MoonShadow Sect

Jo Yuan followed the three cultivators as they led him through forests, across rivers, and over barren hills. The journey was long, and they stopped at various places to rest—small towns, quiet valleys, and even an ancient ruin where they meditated for a while. Jo Yuan couldn't help but notice how peaceful they seemed, even in the wild, where danger often lurked for normal travelers.

The three cultivators were all from the Qi Building realm, but they had progressed to different minor stages. The leader, the tall woman with black hair, had reached the seventh minor realm. Her aura was strong, and she moved with the grace of someone who had mastered her energy. The burly man with the thick beard, who had an intimidating presence, was in the sixth minor realm. The last one, a slender, younger man with sharp eyes, was in the fourth minor realm. Jo Yuan could feel their power just by being near them.

As they traveled, Jo Yuan asked many questions, trying to understand why cultivators were so hard to find. The woman explained, "Cultivators are few, and we do not mingle with mortals often. Most mortals don't have spiritual roots, so they never enter the world of cultivation. We remain hidden, only revealing ourselves to those who have potential."

"Also," the bearded man added, "the world is vast, and cultivators are scattered. Many sects are isolated, protecting their secrets. Some choose to stay hidden to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

Jo Yuan nodded, taking in their words. It made sense. The world of cultivation was exclusive, and the secrecy only made it harder for someone like him to find them.

Along the way, they also discussed the differences between a mortal and a cultivator in the Qi Building realm. Jo Yuan asked, "What is the difference between your power and a mortal's power?"

The woman smiled patiently. "It is like comparing a river to a pond. In the Qi Building realm, we gather and refine Qi, the life force of the universe. With this energy, we live longer than mortals. A mortal may live 70 or 80 years if they are lucky, but a Qi Building cultivator can live for 150 years, maybe more."

The younger man chimed in, his voice calm but serious. "Our strength is also far beyond that of mortals. A single Qi Building cultivator could defeat dozens of well-trained mortal warriors with ease."

Jo Yuan's eyes widened. "How strong are you? What can your power do?"

The bearded man grinned. "Let me give you a comparison. If I wanted, I could destroy a whole village with one powerful strike. Our Qi enhances everything we do—our speed, our strength, even our senses. A Qi Building cultivator can break boulders with their fists or move faster than the eye can see. To a mortal, we seem almost like gods."

Jo Yuan's mind raced as he imagined the destruction they could cause. The power difference was staggering. He had seen martial experts fight, but these cultivators were on another level entirely. Their strength could reshape landscapes if they wished.

As they continued traveling, Jo Yuan asked about their sect. "Where do you belong? What sect do you come from?"

The leader spoke with pride in her voice. "We are from the Moonshadow Sect, one of the more respected sects in the cultivation world. Our sect follows the Moonblade Style, a fighting technique that combines grace and power, focusing on swift, precise strikes. We use the moon's energy to enhance our blades, making our attacks sharp and deadly."

The younger man added, "Our sect is known for its efficiency in battle. We do not waste movements, and we strike where it hurts most. The Moonshadow Sect has a strong reputation for producing skilled fighters, and many fear facing us in combat."

Jo Yuan absorbed this information. The Moonshadow Sect sounded formidable, their fighting style focused on swift, deadly techniques. He wondered how he would fit into such a powerful group

'I need to make sure to keep up.'