The Black Dragon dormitories were quiet as night fell, the faint glow of lanterns barely illuminating the worn wooden floors. Lu Mao lay back on his thin mat, finally allowing himself a moment of rest. The Outer Sect competitions were behind him, and the team had officially transitioned to the Inner Sect—but the journey had left little room for proper cultivation. Now, at last, he could focus entirely on strengthening himself.
Yan Mei, as usual, was gone within moments, muttering about the "girls' dorm" and leaving the rest of the team behind. Bao Fu and Chen Yuan were slumped in various corners, half-asleep and muttering incoherently, while Li Xian calmly arranged her things, her composure unshaken. Though older and more experienced than any of them, she now officially stood as part of their team—a guiding presence whose skills could tip the balance in any mission.
Lu Mao closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. As his consciousness sank inward, his inner world unfolded like a vast golden-black web, veins pulsating with latent energy. Colossal, towering, his golden-black vein throbbed with a rhythm in tune with his own heartbeat.
Vaults lined the length of the vein, six active and glowing faintly. Four contained martial techniques: Wind Fist, Phantom Veil, Shadow Steps, and Eyes of Hawk. Each flickered with a soft golden gleam, waiting for their moment to strike. One vault contained his cultivation technique, the Spirit Apprentice pathway—a key to consolidating his foundation and refining his abilities further.
The final vault, however, burned a faint crimson, drawing his attention instinctively. This was the Suppression Shard—the same shard Zhang Wei had used to suppress them during the final stage of the Outer Sect competition. Lu Mao's mind focused, and the vault opened. The shard hovered there, glowing softly, radiating a subtle oppressive aura, yet perfectly contained within his control.
"So… this is what Zhang Wei relied on," Lu Mao murmured to himself. His fingers itched to study it further, but he quickly realized its potential. "Not just martial skills… this vault can store treasures, weapons, relics. Everything."
A faint hum rippled through his inner world as he reflected on the long path ahead. His cultivation pool stretched like a vast reservoir, far from full. To reach the Spirit Master stage and unlock his full potential, he would need countless Qi Condensation Pills and stacks of Glimmer Crystals to refine his foundation, consolidating every bit of energy he cultivated into a rock-solid core.
Hours passed. The dormitories outside grew silent, the city noises fading. Lu Mao finally opened his eyes. Bao Fu groaned and rubbed his face, while Chen Yuan yawned loudly. Yan Mei returned briefly, brushing past him with a quiet smile that carried more warmth than she would ever admit aloud.
"Ready?" Lu Mao asked, voice steady.
Li Xian, already prepared, nodded calmly. "Yes. Let's move."
The team made their way through the Inner Sect City. The streets were alive with cultivators from all thirty factions, each group radiating confidence. Some factions were top-tier, strutting with arrogance and sneers for the weaker ones. The Black Dragon crest on their robes drew curious glances and, more often, disdain. But Lu Mao ignored them. They were no longer outsiders—they were a team now, united, and each step forward was a statement.
At the Mission Center, massive boards displayed Tier-1 to Tier-4 missions. Each faction's missions were segregated, ensuring that only suitable tasks could be attempted. Being the lowest-tier faction, Black Dragon only had access to Tier-1 missions.
Lu Mao's eyes scanned the long lists. Five missions immediately caught his attention. One stood out above the rest: "Stolen Pill"—a theft mission targeting a newly formulated pill by a Spirit Ascension-level martial artist. Credits: 1,500—the highest among Tier-1 missions.
Bao Fu's brows furrowed. "Brother Mao… can't we pick an easier one? That guy's Spirit Ascension… that's crazy!"
Lu Mao's gaze flicked to Li Xian. "She's with us. At the final stage of Spirit Master, she can handle this. With her guidance, we can complete it safely and gain maximum merit. This is exactly what we need to grow stronger."
Li Xian's calm nod reinforced his confidence. Yan Mei, standing slightly apart, gave a faint approving smile. Though she didn't speak much, her glance conveyed trust—and a silent agreement.
Approaching the supervisor's counter, a stout man with sharp features looked down at them. His gaze fell on the Black Dragon crest, and a sneer formed.
"Black Dragon? Hah. I have no time for such a worthless faction," he spat, tossing the application back.
Lu Mao's hand caught it instinctively. "Careful with your words. Think before you speak."
The supervisor's expression darkened. "I am Fan GU from the Red Hawk Faction. Do you really think a Black Dragon brat can intimidate me?"
Lu Mao's lips curved slightly. "Then consider this your warning."
Li Xian stepped forward, her presence commanding, exuding authority. Fan Gu's sneer faltered, just slightly, as she submitted the form with effortless grace. The mission token was secured, and the team turned away, leaving the supervisor muttering under his breath.
As they left, Chen Yuan whispered, "I'll keep an eye on this Fan Gu. He's not someone we can trust."
Lu Mao nodded silently, already calculating strategies and contingencies in his mind. "Good. Every detail matters."
That night, in the dormitories, Lu Mao returned briefly to meditation. His six active vaults glowed softly in his inner world: four containing martial techniques, one with cultivation knowledge, and one holding the crimson Suppression Shard. Six other vaults remained open but empty, flickering faintly with potential. Countless other vaults were still locked, waiting for experience, treasures, or the right conditions to awaken.
Yan Mei returned quietly, settling near him as he opened his eyes. Their closeness was subtle—a silent understanding, a quiet reassurance amidst the uncertainty ahead.
"We're ready," he said firmly, standing. "Black Dragon may be small, but we will rise. Our first mission begins tomorrow. From here, we take the first step to becoming the strongest faction in the Inner Sect."
Li Xian's gaze met his. "I will guide you through this. Stick close, follow the plan, and you won't fail."
Lu Mao felt a surge of determination. "Black Dragon doesn't kneel. We take what we want, we rise as we please. Together, nothing can stop us."
Outside, shadows shifted. Even as the city pulsed with life, the faint glimmer of a golden-black vein and a crimson shard hinted at power yet untapped, a promise of things to come. The Inner Sect journey had truly begun.