The next morning
Thirty-one cultivators gathered in the centre of the city, each one standing a little straighter than the last, pride and excitement flickering in their eyes.
"Once you reach the gates of the sect," the guy that had been officiating the fights began, his tone steady and authoritative, "an outer sect elder will be waiting for your arrival. In thirty days, a tournament will be held among all outer sect disciples. Those who place within the top ten will earn the right to become inner sect disciples. And, if fortune favours you, an elder might even take you in as a true disciple."
Though his words were for everyone, his gaze lingered noticeably on Xue He and Bai Long, his meaning clear to all.
"Alright, everyone, board the ship!"
Despite being called a "ship", the vessel before them resembled a flying warship more than anything meant for water. It stretched nearly thirty metres in length, powered by spirit stones that pulsed faintly with light along its hull.
Xue He turned to Bai Long as they walked. "Brother Li, aren't you nervous?"
He had been calling Bai Long "Brother" since morning, and by now, Bai Long had stopped finding it strange.
"No," Bai Long replied calmly. "This is merely the first step on our path. If we can't remain composed here, how could we ever face the true storms ahead?"
Xue He blinked. "Brother Li, how are you so wise?"
A small smile tugged at Bai Long's lips. "You're just a bit too naïve. Come on, let's get aboard before we're left behind."
As they walked, Bai Long's thoughts drifted to his past life. Back then, he had been born in an upper realm, standing above countless beings. Yet now, he was beginning again, in a lower realm, heading towards what was considered its strongest sect.
He couldn't help but chuckle softly at the irony.
The difference between this life and the last… perhaps it won't just be where I start, but how far I go.
Unbeknownst to him, however, the greatest difference between his two lives awaited him at Sword Manor.
"Brother Li, what are you smiling for?" Xue He asked curiously.
"Young'uns wouldn't understand," Bai Long replied, his tone half-teasing.
"Aren't we the same age?"
"I'm a few months older," Bai Long said smoothly, forgetting for a moment that, in truth, he was not even five years old this time around.
"Oh… alright then," Xue He said, though his expression showed he didn't quite understand.
When everyone had boarded, the ship began to tremble slightly. Spirit light gathered beneath it, and slowly, it lifted off the ground. Gasps filled the air as they ascended, climbing higher until the city below shrank into a blur.
Moments later, the ship accelerated, cutting through the clouds like a streak of silver lightning.
Two hours passed before its speed began to slow. Ahead lay a breath taking sight — a city-sized sect, its peaks piercing the heavens, waterfalls glimmering with spiritual energy, and grand buildings arranged like a celestial formation. Even from afar, Sword Manor radiated majesty.
The ship hovered above the sect gates before gently lowering itself to the ground. As the stairs descended, an elderly man stood waiting below, surrounded by nine disciples.
Once all had disembarked, the old man stepped forward, voice calm yet commanding.
"Welcome, everyone," he began. "I am Elder Sheng, and I will be responsible for you until the outer disciple tournament."
He gestured to the nine disciples behind him. "These disciples will guide you to collect your outer sect uniforms and show you to your temporary residences. As new outer disciples, you will each be granted a small apartment for the next month."
His expression turned stern. "If you fail to qualify as inner disciples after the tournament, you will move into shared quarters with two others of the same gender. However, should you succeed, you will keep your apartment, and gain the privilege to purchase larger residences using either contribution points or gold."
A murmur rippled through the group at that, but Elder Sheng wasn't done.
"For those who rise even higher — core disciples — a mansion-sized residence awaits, free of charge. Each elder may take only seven core disciples, and there are seven elders, one for each peak. The Sect Master resides alone atop the central peak."
He paused, letting the information sink in, then turned on his heel. "Now, follow me."
The group quickly fell in line behind him, excitement buzzing in the air. For most of them, this was the beginning of their dream — to climb higher, cultivate faster, and perhaps one day stand among the heavens themselves.
For Bai Long, however… this was simply the first step back.