Climbing the hierarchy.

Ace sat cross-legged, cultivating in silence. His breathing was steady, his soul force circulating as he refined his energy. After some time, he took out a Spirit Stone and measured his progress.

99.

"Still can't break past 100, huh?" He muttered to himself. "It really is a talent issue."

Sighing, he leaned back and opened his system interface, checking his stats.

Disciple List:

1st Disciple: Liu Mei (...)

2nd Disciple: Shan Yifeng

Cultivation Talent: Semi-rare

Current Soul Force: 74

Special Physique: Iron Barbarian Physique (Dormant)

Ace tapped his fingers on his knee, deep in thought. The Spirit Apples are definitely improving talent… His eyes flickered with interest. Maybe I should eat a ton more too. Who knows? I might even reach Silver Rank myself.

Just as he was lost in his musings, the sound of approaching footsteps snapped him back to reality.

The door creaked open, and two small figures stepped inside.

"Greetings, Master!" Liu Mei and Shan Yifeng called out in unison, standing straight like proper disciples.

Ace studied them for a moment before nodding.

"Both of you, good timing," he said, his tone firm. "We will begin thorough cultivation in a secluded place."

Liu Mei blinked in surprise. "A secluded place?"

Ace nodded. "Liu Mei, you'll need to bid your mother farewell."

Liu Mei hesitated, her small hands curling into the fabric of her sleeves. Her mother was the only constant in her life, the one person who always protected her, no matter what.

The idea of leaving her, even for a short time, made her chest tighten.

"But… can't we just train here?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Ace didn't answer immediately. He simply observed her, waiting to see how she would handle this hesitation.

Shan Yifeng, standing beside her, nudged her lightly.

"Mei'er, Master said it's for cultivation! If we stay here, we'll never become stronger."

His tone carried a confidence he himself didn't fully feel, but he still tried to sound reassuring.

Liu Mei glanced at him, her brows furrowing. "But my mother…"

"She'll be fine!" Shan Yifeng said quickly, though he wasn't sure if that was true.

"And besides, you'll come back even stronger! Wouldn't that make her proud?"

Liu Mei bit her lip, her fingers tightening around her sleeves.

"But… what if she needs me?"

Shan Yifeng sighed, scratching his head. He wasn't great with words, but he knew how it felt to have no one to rely on.

He had lost his support, but Liu Mei still had hers. "Your mother wants you to be safe and strong, right?" he asked..

Liu Mei gave a small nod.

"Then let's become stronger," he insisted.

"That way, you can protect her too. What if something bad happens while we're weak? We have to be strong enough to help the people we care about."

Liu Mei's lips trembled. She knew he was right. She had heard the whispers of the villagers—how times were hard, how her mother worked tirelessly to make sure they had enough to eat.

If she became stronger, maybe one day she could make things easier for her mother.

Finally, after a long silence, she exhaled and gave a small nod. "Okay… but I'll still say goodbye properly."

Ace, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Good. Go now, but don't take too long."

Liu Mei turned on her heel and ran off, her tiny figure disappearing as she hurried home.

Shan Yifeng watched her go before turning back to Ace. "Master, was I right?"

Ace smirked slightly. "You did well."

Shan Yifeng grinned, standing a little taller. "Of course! I am your disciple, after all."

Ace chuckled. "Come on, let's get ready."

Liu Mei ran as fast as her legs could carry her, her heart pounding louder than her footsteps against the dirt path.

She wasn't sure how long she had before Master and Yifeng left, but she knew she had to see her mother.

Their small home came into view, the familiar scent of herbs drifting through the open window. Liu Mei slowed her pace, wiping her hands on her clothes before stepping inside.

Her mother, Liu Hong, was seated at the wooden table, grinding medicinal herbs into a fine powder. She looked up the moment Liu Mei entered, her sharp yet gentle eyes taking in her daughter's flushed face.

"Mei'er? What's wrong?"

Liu Mei hesitated, her fingers curling into her sleeves again. "Mother… Master said we're going to train in a secluded place. I came to say goodbye."

Liu Hong's hands stilled over the mortar and pestle. A deep silence settled between them.

"…I see," she finally said, voice unreadable.

Liu Mei shifted uncomfortably. "I don't want to leave you, but… but I also want to get stronger! Yifeng said—"

Liu Hong set down the pestle and reached out, gently cupping Liu Mei's small hands. "You don't have to explain, little one. I understand."

Liu Mei blinked up at her mother, searching her face. "You do?"

Liu Hong nodded. "Your Master is not a reckless man. If he says you must go, then there must be a good reason."

Liu Mei bit her lip, her voice turning small. "But… what if you need me?"

Liu Hong let out a soft chuckle, smoothing down Liu Mei's slightly messy hair. "Silly child. You're still so little—what could you possibly do to help me?"

Liu Mei pouted. "I can do a lot of things! I can carry baskets, help with herbs, and… and…"

Liu Hong smiled warmly. "You will help me most by becoming strong, Mei'er."

Liu Mei's pout trembled. She still felt like she was abandoning her mother.

Seeing her daughter's conflict, Liu Hong pulled her into a gentle hug. "I will be here when you return. But when you come back, I expect to see my daughter even more amazing than she already is."

Liu Mei's tiny fingers clutched at her mother's robes, her eyes stinging. "I'll work hard," she promised.

"I know you will."

Liu Hong slowly pulled away and reached for something on the table. A small, well-worn hairpin, shaped like a tiny silver lotus. She tucked it into Liu Mei's hair.

"Take this with you. If you ever feel homesick, just touch it and remember—I will always be waiting for you."

Liu Mei stared at the hairpin nestled in her hair, her vision blurring as her mother's warm words sank in. Her lips wobbled, and before she could stop herself, the dam broke.

Tears streamed down her face as she clung tightly to Liu Hong, sobbing uncontrollably. "I don't want to leave you, Mother!" she cried, her small shoulders shaking.

"What if I can't come back for a long time?"

Liu Hong sighed softly, stroking her daughter's back in slow, soothing motions. "Silly child… You're not leaving forever. It's just training. One day, you'll return stronger, wiser… and I will be right here, waiting for you."

Liu Mei sniffled, burying her face against her mother's robes. "But I'll miss you so much…"

"I'll miss you too." Liu Hong's voice was steady, but there was a gentle warmth in her words.

"That's why you must work hard. Make me proud, Mei'er. Then, when you return, you can tell me all about your adventures."

Liu Mei hiccuped, wiping at her tear-streaked cheeks. It took another minute or two before she could calm down, her small body still trembling from the overwhelming emotions.

Finally, she took a deep, shaky breath and stepped back. Her face was still blotchy from crying, but her eyes held a newfound determination.

"I'll go now, Mother," she whispered.

Liu Hong smiled, reaching out to fix the hairpin in her daughter's hair. "Go on, then. Your Master and Yifeng must be waiting."

Liu Mei bit her lip but nodded. With one last lingering glance, she turned and ran out the door.

Her legs carried her swiftly down the familiar path, her heart still heavy but her resolve unwavering.