The Ebonshade Thicket was a proving ground maintained by the Venomthread Sect, situated conveniently close to its grounds. Designed to provide disciples with real combat experience, it stood in stark contrast to the controlled environment of the sect's training arenas. Inside the forest, there were no safeguards, no elders overseeing battles to intervene. A single misstep could lead to death—a reality many ill-prepared disciples had faced.
But despite its dangers, the sect wasn't reckless with its disciples. They kept a careful watch on the forest's ecosystem, ensuring a controlled escalation of risk. The innermost regions were home to powerful demonic beasts, deadly even to advanced cultivators. Closer to the edges, however, the threats were more manageable. The outer circle housed only large wild animals like bears—dangerous to ordinary people but generally manageable for cultivators at lower realms.
"Lower realms" in this context referred to cultivators at least in the Inner Essence Realm, the next stage beyond the Spiritual Vein Realm. For someone like Xuan, who had just reached the peak of the Spiritual Vein Realm, venturing into the thicket was risky. Most cultivators at his level wouldn't have access to higher grade manuals like him and wouldn't yet need rarer materials like the Frostdew Essence he sought for his Emanation Ritual. And even if they did, they'd likely hire stronger disciples to retrieve it or purchase it from the sect's resources.
But Xuan didn't want to do that. While he could ask Master Shen for help, he hesitated to lean too heavily on the sect. He didn't fully trust the sect yet. Besides, Xuan had his reasons for wanting to go alone. He had assurances—reliances he intended to test. And if he succeeded, it would be a chance to prove himself and better understand his capabilities.
But even so, he wasn't stupid enough to go in completely unprepared.
For that purpose, Xuan found himself once again standing in the Resource Hall, the only place where he could acquire what he needed. While the sect also had a separate marketplace for disciple-to-disciple exchanges, most transactions there relied on gold—a resource Xuan was severely lacking at the moment. For him, that option was entirely out of the question.
So his only chance was the official sect exchange using the merit points he got as his monthly allowance.
As a core disciple, he received a monthly allowance of 10 merit points. Combined with the 10 merit points he had been granted as a welcoming gift upon joining, his total sat at 20 merit points—a modest amount, but enough for the essentials.
His gaze wandered to the familiar figure behind one of the counters. The young woman with sharp features who had helped him obtain the Verdant Essence Powder stood there, her focused expression now somewhat softer. She noticed him approaching and greeted him with a nod, her tone neutral but polite.
"Back so soon?" she asked, setting aside her ledger.
Xuan gave a small smile. He had a good impression of this female disciple. "I've got a trip to prepare for, Miss…?"
"Lan Yue," she offered with a playful smile, her tone light. "But you can just call me Big Sis Yue."
Xuan blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh… Big Sis?" he repeated, his cheeks faintly tinged with embarrassment. He hadn't expected such an informal address.
The smile on Lan Yue's face grew as she noticed his reaction. "What? It fits, doesn't it? I'm thirteen, after all. That makes me your elder by three whole years."
Normally, sect etiquette dictated that lower-ranked disciples address those of higher rank as "Senior Brother" or "Senior Sister." And since Xuan's status as a core disciple technically placed him above her, the Venomthread Sect's hierarchy would have had her call him "Senior Brother Xuan."
But seeing how young Xuan was—much younger than any other core disciple or even inner disciple—she had taken matters into her own hands. There was no way she was going to call a ten-year-old "Senior Brother."
Xuan gave a hesitant nod, still flustered. "I… suppose that makes sense, Big Sis Yue."
"There you go," Lan Yue said, clearly pleased. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Xuan's cheeks were slightly red.
"Alright then," she continued, the playful smile on her face fading, replaced by a more professional air. "What do you need?"
The sudden change caught Xuan off-guard, but he quickly recovered. "I need some supplies for my trip," he said. "Healing medicine and maybe a weapon."
Lan Yue nodded, her sharp eyes assessing him. "For the healing medicine, I recommend the mid-grade salve," she said, turning to a small door behind her. The medicinal supplies were stored in the backroom behind the counter. "It's a good option for your level—better than the low-grade stuff most disciples use, and it won't break the bank."
She disappeared briefly into the backroom, and as Xuan waited, he found himself noticing the details of the uniform she wore when she returned. Usually, the counter hid most of her figure, but now he could see the design in full.
The female sect uniform consisted of a sleek, fitted robe in deep black, accented with silver thread that formed intricate patterns of webs across the hem and sleeves—a nod to the Venomthread Sect's emblem. A crimson sash tied at the waist added a splash of color, marking her status as an inner disciple.
The fabric appeared sturdy but light, tailored for both function and elegance. Practical high boots completed the outfit, their soles designed for mobility. Overall the uniform really suited her, complementing her sharp features while retaining a soft look.
Not knowing what was going through Xuan's mind, Lan Yue walked back to the counter with a small jar in her hand. The faintly glowing paste inside had a subtle greenish tint.
"This will speed up recovery for most injuries and is especially useful for cuts or abrasions. Just spread it across the injuries and you should see the effects fast. It's ten merit points." She explained.
Moving his eyes to the jar, Xuan nodded. "I'll take it."
"Alright." Lan Yue set the salve on the counter, then gestured for him to follow. "As for the weapon, you'll want to pick that yourself. Come with me."
She led him through a side door into an adjacent room. The walls were lined with racks of weapons—daggers, swords, staves, and more. The air smelled faintly of metal and oil, a testament to the care given to the armaments.
"Take your time," Lan Yue said, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Though her posture seemed relaxed, her sharp gaze tracked Xuan's movements.
Xuan's eyes immediately gravitated toward a sleek, ornate sword displayed on a pedestal. Its hilt was inlaid with silver patterns, and the blade caught the light with an alluring gleam. He stepped toward it, almost reaching out to touch it.
But before he could do that, Lan Yue chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That one, huh? It's pretty, I'll give you that. But look closer." She walked over and tapped the blade lightly with a finger. "See how thin it is? Great for technique-heavy dueling, but not exactly practical. And with only one arm, your fighting style will need more adaptability. That sword's all about form, not function."
Xuan paused, drawing his hand back, feeling a little sheepish. "I guess I didn't think about that."
"That's why I'm here, little brother." She flashed him a playful grin, then gestured to a simpler dagger resting on a rack nearby. "Now, this—this is what you need."
The dagger wasn't flashy. Its leather-wrapped hilt was plain, and the blade lacked the decorative flair of the sword. But the way it gleamed under the lantern light spoke of a sharper edge. Xuan picked it up, testing its weight. It was balanced, solid, and felt almost natural in his hand.
"Reinforced steel." Lan Yue nodded approvingly. "It's sharp enough to pierce the hides of low-level demonic beasts and durable enough to last you a long while. It's not cheap, though—ten merit points. But if you want something reliable out there, this is it."
Xuan hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the elegant sword before shaking his head. "You're right. I'll take the dagger."
Lan Yue smirked. "Good call. Flashy weapons are useless if they don't suit you. Practicality wins every time." She gestured toward the door. "Let's wrap this up."
Back at the counter, Lan Yue retrieved the mid-grade healing salve she'd recommended earlier, setting it beside the dagger. "That'll be twenty merit points in total."
"Alright." Xuan nodded, as he handed her his sect token.
Without any delay, she quickly scanned the token with a crystal device behind the counter, handing it back to him once the soft chime confirmed the transaction. "You're out of merit points now," she noted, sliding the salve and dagger toward him.
But as Xuan reached out to collect his items, Lan Yue's expression grew serious, and she leaned slightly across the counter, her face stopping just short of his. "Xuan, listen to me for a second."
He blinked, surprised by the sudden closeness and change in her tone.
"You're only at the Spiritual Vein Realm," she said evenly, her voice firm but not unkind. "Even with a good dagger and a healing salve, trips outside of the sect can be very dangerous. The outside world is not a playground." Lan Yue felt like she had to teach this little brother about life. "A single careless misstep and you might be end up in a beasts mouth."
Xuan nodded, her words settling over him like a weight. "I understand," he said softly. "I'll be careful."
"Good." Lan Yue's serious tone softened as her playful smile returned. "Go on then. I have other customers too. Shoo, shoo."
"What." Surprised by the sudden change, Xuan exclaimed. „Okay okay. Im already gone. Thanks, Big Sis Yue," He said, a small smile emerging of his own, earning an amused chuckle from her as he gathered his supplies and turned to leave.
---
By the time Xuan reached the edge of the Ebonshade Thicket, the sun hung low on the horizon, casting a harsh light over the surrounding landscape. Yet, the forest itself seemed to defy the light. The dense canopy above absorbed the sunlight, leaving the entrance shrouded in dim shadow. A cool, damp air wafted out, carrying the faint scent of earth and decay.
Xuan frowned, clutching the hilt of his dagger as he peered into the dark expanse. The oppressive atmosphere made him hesitate.
His instincts nagged at him—venturing into such darkness was reckless, especially for his first trip into the thicket. After a moment of deliberation, he stepped back, exhaling deeply. He needed more than just a dagger and some salve.
"I'll come back tomorrow," he muttered, resolving to prepare better. A lantern was an absolute necessity.
Turning on his heel, Xuan made his way back to the Jasmine Garden. Once there, he found Lin Ran seated in the garden, engrossed in her cultivation. He hesitated to interrupt but eventually stepped closer, calling her name softly.
"I'm heading out tomorrow for a bit," Xuan said. "There's something I need to do in the forest nearby. Just wanted to let you know, so you're not surprised."
Lin Ran nodded slowly, her expression a mix of surprise and and something untraceable. "Be careful," she said quietly.
"I will," Xuan assured her with a faint smile.
---
The next morning, Xuan stood once again at the edge of the Ebonshade Thicket, a small lantern dangling from his hand. The faint light it emitted pushed back some of the shadows, but the forest beyond remained foreboding.
This time, without hesitation, he stepped forward into the darkness.