After the Grand Hall assembly, the sect fell into a quiet chaos. Every elder began drilling their disciples harder than usual, while whispers about ancient evils and cursed seals crept through the air like fog.
Arin, however, was focused on more immediate problems. Namely, standing in the training field at sunrise with a boulder strapped to his back.
"Tell me again how this helps my cultivation?" he asked weakly, staggering in place.
Jun Bai crossed his arms. "It builds endurance."
"It builds scoliosis."
Serenya stood nearby, calm and silent, watching Arin wobble like a drunken chicken. She had been appointed as the temporary overseer of Arin's 'special training' after Sect Master Lin Tian had subtly hinted that Arin's cultivation might be… unorthodox.
Yura offered him water.
He took it with trembling hands. "This is inhumane."
Yue Lan appeared from behind the trees, holding a rolled-up scroll and a steaming cup of tea. "Actually, your training regimen is based on a historical cultivation method used by the Mad Monk of Iron Hill. He famously carried an entire ox on his back to reach enlightenment."
"Did he succeed?"
"He died from back injuries."
"…Fantastic."
Jun Bai smirked. "Let's add squats."
Serenya finally spoke. "He might snap in half."
Yura giggled. "He's already halfway there."
Arin groaned. "I swear you people enjoy my suffering."
The system chimed in.
[System Suggestion: Embrace pain. It builds character.]
"Then I must be a legendary protagonist by now."
[System Response: You are currently ranked 'Barely Surviving Side Character'.]
Arin stared at the sky.
Meanwhile, in another part of the sect, Elder Lianhua sat in her meditation garden, sipping tea as she reviewed the Moonshade Root's energy signature. Something about it was wrong—subtly tainted, as if another spiritual force had clung to it.
She summoned a crane spirit and sent a message scroll to the Sect Master.
Elsewhere, two new characters were making their entrance.
At the southern courtyard, a slim figure dressed in blue robes walked slowly, her long black hair tied with golden threads. Her name was Ming Feiyan, a newly promoted core disciple from the Water Crescent Pavilion. Her specialty was poison alchemy and manipulation of cold qi.
With her walked a younger girl, her robes green and silver. She looked timid but curious. Her name: Luo Xin, a healer-in-training who could speak to spirit beasts.
Both had been summoned to assist in the investigation of the Whispering Cliffs seal disturbance.
Back with Arin, after hours of torture disguised as training, he lay sprawled on the grass, gasping.
"I think my bones are trying to vote me out of my own body."
Yura sat beside him. "At least you're not bleeding."
Serenya returned with a basket of food.
"Eat," she said. "You'll need it."
"I'm scared," Arin replied, staring at a rice bun. "Last time I ate a bun, it exploded."
Jun Bai sat down as well. "You're improving though."
Arin blinked. "Did you just… compliment me?"
Jun looked away. "I meant physically. You still sound like a coward."
"I'll take it."
Yue Lan unrolled a scroll. "Tomorrow, we go to the Spirit Archives. Elder Tianjin has records on ancient seals. We'll need to learn everything we can."
Arin sighed. "Books. My ultimate enemy."
"No," Yura said brightly, "that's stairs."
Suddenly, a small red bird landed nearby with a message tied to its leg. Yue Lan opened it and read silently.
Then she looked up.
"We're not the only ones investigating the ruins anymore. The sect is sending a joint team. Two outsiders are arriving by nightfall."
"Outsiders?" Arin sat up. "You mean… people who don't want me dead yet?"
"Don't be hopeful," Jun Bai said. "They'll change their minds."
And far above them, perched on a mountain ledge, someone watched through a spirit mirror.
"Found him," the voice whispered.