After Vivi had left to take her elder's summons, Isshin, Rune, and Karin decided to head back to the training grounds. The courtyard was already filled with outer disciples going through their exercises. The three of them stood to the side and observed the synchronized steps, technique drills, and qi control exercises.
Among the people, Isshin saw the man he had battled last night—Tahir. He was training alone, sweat dripping on his brow as he sliced the air with a savagery that was nearly anger. Their eyes met. Tahir did not speak a word, but his face spoke volumes. Nothing happened. Not yet.
They noticed an old figure standing there, his arms clasped behind his back. His attitude was calm but with an undeniable presence. It was Elder Han, the one who governed Zyn Peak.
The three of them bowed together and nodded in respect.
"Good morning, Elder," Isshin greeted.
The elder turned to them with a glance. "You're yesterday's newcomers, aren't you?
"Yes," Karin replied. "We were wondering… how does one become an inner disciple? Or even a direct disciple?"
Elder Han nodded curtly. "To become an inner disciple, you have to pass one of our tests. They aren't publicly known, and not everyone is offered the chance. You'll be evaluated when the time comes. As for direct disciples, you'll need to be exceptional enough to be noticed by the sect leaders—or the sect master himself."
"And… is there a minimum requirement?" Rune asked.
You must be at least Nascent Soul Realm, first stage, to take the test. That's just the entry. After that, it's what you can do."
They nodded their understanding. All three of them were already in the Nascent Soul Realm, so the door was at least open.
As they stepped to leave, Elder Han broke in, stopping Isshin.
"You," he said, unperturbed.
Isshin looked back, a brow rising. "Yes?"
"You must learn to master your own qi… or it will start to master you."
There was something strange in the manner Elder Han looked at him—not at him, but through him, as if stripping away layers Isshin himself had yet to reveal.
Isshin did not say anything. The words hovered.
Later that day, they discovered the sect's mission system. ShenLou Sect employed mission boards, the same as the academy. The majority of the work was acquiring resources or calming beasts in the local areas. It was not glamorous, but honest work, and it paid in qi pills, spirit stones, and sometimes recognition.
They made a note of it and returned to their quarters.
That night, Isshin sat alone in his room, back resting against the wall, legs folded. He opened the system screen and stared at his stats.
Level: 142
Health: 71
Strength: 73
Stamina: 75
Mana/Qi: 69
Intelligence: 55
Available Stat Points: 2
Cultivation Stage: Nascent Soul Realm – 4th Stage
He sighed. "Raijin… is there a faster way? A real shortcut?"
Raijin's voice echoed faintly in his mind. "You're already doing everything right. There's no cheat for time."
Isshin did not argue that. Something continued to trouble him, however.
"What did Elder Han mean about using my own qi? Now that I think about it… I've barely touched my own since I unlocked your powers. I never even tried to use the Skeleton King's."
"You can't," Raijin replied immediately. "My presence dominates the others. Engaging your natural qi while using mine would conflict with your core."
Isshin's eyes narrowed. "That's a lie."
Raijin fell silent.
"I've known you for years. I can tell when you're lying."
There was a pause in the inner world for a beat. Then Raijin finally spoke—but not in words, but in discomfort. Isshin felt it. There was something Raijin wasn't saying. Something important.
And then… he remembered the locked door in his inner world. The one Raijin never approached.
He didn't push further.
Not yet.
Meanwhile, the Skeleton King's voice thundered, raspy and impatient.
Let me out. Just for a walk. You incarcerated me like I'm some kind of corpse!"
"You are a corpse," Isshin muttered.
The undead king exhaled. "Semantics. Just give me a few minutes of air."
Against his better judgment, Isshin let him out—but warned him to keep his presence hidden. The Skeleton King eagerly agreed, sliding into the sect's shadows.
Isshin collapsed back and slipped into sleep, the weight of too many questions pressing upon his chest.
And then—sound.
A creak.
A whisper.
Footsteps.
And then the flash of cold steel above his throat.
In a moment, the attacker's sword wavered in the air. It trembled as if it had encountered a mountain. He tried to force it down, veins bulging—but an invisible force restrained him.
The Skeleton King loomed behind him, his shadow on the room like death itself.
"No," Isshin whispered, eyes still shut.
He opened them a moment later, shooting up straight. With a burst of qi, he struck with Thunder Qi Palm—shattering the window and sending the attacker crashing out into the courtyard below.
Alarms rang out across the sect.
Disciples ran out of their rooms.
Isshin fell down, landing beside the groaning figure in the grass. The intruder had no time to escape before a second-year student applied a barrier skill—a trapping him inside a golden energy dome.
A crowd gathered. Rune and Karin arrived seconds later.
"Isshin!" Karin screamed. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he said, brushing off his sleeves. "This guy isn't, though."
The attacker, now pinned and pale, gasped in terror.
W-What was that power…? T-There was a demon—behind me—"
He was interrupted before he could go on, for the elder of Soul Peak, Elden Shen, showed up. All fell silent in his presence.
"Elder, I—"
A sudden burst of sound cut off the attacker. His voice stopped. His body stopped moving.
"It's still midnight," Elden Shen said coldly. "Your trial will be at dawn."
The other disciples were silent, the night air heavy and tense.
"Thanks for your help, Elder," Isshin said, bowing slightly.
Elden Shen nodded. "No need. Elder Han mentioned someone like you. We'll speak again—later."
Then, with a look that told everyone to return to their rooms, the elder vanished into the night.
The courtyard slowly emptied.
But Isshin stayed still for a moment, glancing back at the broken window of his room… and the things still hidden behind that door in his inner world.