Xi Shen winced as he straightened, a grimace etched upon his features. The bandits, he noted, were unusually organized, their assault well-coordinated, catching even seasoned defenders off guard. A sharp pang resonated through his side—a souvenir of the skirmish. Though confident in his ability to overpower the bandit leader, an unexpected young man had jumped into the conflict.

Surveying the chaos, he glimpsed the young man from earlier. Xi Shen could see that the manipulation of the boy's meridians hadn't gone unnoticed. This young man had indeed been cultivating for at least a couple of years. Regrettably, despite the evident dedication, the boy displayed minimal aptitude, a disparity between effort and innate talent. Such things were unfortunately not fair. The heavens were not always egalitarian in their gifts.

The young man diligently assisted the wounded and tended to the fallen, gathering the deceased soldiers in a solemn procession. Limping toward the main carriage, Xi Shen rapped gently on the door. "Lady Xi, the bandits have been neutralized, but we mourn the loss of roughly ten of our comrades."

A soft voice emanated from within the carriage. "Arrange their transport onto one of the wagons and secure their identification for compensation to their families."

"As you command, Lady Xi." Xi Shen, though an elder within the Xi clan, considered himself more kin to his men than a hierarchical authority. Childless and without a settled legacy, he regarded his soldiers as his extended family, their loss a poignant reminder of the bonds forged through shared struggles.

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Observing the young man who had confronted danger despite lacking the cultivation prowess Xi Shen possessed, he acknowledged the lad's admirable character. "You!" He barked, unintentionally harsh, causing the boy to startle at the commanding voice. "Come here. I wish to speak with you."

...

Zhao Yi approached the cultivator cautiously. "How may I assist you, Lord Cultivator?"

The man emitted a satisfied grunt. "You're well-mannered. Your valor, while unnecessary, is commendable. Tell me, where are you headed and what is your purpose?"

"Lord, I am en route to the Xi clan's main city for the tournament."

Nodding, the man continued. "We're bound for the same destination, and some of our steeds are riderless. Should you be willing, I'll repay your gallantry by allowing you to accompany us to Xi City."

Zhao Yi beamed with gratitude. "I would be honored to join you, Lord Cultivator."

"Hmm. I am Lord Xi Shen. Gather your belongings and join us when we resume our journey."

Bowing swiftly, Zhao Yi sensed Xi Shen's lingering gaze as he departed. The opportunity bestowed upon him by Lord Xi Shen held promise, a chance encounter with a man whose authority in the Xi clan could allow him to get into the tournament and even if they traveled by horseback it still would be awhile before they arrived at the city so perhaps he would have the chance to learn some things about cultivation.