purchased for the upcoming tournament ". With a wave of his arm winds picked up Hector and threw him out of the room slamming the doors in his face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

At the rocky end tavern just past the docks Hayden Pryor was using every half baked psychology trick he half remembered from watching tv on earth to pull one over on the black turtle disciple across the table from him. Ever since he'd woken up in this crazy world he'd done his best spreading rumors and fantastical tails about his brilliant knowledge of cultivation. The reputation he had was growing and lining up opportunities with the only problem being that he had no clue how cultivation actually worked simply using what he knew from his flunked sports medicine major and memories of Manga he read over a decade ago.

"You see the density of energy can't exceed the limits of your bone tempering or that technique will backfire ". "Try reforgeing your bones before continuing training other techniques" he said with a face trying to project he knew what he was talking about. "Reforgeing seems like an extreme measure" with a hard gaze the black turtle disciple at the table across from him tossed a bag with his consulting fee before standing. "I shall attempt this yet be warned that if I must suffer the pain of a reforgeing without results I swear by my sect you shall suffer much worse" turning and striding away from his table Hayden Pryor consealed his trembling hands not reaching for his payment until he mastered himself again. "I really need to get out of here"