It took three days for the flying boat to reach the Frostfire Sect.

Throughout the journey, Rinne kept to herself, sitting quietly in the shadows. She had no desire to draw attention. Her ragged clothes set her apart from the wealthy children aboard, who wore fine silks and well-made garments. As usual, she was ignored by them, and that suited her just fine. She wasn’t there to socialize.

Meanwhile, Kael, being from the prominent Verin Clan, quickly found himself mingling with the other clan children. He was soon surrounded by a small group, eager to make connections with him. They wore robes spun from fine silk, adorned with clan insignias and accessories that reflected their wealth.

He was a natural in these social circles, having grown up surrounded by privilege and power. One by one, they began introducing themselves, each child eager to make a good impression and establish their status within the group.

The boy with the silver-threaded robe was the first to step forward, a confident smile on his face.

"I'm Arven from the Tylan Clan. My family controls talisman production and trade in three major cities. If you ever need a high-quality talisman, we’re the ones to go to."

A few others nodded in acknowledgment, clearly familiar with the Tylan name. Talisman crafting was a highly respected trade, and Arven’s family was known for their skill.

Next was the elegant girl, who had already boasted about her single spiritual root. She raised her chin slightly as she spoke, her voice smooth and assured.

"Liraen, from the Solis Clan. We run the largest alchemy business in the northern provinces. Our pills are used by some of the highest-ranking cultivators, including sect elders."

She gave a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with her family’s renown.

Following her was a boy with sharp eyes and a smirk.

"Jorun, from the Veylan Clan. We specialize in weapon refining. My clan’s smiths can forge spirit swords that cut through even the toughest defenses. I already have a custom blade waiting for me once I’m accepted as a disciple."

They turned their attention to Kael, waiting for his introduction.

He didn’t hesitate to step into the circle, his posture straightening as he spoke.

"Kael Verin, from the Verin Clan. We might not have as many shops as the Tylan or Solis clans, but our talismans are in high demand, especially with some of the more exclusive clients. We’ve made a name for ourselves through quality over quantity."

There was a murmur of approval as the other children recognized the Verin name. Though not as widespread as the other clans, the Verins were still known for their craftsmanship and connections.

Liraen said with a nod.

"Ah, the Verin Clan... I’ve heard your talismans are some of the best when it comes to long-lasting enchantments. Impressive."

Kael smiled, accepting the compliment. "We take pride in our work."

As the group continued to chat, it became clear that this was more than just casual conversation—it was a subtle competition, each child trying to one-up the others with tales of their family’s influence, wealth, and power. Kael held his own in the conversation, recounting how his family’s talismans had been sought after by traveling cultivators and smaller sects alike, solidifying their reputation as a go-to for high-quality, reliable talismans.

As the group engaged in their discussion, Rinne watched from the shadows, her expression calm and indifferent.

She didn’t fit into the group of wealthy children, nor did she have a place among the commoner children who had formed their own circle on the other side of the boat. These commoners were hesitant to interact with the rich, but they were just as unwelcoming toward her.

But Rinne wasn’t bothered about this, she was more interested in observing the people around her.

Calmly, she studied them, noting their names and faces. Several of them were familiar to her—not in this life, but from her previous life. Some of these wealthy children had been her victims when she was an evil cultivator, and this sect itself had once been her target. She recognized them well, though they had no idea who she truly was.

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As her gaze swept over the group, she noted a few faces she didn’t recognize. Either these children were not in the sect when she had attacked, or they had already perished before her arrival back then. Regardless, it didn’t matter now. That life was behind her. Her current goal was simply to stay inconspicuous, hidden, and away from trouble.

With nothing more to learn from observing them, Rinne quietly left the boat’s hall. She slipped away unnoticed, finding a secluded place where she could rest, away from the noise and chatter of the others.

"Ah, that's right! Rin...?"

Kael, completely engrossed in his new social circle, had initially planned to introduce Rinne to his new friends. However, by the time he remembered her and glanced around, she was already gone.

And then time passed.

As the boat neared its destination, a senior disciple named Faylen appeared before the group, his presence commanding their attention. He gathered the children in one spot, his eyes scanning the young faces before him.

"Welcome, all of you, to the Frostfire Sect,"

Faylen said, his tone both congratulatory and instructive.

"From now on, you are entering a new stage of your lives. You’ve passed the first hurdle and proven your worth. In recognition of that, I will now distribute your sect tokens and robes."

With a wave of his hand, he began distributing the sect’s tokens and a set of robes to each child.

The robes were a deep, icy blue, with white patterns that mimicked the flow of frost and fire intertwining, representing the sect’s dual nature. Once worn, the robes would only adjust to fit the wearer’s body once activated with a touch of spiritual power. For those who had not yet reached the first level of the Qi Gathering stage, the robes would remain stiff and oversized.

When it came to Rinne’s turn, Faylen paused momentarily, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than the others. He seemed to want to say something, but for a moment, he hesitated.

Rinne noticed his hesitation and spoke first.

"Senior Brother, is there something wrong?"

Faylen was caught off guard by her directness.

At first, Faylen had no intention of saying anything, but since Rinne had asked, he decided to speak.

"I remember you. You’re the beggar child who asked me to use the Dust Cleaning Technique on you back in Elaria Town."

Rinne nodded, acknowledging it with no particular expression.

But secretly, Rinne's mind wandered. She didn't recognize this person's face and had to search for him from her stored memories during their brief conversation. She discovered that this person was Faylen, the personal disciple of Elder Maelis, one of the most respected elders in the sect.

Faylen seemed to contemplate his next words before he closed the conversation.

"That’s about it. Good luck."

What he didn’t mention was the disappointment he felt after observing Rinne’s performance during the trials.

He had been watching her during the trial, and though Elder Maelis had spoken highly of her potential, her decision to hide during the third trial had left Faylen disillusioned.

As Rinne listened, her mind quietly assessed Faylen.

In her past life, she had never crossed paths with him because by the time she launched her attacks on the Frostfire Sect, Faylen had already perished, killed in battle against a 7th-grade demonic beast inside a secret realm.

She mentally noted the strength of spiritual and demonic beasts:

* 1st-Grade: Equivalent to Qi Gathering stage.

* 2nd-Grade: Equivalent to Foundation Establishment stage.

* 3rd-Grade: Equivalent to Core Formation stage.

* 4th-Grade: Equivalent to Nascent Soul stage.

* 5th-Grade: Equivalent to Soul Transformation stage.

* 6th-Grade: Equivalent to Void Refining stage.

* 7th-Grade: Equivalent to Divine Ascension stage.

* 8th-Grade: Equivalent to Half-Step Immortal stage.

* 9th-Grade: Equivalent to True Immortal stage.

* 10th-Grade: Beyond True Immortal...

When she had died, she had only reached the Void Refining stage. Imagining the strength of a 7th-grade demonic beast was beyond her grasp, but she knew fighting one would have been a futile endeavor.

Still, knowing his fate stirred no feelings of pity or concern. His death had been a part of history long before her own demise, and he was, after all, just another stranger to her.

'He was a stranger... I don’t interfere with fate,'

Faylen's fate was sealed. She had no desire to interfere. Moreover, the demonic beast that had killed him had remained locked within the secret realm. There was no need to worry about it now.

After distributing the tokens and robes, Faylen addressed the group again.

"Once you have your tokens, they must be imprinted with your spiritual sense to officially mark you as members of the sect. For that, you must at least reach the first level of Qi Gathering. For those of you from clans, this shouldn’t be a problem."

He looked out at the group, his gaze lingering on the commoner children.

"For those of you who have not yet reached the Qi Gathering stage, there will be a basic cultivation class tomorrow. You’ll be provided with the first three levels of the Qi Gathering manual and taught how to draw spiritual energy by an elder. For those of you who cannot read, there will be a basic literacy class as well."

The clan children barely paid attention to this part, many of them already familiar with the foundational steps. They exchanged knowing glances with one another while some commoners looked nervous at the prospect of starting so far behind.

Rinne paid little attention. She had no need for those classes.

Soon after, the boat finally arrived at the Frostfire Sect.