Chapter 8: The Fire Sect and a Brother's Desire
Three years had passed. Jihan had grown stronger, steadily cultivating in secret under the guidance of the Basic Qi Circulation Technique his sister had given him. His body and Qi had improved, though slowly — after all, his aptitude rank was 3, not extraordinary, but stable and reliable.
Meanwhile, Jahin had surpassed all expectations. Now a Foundation Building cultivator, she had earned her place among the elite of the Fire Sect. Out of more than 10,000 disciples, only twenty had reached Foundation Building. Each of these twenty had automatically become elders, respected and feared by the sect's younger disciples. Jahin's talent, discipline, and determination had brought her to the top in record time.
Despite the distance, Jihan kept a close eye on his sister's progress. The Fire Sect was a massive organization, filled with thousands of disciples and dozens of senior elders, but to Jihan, none of them mattered. He only cared about the calculations that would eventually allow him to control his own destiny.
One day, Jihan sent a letter to Jahin, the words carefully chosen, precise and calculated:
> Sister,
I see you have grown stronger than I expected. Foundation Building at your age… impressive. The sect must value you greatly. I have something to say, something personal. I want to marry — not for power, but because it is my choice and desire. I trust you to understand and guide me in this.
—Jihan
Jihan's dark eyes glinted with determination as he sealed the letter. He had no intention of relying on the sect or waiting for permission from anyone but his sister. His path was his own, and this letter was both a statement of intent and a test of her understanding.
The letter was delivered to the Fire Sect, reaching Jahin's hands swiftly. She read it carefully, noting the calm precision in every word. Her lips curved slightly in amusement — the younger brother she had left behind was no longer a child. He had grown, thoughtful, and calculating, just like she had always predicted.
Even among the sect's thousands, Jahin realized, her brother was already plotting a path that could surpass everyone. And yet, here he was, speaking honestly to her about something as human as desire.
Jihan's mind, as always, had already moved forward. The Fire Sect, the Foundation Building elders, and even Jahin herself were pieces on a board. And soon, he would ensure that every piece worked according to his plan.
Foundation Building… Golden Core… and beyond. Every stage is predictable. Every step can be controlled. And one day, all paths will lead to me.