The earth trembled behind the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect.
A massive stone gate, long hidden beneath ivy and rubble, cracked open with a thunderous groan. Ancient runes lit up like golden lightning.
> DING! Inner Disciple Trial Grounds – Activated
Trial Theme: [Path of the Nine Sects]
Reward Tier: Adaptive to Disciple's Potential
Limit: Only Inner Disciples may enter
Shen and Ziyan stood gaping as pillars of light rose into the sky.
Hu Daniu scratched his head. "Is this… normal?"
"Nope," Li Qingyu said proudly, "this is called 'having a competent Sect Master.'"
"Pretty sure you just pressed 'Yes' again," Ziyan muttered.
Li Qingyu ignored her, turning to Shen. "Congratulations. Your personal training domain is now online."
"Training domain?" Shen's eyes gleamed. "Is there sword intent? Time dilation? Illusory formations?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
"And maybe," Li Qingyu said. "The system was vague about the last one."
---
Two days later...
Shen had returned from the Trial Grounds the first time looking like a wild cultivator who'd fought a demonic llama.
"This is incredible!" he declared, limping but thrilled. "It's adapting to my style in real-time!"
Li Qingyu nodded smugly. "Of course. My sect only offers custom pain."
But later that day, as the sect chickens were being herded into formation practice again (by Hu Daniu's orders), Shen approached the Sect Master with a complicated expression.
"…Senior Li. I mean… Sect Master."
"Mm?"
"I need to return to my clan."
Li Qingyu raised a brow. "You want to leave?"
"No! I mean—I want to tell them I've joined your sect. Formally. Properly."
Li Qingyu crossed his arms. "Send a spirit crane."
Shen shifted uncomfortably. "My father… is Sub-Patriarch of the Shen Clan. He's not the kind of man who accepts 'spirit cranes' for important decisions. Especially when it concerns his only son joining a..."
He paused, looking around at the still-half-repaired outer walls and the distant smoke from another of Ziyan's alchemy accidents.
"…A sect with a bad reputation. That just started growing. And kind of looks like a reformed bandit camp."
Li Qingyu's smile didn't reach his eyes. "…Is that supposed to be an insult?"
"N-No! I mean—yes! No—Not an insult, more like... an objective truth...?"
Ziyan appeared beside them, munching another fruit. "Oof. That's not how you talk to our petty Sect Master."
"I'll go," Shen said quickly. "I'll go back, convince my father myself. I'll return once he agrees."
Li Qingyu stared at him.
Then he sighed. "You'll go, huh?"
Shen nodded firmly. "Yes."
"…And if he doesn't agree?"
"Then I'll—"
"No," Li Qingyu interrupted. "If he doesn't agree, you won't need to convince him."
Shen blinked. "Huh?"
"Because I'll go with you," Li Qingyu said, cracking his knuckles. "And if your father still doesn't agree…"
His aura flared. A pressure descended like a mountain.
"…Then I'll beat the shit out of him until he does."
Ziyan slowly applauded. "Diplomacy. Our Sect Master's strong point."
Shen's mouth fell open. "…You'll really come?"
"You're my disciple," Li Qingyu said. "That means your problems are mine. Again."
Hu Daniu peeked from behind the herb cart. "He means that. Ask the chickens."
Shen's eyes sparkled with something between terror and respect. "...Thank you, Sect Master."
Li Qingyu turned, robes fluttering. "Pack up. We leave at dawn."
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