Alex stepped out of the portal onto the cold stone platform of the sect's courtyard. The crisp mountain air filled his lungs, a far cry from the oppressive atmosphere of the trial realm. Beside him, Jin emerged with a steady stride, his gaze scanning the surroundings with calculated calm, his robes torn and stained with blood and dirt. The portal shook and wavered briefly before vanishing in a soft implosion of Qi that marked them as the final returnees, leaving them standing alone on the stone platform. Alex’s ribs throbbed with protest, but he barely acknowledged the pain. Jin mirrored him, standing firm as a wall, as though the weight of his injuries were nothing. Alex held a gaze filled with steady focus that swept across the sect, observing the environment he had returned to.

The sect grounds were alive with chaos. Disciples slumped on stone benches or lay on stretchers, their groans mixing with the murmurs of those who could still speak. Healers moved among them, their hands glowing faintly as they worked. The smell of blood and burnt wood clung to the air, along with the faint tang of medicinal herbs. Many stood in elation at their results in the trail, while many more stood wounded, their faces pale, grimacing, or stoically silent. The sect had lost more than half of its hopeful disciples—those who hadn't been strong enough to survive the trials. Alex noted the empty space around the portal where the very few remaining corpses of those who had perished lay, their ashes swept up and burned in the ritual fire, he counted about thirty injured disciples, perhaps more in other buildings, and the ashes of five corpses. The rest had become blood creatures, spirit beasts that would grow in strength and intelligence, feeding the sect's power and influence. Near the brazier, a pile of tokens marked those who hadn’t returned. With a single test, Elder Zhen had gone from owning nine spirit beasts to owning just under a hundred. A calculated boon, Alex realised, his eyes hardening with disgust.

Alex’s gaze swept the scene, noting the glances cast their way. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as Elders and instructors noticed it was not their two golden-rooted star pupils who had returned alive, just one of them. They were expecting Lui Xan and Jin, the two golden roots of supreme potential, not Jin and me, he observed with macabre amusement. Jin ignored them entirely, his steps measured as he descended the platform. Alex followed, his eyes catching the raised brow of a nearby elder who stood among a group of armoured guards. The elder’s silver hair and pristine robes and the sharpness of his expression set him apart from the chaotic surroundings.

The elder stepped forward, motioning to the pair with a single raised hand. “Your tokens,” he said, his voice cutting through the noise.

Jin reached into his robes first, drawing out the blood-red feather of the Blood Phoenix. He held it out without a word, his gaze steady as the elder took it. Alex followed suit, his hand brushing against the soft edge of the tiger cub pelt before passing it over. The elder's eyes widened ever so slightly as he examined the feathers. He glanced between them, his expression revealing nothing before he returned his attention to the feathers, studying the handful for a long moment, turning each over in his hands.

“Where did you find these?” he asked, his tone low but pointed. His eyes moved from Alex to Jin, then back again.

Jin’s hand dropped to his side, his fingers brushing the hilt of his sword. Alex met his gaze. "We took them from the beasts,” he replied evenly.

Whispers rippled through the nearby disciples who had overheard the exchange. The elder didn’t move. Around them, the whispers grew louder, disciples craning their necks to see what was unfolding. Alex caught snippets of their conversations.

“They killed it?”

“Impossible… they’re only at the first stage…”

"No-not him, Jin did..."

“Must’ve cheated. There’s no way…”

More eyes turned toward them. The elder's grip on the tablet tightened subtly as he handed the feathers to one of the guards, then gestured sharply. "Follow me," he instructed, turning on his heel.

Alex exchanged a glance with Jin before following. The path toward the medical hall cut through the center of the sect grounds, flanked by stone pillars etched with glowing runes. More disciples stopped in their tracks to watch them pass, their gazes heavy with curiosity. Alex walked a half step ahead, his movements precise despite the blood soaking through his robes.

As they walked, Alex noticed the growing shift in reactions around them. Some disciples stepped back, casting wary glances. Others stared openly, a mix of awe, surprise, wonder, and in some cases suspicion clear in their expressions. Jin walked beside him, his posture relaxed but alert.

They were led toward the medicinal hall, carved into the mountainside. The structure's stone façade featured intricate carvings of a history Alex was too tired to study. Lanterns hung from the eaves, their light steady against the encroaching twilight. Inside, the hall was a hive of controlled chaos. Beds filled the space, each occupied by a disciple in varying states of injury. Some groaned weakly, others lay still, their breathing shallow. Alex noted a few disciples in various states of injury attempting to leave—some leaning on makeshift crutches, others supported by companions. Healers moved among them with practiced efficiency, applying salves and administering pills.

The elder guided them to a side chamber away from the main area. The room was modest, containing a wooden table, several chairs, and shelves lined with jars of herbs. "Wait here," he said before exiting the room.

Jin leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "They're unsettled," he observed quietly.

Alex nodded. "Defeating a demonic cultivator at the eighth stage wasn't in their script."

"Nor was me bringing back the Blood Phoenix's feathers," Jin added.

Footsteps approached from the corridor. A healer entered, her eyes immediately sweeeping over Alex and Jin, “These are the ones?” she asked to no one in particular. There was a pause, then the healer spoke again, "Alex, come with me. Elder An Shi will see you. Jin, you wait here for another."

The healer guided Alex into a smaller chamber, its walls lined with shelves of herbs and tools. A single bed occupied the center of the room, and beside it stood Elder An Shi—a tall figure with a composed demeanour, dark robes bearing the emblem of the sect's healers, and eyes that held an age that did not match his appearance. He moved with precision, his hands deftly arranging a set of silver needles on a low table. His gaze lifted as Alex entered, sharp and assessing.

"You are Alex," he stated, looking directly at him.

Alex inclined his head slightly. "I am."

"Elder An Shi," the man introduced himself. "I will attend to your injuries."

Elder An Shi moved with deliberate precision as he set a small case on the table. Opening it, he revealed an array of medical instruments and neatly arranged herbs. He gestured toward a stool.

“Sit,” he said, gesturing to the bed.

Alex complied, observing the elder's movements. The elder healer An Shi examined a bruise on Alex's side next. "Any difficulty breathing?"

"None," Alex answered.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and a young disciple entered, carrying a tray with liquids. He set it on the table before leaving promptly. Elder An Shi handed a cup to Alex. Alex accepted the cup, the aroma of the herbal tea rich and earthy. He sipped it, feeling warmth spread through his body. "I'll need to inspect your injuries to ascertain the level of healing needed," he said. "And check for curses- many of you seem to have acquired them in various forms in this test, somehow." Alex simply nodded, unsurprised yet grateful his system was still on cooldown, all traces of his heart's mana dormant and yet to ignite.

Elder An Shi inspected a shallow cut on his shoulder, applying a herbal paste that sparkled softly with energy in Alex's enhanced vision, before placing a hand over the area, channelling a warm flow of Qi that eased the discomfort.

The moment his palm pressed against his wound, Alex’s awareness flared to life, a torrent of sensation flooding his consciousness. The healer’s Qi flowed into him in a steady stream, cool and deliberate, spreading like tendrils of water through his disrupted meridians. He tracked its every movement, sensing how the foreign energy coiled at blockages and dissolved them with precision, opening pathways that had been choked by the trauma of battle. So this is how it works, Alex thought, his attention sharpening. His internal Qi responded tentatively at first, its flow sluggish and uneven, but the infusion coaxed it forward, guiding it to circulate more freely. Along his ribs, where fractures strained against damaged muscle, he felt the healer’s Qi condense into a concentrated wave that enveloped the injury. The control is so precise—it feels almost like a needle threading through fabric, he observed, his mind captivated by the interplay of energies. The energy burrowed deeper, soothing inflamed tissues and knitting microscopic tears in the cellular matrix. Faint traces of a flowing and cool energy swept through him, the water-Qi mingled with the surrounding Qi, its cooling presence calming the irritation and stimulating regeneration at the cellular level. The Qi—it’s aligned with the water element. That must be why the tissues feel like they’re mending so smoothly... So to become capable of healing through cultivation, I'll need to find a way to acquire water-affiliated Qi, he thought, noting how the elder harmonized his Qi with the body’s natural rhythm. Alex’s focus honed in further, following the process with almost clinical detachment, though he could feel a sense of awe creeping in. He felt the impurities expelled from his meridians, dissipating into harmless wisps before vanishing entirely. The Elder's control was exact, microscopic, even. Purposeful. Elder An Shi avoided overstimulation of his Qi network through his deliberate movements. He’s balancing everything perfectly—no wasted effort, no strain on my system. The presence of medicinal Qi was subtle but unmistakable, a distinct resonance that he recognized as derived from rare herbs. It bolstered his resilience, a fortification that he felt extending to his bones and muscles alike. Herbal Qi, refined and integrated. I can feel how it reinforces the tissues themselves. It's more than just simple healing—it’s strengthening. His breath deepened instinctively, his body responding to the revitalization as the lesser pains in his side ebbed, leaving behind a clarity he hadn’t felt since the battle. If this is the level of precision required to heal, I wonder what else is possible? His chest rose and fell steadily as the elder’s Qi withdrew, the absence of its influence leaving a faint trace of warmth behind.

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The elder removed his hand, the energy dissipating and their connection severed. With his domain confirming a complete severance of energy, Alex immediately attempted to mimic what he had just witnessed, at least partly. He focused his Qi inward, attempting to guide it toward a bruise on his forearm, held obscured behind his dantian on the off-chance the elder could see Qi like he could, but the energy dispersed erratically, fading before it reached the injury. Concentrating harder, he managed the faintest warmth to gather near the surface of his skin, though it lacked the control or impact he had observed in the elder’s technique.

[Technique: 'Azure Restoration Method' gained!]

Alex allowed himself a small smirk as the Elder examined a cut on his forearm. "How did you sustain this wound?" the Elder asked.

"In combat," Alex replied simply, intent on revealing nothing. Like hell I'm going to tell you I beat someone it would take thousands of people at my level of cultivation to beat, Alex scoffed internally. While it would be a boon for other disciples to be worshipped as a star pupil, Alex had not forgotten his main goals within the sect;

To find Earth,

And to steal as many treasures and techniques as he could get his hands on.

It was bad enough that his actions had garnered a little attention, but perhaps he could use that to his advantage, somehow? It's not like they're using their techniques for good deeds, he thought to himself, observing the Elder's movements. I mean, stealing from genocidal maniacs is practically a good deed in itself.

“You fought an eighth-stage cultivator,” the elder interrupted his train of thought, his voice even. His hands paused briefly before moving to Alex’s other shoulder, probing the torn muscle. “Explain how.”

Alex’s gaze remained steady. “I didn’t. I used strategy and the environment. The Eight level had been in battle with the Fire Tiger and the Phoenix, he was heavily injured and on the verge of death after defeating both creatures. Jin struck from behind, I merely collected the fur when it was all over," he recited. It was a half-truth. Actually no-it's pretty much a complete lie, Alex thought. Both himself and Jin had agreed to withhold information from the sect, as the news of their true capabilities would bring much favour, but also lead to intense scrutiny, which both apparently wanted to avoid, though Alex found himself curious as to the reasoning behind Jin's need for secrecy. But as all three higher cultivation beings had died, someone would ultimately have to take responsibility for the final kill. If only there was time to dispose of the body... I could've stored it in my inventory. He had tried to go back, but Jin had informed him of the Phoenix's impending rebirth, ‘In a few minutes’, he had said. The best Jin had been able to do was make it appear as though they had taken advantage of a battle between the two higher cultivation beings and remove spiritual evidence of their involvement. Still, it's convenient that only entries and exits are monitored during tests not the events inside it, Alex huffed, relieved and somewhat disgusted. Jin had been very clear that the lack of intervention was solely to encourage disciples' growth by any means. He doubted the revived Phoenix would cooperate with its captors, but if it were to tell them what really happened, that it was killed by a prospective disciple, all eyes would be centred on Jin, and Alex could simply continue fade into the background unnoticed. Jin had said that if that were to happen, it would be inconvenient but not unmanageable, and that it was also inevitable—that to garner interest was the fate of the strong. They were just delaying that fate. Alex still didn't trust Jin, however. Not completely. The teen had already left him for dead once when it suited him. He would have to act fast to get what he wanted and leave before allowing Jin a chance to betray him again. Before the meeting with the elders, if possible.

"Strategy." Elder An Shi’s expression didn’t shift, but his hands stilled for a moment longer this time. He resumed his work, the glow of his Qi spreading through Alex’s side. “Against the Eight level,” he said, his dry tone carrying no judgement. “It's true that there is evidence that the Blood Phoenix was also defeated.”

Alex shifted his weight, keeping his response measured. “The Phoenix was wounded and killed by the Little Demon, not by us, and the Little Demon was killed by Jin. I just took advantage of the situation,” he said.

The elder did not respond right away. He worked silently, his hands moving over Alex’s injuries, his Qi infusing the wounds with a steady energy. When he finished, An Shi stepped back and regarded Alex for a moment longer. “An army of prospective disciples couldn’t have stood before such a man, even injured, and yet Jin did,” he said, almost to himself. Then, with deliberate calm, he turned his attention fully back to Alex. His gaze was sharp as if searching for some hidden truth, before he sighed, running fingers through his hair and releasing the tension in his shoulders.

“You’re fortunate to be alive.”

“Jin has drawn attention,” An Shi said as he worked. “This feat has not gone unnoticed. Nor will it be accepted without scrutiny... As the sole witness, our sect demands answers from you.”

Alex watched him closely, already aware of what was to come. The sect would want to judge them to ascertain their worth, decide if they were worthy investments and perhaps fight over which instructor or elder would take such promising youths under their wing. “And you?” he asked, curious as to this particular healing elder's stance.

An Shi met his gaze, his expression unreadable. “I will heal you,” he said. “The rest is not my concern.”

He straightened, wiping his hands on a cloth before gesturing to another healer who entered- the one that had brought Alex in. “Ensure he rests here until his mental injuries are healed. Then send him to the elders’ council with the other one.”

Her head inclined slightly, acknowledging the command. As the elder turned to leave, his robes brushing against the shelves, Alex allowed himself a moment to exhale.

***

That night, Alex lay motionless on the cot, his breathing steady and measured. The room was quiet, the activity from earlier reduced to silence. The occasional muffled sound of footsteps rang faintly in the distance, but within this section of the medical hall, most of the healers had retired. Guards lingered at their posts, but their presence was sparse, and the injured disciples who remained were either deeply asleep or barely conscious, too preoccupied with their own pain to notice anything.

Alex opened his eyes. The stillness of the room was in opposition to the sharp clarity in his mind. He sat up, testing his body with a slow roll of his shoulders. There was no pain, no tightness, no residual fatigue. Every wound he had sustained was gone, and not just gone—his body felt stronger than before, as though layers of fatigue and hidden injuries had been stripped away.

All thanks to The Azure Restoration Method, an Elder's technique, a technique that provided more than mere healing, but physical improvement akin to reinforcement. He had subtly tracked the flow of energy, watching, analyzing, and committing it to memory. And later, when he had been left to rest, he had almost drained his reserves while applying the Azure Restoration Method himself, mimicking the elder’s technique with his Qi. The results had far exceeded his expectations. But he felt as though there was more to it, some part of the method he had yet to uncover. At some point, I'll need to get my hands on some water affinity Qi, maybe find a den like the fire tiger's, or a natural spring in the mountain, if something like that even exists, he decided.

Swinging his legs over the side of the cot, Alex stood. His movements were deliberate as he stretched his arms and legs, testing the strength that had returned to him.

A loud crash behind him broke the silence, followed by a string of curses. Alex turned, already familiar with the distinct cadence of the voice before he saw her. Mei burst into the hall, her boots skidding slightly on the smooth stone floor. A sharp huff escaped her lips as she caught herself on a nearby column, the sound ringing in the vastness of the hallway.

“Damn cultivators,” she announced loudly, waving a hand as if brushing off some invisible affront. “Why does every building have to be carved out of the mountain? Ever heard of stairs that don’t make you feel like your soul’s being wrung out?”

Her voice cut through the calm like a thrown dagger. “Alex!”

Alex barely raised his head before she closed the distance with a speed that made her robes flutter. Her petite frame blurring with the force of her movements as she stopped just short of crashing into the bed he sat on. She planted her hands on her hips, leaning forward with an exaggerated huff that sent loose strands of her short black hair flying around her face.

“So, second place, huh?” She leaned in closer, mock-conspiratorial. “I hear you coasted through the trial hanging onto Jin’s robes like a lost kid, made second place riding his coattails all the way to glory... at this rate, you’ll be lucky if people even remember you were there at all.”

Alex shifted his weight, setting the sword beside him. “Good to see you too, Mei,” he said dryly. “I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to have my accomplishments reduced to luck and charity.”

“Well get used to it." She started, her eyes locking on to his. "Apparently, you’re the poster boy for undeserved luck. They say the second place disciple survived by accident. Didn’t even deserve to touch the Fire Tigers pelt.”

Alex stared at her for a moment, then gestured to the spot beside him. “Do you ever pause long enough to sit down, or do you just hover around people until they surrender?”

Mei plopped down with a sigh, the heels of her boots clicking against the wall as she kicked her legs. “Fine, fine. I’ll give you a moment to defend your honor before the history books erase you entirely.” She grinned, her fingers drumming against the stone. “But don’t expect them to ever believe you did anything impressive.”

“I don’t need them to believe me,” Alex said, leaning back slightly. “If anything, it’s better this way. Let Jin soak up the attention. I’m fine right where I am.”

Mei raised an eyebrow, looking up at him. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re happy being the sect’s official ‘lucky guy.’ I mean, really? You could at least fake some ambition.”

Alex gave a faint smile. “The less they look at me, the easier it is to get things done. You, of all people, should understand the value of staying out of the spotlight.”

"I'm retired," she snorted. "The spotlight avoids me. But staying out of it doesn’t involve hiding in someone else’s shadow. You’re starting to sound like one of them.” Her voice dipped with mock disgust as she waved a hand toward the distant training grounds, where cultivators sparred in rigid formations. “Next thing I know, you’ll be bowing to an elder and talking about the ‘glory of the sect.’”

“That’s a leap,” Alex said, his voice dry. “You know exactly how I feel about this place.”

“Oh, I know.” Mei turned to face him fully, her expression sharpening. “And that’s why I can’t figure out why you’re still here."

Alex leaned back, calm. “And you came all the way here to tell me that?”

“Hell no,” Mei shot back, straightening and waving him off. “I came here because the sect’s buzzing like a swarm of idiotic bees. Everyone’s drooling over Jin—‘Oh, Jin fought an eighth-level cultivator! Oh, Jin’s a prodigy!’—like he didn’t almost die doing it. You, though?” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “Barely a mention. Just some muttering about how lucky you are to still have your limbs.”

With that, she spun on her heel, her steps loud as she headed for the door. Alex stayed where he was, watching her go.

She turned and broke the silence again. "Oh, and by the way. My system's been acting funny ever since we got back."

“Has yours changed too? Mine went berserk. Update this, release that." She didn’t wait for a response, continuing with rapid-fire cadence. "It said my 'skill limitations' and 'mana siphoning' was removed..." She hesitated for half a beat, then shrugged. "Weird, right?"

"Whats up with that?"