Xuheng, Western Region, Bloodborne Sect
The Bloodborne Sect sat on the outer edges of Bloodmoon Ridge, covering a vast number of mountains in the range. It could be considered a hegemon within the couple of hundred miles surrounding the sect. Under its name were numerous mortal cities ruled by failed disciples, while the successful ones now ruled the sect, overlooking Bloodmoon Ridge from the highest peak—Bloodborne Spire.
The upper echelons of the sect called the peak their home, while the other personnel of the sect were scattered around the smaller ones. On one of the smallest peaks, a small bamboo house stood quietly at the bottom.
A young boy of around sixteen was fixing his hair in front of a cracked mirror, struggling to push a single strand back—it kept falling onto his forehead. The boy's brown eyes narrowed with annoyance, but he was stubborn. He was ready for a life-and-death fight with his own hair, but on his final attempt, the hair surrendered—settling in its place. He then admired his well-defined features for a moment before stepping out of the house.
"Sorry for making you wait, Senior Brother," Shuyan apologized as soon as he stepped outside the bamboo house with practiced ease. It was the start of another grueling day, and nothing felt out of place as he naturally fell into the familiar routine of following Lin Dage.
"You were quick. No need to apologize," Lin Dage said casually and started walking. Shuyan caught up so they walked side by side along the cobbled road leading toward the top of the mountain.
Lin Dage was one of the few disciples Shuyan could genuinely call a friend—somewhat stuck-up, but dependable in his own way.
"Have you heard, Shuyan? Elder Han Yue will be visiting our peak for the monthly resource distribution this time. He's a Core Formation powerhouse. If only I could catch his attention and become his disciple," Lin Dage rambled, excitement leaking into every word as his lanky hands became more animated the more he talked. His bushy hair bounced with every step he took.
Combined with a ratty-looking face, pointed nose, and shriveled cheeks, he looked comical to say the least.
Shuyan held back a smile. Becoming an elder's disciple wasn't simple; it meant entering the inner sect and moving into one of the major peaks. Even Shuyan knew that much. Lin's confidence was amusing—but not surprising.
It had already been a full year since they joined the sect, and both of them were still in the Muscle and Tendon Tempering Realm. At this pace, even keeping their outer disciple positions would be difficult in another year.
Still, Shuyan never bothered to question Lin's wild dreams. That was simply how their friendship worked.
"You might not know, but I completed Tendon Tempering yesterday. I am officially a Bone Forging Stage cultivator from today. So there is a chance that I might catch Elder Han Yue's eye." Lin puffed out his chest proudly.
Shuyan blinked in surprise but quickly offered his congratulations. Completing Tendon Tempering was undoubtedly an achievement; only a small percentage of outer disciples reached that level before their five-year period ended.
One had to reach Organ Refinement before the deadline to maintain their disciple status and earn a shot at becoming an inner disciple.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother. You'll definitely become an inner disciple in a few years." Shuyan added a bit of flattery—not that Lin didn't deserve it. Lin had True Spiritual Channels, a natural advantage that gave him a real chance of reaching Organ Refinement.
They continued walking, passing by quite a few other bamboo houses—each the abode of an outer disciple of the Bloodborne Sect, dotting the mountain. Lin bragged with overflowing enthusiasm; Shuyan nodded along, as usual.
Soon, they arrived at the peak's large open training ground. Disciples in red robes hurried toward the towering building behind it: the Emerald Affairs Hall. Unlike the Mission Hall reserved for inner disciples, the Affairs Hall handled internal tasks and distributed monthly resources to the outer disciples.
Since the sect was immense, every three minor peaks under a single outer elder had an Affairs Hall of their own.
The two squeezed through the bustling crowd and pushed their way inside. After a few minutes of shuffling bodies and murmuring voices, they stepped into a massive hall overflowing with disciples.
Shuyan found himself staring at a sea of heads. The buzz of conversation bounced across the wooden walls until, on the raised platform, a man in blood-red robes lifted a hand.
Elder Han. His presence alone commanded attention.
"Silence." His voice cut through the hall, immediately shutting everyone up. Lin swallowed nervously beside Shuyan.
"I have come here today not only to distribute resources, but to make an announcement that will greatly affect your future. First, let me remind you of your situation. There are three peaks the size of this one under my supervision, each holding a maximum of thirty disciples. But the next yearly recruitment is only a month away. You know what that means?"
He paused, letting the tension grow.
"We must make room for new talent by removing the weakest. Therefore, a yearly outer sect competition will be held. Each year's disciples will compete only against their own year. The bottom five from each year will be expelled to Weiyang City."
The hall erupted instantly. Some disciples whispered anxiously, others trembled, and a few even looked excited. Even the older disciples couldn't keep their expressions steady.
This event could determine their entire future in the sect.
Shuyan felt a small knot form in his stomach. As a first-year with average progress, being eliminated was a real possibility—and being expelled was a fate he wanted to avoid at all costs.
"You have one month to prepare. I expect to see a performance worthy of the Three Emerald Peaks." Elder Han flicked his sleeve and vanished in an instant.
The hall buzzed even louder, but the two deacons stepped forward and began distributing resources. Shuyan eventually received his share thanks to his permanent work in the Cleaning Department.
With resource pouches in hand, he and Lin squeezed their way back outside. Inside Shuyan's pouch were a pill and several smooth spirit stones—the currency of cultivators.
He put them away and prepared to begin his afternoon duty.
Sweeping.