They passed into the Inner Court—located halfway up the towering range. The air here was sharper, cleaner, and the buildings took on a more refined appearance. White marble, shimmering jade, and ancient wood architecture coexisted in harmony. There were fewer disciples now—tens of thousands, but each carried themselves with poise and strength. Sword intent lingered in the air, subtle and controlled. Meditation groves floated mid-air on stone platforms suspended by formations, and entire lakes shimmered with Qi so dense it glowed faintly under the sun. This place radiated mastery.
And still, they climbed.
Soon, the peaks were lost in clouds. But within those clouds, high above the world, they reached the Core Court—the heart of the sect.
Only around a hundred disciples dwelled here, scattered across mountaintop sanctuaries and temples carved into the highest cliffs. The Qi was no longer merely thick—it was nearly liquid. It filled the air like mist, so rich that the light seemed to bend within it. Enormous stone swords were embedded in the cliffsides, relics from past legends. Waterfalls of glowing Qi cascaded from the peaks, flowing into crystalline basins surrounded by serene gardens.
Bridges of light connected floating islands. Wind carried the faint chime of spirit bells. Golden cranes soared between mountaintops, occasionally landing near sword-imbued monoliths for rest. And among it all, the architecture stood both solemn and sacred—timeless.
The mountain range was not just a home. It was a temple. A forge. A sword raised to the sky.
They had reached the Wandering Sword Sect. And it was magnificent.
For a while, none of them spoke. Each was silently captivated by the beauty before them, the flying boat gliding steadily, granting them ample time to take in the breathtaking sight—a scene that looked as though it had been plucked straight from a grand wuxia epic.
Eventually, the silence was broken by Senior Brother Han, who let out a soft, almost reverent sigh. "It's not my first time seeing the Sect, yet every time... I'm left in awe. Come, let me guide you to your new lodgings."
With those words, the flying boat accelerated once more, swiftly crossing a great distance in the span of minutes. It soon slowed again, coming to a graceful stop before a splendid manor built in elegant Chinese architectural style.
He gestured toward the structure below. "This is a Cultivation Manor, equipped with everything a Core Disciple might desire. From refined mortal amenities—for those who still enjoy indulging in such comforts even when they've long ceased to be necessary—to a vast open-air courtyard perfectly suited for practicing techniques under the sky."
"Surrounding the manor is a personal formation that encompasses the building and its grounds. It ensures both peace and privacy, allowing you to cultivate without disturbance. If activated, no one can enter without permission—not even the Sect Master herself. They'll have to 'knock', so to speak. It's a feature greatly valued by many Core Disciples."
He then pointed toward the peak just behind the manor. "And finally—situated just beyond the manor—is a high-grade cultivation abode. The Qi there is extraordinarily dense and pure, making it much easier to advance your cultivation with both speed and stability."
His eyes returned to the group. "So, which of you would like to claim this Cultivation Manor? Don't worry, there are three others very similar to it, and I'll take you to them next."
The four exchanged quiet glances, a wordless understanding passing between them. Then, Amelia stepped forward, her tone calm but firm. "Would it be possible for the four of us to share a single Cultivation Manor, rather than each of us taking one separately?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Senior Brother Han's face before realization dawned. "Ah... yes, of course, Junior Sister. I didn't consider it at first, but it makes perfect sense. The four of you are dao companions, so naturally you'd want to live together."
As he finished speaking, the flying boat, which had been hovering silently, surged forward once again with a sharp burst of speed. In no time at all, it came to a halt in front of another Cultivation Manor—one that, while sharing the same architectural elegance as the previous, bore several key differences that immediately set it apart.
"This is another Cultivation Manor," Senior Brother Han explained, gesturing proudly, "but this one is located on Azure Peak. Unlike the previous one, which was meant for a single Core Disciple, this one was built to house multiple cultivators. It's larger in every sense—not just in scale, but also in scope."
Indeed, even at a glance, the difference in size and atmosphere was striking. The manor sprawled along a natural terrace carved into the mountain, with winding paths bordered by carefully manicured spiritual flora—jade-green pines, pale golden bamboo, and sky-petal blossoms that shimmered faintly with Qi. Tiered pavilions with sweeping rooftops stretched outward like open wings, their vermilion tiles glinting under the sunlight. Delicate bridges arched over koi-filled streams, and serene meditation alcoves were nestled among small groves, offering peaceful solitude within beauty.
"The structure is designed to host up to ten members of the Wandering Sword Sect comfortably," he continued. "Not only are the general amenities more expansive—larger living quarters, multiple courtyards, wider sparring platforms—but the number of cultivation abodes has also been increased. From one to ten."
He pointed toward a series of crystalline pathways that wound behind the manor, leading higher up the mountainside. "Each of those cultivation abodes has been individually embedded into a spiritually rich vein of the mountain. You won't be sacrificing quality for quantity—each abode possesses the same high purity and density of Qi as the one I showed you earlier. Their environments have also been attuned to harmonize with the surroundings, which should allow each of you to cultivate more effectively, especially over long periods."
As the boat gently descended toward the manor's landing platform—carved from pure white stone with flowing patterns etched by sword intent—the gentle breeze brought the faint scent of blooming spirit flowers and the distant sound of running water. There was a quiet grandeur here, a solemn stillness that gave weight to the landscape. The entire peak seemed touched by a divine calm, as if time itself slowed to allow one to focus inward.
It was not just a place to live. It was a sanctuary. A foundation upon which their path of cultivation would be built.
Once all four of them had stepped off the flying boat, they took a few quiet moments to absorb the view before them. Sensing their fascination with the Cultivation Manor, Senior Brother Han cleared his throat gently. When their attention shifted to him, he began speaking.
"I'll need to leave for a short while to retrieve the necessary items you'll require as new Core Disciples. As things stand, you're still considered 'guests'—not yet officially registered disciples of the Wandering Sword Sect. I'll handle the formalities in the meantime. While I'm gone, take the opportunity to familiarize yourselves with your new residence."
They responded with a few brief words of understanding, and without delay, Senior Brother Han recalled the flying boat. The vessel shimmered before vanishing midair with not so much as a whisper. Then, with a final nod, he rose effortlessly into the sky and shot forward—his movement far surpassing the sound barrier, yet somehow completely silent, like a phantom in flight.
The moment his figure disappeared beyond the horizon, a subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere around them. The tension that had unconsciously lingered in their bodies dispersed, replaced by a small wave of relief.
After all, while the Core Elder of the Wandering Sword Sect had been nothing but respectful and composed—showing none of the arrogance often associated with powerful figures in the cultivation world—there remained an undeniable pressure in simply being near someone who could crush them like insects if he so wished. No amount of politeness could entirely erase that awareness.
And so, with his departure, the oppressive weight lifted, and a more relaxed mood settled over the group. As they began to explore their new lodgings, an air of casual wonder took hold.
The scenery surrounding the manor was nothing short of enchanting. Every detail seemed touched by a refined aesthetic—harmonious and pristine. They wandered among winding stone paths, spiritual gardens adorned with vibrant blossoms, and open courtyards basked in gentle sunlight. There was an almost dreamlike quality to the entire estate, as if it had been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale.
Compared to even the most splendid buildings Amelia and Lyra had encountered in their previous lives—as nobility and royalty respectively—this Cultivation Manor stood in a class of its own. In truth, that impression extended to nearly everything they had seen in the Cultivation World thus far. It was as if the world itself had been polished and elevated—grander, purer, more alive.
Especially unforgettable was the breathtaking view of the Wandering Sword Sect's they had seen upon arrival. It was not something easily described with words, as though the very heavens had chosen this place as a canvas for divine artistry.
Still, their moment of leisure couldn't last forever, and before long, Senior Brother Han returned. His visit was brief—he handed each of them two items, explained their functions, shared a short message, and then departed.
The first was an elegant and stylish Taoist robe, primarily black with refined silver highlights. Embroidered on the upper back was a magnificent silver sword blooming from within a lotus, a symbol mirrored in smaller form on the left chest. These were none other than the Taoist robes of a Core Disciple of the Wandering Sword Sect.
Within a sect, the robes were far more than just clothing. No—they served as unmistakable emblems of rank. The Wandering Sword Sect, like many others, adhered to this custom. While all members wore robes of deep black adorned with silver accents, what set them apart were the symbols embedded in specific areas of the garment. These symbols were always located in two distinct places: a large one on the upper back, and a smaller one over the left side of the chest.
This system made it easy to recognize another member's rank at a glance. For instance, an Outer Court member bore the symbol of a single silver sword. Inner Court members were marked by two crossed silver swords. Core Court members, on the other hand, displayed a single silver sword encircled by a graceful silver lotus.
These emblems were the standard for all disciples and elders within each court. However, elders bore an additional distinguishing mark: their symbols were accompanied by a soft veil of silver mist, denoting their elevated status. For example, an Outer Elder's symbol featured a single silver sword shrouded in a swirling cloud of silver mist.
The Great Elders, however, stood apart from this system. They did not carry a mist-enshrouded symbol like other elders. Instead, their mark was entirely unique—a majestic vertical sword appearing to cleave the heavens and the earth, depicted within a yin-yang motif. This emblem contrasted starkly, almost paradoxically, with the standard black and silver aesthetic of the robes, allowing both colors to shimmer vividly amidst the design.
As for the Sect Master, her Taoist robes were the most distinctive and easily recognizable among all members. Unlike the customary black robes with silver highlights worn throughout the sect, hers were the opposite—primarily silver, adorned with refined black accents. Her symbol, however, was the same as that of the Great Elders.
Following the robes, the second item given to them was their jade identification plaque as Core Disciples. Engraved onto the plaque was the silver sword encircled by a lotus—an unmistakable symbol of Core Disciple status.
This plaque served multiple purposes: it confirmed their identity as Core Disciples, displayed their current contribution points, allowed them to report missions, and granted access to various features such as their personal formation within the Cultivation Manor, along with many other functions. However, Senior Brother Han warned them that, for now, most of these capabilities would remain dormant. Without a certain degree of control over their divine sense, the plaque's more advanced features would be unusable.
At present, they could only utilize it to prove their status within the sect. For instance, they wouldn't be able to access or activate the personal formation tied to their individual residence within the Cultivation Manor. That formation would stay inactive until one of them developed a sufficient degree of mastery over their divine sense. Only then would it recognize them as its master and begin functioning accordingly.
Still, he reassured them that the formations had already been pre-attuned to their identities. Once they attained the necessary control over their divine sense, the formations would activate immediately and operate in full accordance with their commands. Until then, they would simply have to manage with what was currently available.
Author Note:
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