Elder Sheng clapped his hands together, signalling for the group to gather.
"Alright, you've all got your robes. Follow me — it's time you saw your new apartments."
The thirty-one new disciples formed a loose line as they exited the Sword Manor Shop. The path they followed curved through the outer sect like a small street within a city, bordered by tall bamboo and cleanly paved stone. In the distance, peaks rose one after another, connected by long stone bridges that shimmered faintly with spiritual energy.
Sword Manor wasn't just a sect — it was a world of its own.
As they walked, Xue He couldn't keep his eyes from darting around. "Brother Li, this place is massive! Look at those buildings — even the outer sect looks like a royal capital!"
Bai Long smiled faintly. "That's the difference between mortals and cultivators. The stronger the sect, the more they value presentation — it's both pride and deterrence."
Xue He tilted his head. "Deterrence?"
"Would you dare cause trouble in a place that looks like this?"
"…Fair point," Xue He admitted after a moment's thought.
Their group turned a corner, entering a broad courtyard lined with small houses. Each home had its own garden, a single tree in the centre, and faint spiritual mist coiling through the air. The qi density here was easily several times higher than in the city they came from.
"These will be your temporary residences," Elder Sheng announced. "Each one is fitted with basic formations that absorb surrounding spiritual energy. It's not luxurious, but it's more than enough for early cultivation."
He motioned to the disciples accompanying him. "Go and hand out the tokens."
One by one, the new recruits received a jade token engraved with their names. The back glowed faintly with the Sword Manor insignia — a curved blade piercing through a rising sun.
"Keep this safe," Elder Sheng said firmly. "It's proof of your identity. It also opens the door to your quarters and will be required when entering the martial library or the mission hall."
Bai Long accepted his token and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Elder Sheng."
The elder gave him a brief look, eyes narrowing as if sensing something. "You have an unusual aura, boy. Sharp, but refined… like tempered steel. What's your name again?"
"Li Yan, Elder."
"Mm." Elder Sheng nodded slowly. "Work hard, and don't get arrogant. The sect has no shortage of prodigies — remember that."
"I understand."
With that, the elder turned to the rest of the group. "You'll find your rooms marked by number. Once you've settled, those who placed in the top four during recruitment — follow me to the martial library."
Xue He grinned, glancing at Bai Long. "Looks like we're heading there together, Brother Li."
"Seems so."
They parted ways briefly to inspect their new homes.
Bai Long's residence was at the far end of the courtyard, beneath a large willow tree. The faint rustling of leaves and the quiet hum of spiritual energy gave the place a serene feeling. The building itself was simple but elegant — wooden floors, a small meditation area, a reading table, and a single bedroom with folded bedding already prepared.
He stepped inside, immediately noticing a faint golden light emanating from a small chest on the table. Opening it, he found a pouch of coins and a folded note.
"Reward for first place in the Eastern Branch Recruitment Tournament — 10 Jade Coins."
Bai Long smiled. So they truly are efficient.
For a moment, he simply stood by the window, letting the light from the setting sun wash over his face. It felt strangely nostalgic — being in a sect again, starting anew. In his previous life, his steps had long surpassed these levels. Yet now, this mundane peace was almost… comforting.
A knock came at the door.
"Brother Li! You ready?"
Bai Long turned and opened it to find Xue He standing outside, his new robe still half-tucked, hair slightly messy from excitement.
"Do you ever stop moving?" Bai Long asked with an amused sigh.
"Not when there's a library filled with martial techniques waiting!"
"Fair enough," Bai Long said, following him out.
The martial library stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the lower valleys of Sword Manor. The entire building was carved into the mountainside, its exterior lined with engraved swords glowing faintly with spiritual runes. Three massive doors marked each of the accessible levels — and even from outside, the energy radiating from within was immense.
Elder Sheng and the other three chosen disciples — Bai Long, Xue He, and two others named Shen Yu and Luo Qian — stood before the first floor's entrance.
"Only those permitted may pass beyond this threshold," the elder warned. "Even I cannot step into the third or fourth floors without express approval from the sect master."
As he waved his hand, the heavy doors parted, revealing rows upon rows of floating scrolls and jade slips suspended in light.
"This," Elder Sheng said with a hint of pride, "is the heart of Sword Manor's heritage."
The four disciples bowed slightly before entering.
Inside, the air thrummed with ancient power. Each technique seemed alive — whispering, humming, as though waiting for the right person to reach out.
Shen Yu and Luo Qian rushed to the third floor, eager to claim their prizes. Xue He, though equally curious, stayed near Bai Long, his gaze darting between shelves.
"What are you planning to pick, Brother Li?" he asked quietly.
"I'll see what calls to me."
In truth, Bai Long already possessed divine-tier techniques from his previous life — but to blend in, he needed something modest, something believable. He walked to the forth floor, going past a row of martial scrolls until one faint light caught his attention.
It was a jade slip half-buried beneath others, glowing softly with golden runes. He picked it up and read the name: Gold Flame Sword Art.
His lips curved slightly. Fitting.
After walking down did Xue He appear beside him a moment later, holding a fiery red scroll. "I found mine! Scarlet Sun Blade, a Earth level technique and it suits my fire affinity perfectly."
"Good choice," Bai Long said with an approving nod.
Once all four had made their selections, Elder Sheng led them back outside.
"That will conclude your rewards," he said. "Spend the next month cultivating and mastering your arts. The outer disciple tournament will determine your standing in the sect. The higher you place, the greater your resources and opportunities will become."
"Yes, Elder!" they replied in unison.
As they dispersed, Xue He stretched and yawned. "I'm going to start practising right away! Let's see who advances faster, Brother Li."
Bai Long smiled faintly, watching him dash off. "Competition, huh? Not a bad thing."
He looked back toward the peaks of Sword Manor, their tips gleaming in the fading sunlight. A quiet determination burned in his chest.
'This time,' he thought,' I'll reach beyond what even Heaven can grasp.'