Standing at the entrance to the Jasmine Garden was a stern-faced young man with broad shoulders and sharp, angular features. His arms were crossed as he leaned casually against the stone post, and his expression betrayed curiosity. When Xuan stepped closer, the man straightened, his eyes flicking briefly to Xuan's missing arm before settling on his face.
"You're Xuan, right?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Master Shen's new disciple?"
"Yes," Xuan replied, meeting the man's gaze steadily.
The young man tilted his head slightly, a faint smile breaking through his otherwise stoic expression. "I'm Li Feng. One of your senior brothers. Welcome." He paused, his eyes briefly scanning Xuan again, as though trying to piece together the puzzle of how someone so young—and with a missing arm—had become a disciple of their master. "Master Shen asked me to bring you to him. Let's go."
Xuan nodded and fell in step behind Li Feng as they ascended the stone path leading further up the mountain. The higher they climbed, the quieter the sect became, the lively chatter of disciples replaced by the steady rustle of the mountain breeze.
---
The two arrived at a sprawling complex built into the mountainside, its grand entrance adorned with carved wooden doors etched with intricate spiderweb designs. Inside, the main hall stretched wide, dimly lit by flickering torches that cast long shadows across polished stone floors. At its center, on a raised platform, Master Shen sat cross-legged on a cushion. His tall, wiry frame seemed almost skeletal in the dim light.
This wasn't the first time Xuan had seen the man, but something about him felt different now. When they had first met, Master Shen had seemed cold, almost predatory, as though sizing Xuan up for weaknesses. Now, as Xuan looked at Master Shen and saw his gaze sweep over his assembled disciples, he felt a difference. He almost felt like there was a distinct warmth beneath Master Shen's stern exterior. He exuded the air of a leader who demanded loyalty but was also willing to protect those under his care.
Xuan hesitated for a moment, realizing how much his view of the sect—and of Master Shen—had shifted. At first, everything about the Venomthread Sect had seemed merciless, almost cruel. Their willingness to slaughter innocents to protect their secrets had left a bitter taste in his mouth. But as he reached the actual sect grounds, he began to see the larger picture. The sect's harshness wasn't born of malice—it was survival. A necessary cruelty in a world where power dictated everything.
That didn't mean they were saints of course. Xuan could never forget what had been done in the name of his protection. Yet, standing here now, he couldn't deny that Master Shen, for all his sharp edges, seemed more human than he'd first appeared.
"Come forward," Shen's voice rang out, breaking through Xuan's thoughts. It was commanding, but not unkind.
Xuan stepped closer, joining the small group of disciples standing in a loose semicircle around the platform. Master Shen's gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Xuan. His sharp eyes softened, though only slightly, as he gestured for the others to gather.
"This is Xuan," Shen began, his voice carrying a note of authority that brooked no dissent. "My newest disciple. He will be staying in the Jasmine Garden."
A ripple of surprise flickered across the faces of the gathered disciples, though none of them spoke.
"And now, Xuan," Shen continued, gesturing toward the others, "allow me to introduce your senior brothers and sister."
He pointed first to a tall, broad-shouldered man with a calm demeanor. His hair was cropped short, and he stood with an air of quiet confidence. "This is Zhang Lei, my eldest disciple. He's been with me the longest. If you have questions, you can go to him."
Zhang Lei stepped forward, offering Xuan a polite nod. "Welcome. Don't hesitate to ask if you need guidance," he said, his tone warm but measured. Something about him immediately set Xuan at ease.
Next, Shen gestured to a woman standing with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Her sharp eyes and no-nonsense demeanor gave her an intimidating presence. "Mei Yue, my second disciple," Shen introduced. "She specializes in poison arts."
Mei Yue inclined her head slightly but said nothing, her gaze cool as she assessed Xuan. It wasn't hostility, but there was a distinct distance in her stance that made it clear she didn't yet trust him.
Finally, Shen turned to the most striking figure among them—a beast-human hybrid. He had the muscular frame of a man, but his skin was marked with faint stripes, and his amber eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. Short, rounded ears peeked out from his dark hair, and a long tail swayed lazily behind him.
"This is Lin An, my fourth disciple," Shen said with a slight smile. "He's of the Tiger Claw clan. His speed and strength are unmatched."
Lin An grinned, showing sharp teeth, and stepped forward to clasp Xuan on the shoulder. "Nice to meet you, junior brother," he said cheerfully.
Xuan blinked, momentarily stunned. This was the first beast-human he'd ever met. The Venomthread Sect's inclusivity had been mentioned in the notes he'd read, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely. Beast-humans, though fewer in number, were treated equally here.
For a brief moment, a thought crossed his mind. Would he be considered beast-human, too? After all, he carried beast blood in his veins. He had never thought of himself that way, but the faint echo of his lineage stirred the question. What would the sect think if they knew?
But before he could dwell on it further, Master Shen's voice broke through his thoughts. "And you've already met my third disciple, Li Feng, yes."
Xuan snapped out of his reverie, turning toward the stern-faced disciple who had guided him earlier. Li Feng inclined his head slightly, his expression as stoic as ever.
"Yes," Xuan said, nodding.
"Good." Master Shen's gaze shifted back to Xuan, his sharp features softening slightly. "Now then, Xuan," he began, "have you chosen a cultivation method yet?"
Xuan straightened, his eyes slightly confused. "Yes. I chose the {Frozen Gale Codex}.
A flicker of approval crossed Shen's face. "An excellent choice," he said, nodding slowly. "You could have chosen higher grade methods, but you prioritized compatibility and balance over sheer power. Many would not have shown such restraint."
He reached beside him, retrieving a small, smooth jade box. "I said I would give you a welcome gift. This," he said, placing the box on the table before him, "is it. My gift to you—a Wind and Water Elemental Pearl."
A flicker of surprise and curiosity crossed Xuan's face as he stepped forward to inspect the jade box. He gently opened it, revealing a pearl that shimmered with a mesmerizing blend of blue and green hues. The energies within seemed alive, swirling together in an elegant dance—at times merging, at times remaining distinct.
"What…" Xuan's fingers hovered over the pearl. "is it?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. He could feel the familiar qi floating inside the pearl.
Master Shen smiled faintly, leaning back. "It's a rare type of elemental pearl, imbued with both wind and water qi. For a cultivation method like the {Frozen Gale Codex}, understanding how these two types of qi interact, flow, and eventually fuse is essential. This pearl embodies that interplay—it's a living example of the balance you seek. By observing and studying its energies, you should be able to gain valuable insights and accelerate your progress."
The words lingered in the air as Xuan's gaze remained fixed on the pearl. "Thank you, Master Shen," he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. It was the first time Xuan had addressed Master Shen by name since that day, a small but significant shift. He couldn't deny that Shen seemed genuine in his efforts to help. And right now, Xuan needed all the help he could get. Besides, his mother had always taught him to show respect to his elders.
A faint smile crossed Master Shen's face. Then, with a subtle shift in his demeanor, his tone grew commanding once more. "That concludes the formalities," he said, his voice filling the chamber. "You are all dismissed. Spend some time getting to know each other. From this day forward, you are brothers and sisters. Act like it."
The words carried both weight and expectation, leaving no room for doubt about the importance of their bond as fellow disciples to Master Shen.
---
The disciples gathered outside the hall, the cool night air carrying a faint breeze. Lin An, the beast-human with sharp teeth and a playful grin, was the first to break the silence. He stretched lazily, his sharp eyes glinting with energy. "So, junior brother," he said, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of excitement. "How about a spar? Let's see how strong you are."
Xuan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. But before he could respond, Li Feng cut in with a faint smirk. "An, look at him. He's barely started cultivating. You'd break him in half."
Lin An shrugged, looking unabashed. "Fine, fine. I'll wait till he's stronger. But you better not back out when the time comes, Xuan."
"I'll keep that in mind," Xuan replied, his voice even. The beast-human's energy was infectious, and despite his straightforwardness, Xuan couldn't help but feel there was no malice behind the challenge.
"So," Mei Yue chimed in—asking a more intelligent question. "How's it been so far? Settling into the sect?"
"Oh yeah," Before Xuan could answer, a different voice interrupted. Zhang Lei, the eldest and most composed of the group said. "You got the Jasmine Garden, right? How is it?"
Xuan tilted his head. "It's… peaceful. The garden is well-tended. It has its charm."
Zhang Lei nodded thoughtfully. "That's where Sister Yun used to live," he said. He was one of the few people who had actually met her before she disappeared. "It's a beautiful place, but… well, you've probably heard the rumors."
"Bad omen, right?" Li Feng added, glancing at Xuan. "Two disciples who lived there before disappeared. Sister Yun and before her, one of Master Shen's earlier disciples. The sect doesn't think much of it—it's only been two—but for most of us, the Jasmine Garden feels... eerie."
Lin An snorted, crossing his arms. "Eerie or not, I don't care about the history. It's just a garden. But those flowers?" He grimaced, shaking his head. "Way too delicate for me. I'd feel like I was ruining the view just by being there."
Mei Yue raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk on her lips. Though her demeanor toward Xuan had been reserved, it was clear she wasn't cold—just cautious around someone she didn't yet know. "That's rich, coming from someone who picked a cave in the forest over the sect's actual housing."
Lin An grinned toothily. "The forest suits me. It's quiet, it's open, and I don't have to worry about tiptoeing around a bunch of flowers. Besides," he added with a shrug, "I like it wild."
"Only you would forgo a perfectly good abode for a cave." Zhang Lei chuckled softly.
"It's not just any cave," Lin An shot back, mock indignation in his voice. "It's spacious, has a great view, and it's close to a natural spring. It's perfect."
The conversation eased into a lighter rhythm, the camaraderie between the disciples evident despite their varied personalities. Xuan listened, absorbing their words. The mention of Sister Yun and the history of the Jasmine Garden lingered in his mind.
As the group gradually dispersed, Xuan made his way back to his quarters under the pale moonlight. His steps slowed as the silence around him deepened, and his thoughts turned inward.
Why the Jasmine Garden?
Both of the disappearing disciples had been under Master Shen's tutelage. And now, Xuan, a disciple of Master Shen, was placed in that very same house. A coincidence, perhaps, but it still gnawed at the edges of his mind.
Master Shen seemed genuine, and his gift was proof enough of his intentions to help. Yet, Xuan couldn't dismiss the nagging doubt. Could there be more to this than it seemed?
He shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. He had trusted Jin once, only to be betrayed. That bitter experience had taught him that trust wasn't something to give lightly—not in a world where survival often came at the cost of others.
Xuan clenched his fist, a ghostly sting coursing through his missing right arm.
„I'll just have to be careful... I guess."