The three of them settled into easier conversation, the tension from earlier completely dissolving into comfortable familiarity.
Yu'er told stories about life in the Four Symbols Sect, her voice animated as she recounted her experiences.
She described the strict training schedules that had disciples rising before dawn every day without fail.
The competitive atmosphere among disciples, where everyone pushed each other to greater heights.
The occasional drama between different factions within the sect, political maneuvering that sometimes felt more exhausting than actual cultivation.
"There's this one group of disciples who follow Elder Wen," Yu'er said with a slight grimace. "They think technique refinement is more important than cultivation base advancement. And then there's Elder Zhao's faction, who believe raw power trumps everything else. They argue constantly during group training sessions."
"Which side are you on?" Xian Long asked curiously.
