The gates of the Silverthorn Sect stood tall and wide, carved from dark jade and reinforced with spiritual steel. Two massive stone lions flanked the entrance, their eyes glowing faintly with detection runes. The mountains behind it loomed like silent watchers, mist curling around the peaks.
Rykarion stood just outside, hands in his pockets, head tilted slightly.
"…Big gates for people who write polite letters," he muttered.
Beside him, Meyra wore a light cloak, her red eyes scanning the place with practiced ease. She was calm. Alert. But not worried.
A pair of inner sect disciples stepped forward, both dressed in silver-threaded robes, bows stiff but respectful.
"You are the honored guest from Moonveil?" one asked.
Rykarion smiled lazily. "Depends. Am I still honored if I blew your Young Master's spy through a wall?"
The disciple hesitated. "...Sect Master Xuan Lie requests your presence. Please follow us."
Rykarion shrugged. "Lead the way."
He and Meyra walked in, the gates closing behind them with a deep thrum of spiritual energy.
The Silverthorn Sect was quiet. Ordered. Almost too clean.
Manicured stone paths stretched across the wide courtyards, cherry trees lining each side like decoration instead of nature. Cultivators moved through the inner grounds, eyes curious but cautious. A few paused when they saw Rykarion, then quickly looked away.
He leaned over to Meyra as they walked. "See that? That's the look of people trying not to stare but still calculating your spiritual pressure."
She gave him a side glance. "Maybe they're just wondering how you got past the gate without exploding something."
He smirked. "Tempting. But I'm on my best behavior today. We're guests."
They passed a pavilion where several Silverthorn elders were meditating. Rykarion made a show of adjusting his robe like he was getting ready for a play.
"Think they'll bring tea?"
"If they do, don't drink it," Meyra said.
"What, you think they'd poison me?"
"I think they'd consider it a mercy."
Rykarion laughed, loud enough to make a passing disciple flinch. "I like you when you're grumpy."
Soon, they reached the grand hall.
It rose like a palace—black marble pillars, curved dragon roof, and banners hanging down bearing the sect's crest. The disciples bowed as they opened the door, revealing the long ceremonial corridor inside.
At the far end sat Xuan Lie, still as a statue, his long white beard trailing like smoke, hands resting on his lap. Several elders sat to his sides. Xuan Feng was there too, standing behind his father, face stiff with suppressed pride and bruised ego.
Rykarion stepped in, eyes scanning the room.
"Nice place," he said, voice echoing slightly. "Bit cold, though."
Xuan Lie opened his eyes.
"Welcome, Rykarion."
Rykarion gave a shallow bow, more out of laziness than formality.
"Let's skip the pleasantries," he said, smiling. "You invited me. I came. Your son picked a fight. I ended it. Now what?"
Meyra stood quietly beside him, watching every movement, her fingers near her dagger just in case.
The air inside the hall shifted slightly.
And the real conversation was about to begin.
The air inside the Silverthorn Grand Hall was heavy.
Rykarion stood at the center of the polished jade floor, hands loose at his sides, coat still open at the collar like he hadn't bothered to dress for the occasion. His golden eyes flicked across the elders seated in rows on both sides, then locked onto Xuan Lie—still perched at the head like a silent judge.
Meyra stood beside him, cloak still on, posture unreadable. But her eyes missed nothing.
"Let's talk plainly," Xuan Lie said, voice calm but layered. "We both know why you're here. My son crossed a line. You answered in kind. For that, I offer no excuses."
Rykarion raised a brow.
"Well, damn. That was easier than expected."
"But," Xuan Lie continued, folding his hands, "there is also… potential here."
Rykarion frowned. "Potential?"
"You are strong. Dangerous. Unclaimed by any major sect. Your skills, your aura… they don't belong to this realm. But you're here. For now."
The air shifted again. Quietly.
Like everyone was suddenly listening just a little closer.
Xuan Lie smiled. Thin. Calculated.
"I'm offering you something most men would kill for. A seat in Silverthorn. A title. Protection. Resources. We'll support your cultivation. In exchange… we want you under our roof."
Rykarion didn't blink.
He let the silence stretch for a beat.
Then scoffed.
"...You serious?"
The entire hall froze.
"I'm not some lost disciple looking for a place to kneel," Rykarion said. His tone wasn't hostile. Just bored. "And I don't do collars. Not even gold ones."
Xuan Feng's fist clenched behind his father's seat. His jaw ticked.
One elder leaned forward. "You dare—"
"Easy," Rykarion said, lifting a single hand lazily. "Don't get excited, old man. If I was here to burn this place down, we'd be talking over rubble."
Meyra shifted just slightly beside him.
That was the warning.
He wasn't bluffing.
Xuan Lie studied him. "Then why come, if not for alliance?"
"I came," Rykarion said, stepping forward, "because you sent a letter with respect. You acknowledged your son's mistake. I returned the favor. I'm not here to join. I'm here to draw the line."
"Draw it?" Xuan Feng hissed. "You think you can threaten us?"
Rykarion turned to him, grinning.
"I already did, genius. Your man's still coughing up blood."
The tension spiked.
Several disciples reached for their weapons.
But they didn't draw.
Because outside the hall, a low rumble echoed across the mountains.
Meyra's head turned first.
Then a sect guard burst in, panting. "Sect Master! The northern array just collapsed. Something broke through the outer barrier!"
"What kind of something?" an elder snapped.
The guard swallowed. "A beast. No—several. High-grade. Spirit-rank at least. We think… we think they were drawn here."
Xuan Lie's expression didn't change. "By what?"
The guard hesitated.
Then looked directly at Rykarion.
He didn't deny it. Just looked at his nails.
"Oops," he said casually. "Guess I didn't seal my aura properly."
"You led spirit beasts to our gates?" Xuan Feng shouted.
"They followed," Rykarion corrected. "Different thing."
Xuan Lie rose from his throne.
The entire hall seemed to brace.
But instead of rage, his tone stayed quiet.
"Then I ask one final thing."
Rykarion looked at him.
"Help us."
The room went dead still.
"Just for this. One attack. Then we part ways cleanly."
Rykarion stretched his neck, cracking it. Then looked at Meyra.
She sighed. "You're not gonna say no, are you?"
He smiled. "Nah. Too bored to walk away now."
He turned back to the door.
"And besides, it will aid in my cultivation."