Walking through the serene paths of the Outer Sect, Jin silently went over the events of that morning.
Right after his sudden breakthrough, he had gotten up to wash away the impurities expelled from his pores. The warm water carried off the remnants of his former self, and as he dried himself, a faint tremor in his disciple token broke his calm.
When he touched it, a voice echoed in his mind. It was a message summoning all new disciples to the battle platform of the Jade Peak.
Apparently, each peak had its own structures and halls, though they all shared the Martial Scripture Hall and other places Jin had yet to learn about.
"A meeting at noon, huh?... I wonder what they'll say. Weren't we supposed to be left on our own?" he muttered, adjusting his robe and tying up his hair carelessly.
Then he froze for a moment.
"How the hell am I supposed to know when it's noon?... I don't have a clock… ahh, so annoying," he sighed, resigned. "Guess I'll just head out now."
Even as he complained, his feet were already carrying him out of his dwelling. In the distance, he spotted a group of disciples in black robes heading in the same direction.
The morning air around him felt different. Clearer. Purer.
As he walked, Jin examined his body carefully. It was stronger and more resilient than the day before, yet what truly surprised him was the way he now perceived the world.
If he had to describe it, he'd say that throughout his entire life—both before and now—something had dulled his vision. But ever since taking his first step on the path of cultivation, it felt as though a layer of dust had been wiped from his eyes, and his breathing flowed with newfound clarity.
Everything felt sharper.
More alive.
"What a strange feeling…" he whispered, as his breathing grew steady.
Still, something unsettled him.
I'm still bothered by how easily I broke through that barrier… What the hell happened?
Is there something in this body? Not knowing for sure makes me uneasy.
His thoughts were interrupted by a nearby voice.
"Hey, you… Jin, right?"
Jin turned his head. The speaker was a boy about his age. His black robe of the Jade Peak fluttered lightly in the breeze, and though his eyes gleamed with a wild energy, there was no hostility in them.
The boy, with dark hair and balanced yet firm features, extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Li Xuan. You might not remember me—you left pretty quickly after the test."
Jin raised an eyebrow. From his bearing and the three boys following behind him, he assumed he'd be the typical arrogant young master. But recalling the saying, "Never strike a smiling man," he returned the gesture with a faint smile and shook his hand.
Li Xuan gave him a strange smile in return… almost devilish.
"What a peculiar guy," Jin thought, releasing his hand after a moment.
"Well, now that we're fellow disciples, why don't we head to the meeting together?" Li Xuan suggested cheerfully. "Let me introduce you to my friends."
He pointed proudly at the three accompanying him.
"Bao Lin—the one who always smiles, apparently.
Wang Jue—looks serious… though I think he just doesn't know how to talk to people.
And Ping Yu… yeah, he's got the face of someone who's good at eavesdropping."
As he introduced them, Jin observed and mentally described them with quiet irony, though he still returned a polite martial greeting.
Thus, the five of them walked together toward the meeting place.
When they arrived, Jin was taken aback. He had imagined an open platform, but before them stood a massive dome.
Inside, the space resembled a small arena: in the center, a battle platform; surrounding it, stone seats. By his count, there were at least forty-seven disciples present.
What kind of place is this? he wondered, blending into the crowd.
It didn't take long for a young woman in her twenties to appear atop the platform.
Blue hair, stern expression, flawless robes. Her name was Yan Mei, and her frown made it clear she wasn't there by choice.
"All right, children, quiet down," her voice resounded with authority, filling the hall. "I'll be brief. Today's meeting is to hand out the Jade Peak's body cultivation manual."
The murmurs ceased instantly.
"Did you think the sect's Qi cultivation manual alone would be enough?" her gaze turned cold.
"Here, the true foundation is the body. Without a strong body, abundant Qi is meaningless."
With a flick of her hand, several scrolls floated toward the disciples. Jin caught his and read the title engraved on the cover:
'Body of the Jade Dragon.'
"More dragons again…" he muttered with resignation.
The manual was thin, but its texture was peculiar—stronger than paper, softer than cloth. As Jin lost himself in thought, Yan Mei's voice thundered again, almost beside him.
"Now, the important part," she continued. "By order of my master, the Lord of the Jade Peak, the sect will be enforcing stricter standards for training and results.
New disciples will have one year to reach the fourth level of Qi Gathering."
The silence shattered instantly. Disbelieving voices and complaints erupted all around.
"That's impossible!" someone shouted.
"I don't even have a complete manual yet!"
Yan Mei frowned.
"Silence!" Her single shout made the air tremble.
"I know it's troubling. In previous years, everyone could progress at their own pace, but things have changed.
That's why I say this order could be either good or bad fortune."
Her tone softened slightly.
"The sect will grant merits to those who break through each level of the Qi Realm, and they'll be allowed to take on simple missions. If you fail, it won't be for lack of resources.
And for those who surpass the fourth level before the year ends… there will be special rewards."
As she spoke, Yan Mei pondered silently.
The requirements for inner and direct disciples had also been raised. Something was happening. Chaotic times are coming, she recalled her master's words.
Her gaze unintentionally landed on Jin.
That boy… it had only been three days since he joined the sect, and he was already at the first level of Qi Gathering.
Her master had told her to observe him, not to interfere.
Yet every time she saw him, she felt the urge to drag him by the collar straight to her master.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed that thought aside.
"That's all," she announced solemnly. "Remember the teachings of the Jade Peak: no matter how painful the path, the greatest pain is giving up without dying trying."
Then she unsheathed a sword, tossed it into the air, and with a graceful motion, stepped onto it. Before the astonished eyes of the disciples, the sword rose, carrying her away in a blue flash.
Jin followed her with his eyes, amazed.
"Now this feels like a world of immortal cultivation…" he murmured with excitement.
He didn't notice that among the crowd, a young man watched him with silent hatred.
...
Hours later, calm returned. The disciples gradually dispersed.
After saying goodbye to Li Xuan and the others, Jin made his way back to his quarters.
"One year, huh?" he murmured, looking at the manual in his hands.
"Well, after what happened this morning, I don't think that'll be a problem."
He opened the book.
The title gleamed under the light.
"'Body of the Jade Dragon'… sounds impressive. Let's see if it lives up to its name."