Yu Chen awoke with a gasp, momentarily flailing around until he realized his bed was reassuringly beneath him again. With a groan he threw his legs over the side and sat up, putting his head in his hands.

Was that real? He thought to himself, bewildered by the strange events in the night. What was that thing lurking in the darkness? Shenlong. A dragon perhaps?

He flexed his hand as he thought. It had said something, that he had been blessed with a drop of its divine blood, right? He frowned in thought, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure it out. He’d lived a simple life herding sheep in a small village, surrounded by the same people doing the same things.

In fact, the most exciting thing in his memory had been the cultivator he’d seen. Could that have had something to do with it? Yu Chen doubted it. Something about the way it had spoken implied it had been there far longer than a week or two.

Despite the danger Yu Chen still felt a thrill of excitement about the possibilities. If Shizu was to be believed it was an ancient being with profound knowledge and the potential to greatly assist Yu Chen.

He was snatched from his reveries by someone banging on his door. He paused for a moment before hurriedly standing up and rushing over. The events from the night before had driven all other thoughts from his mind and he’d forgotten that he was expecting Zhang Lie to stop by.

He opened the door and frowned in surprise, an apology to the cultivator dying on his lips. It wasn’t Zhang Lie as he’d expected, but instead three young boys roughly his age stood there.

Yu Chen watched them take a step back as he opened the door and felt a small hint of satisfaction at the way they had to bend their necks to look up at him.

“I told you Li Feng, I heard the door open last night.” A weedy looking boy in shoddy clothes said deferentially as he looked towards the boy standing in the middle.

Yu Chen looked at the boy the weedy one had addressed. He stood there with a confident air, and Yu Chen could tell he led the group. He was tall and well muscled, possessing a valiant build, although he was not as tall as Yu Chen himself of course. He was dressed in the same sect uniform as the other two, except he had a thin red cloth wrapped around his forehead, and his clothing was of a much higher quality.

However, it was the third boy who strode forward and arrogantly addressed Yu Chen.

“Hey big fella, you're new huh?” The boy asked with a sneer. “Let me tell you how things work around here.”

“That’s my big bro, Li Feng,” The boy said, hooking his finger towards the boy behind him. “He’s in charge around here. He speaks and you listen, got it?”

Yu Chen cocked his head quizzically as he puzzled out what to do in this situation. He’d never encountered any cocky fellows like this in the village and wasn’t sure how to respond as he looked between the three boys.

“Oy, are you hard of hearing big fella?” The arrogant boy said as he raised his hand and pantomimed cleaning out his ears. “Let me make this simple for you. The sect gave you a couple of pills, right?”

Yu Chen opened his mouth to reply but the boy held up a hand and cut him off.

“Look, you can give us those pills and we can all be friends. Or we can fight for them, your choice.”

Yu Chen’s eyes went wide as he realized what was going on. It was a shakedown. They thought they’d found an easy target with the new kid. Zhang Lie had said something about dueling over resources but still, this was a bit abrupt.

There was just one problem.

“I don’t have any pills to give you.” Yu Chen said with a shrug as the boy did his best to loom over him intimidatingly, although it wasn’t working very well given their height difference.

Hearing Yu Chen’s words Li Feng frowned in the background, crossing his arms. The cocky boy in front of Yu Chen grew a big smile, and the eyes of the weedy boy, standing to the side, shot up.

“Really,” Yu Chen said, bemused at their behavior. “I arrived late last night and haven’t received anything from the sect yet.”

“Have it your way.” The cocky boy said with a grin, and Yu Chen’s eyes widened as the boy threw a fist at him. He hurriedly ducked out of the way, managing to avoid the blow by a hair, but the boy was already pressing towards him as he flowed into another attack.

Yu Chen hurriedly backpedaled, avoiding the next few punches that came his way, but, before he could take more than a few steps, his back hit the wall of the room. With nowhere left to go the next punch slammed hard into Yu Chen’s stomach.

Yu Chen’s eyes bugged out at the blow, and he fell to his knees, retching as unbelievable pain radiating out from his gut. He raised a shaking hand to wipe his mouth, belatedly realizing he’d made a mess on the floor. Was this the strength of a cultivator? He grimaced, leaning on one hand as the other cradled his stomach.

“Hey.” Yu Chen looked up as he heard the voice and watched as the arrogant boy squatted down in front of him. “I gave you a choice, didn’t I?”

Filled with pain, Yu Chen felt rage begin to bubble up, boiling inside of him. His face flushed red, and he could feel his heart begin to thump faster as his body reacted, threatening to beat out of his chest.

He had done nothing to these people, he hadn’t even been in the sect for long enough to have more than a night’s rest, and they had barged into his room and assaulted him. His heart thumped faster and faster, and he felt the pain recede.

“What’s your name?” Yu Chen croaked out from behind gritted teeth as he began pushing himself up to his feet.

“What’s that?” The arrogant boy said, spitting on the ground before leaning over and grabbing a handful of Yu Chen’s hair. “You want some more?”

Yu Chen struggled to pull his head away, but the other boy held him in place, his fist wrapped tightly around Yu Chen’s hair like an iron vice, preventing him from rising to his feet.

“When you wake up, remember Wu Feng was here.” The boy said with a malicious smile, before pulling back his arm and sending his fist crashing into Yu Chen’s face.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

Zhang Lie found Yu Chen laying there some time later and stirred him awake.

“You look rough.” Zhang Lie said conversationally as Yu Chen arose with a groan.

“My head is ringing.” Yu Chen said, groaning as he rubbed at his face before pulling his hand away with a sharp hiss at the stinging sensation

.

“Concussion probably.” Zhang Lie said nonchalantly.

Yu Chen lay on the ground for a moment, trying to recall where he was and what had happened, before the memory of the three boys outside of his door came crashing back.

“Wu Feng!” He shouted as he bolted to his feet. His eyes darted around the room looking for the boy, but he was already long gone.

However, there were other things to notice. Despite being nearly empty his room was now a disaster. His bed was overturned, and the mattress was sliced open, its dirty stuffing spilling onto the floor where it mingled with the dried vomit that had caked into his rug.

Even his clothes had been destroyed, he realized belatedly as he stared in dismay at his disheveled robe. One of his sleeves only hung on by a thread, and the other was missing entirely. He felt rage threatening to overtake him again, and he clenched his fists hard enough for them to turn white.

This wasn’t over, not by a long shot. He’d be seeing Wu Feng again soon, him and his brother both, Yu Chen promised himself silently. Turning, he looked towards the only other person there, and saw Zhang Lie staring back at him in interest.

Yu Chen took a deep breath, and gathered himself, before greeting the cultivator.

“Greetings senior. I apologize for the mess.” Yu Chen said sincerely as he bowed his head.

Zhang Lie waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready.”

Yu Chen took a brief moment to make himself presentable. He straightened his robes as best he could and pulled off the sleeve that was barely hanging on with a grimace. Touching his face gingerly, he felt the swelling that surrounded his eye, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Mustering what face he had left; he bowed to the cultivator and informed him that he was ready to go. Zhang Lie simply nodded, and turned, leaving the room. Yu Chen hurried to catch up to him, falling into place behind the cultivator as he led them through the sect.

He blinked as the light of day hit him, and a few stars swam across his vision. Shaking it off he looked around, taking in the sect that he’d been unable to see in the dark. The room he was in was part of a long sloping building that lay low to the ground, spreading into a u shape that had a large grassy courtyard in the middle.

There was a fountain in the middle of the courtyard, and he could see a few other boys, no, cultivators, surrounding it. Some were drinking and laughing, chatting away, and others were sitting nearby in peaceful meditation. Zhang Lie led him right through the middle of the courtyard. Yu Chen could see a few curious gazes cast their way, but Zhang Lie either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

Soon they’d made their way to the main road, having passed a few similar dormitories along the way, which were also full of outer sect disciples doing their daily activities. The sect was lively, and plenty of other people passed them as they walked along. Yu Chen asked the cultivator how many disciples there were in the outer sect and Zhang Lie had just shrugged offhandedly.

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“I don’t know the exact number. Hundreds at least.” Zhang Lie said as he came to an abrupt halt. “Our first stop is here. This is the Assembly Grounds.” He said, waving his hand around.

Yu Chen was once again awed as he looked around. The assembly grounds were a massive amount of empty space in the heart of the sect. The space was covered in paved stone, and massive carved pillars rose around the edges of the square.

There were more cultivators here, some passing through on business, some talking and chatting, but he could also make out various amphitheaters spaced throughout the grounds. He could make out cultivators lecturing within them, surrounded by crowds of listeners.

“Whenever there are important announcements for the outer sect or the entire sect you will assemble here. Inner disciples, guest lecturers and occasionally elders will also give lectures here, and you can attend at the cost of some contribution points.” Zhang Lie said as he shot Yu Chen a look. “You’ll soon realize that resources will be your greatest limitation on your path of cultivation, and it will only be worse if your talent is limited. After all,” he said as he gestured towards Yu Chen’s eye. “That is the very reason you earned that marvelous bruise on your eye.”

He gave Yu Chen a weighing look before he continued speaking. “Still, I’d advise you to not ignore these lectures. Many receive a bit of enlightenment or inspiration from the teachings within this courtyard. Even as little a thing as hearing a difference in perspective can provide the impetus to get you over your toughest hurdles.”

With a nod of his head, he continued walking, and Yu Chen followed him through the rest of the sect.

Zhang Lie pointed out various places as they traveled, and Yu Chen kept turning his head as he took in the wonders of the sect. First, Zhang Lie pointed out the Spiritual Gardens, the edge of which lay not far from the assembly grounds. He informed Yu Chen that this was a good place for outer disciples to earn contribution points, however you had to earn the right to work within them.

The Medicine Pavilion was past the Spiritual Gardens, a massive three storied building that, according to Zhang Lie, contained the wondrous arts of pill making and medicine refinery. Most of the sect's cultivation materials, in the form of pills, elixirs and powders were made within. Zhang Lie informed him that this was another source of contribution points, as the sect assigned constant missions for their production, and many cultivators funded their own cultivation by providing medicines for others.

The journey continued in this way, with Zhang Lie taking him past building after building and explaining their use. Such as the sect forges and refineries, and the Formation Pavilion, places where disciples tirelessly worked to produce valuable goods for themselves and the sect.

Zhang Lie stopped again when they reached the Training Grounds. It was a large grassy field surrounded by a dirt track, and one end was filled with circular arenas of sand where, as Yu Chen watched in awe, sect members trained and fought against each other.

“Cultivation is intertwined with the martial arts.” Zhang Lie said, as Yu Chen watched a nearby sect member flow through a complicated sequence of movements. “Cultivation is the mastery of oneself, purifying our self-nature and scraping away the dross. To that end we must master our bodies as well as our minds.”

Zhang Lie watched, ensuring Yu Chen was paying attention before continuing. “We will stop by the Manual Pavilion shortly, and there you will receive a complete copy of the sect's foundational techniques. You must master them, or the path of your cultivation will stagnate before it can even begin.”

Seeing how serious Yu Chen’s face looked, Zhang Lie broke into a smile before continuing. “Every secondsday and foursday the sect will provide group training here for outer disciples. This will not cost contribution points, so I highly recommend you join them. Beyond that you are welcome to train here as often as you like.”

Yu Chen nodded solemnly as he looked around, and he could already imagine the time he’d spend here. He was already starting to form some idea of what life in the sect would be like, and he felt his worldview shifting to accommodate. He looked at the people, no, the cultivators, that filled the courtyard and felt his heart swelling with a sort of vicarious joy.

These men who were out here sparring with one another, fighting in the middle of the morning sun, dust sticking to their sweat-soaked skin, were struggling mightily to improve themselves. Every day they would do some sort of work, earning contributions that they could spend on materials to enhance themselves, practicing their movements and techniques, learning from whoever and whatever was available.

Perhaps it was nothing, or perhaps it was his first hint of enlightenment, but Yu Chen grew a little then, imperceptibly enough that he himself didn’t realize it. A part of the young boy he still was, was stripped away at the sight of those hard-faced men, fighting earnestly with their brows furrowed. His future spread before him, and for the first time since leaving home something began to feel right.

He touched his eye again, but this time he didn’t pull his hand away as it stung.

Soon they were walking again, as Zhang Lie led him deeper into the sect, where they stopped in front of another building.

“Mission Hall.” was all Zhang Lie said, before leading him inside.

Yu Chen followed him into the building. He paused once they entered, and Zhang Lie waited patiently, watching in amusement as the boy's eyes widened, looking around. The Mission Hall was the largest building they’d come to yet, and it was the busiest as well. Yu Chen looked around in awe at the press of humanity within.

Cultivators streamed in and out, some approaching the large boards that dominated both the left and the right wall, where they occasionally pulled down a note or placed their own. Others streamed towards the back of the hall, where a long desk split the building, behind which people sat, talking animatedly with the visitors.

“There are two ways to earn contribution,” Zhang Lie said, having to speak slightly louder to be heard over the buzz of the crowd. “The most common way is there,” he said, gesturing towards one of the boards. “Missions are posted there, by the sect, or by your fellow cultivators, and completing them will earn you points.”

Zhang Lie cocked a quizzical eye at him and Yu Chen nodded to show he understood.

“The second way is to be assigned work by one of the elders. You can work in the Spiritual Gardens or in the forges, in the formation hall or even working behind a desk here, the Manual Pavilion or elsewhere.” Zhang Lie paused as he made sure Yu Chen understood.

“For example, I work under Elder Gu. He’s one of the strongest cultivators in the sect and is in charge of the sect’s defense.” Zhang Lie said with a hint of pride. “As such, I report to my assigned duties and earn contribution points for doing so. Of course, I still take on other missions here whenever I have time.”

Yu Chen nodded his head again, as the intricacies of his new life in the sect settled in. Zhang Lie seemed satisfied and led him back out to the road.

“There’s only a few more places we need to visit.” Zhang Lie said, entwining his hands behind the back of his head as he strolled down the path. “At this intersection ahead, you’ll see a large path that cuts deep into the mountain. The path within splits in two. One side will lead towards sealed cultivation rooms that lie deep within the heart of the mountain.”

He shot a look at Yu Chen. “They are very helpful with cultivation, but the cost is massive. You most likely will never see the inside of one unless you become an inner disciple. Still, if you have the contribution points, they can dramatically improve your chances of breaking through to the next realm.”

“The other path leads to the Ancestral Hall. Make sure to visit and pay your respects one of these days, you are a member of the sect now.” Zhang Lie admonished lightly, and Yu Chen bowed his head in reply.

The path they took began to lead further up the mountain, and soon they’d left the majority of the sect behind, and the wildlife began taking over as the buildings and foot traffic thinned out the further up the mountain they progressed.

Eventually two buildings appeared in Yu Chen’s view, situated at what appeared to be the edge of the sect, although the path continued to cut up the rest of the mountain. Zhang Lie once again brought him to a halt once they reached the buildings.

“On your right,” Zhang Li said, gesturing towards the building closest to the edge of the mountain, “Is the Treasure Pavilion. You can exchange contribution points here for all sorts of valuable goods.”

Yu Chen’s eyes lit up as he heard that.

“On the left, Zhang Li gestured towards a building that was set into the side of the mountain, and it was easily the tallest building Yu Chen had seen in his life, stretching more than five stories. “Is the Manual Pavilion. All the techniques the sect has ever created, acquired or found are stored within.” Zhang Lie waggled his eyes as he looked at Yu Chen. “You can earn a substantial amount of contribution points if you can bring them a technique they’ve never seen before.”

Yu Chen smiled at the thought, but he knew such a thing was unlikely, and if possible, a far way off. Zhang Li did as well and laughed as he slapped Yu Chen on the shoulder. “Well, I’ve still not accomplished that feat, but men should dream, no?”

Yu Chen smiled back at the cultivator, before following him as he led them into the Treasure Pavilion on the right. It was a spacious place, Yu Chen thought, although it couldn’t awe him after the immensity of the Mission Hall.

He stood there in silence as Zhang Lie spoke back and forth with a man at the desk, exchanging laughs with the fellow he apparently knew. After a time, the man got up and walked away, disappearing into the pavilion, before returning with his arms full of things.

Zhang Lie took the goods and thanked the man, before walking away and beckoning Yu Chen.

Yu Chen walked up to Zhang Lie and the man unceremoniously dropped the pile of goods into his arms before explaining what they were.

“These are the typical things all of the new Outer sect disciples receive. You’ll find a couple of sect uniforms in there, as well as some fresh linens for your bedroom. On top of that there is this,” Zhang Lie held up a thin jade slip, before adding it to Yu Chen’s pile. “That piece of jade records your status and contribution in the sect, so do your best not to lose it. It’s not expensive to replace, but it’s not cheap either.”

Yu Chen nodded as he gingerly took the piece of jade off of the stack of linens and slid it into one of his pockets. He felt good finally having these things. He’d noticed the uniforms, how could he not? Everyone else in the sect wore the same white robes trimmed in spots of gold, and he’d stuck out like a sore thumb in his poor farmer’s garb, drawing curious looks everywhere they’d gone.

“Then…” Zhang Lie said, drawing out the words. “There’s this.”

He dangled a small pouch in front of Yu Chen before opening it, revealing three small white pills resting within the pouch. Yu Chen was enamored by the sight, and reached out his hand to touch them, but Zhang Lie pulled them out of his reach.

“Aht, aht, ah.” Zhang Lie said with a laugh. “These three little guys are qi gathering pills, and are doubtless what earned you that,” he said, as he pointed at Yu Chen’s eye.

“These little fellows will help you absorb and refine spiritual energy, condensing qi from the environment and speeding up your cultivation.” Zhang Lie gave the young boy a considering gaze before speaking. “Why don’t I hang on to these for a bit. I’ll give them back to you when you’re ready, after you’ve familiarized yourself with the sect's techniques and can make use of them.”

Yu Chen hesitated for a second, filled with a desire to snatch the pills before they disappeared. However, once he thought about it, he realized he didn’t really have a choice. Zhang Lie was strong, much stronger than Wu Feng, and Yu Chen couldn’t even stop the latter from taking them if they’d wanted to.

Besides, Zhang Lie had helped him thus far and hadn’t shown any signs that he was willing to cheat Yu Chen. Deciding to depend on the other’s magnanimity, and unwilling to risk offending him, Yu Chen bowed in acquiescence.

Zhang Lie nodded and tucked them into his belt. “Smart choice. Don’t worry, these pills don’t mean much to me. I’m only holding on to them because Elder Gu told me to take care of you. Once you’ve become a bit stronger, I’ll return them to you.”

Saying that, Zhang Lie turned around and walked out of the building, with Yu Chen following close behind. They made their way across the street and entered the Manual Pavilion.

Yu Chen’s first impressions were that the manual pavilion was much different from the Mission Hall and the Treasure Pavilion. For one, there weren’t many people here. Whereas the Mission Hall had had an endless stream of people in and out, and the Treasure Pavilion had at least seemed busy, the Manual Pavilion was only filled with a handful of people, moving silently among the towering stacks of bookshelves.

While Yu Chen was gawking around, Zhang Lie had made his way to a counter that stood near the entrance. Yu Chen hurried up beside him, joining the older man as he bent into a respectful bow towards the woman behind it.

“Elder Shu.” Zhang Lie said, continuing to bow deeply as he spoke. “I’ve brought a new outer disciple; he joined the Sect last night.”

“Oh?” The elder’s voice was light and lilting as she spoke, and Yu Chen found it pleasing to the ear.

As Yu Chen looked up, he couldn’t help but be enamored by the woman in front of him. Despite Zhang Lie calling her elder she was anything but, seeing as her appearance was more youthful and stunning than many of the sect members they’d walked past on their way here.

Within the frame of Yu Chen’s limited experience, she was by far the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. However, despite having captured his attention, she’d paid him no mind beyond the first curious glance she had cast his way. Instead, she was staring at Zhang Lie, whom, Yu Chen belatedly realized, had yet to rise.

“Zhang Lie, Look at me.” Elder Shu spoke again, and a hint of exasperation tinged her musical voice. “Enough of these games.”

Yu Chen watched, thoroughly confused, as Zhang Lie trembled for a second before raising his head, a wretched smile firmly fixed in place upon his face. Elder Shu seemed to consider him for a moment, as though looking for something, but Zhang Lie looked over her shoulder, refusing to meet her eye.

Elder Shu sighed, tapping her cheek as she pouted, examining Zhang Lie. Yu Chen felt his heart start beating faster at her cute expression, and, almost as if she could hear it, the elder shifted her attention back to him with a laugh.

“So, you are our newest disciple then?” The elder asked, her eyes sharpening. She’d appeared cute while examining Zhang Lie, but he felt himself quailing as the weight of her gaze hit him. “What is your name?”

“Yu Chen.” He quickly replied, unwilling to offend the elder.

“Hmm.” She said as she cast a critical eye over him, before bending down and rummaging underneath the counter.

“Here.” The elder said, as she slid a piece of jade towards him. “There are a handful of books recorded within.”

Yu Chen reached out and took the jade from her, curiously running his fingers over it. Earlier Zhang Lie had spoken of recording his contributions in jade, but he’d imagined they would be carved into it or something. Now, holding this unblemished piece of jade and being informed there were multiple books contained within it, he couldn’t help but feel bemused.

“First, you’ll find a copy of the Golden Mist Manual. It is an introductory text, and will give you valuable information about the sect, including its history, beliefs and values. It also contains an introduction to qi, explaining what it is and how to harness it.” Elder Shu recited before saying, “You’re a cultivator now, so be sure to study it well.”

Yu Chen nodded as he moved the jade through his hands.

“Beyond that there are copies of the Iron Mist Breathing Technique as well as the Mist Condensing to Iron Martial Forms. These are the two core techniques of the sect, and all members are expected to become proficient with them. Any questions?” The elder asked.

Yu Chen was glad to finally have a bit of direction. Of course, he still had plenty of questions though, such as…

“How do I use this?” Yu Chen said, raising up the piece of jade in his hands.