First a new ending unlocked and now a new route. The system has really shaken everything up this time. I suppose, if it's for the final time, it has to pull out all the stops. And I really wish it wouldn't. I actually intend on surviving this time.
I'll do more than that. I will ascend to immortality and rewrite the rules of this ruddy system! Then I can just... relax. No more schemes no more... I have to focus. I have to keep my spirits up. This isn't over yet.
Qin Tao showing up now and this new guy, Lubi are people I wasn't expecting this go around. But, I didn't expect this much deviation from the other routes. They don't know me. They have no idea of what I can do. All the better.
I'm lost in thought as Lubi politely and gently helps me clean up. He's doing his best to not entirely humilate me but there isn't much help for it. He doesn't know how I use my techniques or if I even have any. So even if I'm not gagged, it's just safer for everyone if my hands are tied.
With how bright reds his ears are, he's just as embarassed by this as I am. I'm uncertain if he's the same age as me or older. In a way, he gives me the impression he's grown up with sisters.
I move awkwardly through my morning needs but I'm unfortunately experienced with doing this sort of thing with my hands tied. After so many bad endings, it's hard not to get used to inconviences. It's still uncomfortable and I hate it.
"Do you have siblings?" I ask, breaking the silence.
I see Lubi's shoulders straighten for a moment and relax again from over my shoulder.
"Yes, one older and two younger. My sisters are quite energetic. It's hard to keep up with them but I enjoy it," Lubi offers gently. I can hear the smile in his voice. He's avoiding looking at me. It's a pity I can't take advantage of this.
"Are they here in the sect?" I pause for a moment, readjusting myself to be decent. I move towards a wash basin and add, "It's safe to look. Thank you for your consideration." I sigh softly and wash my hands.
"Yes. They are preparing for the trials soon." Lubi scratches the back of his neck. "Before I forget, there's some food here."
I carefully sit back down beside the parcel on the ground, and lift up a small loaf of bread to my lips. I'm too hungry to be demure as I take a large bite. Lubi leans against the wall and watches me eat.
"Li Mei, I'm sorry about what happened to you and your family. Truly, I am." Lubi frowns as he meets my gaze. "I hope we can do something that reveals the truth. I can't imagine how you feel."
He says that but I see it in his eyes that he's trying to. This poor sensitive soul is stuck dealing with me. I swallow the crusty bread and speak. "...I never expected an apology. Thank you." I manage. I really don't want to have to hurt this guy if I need to escape later. I can't remember a time when a member of this sect treated me like a person. I'm afraid it'll all change once they bring me before the elders.
***
Qin Tao returns to my holding area some time later. I didn't talk too much more with Lubi because I dozed off. I'm exhausted. A proper week of sleep will cure my ills but there is little chance of that happening.
I walk between Lubi and Qin Tao, marveling at just how much smaller I am compared to them. It must be disquieting to treat a woman so much smaller than them like a dangerous criminal. It's a weird thing, but it makes me feel powerful. I need the confidence.
Cultivator elders are the most dangerous sorts to deal with. Even if this is a sect of supposedly righteous and upstanding people - new techniques are a commodity highly fought over and coveted. Sect wars are waged and people are killed to get hold of such techniques.
The sect grounds are massive. It's a giant estate in the middle of a bamboo forest. I've been kept in a back area away from others. We walk in the shadow of a large pagoda. I can't see anyone else but I hear voices calling one another and the sharp crack of metal on metal. People are training.
I smile at the memory the sound brings of long days of my father's soldiers practicing in the yard before I stare at the ground, suddenly ashamed. I can't get comfortable. These people are the reason why my family estate is forever quiet.
Whatever tension eased while Lubi and I waited had returned. I trudge forward until Qin Tao stops and places his hand on my shoulder. I flinch at the warmth and he promptly removes it again, uncertain. He frowns.
"Wait here a moment." Qin Tao turns from me and disappears behind a large elaborately carved cypress door. Botantical themes adorn the wood- scenes of bamboo cover the surface. I admire the craftsmanship trying to distract my nerves.
Lubi remains quiet as he keeps vigil over me. He starts a few times like he's going to explain something to me but he stops himself. After a time, the door opens into a large meeting hall.
"Enter." A voice bellows.
I hestiate but Lubi gently nudges me to move.
I take a deep breath and walk with my head straight up as I enter the hall. Energy brushes against my skin in a warm wave as I cross the threshold. The room is heavily warded and this is a test. If I had no ability, this might prevent me from entering. Each step is heavy but it's not unbearable.
I move towards the figures seated at low tables on cushions with cups of tea in the heart of the room. It's where the spiritual pressure is the most intense. I tilt my head as another energy struggles against the pressure of the room. It writhes and flails against the sect.
"The orb is causing you trouble, honorable seniors?" I comment softly, not quite meeting anyone's gaze. It's a breech of the protocol as a prisoner but I'm curious.
Wood creaks as people lean foward in interest. Eyes fix on me more intently than before. My presence was expected but not my words.
"You can sense the flow of the spiritual energy," an older woman comments with surprise. She's draped in deep blue robes edged with silver trim. Her eyes shine silver as she appraises me, tapping a silver fan lightly against her chin. Her hair is a platinum blonde - a silverly white that gives her an etheral beauty against her porcelain white skin. A beautiful living doll.
"Who is your teacher, child?" Another male voice asks. I turn my face towards him for a moment.
Instead of answering, I bow deeply, offering respect in greeting my betters. "I Ji Li Mei, daughter of the late General Ji Yichen, greet the honorable cultivators of the Celestial Mountain Sect." A reminder of curtesies and getting my identity out of the way.
The room murmurs as I rise. Looking toward the elderly man at the head of the assembly that I know to be the head of the sect, even if I don't know his name.
"Li Mei answer his question. Who taught you these things?" The sect leader asks.
"Honorable sect leader, I have no teacher. My poor health as a child damaged my spiritual roots and I was told I would never establish my foundation, let alone a golden core," I reply, my jaw tight at the indignity of the admission. Even if it's the truth, it still hurts.
"Is that true?" Someone whispers.
"She's able to sense it, even though she's..." Someone else murmurs.
"Without a teacher, you created talisman and slayed the level 5 demon beast hiding within the cursed mist," the sect leader states in a exasperated half question.
My anger flares up but I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my temper. My posture rigid. "Yes, I did these things."
The lines of the sect leader's face furrow, making him look even older than his years. I feel the eyes of the sect leaders staring through my body into my soul, trying to understand what I really am. Their hostility is held in check for now but it is likely a side effect of the demon core being so close to them. It feeds on negativity and projects that energy out into the world. It's a theory anyway. I wanted to research it more but this was my first time attempting this route.
He rose from his seat with great effort and dramatically extended his hand toward me. "Ji Li Mei. After hearing your story about your family from Qin Tao and what you've accomplished, we've decided to bring you into the Celestial Mountain Sect to guide you back to the righteous path of cultivation. If you do not wish to join us, we're afraid you will need to face judgement for violating the laws of Heaven - and be sentenced to death. You can live and return to the path or die to try again into the cycle of reincarnation. The choice is yours."
The audacity.
[System Alert: Hidden Route name revealed, "Celestial Mountain Sect." Do you accept?]