The Next Step

"Ughh…" Xiao Tuheng groaned as he slowly stirred awake, his head feeling heavy. He instinctively reached up, brushing his hand against his forehead. 'Did I drink last night?' he thought, still groggy. Gradually, he pushed himself off the floor and blinked, trying to clear the fog in his mind.

He looked around the small room, his thoughts still fuzzy. 'Right… I was upgrading the cultivation manual and... fell asleep?' His gaze drifted toward the window. The sunlight was already spilling in, announcing that morning had arrived.

'Guess I'll check the effects later. I need to go meet up with Bao Liang,' he reminded himself, 'I need to find the Sect's Token first, though.' He began to search the room, eyes scanning every corner.

"Where is it…" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

'Alright, calm down. Let's retrace things.' He took a slow, deep breath, focusing inward, trying to dig through his predecessor's memories for the location of the token.

His brow furrowed. Nothing.

'Did he forget where he put it?' he thought, exasperated. He began moving things around, pushing aside the cultivation mat and other items, his mind becoming more impatient with every second.

"Finally…" he muttered, a relieved sigh escaping as he found it in the gap between the wall and the bed. 'Why was it there…? Ugh, let's not think about it.'

He quickly tucked the token into his pouch and made his way out of the hut, the day's light now fully embracing the world outside.

On his way to the Dining Hall, he passed a disciple sweeping the road. The sight stirred up some of his predecessor's memories.

'…No more,' he thought resolutely, his expression hardening as he stepped into the Dining Hall.

Tuheng glanced around the bustling room but didn't spot Bao Liang anywhere. 'Guess he hasn't arrived yet,' he mused. He grabbed a plate of food, his mind wandering for a moment before he scanned the hall for an empty seat.

'Is that Feng Mei?' he wondered, spotting her sitting alone at a table.

He approached her, offering a polite smile. "Greetings, Senior Sister. May I sit here?"

She nodded, her expression as composed as always. "Greetings."

He sat down, the air between them a little stiff. 'It's always a little awkward with her,' he thought, taking a bite of his food.

After a moment of silence, he decided to break the ice. "So, how did you come to know Brother Bao?"

She looked up briefly, her gaze steady. "We joined the sect at the same time," she said simply, before turning her attention back to her meal.

Tuheng noticed a small smile tugging at her lips when she spoke of Bao Liang. 'Does she like him or something?' he wondered, but before he could dwell on it, he felt a hand clap lightly on his shoulder.

"Greetings, Brother Xiao. Feng Mei."

He turned to see Bao Liang, a wide grin on his face.

"Greetings, Brother Bao," Tuheng replied, smiling back. Feng Mei nodded her acknowledgment, her expression still reserved.

Bao Liang's eyes twinkled mischievously as he teased, "Did you find your Sect's Token?"

Tuheng groaned. 'I'll have to properly digest all these memories later so I don't make obvious mistakes like that again,' he thought, but replied with a calm nod. "Yes, I did."

He pulled the token from his pouch and handed it over. Bao pressed his token to his forehead briefly before tapping it against the one he had just received.

"I've sent you the 50 contribution points," Bao said, returning the token.

The three of them continued to talk while they ate. Then Bao dropped something that caught Tuheng's attention.

"The Inner Sect Entrance Exam is coming up in a month," Bao said, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "I think I have a real shot at making it this time."

Tuheng raised an eyebrow. "The Inner Sect Entrance Exam?"

Bao nodded enthusiastically. "I guess you wouldn't know much about it, considering your previous cultivation," he said, then continued, "It's a fighting tournament, held once a year. The only way to become an Inner Sect disciple, unless you're picked by an elder."

Tuheng leaned forward, intrigued. "Where is it held?"

Bao gave him a curious look. "Are you thinking of participating?"

When Tuheng nodded, Bao hesitated, then sighed. "There are only five spots each year. I wouldn't recommend entering unless you're at least at the 8th Layer of cultivation. But if you're just looking for experience... you can sign up at the Mission Hall. They'll walk you through the process."

Tuheng's mind clicked into gear. 'I should be able to reach the 8th Layer within a month,' he thought, a grin spreading across his face as he quickly finished his meal.

"I'll see you later," he said, standing up. "I need to head to the Mission Hall."

He left the Dining Hall, determined, and made his way to the Mission Hall.

When he arrived, he saw a long line already formed outside. He sighed and took his place at the end, silently observing the scene. 'I guess some things don't change, no matter the world,' he thought, settling in for what was likely going to be a long wait.

After thirty minutes, it was finally his turn. He exhaled in relief as he approached the clerk.

"I'd like to sign up for the Inner Sect Entrance Exam," he said simply.

The clerk nodded and handed him a form. "Sign your name here."

Tuheng quickly complied, and the clerk reviewed the form before nodding again. "You're exempt from regular missions for the next month to focus on preparation for the exam."

The clerk handed him a jade slip. "The exam starts next month. Be at the Martial Area in the morning with this slip, or you won't be allowed to participate."

"If that's all, you may go," the clerk added.

"Thank you," Tuheng said, giving a polite nod before turning and leaving the Mission Hall.

'Now I have a month to reach at least the 8th Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm', he thought, a gleam of determination lighting his eyes. 'No… Let's aim for the 9th Layer.'

A confident grin spread across his face as he turned and headed back to his hut, ready to dive into his cultivation.