A Song for The Ages

A week passed in relentless effort.

The group had settled into a steady rhythm, hunting, training, and growing stronger each day.

Each morning, they ventured into the wilderness beyond the menial disciple sector, completing tasks that earned them the contribution points they needed to survive and advance.

At first, they stuck to small prey, but as their confidence and coordination improved, they began targeting first-class beasts, significantly increasing their earnings.

Yue's beastkin instincts made her an invaluable tracker, while Ren's uncanny reflexes ensured their hunts were swift and efficient.

Shen Mu, with his ever-growing knowledge of herbs and medicinal properties, directed them toward rare plants that fetched a high price.

Feiyin, relying on his oscillation sense, guided them through danger, ensuring they wasted no time on unnecessary battles.

By mid-afternoon, their tasks were complete, and they returned to their cabin to train.

Shen Mu, Yue and Ren, still in the early stages of refining their organs, could already feel a difference in their inner strength.

Feiyin, meanwhile, was steadily grinding down the resistance in his sixth meridian, making measured progress toward the next step of his cultivation.

Their hard work was paying off.

By the end of the week, they had amassed between 2,000 and 3,000 contribution points, a substantial amount for newly ranked first-class disciples.

The sect's system was designed to be ruthless, rewarding talent and effort while crushing the weak.

Feiyin understood that their steady accumulation of points wasn't just about survival, it was about positioning themselves to rise.

With enough points, they could purchase knowledge, techniques, and resources that would set them apart from the rest.

That's when Feiyin suggested it.

"Let's go to the Knowledge Hall. It's time to decide how we'll move forward."

The Knowledge Hall was an imposing structure, its shelves filled with jade slips containing entry-level knowledge for the six sect branches, as well as general cultivation knowledge on topics like meridian opening, body tempering, and essence qi refinement.

Though they weren't yet eligible for any official branch, Feiyin knew that understanding the paths available would give them a clear direction for their future growth.

Each of them had unique strengths, and it was time to hone them.

Browsing through the sect compendium, they took their time, reading the summaries of each branch:

Saint Body Branch – Specializing in martial arts and body refinement techniques to maximize physical strength and endurance.

Spirit Beast Branch – Focusing on taming and bonding with spirit beasts to create symbiotic cultivation methods.

Saint Alchemy Branch – Split between pill refinement and artifact crafting, using specialized techniques to manipulate ingredients and materials.

Saint Spirit Branch – Centered on the mystical, formations and spiritual arts

Joyful Union Branch – A sect focused on dual cultivation, using shared energy refinement to accelerate growth.

Saint Blood Branch – Blood refining techniques, sacrificial and forbidden techniques

After discussing their initial impressions, each of them gravitated toward a different path.

Yue's golden eyes shone as she lingered near the Saint Body section.

Her combat instincts were innate, and she wanted to refine them to the highest level possible.

Ren, guided by his instincts, found himself drawn to the Saint Spirit Branch's formation arts.

Formations were about controlling space, energy, and structure, something he felt a natural affinity for, even if he couldn't yet explain why.

Shen Mu, predictably, gravitated toward the Saint Alchemy Branch's poison division.

Growing up in an apothecary, he had learned to heal, but here…he saw the potential to do much more.

Feiyin, meanwhile, found himself captivated by something entirely unexpected.

As he skimmed through the alchemy section, a particular concept caught his eye, runes.

True alchemists, those who had mastered the art, could harmonize materials so perfectly that they formed natural runes during refinement.

Runes were the world's acknowledgment of perfect balance, strengthening pills and artifacts beyond their natural limits.

Something clicked in Feiyin's mind.

Oscillations. Music. Harmony.

He had spent his life listening to the world's vibrations, was this another layer to its song?

Could he learn to synchronize with the world through alchemy, just as he had through battle and movement?

His mother had always told him that alchemists were the most valuable people in any sect.

If he could rise as an alchemist, he could wield influence.

If he became powerful enough, he could use that power to destroy the Saint Spirit Sect from within.

The thought sent a thrill through him.

For the first time, he saw a long-term path.

With his mind set, he purchased the introductory jade slip on rune formation in pill and artifact refinement.

This was only the beginning.

The group reconvened in their cabin, each holding their respective jade slips copies, which allowed them to review the information stored inside it a limited number of times, after which, it would shatter and become dust.

For a moment, they sat in quiet reflection, absorbing the weight of their decisions.

Then Feiyin spoke first. "We'll have to be careful with this."

Yue tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Feiyin tapped the jade slip in his hand. "Exchanging knowledge from the Hall between disciples is forbidden. If we get caught, we'll be punished. But…" His voice lowered slightly. "It's only the rudimentary knowledge, basic introductions. If we're discreet, no one will come after us for it."

Ren smirked, leaning back against the wooden wall. "Right. As long as we don't start teaching each other secret techniques in plain view of an elder, no one will care."

Shen Mu nodded. "The sect wants efficiency. If we rise faster and prove ourselves useful, they won't waste resources investigating minor things. But we still have to be smart about it."

They all agreed. While each of them had picked different specializations, they were still a team, and pooling their knowledge would help them grow stronger together.

Carefully, they placed their slips on the table and began discussing their choices.

Yue was the first to speak, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

"I chose the Saint Body Branch. It makes the most sense for me. My bloodline already gives me an edge in combat, but I can feel that my control isn't precise enough."

She tapped her claws against the wooden surface. "The jade slip I got focuses on claw-based techniques and movement arts, things that'll help me fight with better speed and precision."

Feiyin nodded. "Makes sense. You already have a natural affinity for combat, so refining your techniques will give you an edge."

Yue grinned, her silver ears twitching. "Exactly! And since I'm already close to achieving perfect body tempering, it'll help me push past my limits even faster."

Her tail flicked behind her as she clenched her fist. "I don't want to just be strong, I want to be unstoppable."

Feiyin smirked. "Then train hard, and make it happen."

Yue nodded firmly, determination burning in her eyes.

Ren tapped the jade slip in front of him, his expression thoughtful.

"I picked the Saint Spirit Branch, specifically, the formation arts."

Feiyin raised an eyebrow. "Formation arts?"

Ren exhaled, crossing his arms. "I don't know how to explain it. When I was looking at the options, I just felt drawn to it. Like my instincts were telling me this was the right path."

Feiyin thought for a moment. Ren's instincts were razor-sharp, he trusted them more than most.

"Formation arts… They're about controlling energy, right? Manipulating the surroundings, creating barriers, structuring attacks?"

Ren nodded. "Yeah. It's different from martial arts, but something about it feels natural to me."

He grinned suddenly. "Besides, I figure if I get good at it, I can set up traps for enemies instead of fighting head-on all the time."

Yue snorted. "So you're just lazy."

Ren shrugged. "It's called fighting smart."

Feiyin chuckled. "Whatever works. If you can make formations part of your strength, we'll be even deadlier together."

Ren smirked. "Exactly my thinking."

Shen Mu rubbed his chin, his gaze thoughtful.

"I chose the Saint Alchemy Branch, specifically, the poison division."

Feiyin wasn't surprised. Shen Mu had grown up in an apothecary, his knowledge of herbs and medicine was already far beyond the average disciple.

But poison…

"I thought you were trained in medicine," Yue said, tilting her head. "Why poison?"

Shen Mu exhaled. "Because poison is just another form of medicine. It's all about dosage and application. What can heal can also kill."

Ren let out a low whistle. "That's terrifyingly practical."

Shen Mu rubbed his chin again. "I prefer to call it strategic. In this sect, strength isn't just about power, it's about control. If I can neutralize an enemy before a fight even begins, why wouldn't I?"

Feiyin nodded in understanding.

Shen Mu had always been analytical, and this choice suited him perfectly.

With poisons, he could control battles before they even started.

And in the Saint Spirit Sect, being in control meant survival.

The room fell silent as the others turned to Feiyin.

"What about you?" Ren asked. "What did you pick?"

Feiyin tapped his fingers against the table, gathering his thoughts.

"I was drawn to alchemy, but not in the way I expected."

Shen Mu raised an eyebrow. "Alchemy?"

Feiyin nodded. "There was something in the artifact refinement and pill crafting section, about runes."

He took a breath, trying to put it into words.

"True alchemists, the masters, can refine materials so perfectly that they form natural runes, markings that harmonize with the world itself, amplifying the effects of pills and artifacts."

Ren frowned. "Runes?"

Feiyin nodded. "Think of it like this, when something is perfectly balanced, the world acknowledges it. That's what runes are. The natural representation of harmony."

He exhaled. "And harmony…is something I understand better than anything."

Silence filled the room.

Feiyin had always heard the world's song, the vibrations, the oscillations.

Now, he had a new way to explore them.

Alchemy wasn't just refining pills and forging artifacts, it was creating resonance, shaping energy through perfect balance.

And if he could master it…

It could become his greatest weapon.

Feiyin looked around the room, meeting each of their gazes.

"We're not just surviving anymore."

They weren't just trying to stay alive, they were choosing their futures.

Each of them had found a path forward, a way to grow, to strengthen themselves, to carve out a place in this brutal sect.

And most importantly…

They had done it together.

Yue placed her hands on the table, her golden eyes fierce. "Then we'll master what we've chosen."

Ren smirked. "And we'll do it our way."

Shen Mu had a slight smile. "We'll rise together. And we'll do it fast."

Feiyin clenched his fist.

They were no longer just a small group of survivors.

They were building something greater.

And the Saint Spirit Sect wouldn't see it coming.