I Will Eventually Return to the Great Sect

In the world of cultivation, raw power alone wasn't enough. What really distinguished cultivators from ordinary mortals was qi. Qi was the energy of the world. It could strengthen the body, heighten reflexes, and allow cultivators to manipulate elements and more in extraordinary ways.

But without proper techniques to channel that qi effectively, even a powerful cultivator was not much more dangerous than a strong mortal. That's where martial skills came into play.

As Xuan walked through the wide, arching doors of the Martial Skill Hall, he took in the long rows of shelves stretched far into the distance. At the entrance, an old man sat behind a simple wooden desk, lazily flipping through a thick scroll. He didn't spare Xuan a glance as he entered, though Xuan noticed that those leaving the hall were being questioned before stepping outside.

Xuan's gaze moved across the shelves, eventually landing on a sign next to one of them: Rank 1 Martial Skills.

Martial skills were divided into nine ranks, with Rank 1 being the lowest and Rank 9 representing the pinnacle of martial techniques. Rank 1 to Rank 3 skills were suitable for early-stage cultivators, with Rank 1 suitable for those in the Inner Essence Realm. That was the realm Xuan was in. Or rather. Would enter once he absorbed the newly collected Frostdew Flower.

Cultivation began with the Qi Sensing Realm, where an individual first learned to sense qi. From there, they advanced to the Node Unlocking Realm, where they gradually unlocked the body's natural qi nodes—critical points that connected the body to the surrounding qi—and eventually activated their dantian, the core reservoir for storing qi.

Next came the Spiritual Vein Realm, where cultivators established qi pathways throughout their bodies, enabling faster and more efficient circulation of qi. The final step in this realm involved unblocking the body's pores, a process that allowed qi to be released externally for more advanced techniques.

Xuan was at this final stage. Every cultivation method had its own unique way of unblocking the pores. Xuan practiced the Frozen Gale Codex, a wind and water aligned cultivation method that guided him on the path ahead. This particular method required the use of the Frostdew Flower to complete the pore opening process.

Once he succeeded, he would officially step into the Inner Essence Realm, widely regarded as the true starting point of cultivation. Only then would he be capable of learning and effectively using martial skills.

But Xuan's excitement got the better of him. Despite knowing he wasn't quite ready yet, he couldn't resist coming to the Martial Skill Hall early to check them out.

As he wandered through the Martial Skill Hall, his hand brushed lightly against the edges of shelves stacked with scrolls and manuals. Each shelf was labeled neatly, categorizing the skills into different types.

He paused at a section labeled "Offensive Skills", opening one of the scrolls.

"Flame Strike" – a simple martial skill that allowed the user to channel qi into their weapon, creating a blazing cover for the sword. The description warned of its high qi consumption.

Setting it aside, Xuan moved on, finding another section labeled "Defensive Skills".

"Stone Skin Technique" – this skill hardened the user's skin temporarily by channeling earth-aligned qi throughout the body, reducing physical damage taken. Xuan raised an eyebrow. It seemed useful, but it likely wouldn't suit him well since his own cultivation method focused on wind and water qi.

He walked a little further, stopping at a row labeled "Movement Skills".

"Shadow Step" – a basic skill that enabled the user to momentarily accelerate and leave behind a faint afterimage, confusing opponents. It was a Rank 1 movement skill, relatively simple in concept, but its versatility made it a popular choice for newer disciples.

Xuan continued browsing, taking note of the sheer variety. Some skills sounded incredibly unique, like "Frostbind Chains", which involved binding an enemy in frost-forged qi chains, while others were straightforward, like "Piercing Palm", a simple qi-augmented palm strike.

His excitement grew as he imagined himself mastering these techniques. However, as he approached the staircase leading to the second floor, he was met with an invisible force, blocking his path. He pressed his hand against it, but the barrier didn't budge. After a while he realized, that he could only progress once he reached a higher cultivation stage.

"Guess I'm stuck with Rank 1 skills for now," Xuan muttered, stepping back with a slight pout.

>>>

After about thirty minutes of browsing, Xuan finally settled on two martial skills and made his way toward the exit. Just as he reached the door, the old man sitting behind the counter raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

"Hold on, young one," the elder said, his voice raspy but commanding. "You've been here a while. Pick anything good?"

Xuan paused, clutching the scrolls in his hand. "Yeah, I think so."

The old man squinted at him, his eyes flickering briefly to the emblem on Xuan's sect robe. His expression shifted slightly as recognition dawned. "Core disciple?" he asked, a hint of curiosity creeping into his tone. "Bit young for that rank, aren't you?"

Xuan gave a polite nod but remained silent. He was used to the surprised reactions by now.

"Well," the elder continued, leaning back in his chair, "it's good you're eager, but let me give you some advice. Don't get too caught up in martial skills. Fighting power is important, sure, but if you neglect your cultivation, you'll hit a wall sooner or later."

He knew the importance of cultivation—progressing through realms opened up more possibilities, both in terms of strength and survival. While martial skills were good, a lot of youngsters got too caught up in them, forgetting the core of their strength: cultivation.

Changing the topic, the old man pointed to the scrolls. "Since those are basic Rank 1 skills, you can keep those copies. But once you start picking higher-ranked skills, the rules will change. You won't be allowed to keep the scrolls, and there will be stricter conditions on their use."

"I understand," Xuan replied, his tone respectful.

The old man nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, what did you pick?"

Xuan held up the two scrolls. "Frostbind Chains and Falconburst Kick."

The old man's eyes flicked to the scrolls in Xuan's hands, pausing briefly on each one. "Frostbind Chains, hmm? A versatile technique, excellent for controlling enemies. Not a bad choice, considering your weakness in direct combat." His gaze lingered for a moment on Xuan's missing arm before moving to the second scroll.

"Falconburst Kick… an interesting pick. Most disciples prefer weapon skills or hand-to-hand techniques, but a leg-based offensive skill can be just as deadly if mastered." He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Xuan smiled slightly. "I chose it because… well, I only have one arm, the other skills aren't that suitable for me. But I do have two legs. Might as well put them to good use."

The old man let out a low chuckle. "Practical thinking. I like that. Still, don't neglect your cultivation. Skills can be flashy, but it's your cultivation realm that determines how far you can go in this world. Don't get too lost in chasing strength through techniques alone."

Xuan nodded earnestly. "I understand. Thank you for the advice."

With that, he bowed slightly, tucking the scrolls under his arm as he turned to leave. The old man watched him go, his expression thoughtful. "A core disciple with such a low cultivation realm… and with only one arm... What's going on here?"

>>>

As Xuan stepped outside, the cool afternoon breeze swept over him, carrying the quiet chatter of disciples gathered in clusters. His thoughts were still focused on the two new skills he had chosen when snippets of conversation drifted his way.

"The Dawnfire Trials are in one month. Looks like it's time to see who the real talents are."

"The Trials? That's only for the newcomers, right?"

"Yeah, every new batch gets one after six months. It's been almost five months since the last batch joined, so they're getting ready for it. I heard there is going to be an additional reward this time too."

Xuan slowed his pace, curiosity piqued.

"They're saying the top three in the Trials will be taken along to the Sect's annual banquet in Jadecloud City," another disciple said, his voice brimming with excitement. "It's supposed to be a huge event, with disciples from all branches of the sect gathering. Not to mention the chance to visit one of the largest cities in the region."

"Jadecloud City…" Xuan murmured under his breath, his heart quickening at the mention of the city. He had heard about it during his time in the sect—a vast and bustling metropolis known for its grand markets and rare treasures, including detailed maps of the surrounding regions.

Ever since he found himself stranded here, Xuan had been searching for any clues that might lead him back to his family. A map of the region would be invaluable.

If I can place in the top three, I might finally get my hands on a proper map.

The thought ignited a spark of determination in him. While he hadn't been part of the regular batch of newcomers, he should still be eligible to join.

One month. That was all the time he had to strengthen himself.

Xuan tightened his grip on the scrolls under his arm. The Dawnfire Trials. This was his chance. He couldn't miss this.