The jade gates of Mount Kunlun rise before them, impossibly tall, carved with dragons and phoenixes that seem to breathe beneath layers of ancient qi. The air vibrates with power; even the ground beneath their feet hums with restraint.
Kalia slows beside De-Reece, wide-eyed, breath caught somewhere between awe and tension. Solar remains silent but alert, her golden-violet eyes sweeping the gathered crowd.
Lines of new disciples form before the gates, each pair or group approached by elder gatekeepers clad in silver-trimmed robes. One by one, new arrivals present their tokens; qi probes flash, and subtle tests are conducted before they're allowed entry.
De-Reece watches quietly. He knows better than to underestimate this ritual — it is not just formality. It's another test.
Their turn comes.
The elder before them has sharp, hawkish eyes. His gaze lingers on De-Reece for just a moment too long. "Name?"
De-Reece meets his stare. "Cheon Ma De."
The elder's qi brush is brief but piercing, probing deeper than most. His brow furrows. For a moment, the elder seems ready to question further — then he simply nods. "Pass."
Kalia steps forward, repeating her name with a steady voice. She passes with ease, though the elder's lips twitch with mild surprise at her strong qi signature.
They step through.
Inside the gates, the world changes. Stone paths wind through cloud gardens, cultivation pavilions gleam in the distance, and massive jade towers rise toward the heavens.
A senior disciple waits, his expression calm but commanding. "Follow me. New disciples are to be inducted immediately."
Kalia leans closer. "De… this place… it's…"
He answers without looking at her. "It's the start."
They follow the senior disciple down winding paths until they reach a great hall, where other new disciples gather in silence.
A white-robed elder steps onto the dais. His voice carries easily through the hall.
"Welcome to Mount Kunlun. You stand at the base of a mountain few will ever scale. Here, strength, wisdom, and discipline are rewarded. Arrogance and waste are punished."
The elder gestures, and an assistant steps forward with small pouches and tokens.
"Each of you will receive a monthly stipend of five silver coins, five Qi Refining potions, three Body Tempering pills, and 50 contribution points. You will also be given a Basic Kunlun Cultivation Manual, sect robes, and your identification token. Within your token is your personal information, current rank, and access level."
He pauses to let it sink in.
"You may choose between a sword or sabre. Your training will consist of mandatory classes in weapon arts, Dao studies, cultivation, and history for three years or until you enter the inner sect. Optional classes in alchemy, formations, and other disciplines are available."
The elder's gaze sharpens.
"Housing is your responsibility. Dormitories cost one silver coin per month. Single rooms cost three. Houses with private training grounds range from six to ten silver monthly, depending on qi density and facilities."
Kalia glances sideways at De-Reece. Her brow furrows.
He speaks quietly. "I'll cover it."
She opens her mouth to protest, but the elder continues.
"Contribution points are the true currency here. They can be earned by turning in techniques, treasures, or completing missions. Contribution points are used to access advanced manuals, specialized training rooms, and private instruction. They cannot be purchased with money, though students and the sect itself may post missions offering either silver or contribution points as rewards. You may accept tasks anonymously."
The elder's gaze sweeps the hall one last time.
"Your path begins now. Those who climb will find greatness. Those who falter will be left behind."
He steps down.
The hall begins to stir as new disciples accept their pouches and tokens.
De-Reece takes his quietly. His mind is already moving — planning, calculating.
Kalia stands beside him, silent for a moment. Then she exhales.
"So… what kind of house are we getting?"
He smiles faintly. "The kind that cost at least ten silver a month."
The grand hall empties slowly, each new disciple clutching their starter pouches and tokens with wide eyes and stiff backs. The weight of what lies ahead begins to settle over them all.
De-Reece and Kalia step out into the crisp mountain air. The path forks — one side leading to the dormitories, the other toward more private accommodations.
Kalia hesitates. "You were serious about the house?"
De-Reece's expression remains calm. "I said the kind worth at least ten silver a month no?"
Kalia winces. "That's… That's not exactly cheap."
De-Reece doesn't answer with words. He leads the way.
They pass long rows of dormitories — wooden structures crowded with eager disciples, voices already raised in excited chatter and rivalry. Past them, single-room residences stand quiet and modest. But De-Reece keeps walking.
At the edge of the residential district, they reach the estate grounds. Here, houses sit on carefully cultivated plots, surrounded by training formations and small alchemy courtyards. The air is different here — denser, richer with qi.
A tall, robed attendant steps forward as they approach.
"Identification tokens, please."
De-Reece hands his over without hesitation. Kalia follows suit, still trying to suppress her nerves.
The attendant's eyes scan the tokens, pausing briefly over De-Reece's before nodding with a trace of respect. "This way."
They are led to a private courtyard. The house is modest by noble standards but refined — polished stone steps, reinforced training dummies, a small meditation pond, and an enclosed room with ventilation suited for alchemy practice. The qi here hums with vitality.
"This estate is ten silver a month," the attendant says. "The rent will be deducted automatically from your stipend or personal funds if insufficient."
De-Reece nods. "I'll pay in advance for six months."
Kalia blinks. "Six months?! De—"
He holds up a hand, silencing her gently. "We came here to rise. Not to survive."
Kalia's protest dies on her lips. Instead, she breathes out slowly and smiles faintly. "Alright, partner. Lead the way."
The attendant bows slightly and departs, leaving them standing in the courtyard.
Kalia turns in a slow circle, taking it all in. "It's...perfect."
Solar pads forward, sniffing the air and approving with a low chuff.
De-Reece allows himself a small smile. But inside, he is already planning. This house isn't a luxury. It's an investment. A place where he can cultivate, refine pills, and prepare for everything to come.
Hopefully will people will think I have some sort of backing, which would allow me to keep my head down while being able to cultivate in peace. He thought to himself.
And this… is just the beginning.
The sun dips behind the towering peaks as De-Reece and Kalia step out from their new estate, the air sharp and cool against their skin. The sect grounds stretch endlessly before them — an empire carved into the mountain itself.
Kalia exhales slowly. "It feels… heavier here. Like the air itself has weight."
De-Reece nods. "Because it does."
They start walking, following the cobbled paths that snake through cultivated gardens and polished stone archways. Disciples in crisp Kunlun robes move with purpose, some in small groups whispering about upcoming missions, others training under the guidance of senior disciples.
The first building they come upon looms high and imposing — the Forging Hall. Iron doors reinforced with runic carvings stand open, the heat of flame and metal rolling out in waves.
Inside, the clanging of hammers echoes rhythmically. Rows of apprentices temper blades and shape weapon cores under the watchful eyes of forging masters. A massive circular furnace at the center glows with a shifting, rainbow-hued flame — a spirit flame said to burn impurities from even the rarest ores.
De-Reece watches in silence, studying the forging masters as they critique and correct. He notes the tools, the quality of materials, the subtle movements of qi manipulation required to temper higher-grade weapons.
Kalia leans in. "You thinking of learning forging again too?"
De-Reece's lips twitch into a faint smile. "I'm thinking of mastering it."
She whistles. "Ambitious."
They move on.
The next stop is the Alchemy Pavilion — a towering spire with jade-green tiled roofs and gold-lined steps. The scent of herbs hangs thick in the air, and apprentices sit cross-legged along the entryway, grinding ingredients and reciting pill formulas.
A notice board outside lists available materials, upcoming alchemy competitions, and tasks for contribution points.
De-Reece's gaze sharpens. He memorizes the current demands and rare ingredient postings. There's profit here. Opportunity. Influence.
Kalia glances at the prices. "Some of these herbs cost more than what we made in Ironhold."
"They're not for sale," De-Reece murmurs. "They're bait. The sect wants to see who can complete the most difficult requests."
Kalia blinks, then grins. "And I bet you already have half the ingredients in your storage pouch."
He doesn't answer — but she's not wrong.
They continue toward the Martial Arena, an open space carved into the mountainside, with polished stone platforms and tiered seating. Disciples spar under the supervision of stern elders.
A senior disciple stands atop one platform, his presence commanding. His strikes are fast, fluid, and merciless. His opponent — another senior disciple — falls after only three exchanges.
Kalia watches wide-eyed. "Did you see that? He didn't even use qi. Just pure technique."
De-Reece's eyes narrow. "Qi hidden within the blade is still qi. That was peak control."
Around them, whispers float.
"That's Senior Brother Liang Hua — fifth among the outer sect."
"I heard he's already set to enter the inner sect next year."
"They say he has the backing of Elder Liu."
Kalia shifts uncomfortably. "We're… nowhere near that level."
De-Reece remains silent for a moment, then speaks softly. "Not yet."
They make their way to the Contribution Hall, a grand building with silver doors carved in intricate patterns. Inside, disciples line up to exchange treasures and receive tasks. Glowing spirit crystals hum softly on pedestals, each recording missions and current point standings.
A bored-looking attendant calls out. "All postings update at dawn. Remember — contribution points cannot be bought. Earn or fall behind."
Kalia glances at De-Reece. "You really plan to compete with all this?"
He looks at the hall, then back at her. "Of course and go beyond of course."
Kalia smiles faintly, shaking her head. "You're insane."
De-Reece's expression softens. "That's why we'll make it."
The sun has dipped below the horizon by the time they return to their courtyard. Solar stretches lazily in the garden, her presence grounding, comforting.
Kalia sits by the pond, staring at the shimmering water. "We're really here."
De-Reece sits beside her, silent. His mind churns — forging, alchemy, missions, influence. But most of all… preparation.
The mountain is steep. The climb begins now.