The sun was already dipping low, painting the tiled rooftops of the outer court in shades of amber and gold as they left Jian's quarters.
By then, disciples had begun to emerge in their robes, moving in pairs or small groups along the broad stone paths. Laughter and chatter floated in the air—until eyes fell upon the trio.
The conversations thinned, replaced by quick glances and half-swallowed whispers. Awkward looks lingered on Jian, then Maria, but not a single word was spoken aloud.
Not when Mo Yin, an inner court disciple, walked at their head.
Curious, Jian asked, "Where were the outer court disciples hiding? before now the outer court was empty on our arrival."
Mo Yin walked slightly ahead, her strides sharp and deliberate, as though each stone beneath her sandal carried some offense. She didn't hide the irritation on her face.
"There was a debriefing," she replied flatly. "All outer court disciples were called to attend."
She gestured with a quick wave of her hand toward a massive building whose shadow stretched across the path. Its stone walls rose high, lined with bronze plaques and guarded by a pair of grim statues carved in battle stance.
"This is the Hall of Discipline, your master's hall as fairy Mei Lian is in charge of it." Mo Yin said. "Don't bother remembering too much—unless you plan on breaking rules.
Then again—" her eyes slid briefly to Jian before settling on Maria, "—some people always do."
They moved on, passing under the shade of old cedar trees, the roots breaking through the stones like ancient veins crawling across the ground.
Beyond the trees, a broad courtyard opened before them. The sharp crack of wooden weapons striking filled the air, punctuated by the heavy grunts of effort and occasional battle cries.
Disciples clashed in pairs, their movements disciplined yet fierce, the rhythm of training echoing against the stone walls.
"Training Yard," Mo Yin said briskly. "You'll need to spend a lot of time here if you want to live past your first mission, that's if you're interested in such activities, though with that weak cultivation of yours." She paused. "Well Not that everyone does survives."
Her tone was dry, but her eyes briefly lingered on Jian, almost as if she were testing how he'd respond to her jab for being weak.
he had lived this life before, but never was he among the weak ones. although he knew this was different because of the little connection he had established with the unknown sect Elder.
They moved on. The path curved toward a long colonnade where fragrant steam curled from within. Voices hummed low, tinged with laughter that carried more heat than the baths themselves.
Mo Yin gestured without slowing. "The dual cultivation halls. Outer court disciples aren't allowed past those doors unless invited by a senior. Try not to stare too long, or people will think you're desperate."
Maria looked away quickly, her cheeks pink. Jian chuckled softly under his breath.
They walked further until the air grew cooler. The path bent around a cluster of willow trees before opening onto a broad pond. Its surface shimmered with twilight's fading light, lotuses drifting lazily across the water. Their pale petals glowed faintly, as if tapping in on the Qi that rippled through the air.
A handful of disciples sat cross-legged along the stone banks, their breathing even, their postures serene. For a moment, the setting radiated peace—until several of them abruptly opened their eyes.
Their gazes swept the trio, but then fixed on Maria. The sight of her plain helper's uniform drew a ripple of confusion across their faces. Some exchanged quick glances, others furrowed their brows, yet no one spoke.
The thought, however, was nearly visible in their eyes:Who would waste such a potent Yang Qi on a mere helper?
For in truth, Maria carried a lingering aura—subtle but unmistakable—evidence of cultivation intimacy with someone who knew what they were doing.
Jian had made no mistake, he had begun with one of the strongest dual cultivation techniques he had discovered later in life as Jian Yu. Now, reborn and armed with memory, he simply retraced that path without previous error perfecting his craft.
Mo Yin, however, had paid no attention to the quality of Yang qi. To her, Maria was nothing more than a girl out of place. And she had expected more from Jian as someone affiliated with fairy Mei Lian any other Small details were wasted on her disdain.
And yet, when she finally spoke, her tone softened—just slightly, almost grudgingly.
"This," she said, gesturing toward the still waters, "is the Reflection Pool. Qi flows strong through the pond. It clears the mind… useful for those who carry too many distractions."
The disciples by the bank closed their eyes once more, returning to meditation. The faint hum of spiritual energy seemed to rise from the water itself, a low resonance that brushed against the skin. The pond was alive, breathing with the rhythm of cultivation.
Jian looked at it with idle amusement. Maria, meanwhile, lingered at the water's edge, her reflection wavering beneath the ripples as though testing whether she belonged in such a place.
Her eyes flicked again—first at Maria, then back at Jian then at the distance she could hear giggles from the disciples that had seen her with the helper fucker.
Mo Yin brows furrowed in disgust as she had intentionally avoided more crowded area
By now the shadows were long, stretching across the sect's outer walls.
The tour continued — that's the outer court Alchemy Halls, where pills are made a big sculpture of two cauldrons were placed in the entrance of the path way into the alchemy hall.
Smokey effervescent steamed out of the chimneys the scent of fragrant herbs got strong as they passed the area.
Mo Yin Pointing ahead at a big structure in the distance, that is the outer court Pavilion hall, it is stacked with sutras on dual cultivation techniques, basic knowledge, the information in there is minimal as the sect wouldn't give information that could hurt its disciple.
Finally, they arrived at the Pillars of Unity, two colossal statues rising side by side — one male, one female, hands clasped together in eternal balance.
Mo Yin sighed, almost as though it pained her to give the explanation. "The Yin and Yang Unity Sect was founded fifty thousand centuries ago by Daoist Xuan He and Fairy Yuelan.
He embodied pure Yang. And, she pure Yin. Together they cultivated beyond the Heavenly Tribulation Realm and forged this sect to preserve their dual path. That is your history lesson. Cherish it or don't. My duty here is finished."
Mo Yin stopped at the end of the path, where a tall gate marked the divide between the outer and inner court. Beyond it, the roofs gleamed with faint protective arrays, glowing in the darkening sky.
"And that," she said, dusting her hands as though she were done with a chore, "is the boundary to the inner court. Don't even think of stepping past it without permission. Outer court disciples like you stay here until you prove yourself. Some manage. Most don't."
Maria's hands curled into fists, but before she could retort, Jian spoke—his voice lazy, almost mocking.
"Quite the charming tour guide you are," he drawled. "Makes one feel so welcome."
Mo Yin's lips curved into a sharp smile. "I wasn't hired to make you comfortable, Lou Jian. Only to make sure you don't get lost.
"
And with that, she spun on her heel, clearly eager for the tour to be over.