Discussion

The ground floor of the inn was packed with people, mostly loose cultivators. It was well known that this part of the inn was a gathering place for rogue cultivators, and it was rare to see orthodox sect disciples spending time here.

Among them, there were also merchants who had come to trade, their tables filled with various goods and rare materials. The air buzzed with loud conversations, deals being struck, and the occasional burst of laughter.

However, the moment Seraphine and her companions stepped inside, the noise abruptly died down.

All eyes turned toward them.

The presence of two Silver Star Sect elders and an unknown beauty was enough to draw attention. But instead of reacting further, the people inside the inn quickly averted their gazes.

In a place like this, it was unwise to stare too long at powerful figures.

The waiter, who had been busy taking orders, noticed the Silver Star Sect robes and immediately rushed over. With a respectful bow, he swiftly guided them upstairs.

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The upper floor of the inn was reserved for VIP guests. Unlike the noisy ground floor, it was quiet and private, with each dining area separated by closed doors.

After being led to a private room, the three of them took their seats on the soft, cushioned sofas inside.

As soon as they settled in, Malavi turned to the waiter and gave her order.

"Three servings of roasted Red Tiger Meat, and three bottles of 100-year-old Covil Grape Wine."

Before the waiter could confirm the order, Seraphine spoke up.

"No," she said calmly. "I only want tea."

Malavi gave her a brief glance before nodding. "Then get the best tea available," she instructed the waiter. "And also bring chicken soup, some fresh fruits, and a salad."

The waiter respectfully acknowledged the order before quickly leaving the room.

As they waited for their food, Elena turned her gaze toward Seraphine.

"So, Seraphine," she began, "are you interested in joining our Silver Star Sect?"

She leaned back slightly, observing Seraphine's reaction before continuing.

"You might not know this, but we currently have a vacancy in our sect's library. One of the elders who guarded the library passed away three months ago, and the position remains unfilled. If you want, we can arrange for you to meet the sect elder in charge. You could take up the role, or if you prefer, you can simply stay at this inn."

Seraphine remained silent, considering her options carefully.

"If I join the sect, I'll have access to their techniques, especially those related to Ice," she thought.

It was an undeniable opportunity.

However, she also knew that sects rarely shared their most powerful techniques with new disciples or Cultivators. The skills she could obtain might not be anything extraordinary.

"Still, it would be better than nothing."

The biggest concern was the sect's rules.

Once she joined, she would be bound by their regulations. If the sect ever faced a crisis, she would be obligated to fight for them.

But at this moment, she urgently needed techniques.

She had already reached the seventh stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The next major step in her cultivation journey was to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm. Until she reached that stage, she needed a stable and safe place to cultivate.

The Silver Star Sect provided that safety—at least for now.

Of course, danger was unavoidable. Dark Cultivators were already causing trouble in Vortex Town, and staying in the town meant she might be dragged into conflicts anyway. If she chose to practice on her own, she would have to face these dangers alone.

However, if she joined the Silver Star Sect, she would have allies who could fight alongside her.

She knew that gaining a strong position in the sect wouldn't be easy, and if she wanted access to valuable techniques, she would have to prove her worth first.

After weighing her choices, Seraphine finally made up her mind.

She lifted her gaze to meet Elena's eyes and gave a slight nod.

"Alright," she said. "I will join your sect. But I don't know what the recruitment process requires."

Elena smiled slightly at her response.

"Good," she said. "After we finish our meal, Malavi and I will return to the sect and speak with the Sect Master and the Great Elder. Once we have an answer, we will let you know."

Seraphine nodded in understanding.

As they waited for their food, the conversation gradually shifted to their past experiences and personal journeys. They spoke about their lives, their cultivation paths, and eventually, the topic turned to the Silver Star Sect itself.

Seraphine took a sip of the tea that had been brought to her and then looked at Malavi.

"Tell me about your sect," she asked, her voice calm yet curious.

Malavi smiled slightly before beginning her explanation.

"Our sect was founded by a loose cultivator," she said. "She wasn't born into a powerful clan or sect. She had to rely entirely on herself to cultivate."

Seraphine listened attentively, nodding slightly as Malavi continued.

"During her journey, she was fortunate enough to come across an incredible opportunity—one that allowed her to advance rapidly in her cultivation."

Malavi paused for a moment, as if recalling something, before continuing.

"Eventually, she arrived in this town. But back then, this wasn't even a town—it was just a small village, home to only a few mortals and low-level cultivators who were mostly at the Qi Gathering Realm."

Seraphine frowned slightly. "Then what happened?"

Malavi's expression turned thoughtful.

"At that time, there were two other powerful cultivators who had also reached this place. Like our founder, they had also gained their own opportunities and grown strong. The three of them decided that instead of fighting for control over this land, they would work together to establish sects and bring order to the region."

"So they built their sects here?" Seraphine asked.

Malavi nodded. "Yes. That's how the Silver Star Sect, the Sun Flame Sect, and the Everling Valley Sect were formed. Each sect controlled a part of the region, ensuring balance and stability."

Seraphine tapped her fingers lightly against the table, thinking.

"And your sect's founder?"

"Her name was Alexa," Malavi said with a hint of admiration. "She was a remarkable cultivator. She even managed to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm."

Seraphine raised an eyebrow at that. Reaching the Purple Mansion Realm was no small feat for a loose cultivator. It meant that Alexa must have had both talent and luck on her side.

"But if she was that strong, what happened to her?"

Malavi sighed. "Eventually, she and the other two sect founders left. Once they advanced beyond the Purple Mansion Realm, the Qi in this region was no longer sufficient for their cultivation. They had to move on, seeking places with denser spiritual energy to continue growing stronger."

She leaned back slightly and added, "But even though they're gone, their legacies remain. The sects they built still exist, and we continue to follow the foundation they laid."

Seraphine remained silent, digesting the information.

As they continued their conversation, the waiter returned with their food.

The aroma of roasted Red Tiger meat filled the room, accompanied by the fruity fragrance of 100-year-old Covil Grape Wine. The waiter carefully placed the dishes before them—a steaming bowl of chicken soup, a plate of fresh fruits and salad, and a pot of fragrant tea for Seraphine.

They began eating, but their discussion did not stop.

Elena sighed as she picked up a piece of roasted meat with her chopsticks.

"I don't know what the Dark Cultivators are planning," she said, frowning. "But whatever it is, it's not good for us."

Both Malavi and Seraphine nodded in agreement.

"We need to figure out their true motive first," Malavi said. "If we don't, things could become truly dangerous."

Seraphine took a sip of her tea before speaking.

"You know, we just fought against two Foundation Establishment Realm Dark Cultivators," she said, her voice calm. "If there are more of them, then the situation will become even worse for us."

Elena placed her cup of wine down and leaned forward slightly.

"True," she said. "Right now, our three sects have enough Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators to handle the threat. But if the Dark Cultivators have people at a higher realm, then we will be in real danger."

Seraphine remained quiet for a moment, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her teacup.

She felt a slight sense of unease.

This isn't just about a simple battle anymore, she thought.

She had already stepped onto this chessboard, whether she wanted to or not. Now, the only way to escape was to find and destroy the mastermind behind this chaos.

She silently exhaled and focused on finishing her food.

After some time, Elena put her chopsticks down and looked at Seraphine.

"We'll speak with the Sect Master and the Great Elder," she said. "Once we discuss it with them, we'll let you know their decision about your recruitment."

Seraphine nodded.

"Alright."

"Until then," Elena continued, "stay at this inn. We will return tomorrow."

Seraphine nodded again, understanding that there was nothing more to do until they returned.

With that, Elena and Malavi stood up, pushing their chairs back. They left the private dining room and walked out of the inn.

A moment later, Seraphine sensed their qi surging as they took to the air, flying toward the Silver Star Sect.

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