outer sect entrance

Shi Yao and Li Rong walked side by side on the dirt path leading back to their village. The silence between them was loud, each waiting for the other to break it.

"So, brother... since when did you start cultivating? I thought your meridians were severed," Li Rong finally asked, her voice curious but cautious.

"I just found a rare herb in a cave near the ocean. It healed me," Shi Yao replied, brushing it off with a casual tone.

Li Rong narrowed her eyes slightly. "I don't know what you're hiding, but I know you, Shi Yao. You're not the reckless type. Just make sure to take care of yourself."

Shi Yao fell silent, thoughts stirring in his mind.

I can't let anyone know about the Heavenly Devouring Technique. I don't even understand its origin. It's too dangerous to reveal.

As the moments trickled by, they arrived at the village gate. Stepping through, they found the village unusually lively. Torches burned brightly along the walls, houses were freshly painted—and some had even been decorated with crude paintings of Shi Yao's face.

Shi Yao stared ahead, eyes wide with confusion. "What's going on here?"

"Mom! Dad! Look, Shi Yao and Li Rong are back!" a child's voice rang out.

"What? Really? Everyone, come out! Shi Yao is here!" a woman shouted joyfully.

A man stepped forward, beaming. "Hey, Shi Yao! We heard you won the sect entrance competition and ranked first. So we decided to throw a feast tonight to celebrate and show our support."

Shi Yao stood stunned. "They did all this... for me?" he thought.

Originally, when I came to this world, I only thought about how to return home... about reaching the peak of this world. But maybe I forgot what it feels like to be close to people who genuinely care.

Before he could finish the thought, Li Rong grabbed his arm and tugged him forward. "Stop zoning out, brother. Come on, let's enjoy ourselves!"

The village buzzed with life. Children ran around playing, laughter echoed through the air, and the scent of grilled meat and warm bread drifted from every corner.

"Chug! Chug! Chug!" a group of men cheered around Shi Yao as he downed a massive mug of beer. The liquid sloshed around his mouth before he slammed the mug down with a satisfied grin.

"Finished!" he declared.

"That's not fair! He must've cheated—no one can finish a mug that size in under ten seconds!" shouted his flushed-faced opponent.

"Li Wei, calm down. It's just a kid," someone laughed.

"Yeah, don't get worked up over a game. He's the village champion, after all," another chimed in.

"Fine, whatever. Just know he cheated," Li Wei muttered as he stomped away.

An older man stepped forward, his hair white and his robes flowing. He wore high boots, and deep wrinkles lined his weathered face.

"Don't mind him," he said kindly. "Li Wei's always been like that. Cold on the outside, but kind at heart. One of the best people you'll meet."

Shi Yao nodded. "If you say so, Uncle Ming."

Uncle Ming patted his head with a smile. "I heard you're leaving for the Celestial Wind Sect tomorrow. It's getting late—how about you get some sleep?"

Later that night, Shi Yao sat cross-legged on his bed, examining a Foundation Establishment Pill in his hand. The small pearl glimmered under the moonlight.

"So this is it... After refining this, I'll finally be able to form my Inner Sea and fully step into the Foundation Establishment Stage."

To understand how he got the pill, we must return to the aftermath of his match with Hao Tian.

"Shi Yao, step forward," a sect elder had called. His long white beard fluttered with the breeze.

Shi Yao approached. The elder studied him carefully, clearly impressed.

"As the winner of the Outer Sect competition, you will receive your promised rewards," the elder announced. "First, this Foundation Establishment Pill—crucial for your cultivation breakthrough. Second, your Outer Sect garments. Third, tomorrow, you'll be taken to our library to choose a martial art from the first floor."

Now back in his room, Shi Yao stared at the pill.

"So this is a Foundation Pill... I expected something more impressive. It just reminds me of sugar pearls from Earth."

He shrugged and tossed the pill into his mouth, swallowing it whole.

He waited.

"Strange... I don't feel anyth—"

Before he could finish the thought, a surge of energy erupted within him. It filled his dantian violently. His organs felt like they were being crushed. He tried to control the energy, but it was like taming a storm with bare hands.

A sea of Qi began forming inside him.

His veins bulged, threatening to burst. Blood spattered from his lips, but he gritted his teeth.

I have to endure. I can't stop here. I have people to protect... I have to find a way back to Earth!

Agonizing hours passed. Bones cracked, broke, and healed. Muscles tore and reformed. At last, with a roar of energy, a burst of wind exploded from his body, shaking the windows and echoing through the village.

Shi Yao slowly exhaled and opened his eyes. The veins receded, and his breathing steadied.

"So this is the Foundation Establishment Stage... I've heard it's like having your bones reshaped and refined. They weren't lying. That was hell. But it was worth it."

Shi Yao starts to stabilize his new cultivation.

Now I'm one step closer—to protecting my loved ones and finding my way home.

Fatigued, he collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion overtaking him. His eyes fluttered shut, and soon, sleep claimed him.

---

Morning came. Sunlight filtered into the room, gently waking Shi Yao.

At the village gate, Li Rong hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'll miss you, brother."

"Don't worry. I'll come back during the holidays—and I'll bring you your favorite sweets."

Li Rong wiped her tears and nodded. "You better not be lying."

As Shi Yao walked away, he turned for one last look. The entire village had gathered at the gate. Some were sad, others smiling with pride. He smiled and waved.

As much as I don't want to leave... I need strength to protect them.

He adjusted the small sack of clothes over his shoulder and continued on.

---

Standing before the towering gates of the Celestial Wind Sect in the heart of Yang City, Shi Yao admired the massive structure. The gate was carved with intricate designs and inscribed with the sect's name.

He approached the registration desk, where a clerk was dozing.

Shi Yao gently shook him awake. "Excuse me. I'm here to register. I was told to come today."

The clerk groaned, opening one eye before scoffing. "Another kid? Didn't your mother teach you not to disturb elders when they're sleeping? Just give me your name. Not that it matters."

"Shi Yao," he replied calmly. "Do you need anything else?"

The clerk froze. "Wait... Shi Yao? As in—the Shi Yao who won the sect entrance competition?!"

He stood abruptly and bowed. "Forgive me for my earlier behavior!"

Shi Yao chuckled. "It's fine. I'm used to it. Just register me."

The clerk quickly entered the details and handed him a green jade token. "Take this. It proves your identity as a disciple of the Celestial Wind Sect. Every sect has its own unique token—don't lose it."

A servant soon arrived and guided Shi Yao to his residence.

As they flew on a sword toward the outer sect housing, Shi Yao noticed something strange. The floating mountain held houses at different heights—the lower homes looked rundown with thin Qi, while the higher levels seemed pristine and filled with thick spiritual energy.

He asked, "Why are the houses arranged like this?"

The servant replied, "The higher your rank in the competition, the higher your residence—and the better the Qi density. Since you ranked first, your courtyard is at the very top."

Shi Yao clung to the servant's leg as they rose higher. "H-hey, how about we slow down?! There's no rush, right?!"

When they landed, Shi Yao leaped off the sword and hugged the ground.

"Hah! Didn't expect the number one sect entrant to be scared of heights," the servant teased before flying off.

Shi Yao dusted himself off and entered his new home. Inside, he changed into his sect robes—golden-black, adorned with wrist guards, a sturdy belt, boots, a shoulder guard, and a flowing cloak.

He tied his hair into a neat ponytail and fastened it with a jade hairpin.

"Wow... didn't expect sect clothes to look this good. Guess they've got a solid fashion sense too."