A Song for The Ages

The black-robed man strode forward without looking back, his movements smooth and unhurried, as if leading a flock of livestock to their pens.

Feiyin and the others followed in silence, their expressions neutral, but tension radiated from the group like an undercurrent, thick and suffocating.

The sky stretched endlessly above them, a cruel reminder that even though they had stepped out of the cavern's darkness, they were still trapped.

The man's voice was casual, almost bored as he finally spoke.

"As possessions of the sect, surviving this past month means you are eligible for some resources and training."

Some of the children stiffened at the word 'possessions,' their hands clenching into fists.

He continued, completely indifferent to their reactions.

"You will soon be reaching a training camp set up for you and other survivors from the other caves. That is where you will spend most of your time training to reach the Meridian Opening Realm as soon as possible. If you succeed in doing so, you may step up in rank and become a menial disciple."

His lips curled upward in something that resembled a mockery of a smile.

"But if you fail to do so in the next three years…" He clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

Some of the children gulped audibly.

"Well, then you'll either end up as fodder for the beast taming branch…" He gestured lazily to the sky, where a lone black bird circled ominously.

"…or if you're pretty enough, you might end up as a cauldron for those perverts."

A shudder ran through the group.

The man chuckled.

"And if neither of those suit your tastes… well, you could always become a branded slave."

At that, he glanced over his shoulder at the silent servants following behind him.

Their faces were expressionless, lifeless, their gazes blank and void of anything remotely human.

He smirked.

"Like these doll-servants."

Feiyin's stomach twisted.

His fingers itched to tighten around the blade he had hidden within his robes.

But he forced himself to breathe.

He could feel Ren's killing intent flare for a moment before it was forcibly snuffed out.

Yue's face paled, but her hands remained clenched at her sides.

Shen Mu adjusted his sleeves, expression as calm as ever, but Feiyin could see the hard glint in his eyes.

No one spoke.

The man's smirk deepened.

Then, without another word, he turned back around and kept walking.

The path wound downward, leading them through the edge of the forest, before opening into a wide clearing at the base of the mountain range.

And there,

Feiyin's eyes narrowed.

Ahead, a training ground.

The area was vast, with multiple wooden structures, several open-air sparring fields, and tall stone pillars at the center.

And they weren't alone.

Scattered across the camp were other groups of children, each looking disheveled and exhausted.

Some huddled close together, clutching each other tightly, as if afraid they would be separated.

Others stood rigid and alone, weary eyes darting around, their shoulders tense as if expecting an attack at any moment.

And some groups…

Feiyin's gaze sharpened.

Some groups were too small.

Only a few survivors.

The rest didn't make it.

A bald man, thickly built and dressed in a plain dark robe, stood in the center of the training ground, his arms crossed over his chest.

The black-robed man who had led them here finally stopped.

"Well, this is where I leave you."

His tone was nonchalant, almost amused.

"Good luck. Try not to die too fast."

With a lazy wave of his hand, he turned and walked away, disappearing into one of the wooden structures.

The bald man stepped forward.

His eyes swept over them, measuring, assessing, weighing.

Then, his voice boomed across the training ground.

"From this moment forward, you are no longer rats in the dark."

His lips curled into something resembling a sneer.

"But that doesn't mean you're worth anything yet."

He gestured toward the tall stone pillars standing behind him.

"To determine where you stand, you will be evaluated."

A few children shifted uncomfortably.

"Each of you will come forward and strike the pillar. It will measure your inner strength and assign you a rank."

He listed the ranks, his tone flat and uninterested.

"Less than 1000 kg? Unranked.

1000 kg? Early stage.

2000 kg to 3000 kg? Middle stage.

4000 kg? High stage.

5000 kg? Peak stage."

Feiyin's eyes narrowed slightly.

No mention of perfection.

His thoughts flickered to what his father had taught him.

10,000 kg.

The limit of body tempering.

Yet no one mentioned it.

Such a big power like the Saint Spirit Sect must surely know, yet they didn't mention it. They must have their reasons.

He exhaled quietly.

Then, he watched as the evaluations began.

One by one, children stepped forward to strike the pillar.

Most results ranged between early and middle stage.

A few reached high stage, their expressions relieved as the instructor nodded approvingly.

And then,

One child stepped up and struck the pillar.

5000 kg.

The number flashed across the stone surface.

The bald man's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"A peak stage at this age? Not bad."

A ripple of murmurs went through the crowd.

Then came Ren.

His steps were steady, his expression calm, but Feiyin could see the sharp glint in his eyes.

Ren struck.

5000 kg.

Some heads turned.

Two peak stage results in quick succession.

The instructor smirked. "Hah, seems some of you actually know how to use your bodies."

Then came Yue.

The lynx girl rolled her shoulders, stretching her arms before she stepped up.

Her tail twitched slightly before she exhaled, focusing all of her strength.

She struck.

5000 kg.

Beastkin were known for strong bodies and instinctive power, but for a ten-year-old to reach peak stage was no small feat.

A few scattered whispers rippled through the crowd.

The instructor let out a low chuckle. "Hah, another one."

Then came Shen Mu.

Feiyin watched as he calmly stepped forward.

Unlike the others, his movements weren't rushed.

There was no eagerness, no tension, only precision.

Shen Mu struck the pillar.

4000 kg.

A high-stage result.

The instructor nodded slightly, recognizing the difference.

"Not quite peak stage, but not bad at all. You know how to refine your body properly."

Shen Mu's lips curved slightly, not a smirk, not a grin, but the faintest trace of satisfaction.

Then came the rest of the notable survivors.

A boy from another group, around twelve years old, stepped forward.

His frame was lean but well-trained, his knuckles slightly scarred from past fights.

He struck the pillar.

4000 kg.

Another high-stage.

Then came a girl with piercing eyes and a cold demeanor.

She was tall for her age, her stance sharp and precise.

She struck.

5000 kg.

Another peak-stage result.

She turned away without acknowledging anyone, her expression unreadable.

The instructor chuckled.

"Hah, at least you lot weren't completely useless."

Then, finally,

Feiyin stepped forward.

The pillar stood before him, cold and unmoving.

He could easily surpass the rest.

But he wouldn't.

10,000 kg was his real strength.

He would only show 5000 kg.

With a steady breath, he struck.

5000 kg.

The instructor's eyes gleamed.

"Hah. Another peak stage. And this one's younger."

More whispers.

Feiyin stepped back, expression neutral.

It was enough.

More than enough.

The evaluation ended, and with that,

Their path in the Saint Spirit Sect truly began.

After the evaluations concluded, the children were led away from the training field, their bodies sore but their minds whirling with a mix of relief and unease. The instructor, having given no further instructions, simply waved them toward a large wooden structure at the far end of the training ground.

"Go. Eat."

That was all he said before walking off.

A tense silence hung in the air as they trudged forward, most still too wary to speak freely. Even those who had managed to strike the evaluation pillar with confidence felt the weight of their circumstances pressing down on them.

Yet, when they finally stepped inside the canteen, the sight before them made several children freeze in their tracks.

A long row of wooden tables stretched across the hall, crude but sturdy, illuminated by hanging lanterns that cast a warm glow. At the far end, emotionless servants dressed in gray robes stood behind large iron pots, spooning food onto wooden trays.

The smell of steaming rice, roasted vegetables, and simmering broth filled the air.

For many of the children, who had spent a month surviving on whatever they could find, the scent alone was enough to make their eyes sting.

Feiyin felt his stomach tighten at the sight.

It wasn't even a grand meal. Plain rice, a small portion of greens, and a piece of meat. But after weeks of raw flesh, bitter herbs, and filthy water, it looked more tempting than the finest feast.

A hushed murmur spread through the group.

"…This is real, right?"

"It's…actual food."

Several children hesitated, as if the meal was a trick, a cruel illusion.

Then, without warning, a boy near the front rushed forward, grabbing a tray with shaking hands. He clutched the warm bowl of rice, staring at it before shoving a handful into his mouth.

The tension snapped.

The children moved.

One by one, they stepped forward, accepting their trays, fingers trembling as they held the warmth of real food in their hands.

Feiyin received his portion and turned, spotting Ren, Yue, and Shen Mu waiting for him at an empty table.

They sat down together, their trays before them.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then,

Ren let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

"It's funny, isn't it?" he muttered. "A simple meal, and we look like we've just been gifted treasures."

Yue, who had been staring at her food in silence, picked up a grain of rice with her fingers and held it up, as if inspecting it.

"…I forgot what warm food smelled like." Her ears drooped slightly.

Shen Mu remained quiet, but his grip on his chopsticks was tight.

Feiyin exhaled softly.

He knew what they were feeling.

This wasn't just food.

It was a reminder of what they had lost.

"…We should eat," he finally said. "It won't stay warm forever."

Yue nodded, bringing a piece of meat to her lips. As soon as she bit down, her eyes widened, her tail twitching slightly.

"…It's good."

Ren scoffed. "It's not even seasoned."

"I don't care," Yue mumbled through another bite, her expression softening.

Feiyin took his first bite of rice, chewing slowly. It was warm, filling, and clean, something he hadn't had in weeks. He took a small piece of meat and fed it to Bai Yu, who was coiled around his arm.

Across the table, Shen Mu finally broke his silence.

"…I can't decide if I should savor this or eat as much as I can before they take it away."

Ren smirked, scooping up a large spoonful. "Eat first, think later."

Feiyin ate methodically, letting his body absorb the warmth while keeping his focus sharp.

Then, a voice from another table caught his attention.

"I bet you the strongest ones will get more food later."

"Probably. They're trying to make us stronger, right? Not starve us."

"…Or they're just feeding us before killing us off."

A few muttered agreements followed, but no one truly knew what was ahead.

Ren gave a mocking snort. "Listen to them. We finally get food, and they're already worrying about what's next."

Shen Mu glanced up. "Can you blame them?"

Ren's smirk faded slightly. "…No."

A small silence settled between them before Yue sighed, setting down her chopsticks.

"…We should keep our guard up. Just because they're feeding us doesn't mean they care if we live."

Feiyin nodded.

This was only the beginning.

Still, for now,

He took another bite, letting the warmth spread through his chest.

For now, they ate in peace.

After the meal, silent servants led them to rows of small wooden huts.

Each hut held four small straw beds.

Feiyin entered one with Ren, Yue, and Shen Mu.

They exchanged glances.

Then, slowly, they sat down.

For the first time in a month,

They had a roof over their heads.

A bed.

And yet…

None of them could sleep easily.