The Azure Sun Sect was bustling as Makoto returned from the Moonlit Forest. His steps were steady but unhurried, his mind focused on the next steps of his plan. The spoils he had gathered from the forest, some imbued with rare Lunar Essence energy, were tucked securely in his storage ring.
Despite the weight of his accomplishments, he remained outwardly calm, blending seamlessly into the crowd of outer disciples.
As he approached the pavilion where outer disciples gathered, a familiar figure caught his eye. Yuna was seated at one of the stone benches, her expression thoughtful as she reviewed an old cultivation scroll.
"Yuna," Makoto called softly.
Her head snapped up, and a look of relief crossed her face when she saw him. Rising to her feet, she met him halfway, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Makoto, you're back. I was worried when I didn't see you after the Lunar Essence event."
Makoto smiled faintly. "I managed to find a few opportunities in the forest. Here."
He retrieved a small pouch from his storage ring and handed it to her. Yuna's eyes widened as she opened it, revealing several pristine Lunar Petals, a rare herb that flourished under the moonlight. Alongside them were a few Moonlit Stones, their faint glow still radiating with spiritual energy.
"This…" Yuna's voice was filled with awe. "These are valuable treasures, Makoto. Are you sure you want me to have them?"
Makoto nodded. "I gathered enough for both of us. Exchange these for contribution points and use them to improve your cultivation resources. You'll need them for your upcoming breakthrough."
Her gaze softened, a mixture of gratitude and concern in her eyes. "You should keep these for yourself, Makoto. You've already been through so much."
Makoto shook his head, his tone firm but gentle. "I've kept what I need. These will benefit you more right now. Besides, we're in this together."
Yuna hesitated for a moment before nodding, clutching the pouch tightly. "Thank you, Makoto. I'll use these wisely."
---
The Exchange Pavilion
After parting ways with Yuna, Makoto made his way to the Contribution Hall. The grand building, situated near the center of the sect, was where disciples exchanged treasures for contribution points or selected rewards to aid their cultivation.
The hall buzzed with activity as disciples moved between counters, presenting their spoils to the elders in charge of appraisals. Makoto joined the line, his calm demeanor drawing little attention amidst the chatter and commotion.
When it was his turn, he approached one of the elder appraisers, a meticulous man with a keen eye for rare treasures.
"What do you have for us today?" the elder asked, his tone disinterested as he prepared to evaluate yet another batch of mundane finds.
Makoto wordlessly placed a few Moonlit Stones and Lunar Petals on the counter, alongside a small vial containing concentrated Lunar Essence he had harvested from a rare flower.
The elder's eyes widened as he inspected the items, his disinterest replaced by excitement. "These are exceptional. Where did you find such pure specimens?"
Makoto's expression remained neutral. "In the depths of the Moonlit Forest."
The elder nodded, quickly calculating the worth of the items. "For these, you'll receive 1,500 contribution points. A fair amount for outer disciples. Do you wish to exchange them all?"
Makoto shook his head. "Just the ones on the counter. The rest are… personal."
The elder gave him a curious look but said nothing, handing over a jade token etched with Makoto's new total of contribution points.
Makoto pocketed the token and turned to leave, ignoring the whispers of other disciples who had caught sight of the treasures he presented.
Later that evening, Makoto sat in his quarters, reviewing the treasures he had chosen to keep. Among them were the rarest items he had gathered—a crystalline shard of Lunar Essence energy, a pendant infused with moonlight, and several herbs that were almost extinct in this era.
These weren't items to be carelessly exchanged within the sect. Their true value lay in the outside world, where merchants and rogue cultivators would pay a fortune to obtain them.
Makoto's eyes gleamed as he placed the items back into his storage ring. The nearby city, Silverveil, held an auction house known for dealing in rare treasures. It was the perfect place to discreetly sell these items and amass wealth for his future plans.
"I'll wait for the right moment," he murmured to himself. "The sect is too limited in its vision. Out there, the opportunities are endless."
---
Yuna's Gratitude
The next morning, Yuna approached Makoto with a bright smile, her jade token glinting in the sunlight.
"I exchanged the treasures," she said, holding up her token. "The contribution points will let me access better cultivation techniques and resources. I can't thank you enough, Makoto."
Makoto gave her a faint smile. "Good. Use them wisely."
Yuna hesitated for a moment, then added, "You're always looking out for me. I'll make sure to return the favor one day."
Makoto's gaze softened, but his tone remained light. "Just focus on your cultivation. That's enough for now."
As Yuna departed to visit the sect's resource pavilion, Makoto's expression grew serious. His plans were unfolding, but the road ahead was still uncertain. The treasures he held would be his key to the next stage of his journey—a step closer to reclaiming the power and legacy he had once held.
For now, he would bide his time, watching and waiting as the sect and the world beyond continued to move around him.
The following days at the Azure Sun Sect passed quietly, at least on the surface. The failed acquisition of the Lunar Essence hung over the sect like a storm cloud, leaving elders and disciples alike on edge. The outer disciples whispered about the sect's failure, while the core disciples trained harder, their pride wounded by the accusations of the other factions.
Makoto, however, remained an enigma. He kept to himself, moving through the sect like a shadow. Many noticed the subtle changes in him—a more confident stride, a sharper focus in his eyes—but no one dared approach him directly.
---
The Elder's Doubts
Within the sect's main hall, Elder Jiang sat in deep thought, his brow furrowed as he replayed the events of the Lunar Essence battle in his mind. The absence of Makoto during the battle gnawed at him, but more concerning was the outer disciple's demeanor during their recent meeting.
"An outer disciple, bold enough to speak back to Shen Wei," Elder Jiang muttered to himself. "Either he's a fool, or he's hiding something."
A knock at the door broke his train of thought.
"Enter," he commanded.
Shen Wei stepped inside, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. "Elder Jiang, I request permission to investigate Makoto further. His attitude is unbecoming of an outer disciple, and his actions—or lack thereof—during the Lunar Essence battle are suspicious."
The elder regarded Shen Wei with a critical eye. "You believe Makoto is hiding something?"
Shen Wei nodded firmly. "I do. He's always been weak, yet recently… there's something different about him. If he's hiding strength or aligning himself with outside forces, it could endanger the sect."
Elder Jiang leaned back in his chair, considering the proposition. "Very well, Shen Wei. You may observe him, but be discreet. We cannot afford unnecessary conflict within the sect."
---
A Challenge in the Training Grounds
That afternoon, Makoto found himself in the outer disciples' training grounds. He had been meditating in solitude, but the stagnant energy of the outer quarters annoyed him. The sparring sessions among the disciples seemed like the perfect opportunity to stretch his limbs and gauge the current standards of the sect.
The training grounds were bustling with activity. Groups of outer disciples sparred in pairs, their wooden swords clashing with dull thuds. Others practiced their martial techniques, their movements lacking the refinement Makoto remembered from his past life.
As Makoto observed, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Makoto!"
He turned to see Shen Wei approaching, flanked by a few other core disciples. The crowd fell silent, sensing the tension in the air.
"Senior Shen Wei," Makoto greeted calmly, inclining his head slightly.
Shen Wei's lips curled into a smirk. "I couldn't help but notice you've been avoiding the training grounds lately. Surely an outer disciple like you wouldn't want to neglect your cultivation."
Makoto's gaze remained steady. "I've been focusing on my own methods of improvement. But I'm here now, aren't I?"
The crowd murmured at his calm response. Shen Wei's expression darkened, his pride stung.
"Then show us what you've learned," Shen Wei said, stepping closer. "I challenge you to a sparring match. Or are you afraid to face a core disciple?"
The other outer disciples gasped. A core disciple challenging an outer disciple was unheard of.