A Song for The Ages

The air was thick with tension as Feiyin and his group stepped onto the dirt paths winding through the menial disciple section. Even though the sun was just beginning to rise, the settlement was already bustling with movement. Black-robed figures hurried between wooden cabins, some alone, others in small groups, all with hard expressions. Some looked determined, others exhausted, but there was one commonality among them, desperation.

The sharp scent of burning incense mixed with the staleness of unwashed bodies. The menial disciple section wasn't a place of comfort, it was a place of survival. Feiyin adjusted his robe, feeling the rough fabric against his skin, then glanced at Yue, Ren, and Shen Mu. Yue looked calm as usual, but her sharp eyes flickered across the surroundings, picking up details. Ren had his hands in his sleeves, his posture relaxed yet unreadable, while Shen Mu walked with a measured pace, scanning the wooden signposts that directed them toward their destination.

Ahead of them, the largest structure in the menial disciple section loomed. Made of weathered stone with heavy wooden beams reinforcing its walls, the building was crowded with disciples moving in and out, some clutching scrolls or wooden plaques. Above the entrance, a wooden plaque bore three characters in bold, inked strokes: Menial Tasks Hall.

"Looks like we found it," Feiyin murmured.

"Feels like a marketplace," Ren commented, observing the way disciples haggled over slips of paper, shoving past each other to get inside.

"Because it basically is," Shen Mu replied. "Tasks are the only way to survive here."

They pressed forward, weaving through the crowd and stepping into the hall.

Inside, chaos reigned.

The hall was spacious, but it was packed with black-robed disciples jostling for position. The air was filled with the sounds of hurried conversations, arguments, and the scratch of ink brushes as tasks were logged. Long wooden boards lined the walls, each one pinned with rows of task slips, some crisp and new, others faded and barely legible.

At the far end of the hall, a long stone counter stretched across the room, behind which sat a handful of older disciples in gray robes. They were the ones managing the distribution and verification of tasks, speaking in short, clipped tones, barely looking up as they recorded information.

On the right side of the hall, a large stone tablet stood, carved with names and numbers.

Feiyin's eyes flickered toward it.

"A ranking board?" he muttered.

"Seems to track contribution points," Yue added, reading the inscriptions.

At the very top of the board, the first name had a staggering number of points, over 40,000.

Ren scoffed. "40,000?! What did they do, sell their soul?"

Feiyin exhaled slowly. "Either by being ruthless… or by being useful."

"Or both," Shen Mu muttered.

Feiyin didn't linger on the board for long. Instead, his gaze swept over the task boards, which were divided into sections.

The low-rank tasks were the most common, clearly meant for those with little to no strength.

Tasks included sweeping courtyards, scrubbing dormitories, fetching water for alchemy halls, carrying firewood, and tending livestock. The rewards were pitiful, ranging from five to fifteen contribution points per task.

Shen Mu scowled. "We'd have to work from sunrise to sunset just to scrape together enough points."

Ren snorted. "Which is why no one gets anywhere doing these."

Feiyin's attention shifted to the mid-rank tasks, where the real work began.

There were hunting assignments, split into categories, hunting unranked beasts in the outer forest for 50 points per pelt, or hunting Class 1 beasts, which were significantly stronger, for 200 to 1000 points, depending on their rank.

There were also gathering tasks, collecting herbs for the alchemy branch, with rewards based on rarity, ranging from 80 to 300 points per bundle.

Cleaning the beast pens for the spirit beast branch offered 90 points, while assisting in beast training awarded 120 points.

The refining workshops had manual labor shifts, where menial disciples helped process raw materials for the sect's forges and alchemy halls. Those shifts paid 100 points per session.

"The beast pens again," Yue muttered.

"Cleaning them is probably more dangerous than hunting," Feiyin said. "Some of the beasts in captivity are wilder than the ones outside."

Yue wrinkled her nose. "Not worth it."

Then there were the high-rank tasks.

Guard duty at the outer perimeter of the sect granted 500 points per shift.

Transporting supplies to outposts near active battlefields rewarded 1000 points per trip.

Retrieving specific Class 1 beasts for the spirit beast branch ranged from 1000 to 2000 points.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "battlefields?"

Shen Mu frowned. "Probably conflicts with rival sects… or border disputes in the kingdom."

Feiyin didn't comment. He wasn't interested in high-risk assignments just yet.

"We need to get a feel for the system first," he finally said. "We'll start with mid-rank tasks."

"Hunting?" Yue asked.

Feiyin nodded. "It's what we're best at."

Shen Mu grabbed one of the hunting task slips from the board. "This one says unranked beasts are worth 50 points per pelt. Class 1 beasts are ranked separately, with different rewards depending on their strength."

Feiyin noted the other disciples moving about.

Some were scruffy and exhausted, clearly struggling to make enough points to survive. Others carried themselves with confidence, used to the system, and a few lingered near the ranking board, watching new arrivals with vague amusement.

At the counter, an older disciple barely glanced up as Shen Mu handed over the slip.

"Hunting hares and wild fowl, huh?" the disciple yawned. He grabbed a wooden tag, stamped it, then shoved it back across the counter. "Standard rules. Bring back the pelts before sunset. Payment depends on the quality."

Feiyin took the tag and turned to the others.

"Let's go."

As they stepped outside, he felt the weight of their new reality settling in.

The struggle to climb had begun.

The air changed the moment they stepped past the threshold of the menial disciple section. The scent of sweat, incense, and damp wood gave way to the crisp, untamed freshness of the wilderness. The dirt path beneath their feet grew less defined as they ventured farther from the settlement, merging into the uneven ground of the outer forest.

The trees were tall and gnarled, their branches twisting toward the sky like skeletal fingers, their thick foliage providing a natural canopy that cast shifting shadows over the forest floor. The farther they walked, the more the air felt alive, filled with the rustling of leaves, distant calls of birds, and the occasional snap of a twig beneath their boots.

Ahead, the path forked, splitting into different hunting routes used by menial disciples. The well-worn trails suggested frequent use, with footprints overlapping in the dirt. Feiyin wasn't surprised to see other disciples scattered along the way, some traveling alone, others in pairs or small groups.

Some gave them brief glances, eyes filled with guarded wariness, before quickly returning their focus forward. Others lingered a moment too long, sizing them up, before muttering amongst themselves and keeping their distance.

Ren smirked. "Looks like we're the new blood."

"Expected," Feiyin replied, keeping his expression neutral.

Yue's ears twitched, flicking toward one group that whispered just loud enough for her to pick up their words. "They're talking about the evaluation. Some of them heard about our results."

"That's why they're keeping their distance," Shen Mu muttered. "No one wants to fight over hunting grounds with people they think might be stronger than them."

Feiyin nodded slightly. Strength determined everything here. Even in menial disciple territory, there was still competition, for food, for tasks, for resources. No one wanted to risk stepping on the wrong toes unnecessarily.

After a while, the other groups naturally branched off, disappearing into different parts of the forest.

Once they were alone, Feiyin slowed his pace and let his senses expand, carefully attuning to the oscillations around him.

He felt the movements before he saw them.

The small, rhythmic heartbeats of rodents scurrying beneath the underbrush. The skittish energy of wild birds perched high above. The subtle vibration of fur brushing against leaves as prey moved unseen between the trees.

The forest was alive with sound and motion, but most of it was small game, exactly what they were here for.

"We should split up slightly," Feiyin murmured. "We can cover more ground that way."

Yue nodded, her keen nose flaring slightly as she tested the air. "I'll take the left side. I smell something near the tree line."

Ren cracked his knuckles. "I'll take the ridge. I saw tracks on the way in."

Shen Mu rotated his wrists. "I'll go on the right then."

With a plan set, they quietly spread out, moving carefully to avoid making too much noise.

Feiyin moved with practiced ease, each step careful and deliberate.

He had trained for years in the militia, but this was different. Before, his hunts had always been guided, for training, for survival, but never as a necessity to buy another day of life.

Now, every successful hunt meant less contribution points spent on food, more resources to train, and greater control over his own fate.

As he navigated through the trees, Bai Yu shifted slightly from where it rested on his shoulder, its small body draped loosely around his neck. The snake had coiled lazily, enjoying the warmth of his body, but now its head lifted slightly, tongue flicking out as if sensing movement.

Feiyin stopped.

Ahead, nestled between the roots of a fallen tree, a hare twitched its nose, ears alert.

It was small and quick, with lean muscles that promised a chase, but Feiyin wasn't planning on running.

He exhaled slowly, sinking into a ready stance.

His right foot pressed into the earth, inner strength coiling in his muscles, the motion mirroring the way he'd practiced with his saber, but this time, he wielded no blade.

With explosive speed, he lunged forward.

The hare's instincts kicked in immediately, it bolted.

But Feiyin had already predicted its movement.

His hand shot out, fingers closing around its hind leg just as it leapt.

A sharp squeal, a single, quick twist, then silence.

The body went limp.

Feiyin rose to his feet, holding the lifeless hare by its legs, his heartbeat steady.

Bai Yu, still curled around his shoulder, flicked its tongue as if pleased.

"First one down," Feiyin muttered, slinging the hare over his belt.

He didn't waste time celebrating. There was still more to catch.

By the time an hour passed, they had each gathered several hares and wild fowl.

Yue returned first, carrying three hares and a plump pheasant.

Ren arrived next, his sleeves slightly ruffled, dragging two wild boars behind him with an annoyed expression.

"They were in my way," he muttered when Feiyin raised an eyebrow.

Shen Mu came last, carrying a bundle of smaller prey, a mix of squirrels and birds.

"Not bad," Feiyin noted.

"We should go back," Yue said. "The sun's starting to set."

Feiyin agreed.

With their kills secured, they headed back toward the menial disciple section, their packs heavier, but their burdens slightly lighter.

The journey back was uneventful at first. The forest, though teeming with life, had settled into its usual rhythm, shadows stretching longer as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the rustling of unseen creatures darting through underbrush, the distant calls of night birds awakening.

Feiyin walked ahead, leading the group down the same winding trail they had taken earlier. Their packs were heavier, filled with the results of their labor, but there was a certain lightness in the air.

Ren swung his arm idly, rolling his shoulder. "Not bad for a first hunt."

Yue stretched, ears twitching as she flicked stray feathers off her robe. "It was easy. We should try for higher-ranked beasts next time."

Shen Mu chuckled. "You say that now, but wait until you see a real Class 1 beast. A hare doesn't bite back."

Feiyin smirked. He could feel the growing confidence in their group, the satisfaction of a hunt well done. But just as he was about to respond,

He felt it.

A ripple.

Anomalous oscillations in the environment, people waiting, hidden.

His steps didn't falter, but his smile dimmed.

They weren't alone.

And just as expected, a voice called out from the trees ahead.

"Well, well. Look at the little hatchlings returning from their first meal."

Several figures stepped onto the path, blocking their way forward.

Five men. Older. Taller. Armed.

Their leader, a man in his late teens, stood at the front, casually resting a single-edged blade on his shoulder. His robe was the same as theirs, black with a white streak, but far more worn and dirtied from years of use.

Behind them, two more figures emerged from the underbrush, sealing off their retreat.

Seven in total.

Ren let out a slow breath, rolling his neck. "Great. Of course, this happens."

Shen Mu's fingers tightened.

Feiyin smiled.

Not a forced, nervous one.

A real, bright smile, like an old friend had just called his name.

The leader's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's with that look?"

Feiyin tilted his head slightly, exuding nothing but calm amusement. "I was just wondering how long it would take before this happened."

The leader scoffed, stepping forward. "Hand over your gains. Now. Or else you'll disappear, and no one will even ask what happened."

His tone was casual, almost bored.

Because it was true.

In the Saint Spirit Sect, menial disciples lived and died in the shadows. If one of them was killed outside of direct sect orders, no one cared. No one would investigate.

As long as the evidence was properly disposed of, nothing would happen.

Feiyin's smile didn't fade.

"Of course," he said, voice light, as he stepped forward obediently.

Yue's ears flicked toward him in confusion. Ren frowned. Even Shen Mu glanced at him with slight disbelief.

But Feiyin kept walking, his expression gentle, speaking in a soft tone as he slowly reached into his bag.

His voice was only for his group to hear.

"Stay ready."

One of the ambushers grinned, relaxing slightly. "See? Some of you hatchlings understand how things work."

Feiyin walked slowly, unthreateningly, just like his mother had taught him. Smile, speak softly, give them no reason to suspect.

His fingers wrapped around the legs of one of the hares in his pack.

Then, suddenly,

His body tensed. His core twisted like a coil springing loose.

With a sharp flick, he threw the hare into the air, its body spinning overhead, momentarily catching everyone's attention.

Then,

He moved.

Like a bolt of lightning, his feet dug into the earth, propelling him forward in a sudden, explosive charge.

The leader barely had time to react.

By the time his eyes snapped back down, Feiyin was already inside his guard.

His fist drove forward, inner strength layered and condensed, piercing through flesh, muscle, and bone like a spear.

Something cracked.

The leader choked, eyes wide, his body convulsing from the internal shockwave.

He collapsed, blade slipping from his grip.

Before the others could even process what had happened, Feiyin had already grabbed the falling blade midair, twisting his wrist to bring it into a reverse grip.

Then,

The forest erupted into chaos.

Yue lunged forward, claws flashing, aiming for the nearest opponent.

Ren snarled, his muscles tensing as he shot forward, his sheer physical strength alone making the other disciples recoil.

Shen Mu moved in tandem with them, weaving between blows with precise footwork, his fingers darting toward vital points.

The remaining ambushers snapped out of their stupor.

"Get them!" one of them roared, unsheathing his weapon.

Steel clashed.

Feiyin twisted away from an incoming slash, bringing his stolen blade up in a smooth arc, redirecting the attack before kicking the man squarely in the ribs.

A sharp yelp, the ambusher staggered, but didn't go down.

Another one rushed him from the side, aiming for his legs,

Feiyin stepped into the movement.

His blade came down.

Not as a mere slash, but with precision, using the exact oscillation technique he had refined against the centipede.

The strike rippled through the enemy's body, sending them collapsing in a heap.

From the corner of his vision, he saw Ren wrestle a blade from one of the older disciples, using sheer brute force before smashing his opponent's face into the dirt.

Yue moved with fluid, animalistic grace, dodging an incoming attack, then ripping across her opponent's exposed side with her claws, sending them tumbling.

Shen Mu stayed low and quick, striking tendons and ligaments, crippling movement.

The forest was eerily silent. The battle had lasted mere moments, yet in its wake, only ragged breathing and the faint rustling of disturbed leaves remained. The seven ambushers lay scattered across the ground, some groaning in pain, others already unconscious.

Feiyin stood over their leader's twitching form, his stolen blade resting against his side, his expression unreadable.

Ren rolled his shoulder, exhaling sharply. "Tch. Cowards thought they could take us just because they had weapons."

Yue flicked blood off her claws, her tail lashing. "What do we do now?"

Shen Mu wiped his hands against his robes, his fingers still tingling from striking pressure points with pinpoint precision. His method was hard to use, but effective, several of their attackers were paralyzed, unable to move.

Feiyin looked down at the leader, the man who had spoken so casually about taking their lives just minutes ago. Still breathing. Barely.

His father's voice echoed in his mind.

"A drawn blade is a known one. A sheathed one is unknown. And people fear what they don't know."

"When you draw your blade, it is to kill."

His fingers tightened around the hilt of his stolen blade.

If they let them live, what would happen?

There was no sect law that protected menial disciples.

No rules. No mercy.

Tomorrow, next week, next month, these same men would come back. More prepared. More vengeful.

Yue and Ren wouldn't always be with him. Shen Mu wouldn't always be at his side.

And what about the others? What about the people in their group who couldn't fight?

This was survival.

Feiyin closed his eyes.

Then he moved.

His blade swept out in one swift arc, slashing across the leader's throat.

A gurgling choke. A weak, panicked twitch.

Then, stillness.

One by one, he moved to the others. No hesitation. No wasted movement.

Shen Mu struck vital points with practiced precision, ensuring they wouldn't wake up before Feiyin ended them cleanly.

Yue watched in silence, ears flicking, tail lashing, her expression unreadable.

Ren, surprisingly, said nothing.

When the last body lay still, Feiyin straightened, shaking the blood from his blade.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Ren let out a slow breath. "Well… that settles that."

Shen Mu rubbed his fingers together, shaking off the lingering sensation of striking through flesh. "Messy, but necessary."

Yue stared down at one of the bodies before looking up at Feiyin.

"You're not hesitating anymore."

Feiyin flicked blood off his blade, his amethyst-dotted eyes cold.

"We can't afford to."

There was no more room for naivety.

No one would save them.

They either climbed up or were crushed.

Without another word, Feiyin turned, stepping over the bodies.

"Take what you can, we can't let anything go to waste."

The others followed, taking only the weapons after searching through their clothings.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the lingering scent of blood.