Kael walked through the sect grounds, keeping his head down and the pristine Silvermoon Hide secured on his back. The Tiger Bone Shard rested in his belt pouch, but it was the hide drawing attention. Even wrapped carefully, its flawless texture was visible, the fur smooth and unblemished.
Too perfect.
I can't keep exchanging loot like this without a story.
The Loot Essence ability extracted materials with unnatural precision, far beyond what a new disciple should be capable of. If he drew too much attention, the consequences could be disastrous.
But he had a plan.
The Stormwright Sect had long been known for its strict discipline and high standards. The outer sect, where Kael now belonged, was home to many young disciples eager to prove themselves. They worked hard, honing their cultivation techniques and gathering materials to earn contribution points. These points were vital for their survival within the sect—used for resources like medicinal herbs, cultivation manuals, and tools that could help them advance.
Kael needed these resources, but he also needed to stay unnoticed. The last thing he wanted was for someone to question how a new disciple with no apparent talent had managed to obtain materials of such quality.
Patience, Kael. Patience.
The Contribution Hall buzzed with activity as disciples carried sacks of herbs, freshly harvested beast limbs, and lower-grade pelts stained with blood. The sharp scent of iron lingered in the air, but Kael’s materials stood out in contrast—clean, refined, almost immaculate.
At the counter stood Lan Mei, the sharp-eyed senior disciple managing transactions for the day. When Kael approached, placing the Silvermoon Hide and Tiger Bone Shard onto the jade counter, her gaze lingered on the hide immediately.
She frowned, tracing her fingers along the flawless fur.
"This is… unusually well-prepared."
Kael kept his expression calm, bowing slightly. "Outer sect disciple Kael. Reporting materials from a Stage 2 Silvermoon Tiger."
Lan Mei’s brow furrowed further as her fingers activated the jade slip's appraisal formation. Golden runes danced along the hide, confirming its pristine quality.
"Disciple Kael," she said slowly, "how did you obtain such a perfect result? Most fresh disciples lack the skill—or tools—to harvest a Stage 2 beast so cleanly."
Kael met her gaze but did not offer an explanation. He knew better than to elaborate unless pressed directly.
The silence stretched for a heartbeat longer than was comfortable.
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Lan Mei's eyes narrowed. "Did someone assist you?"
Kael gave a slight nod. "Yes, Senior Sister. I sought help from a rogue cultivator skilled in harvesting materials. I hired him in exchange for spirit stones."
She tilted her head. "A rogue? From where?"
Kael’s expression remained neutral. "I don't know. He approached me after I asked around the base of the mountain for help. He kept his face hidden behind a mask and didn't share his name."
Lan Mei's fingers stilled, her gaze lingering on him as if weighing the truth. The golden runes of the appraisal formation faded as the results finalized.
"Silvermoon Hide: High Quality. Thirty contribution points. Tiger Bone Shard: Five points. Total: Thirty-five points."
She pressed his bronze contribution token to the jade slip, transferring the points.
"This rogue cultivator of yours seems highly skilled," she said at last, sliding the token back to him. "If you continue bringing in materials of this caliber, someone may take an interest."
Kael bowed deeply, keeping his face calm. "Understood, Senior Sister. Thank you for the reminder."
---
As Kael stepped out of the Contribution Hall, he let out a quiet breath, clutching the bronze token now marked with thirty-five contribution points.
That was too close.
The rogue cultivator story had worked—for now. He hadn't lied, but the truth was dangerous. If someone did try to trace this masked figure, they'd find nothing. Because he didn't exist.
Kael glanced back toward the Hall. Lan Mei was still watching him.
I'll need to be more careful.
For now, the story held. But trust was fragile, and in the Stormwright Sect, questions never stayed unanswered for long.
---
Kael took a deep breath, letting the fresh air of the sect grounds fill his lungs. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but for the moment, he had accomplished his goal: thirty-five contribution points. It wasn’t a monumental sum, but it was a start. And in the Stormwright Sect, every small step mattered.
But it’s not enough.
He turned away from the bustling Hall, his gaze briefly drifting over the training grounds where disciples practiced their swordplay and elemental techniques. The hum of spiritual energy filled the air as they worked, their Qi flowing like rivers through their bodies, enhancing their strikes and shaping the world around them.
Kael couldn’t help but feel a sense of inadequacy. His cultivation was nonexistent. His spiritual roots, though decent, were nothing special. He had no innate talent for martial arts or cultivation. The only thing he had was his Loot Essence ability, which he knew could only take him so far.
I need more.
It was becoming increasingly clear that without cultivation, he wouldn’t last long in the sect. If he stayed stagnant while everyone around him grew stronger, he would be left behind. Kael had seen it happen to weaker disciples who couldn’t keep up. They were discarded, forgotten.
I won’t let that happen to me.
The thought of being left behind was enough to stir a sense of urgency within Kael. He needed to cultivate, and quickly. But where to begin?
His first instinct was to return to his cave and study the basics of Qi cultivation. He had a few scraps of paper left behind by the previous disciple, but they barely covered the fundamentals. Kael wasn’t foolish enough to think that mere books could guide him toward the power he needed. He would have to learn through practice, through trial and error.
But before any of that, he needed to ensure his story was solid. He couldn't afford to let anyone question the origins of his materials. Lan Mei had seemed satisfied with his explanation, but others might not be as trusting. The rogue cultivator tale had worked for now, but how long would it last?
I can’t keep doing this forever.
The rogue cultivator’s help had been invaluable, but Kael couldn’t rely on him indefinitely. What if someone caught wind of the story and began looking for the masked figure? What if someone wanted to exploit the rogue cultivator's skills—or worse, eliminate him for the threat he posed?
I need to make my own path.
As Kael walked away from the Contribution Hall, his mind began to churn with ideas. The first step was clear: he needed to increase his contribution points and acquire resources for his cultivation. He couldn’t afford to remain a weak disciple any longer.
But there was another issue—the sect library.
He’d heard whispers of its vast collection of cultivation techniques and manuals. But access to the higher-tier books required both contribution points and status. Kael wasn’t sure if he had enough points to even enter the restricted areas, but it was worth a try.
If he could gain access to the library, he would be able to learn the cultivation techniques that suited his needs. But even then, it wasn’t enough. The sect’s rules were strict, and Kael couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself. The last thing he needed was to become the center of gossip or suspicion.
He would have to move carefully, study diligently, and cultivate in the shadows. He couldn’t afford to be a standout disciple; not yet. For now, all he needed was to survive.
I can do this.
Kael clenched his fist, a renewed sense of determination settling in his chest. He wasn’t a powerful disciple—he wasn’t even close. But he had something others didn’t: the Loot Essence ability. With it, he could gather resources that would help him grow stronger, faster than anyone else. He just had to be smart about it.
The road ahead was long, and the dangers were real. But Kael wasn’t afraid. He was ready.