The tension in the Sky-Severing Sect had grown more palpable in recent days. While Tianhai focused on his training, deepening his understanding of cultivation, the undercurrents of power struggles within the sect became more apparent. It was something he had only glimpsed before, but now, as Jian Xuan's disciple, he found himself drawn into the politics whether he wanted to be or not.
Jian Xuan had never spoken much about sect politics, but the reality was unavoidable. The sect was not a single, unified entity—it was a battleground of ideologies, ambitions, and hidden rivalries.
---
Whispers in the Hall
One morning, Tianhai accompanied Jian Xuan to the sect's inner halls. He had expected it to be an uneventful visit, but as soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
Several elders had gathered in quiet discussion, their voices hushed but their expressions tense. Tianhai noticed Elder Zhao, the one who had taken in Xue Wei, speaking in a low voice to a group of disciples. Though he couldn't hear their words, the sharp glance Zhao threw Jian Xuan's way was unmistakable.
Tianhai didn't need to be told—this was about more than just cultivation.
Jian Xuan, however, remained indifferent, his expression unreadable as he strode forward with his usual calm, controlled presence. It was as if he had long grown used to this kind of tension.
Tianhai hesitated before speaking. "Master... What exactly is happening?"
Jian Xuan gave him a sidelong glance before sighing. "Power," he said simply. "Some seek it for the good of the sect. Others seek it for themselves."
"Is Elder Zhao...?"
Jian Xuan's lips pressed into a thin line. "His faction has always opposed mine. He believes that only through rigid control can the sect grow stronger. I disagree."
Tianhai thought back to Xue Wei and the way his faction operated. It made sense.
"And where do I stand in all of this?"
Jian Xuan finally stopped walking, turning fully to face him. "By my side," he said, his voice quieter but firm. "You've already been pulled into this, whether you wanted to or not. But that does not mean you need to fight meaningless battles. You choose which battles are worth it."
Tianhai nodded, absorbing the words.
---
A New Mission
Not long after their discussion, an unexpected order arrived. Jian Xuan had been assigned a mission—one that required immediate attention.
"The sect has received reports of unusual disturbances near the borderlands," Jian Xuan explained later that evening. "It could be nothing, but it could also be something far worse. I've been tasked with investigating."
Tianhai straightened. "I want to go with you."
Jian Xuan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I expected you to say that."
There was no hesitation, no doubt—only quiet understanding between them.
"Prepare yourself," Jian Xuan said. "We leave at dawn."
---
Departing the Sect
The following morning, Tianhai stood at the main gates of the Sky-Severing Sect, adjusting the straps of his pack as he watched his master approach.
The sun had barely risen, casting a soft, golden glow over the sect grounds. The crisp mountain air carried the faint scent of pine and morning dew. Disciples moved about, sparring in the distance or tending to their daily tasks, yet Tianhai could feel the weight of unseen eyes on them. The sect was watching Jian Xuan's every move.
Jian Xuan barely acknowledged it. "We move quickly," he said, his tone even. "Stay close."
With that, he leapt forward, his Qi-enhanced movement sending him soaring over the treetops. Tianhai followed, his heart pounding—not from fear, but from the sheer thrill of leaving the sect behind.
For the first time, he was stepping into the world beyond the sect's walls—not as a lost boy, but as a cultivator.
---
The Road to Silver Brook
Hours passed in near silence, save for the occasional rustling of leaves as they moved across the vast expanse of land stretching beyond the sect. The forests gave way to rolling hills, and then to wider plains, dotted with small villages and winding rivers.
Tianhai was still adjusting to the relentless pace set by his master. Though he had trained his body to endure, the constant use of Qi-enhanced movement was different from sparring in a controlled environment.
Sensing his slowing pace, Jian Xuan finally eased his speed.
"We'll rest at the next town."
Tianhai exhaled, both relieved and eager. A real town. He had lived most of his life in isolation, and even in the sect, his world was limited to cultivation. He had never had the chance to truly experience the outside world.
---
Silver Brook: A Glimpse of the Mortal World
Silver Brook was a modest but bustling town, nestled between hills and fed by a wide river. Unlike the sect, where strength determined one's worth, here the people lived ordinary lives—merchants haggling over goods, farmers unloading carts of grain, and children darting through the streets with wild laughter.
Tianhai took it all in, fascinated. There was something strangely peaceful about the simplicity of it.
Jian Xuan, however, paid it little mind. He led the way through the streets, his presence drawing subtle yet respectful glances. Though he wore no sect insignia, his bearing alone marked him as a powerful cultivator.
They stopped at an inn near the center of town. The building was sturdy but simple, the scent of roasted meat and fresh tea wafting from within.
As they stepped inside, a few patrons quieted slightly, eyes flickering toward them before quickly returning to their meals. Tianhai followed Jian Xuan to a table near the window.
"We'll rest here for the night," Jian Xuan said. "Eat. Recover your strength. Tomorrow will be difficult."
Tianhai nodded, still watching the world outside. A part of him wondered—would his life have been different if he had been born here, in a place untouched by sect rivalries and cultivation?
"You look like you have questions."
Jian Xuan's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Tianhai hesitated before speaking. "Do you ever regret it?"
Jian Xuan raised a brow. "Regret what?"
"Choosing this path. Becoming a cultivator."
A rare pause followed. Jian Xuan's fingers tapped against the wooden table, his gaze drifting toward the moonlit street outside.
Finally, he spoke. "No. But sometimes, I wonder what it would have been like if I hadn't."
Tianhai absorbed the words, feeling an odd sense of kinship in them.
Maybe, in some ways, they were the same.
---
A Quiet Understanding
As the night stretched on, they retired to their room. Tianhai lay on his cot, staring at the ceiling as he listened to the quiet hum of the town outside.
Across the room, Jian Xuan sat by the window, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the lanterns below. His expression was unreadable, but there was something different about him tonight—a quiet protectiveness, an unspoken bond that had grown between them.
Tianhai hesitated.
"Master... Thank you."
Jian Xuan's gaze flickered to him. "For what?"
"For bringing me along."
Jian Xuan was silent for a moment, then exhaled softly. "Sleep, Tianhai. Tomorrow will not be easy."
Tianhai nodded, closing his eyes.
For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace.