Yan Kai spent the rest of the afternoon organizing his belongings. His residence was a simple two-room building made from the same white stone as the other sect structures. The main room contained a meditation cushion, a low table, and shelves lined with cultivation manuals and scrolls about spear techniques. The smaller room in the back held his sleeping mat, a cabinet for clothes, and a stand where he maintained his weapons.
He started by laying out everything on the table. Three sets of outer robes in the sect's white and silver colors. Undergarments made from silk that could regulate body temperature in both hot and cold weather. A thick traveling cloak with a hood. Leather boots reinforced with spiritual energy to prevent wear. His spare spear, shorter than Piercing Heaven but still well-crafted. A whetstone for maintaining his weapon's edge. A water skin that could purify any liquid poured into it.
From a locked drawer, he retrieved his personal collection of pills. Ten healing pills that could close wounds and restore blood. Five energy restoration pills for recovering spiritual power quickly during battle. Three breakthrough pills that might help if he found an opportunity to advance his cultivation. Two detoxification pills in case of poison. These pills represented years of saved resources, and each one was worth more than most outer disciples earned in a month.
He packed methodically, thinking through various scenarios he might face. The Void Mountains were known for extreme temperature changes. During the day, the sun would beat down mercilessly. At night, temperatures could drop below freezing. The chaotic spiritual energy made it difficult to use certain techniques, so he would need to rely more on physical skills and basic cultivation abilities.
A knock on his door interrupted his preparations. Yan Kai walked over and opened it to find a young man standing outside. The visitor was perhaps twenty years old, with a round friendly face and slightly messy hair. He wore the robes of a core disciple and carried a broad sword strapped across his back.
"Senior Brother Yan," the young man said, bowing politely. "I'm Chen Wu. Elder Tian told me we'll be traveling together tomorrow."
Yan Kai returned the bow and stepped aside. "Come in, Junior Brother Chen. I was just organizing my equipment."
Chen Wu entered and looked around the sparse room with interest. "Your place is very clean. My residence looks like a storage closet exploded in it." He laughed at his own comment, a warm open sound that suggested he didn't take himself too seriously.
Yan Kai found himself smiling slightly. He had heard of Chen Wu before. The younger disciple had only become a core disciple eight months ago, but he was known for his cheerful personality and his skill with heavy weapons. "Would you like some tea?"
"That would be nice, thank you." Chen Wu sat down at the table while Yan Kai prepared hot water using a small formation plate that heated things placed on it. "I have to admit, I'm both excited and nervous about this mission. It's my first time leaving the sect territory since I became a core disciple."
"Mine as well," Yan Kai said, pouring tea into two cups. "Have you heard anything about the other two disciples who will join us?"
Chen Wu nodded and accepted the cup. "Thank you. Yes, Elder Tian told me. One is Liang Shu, you know her probably. She became a core disciple two years ago. Very serious person, specializes in sword techniques and formation arrays. The other is someone I don't know well, named Jiang Mei. She's only been a core disciple for three months, but apparently she has incredible talent with detection techniques."
Yan Kai knew of Liang Shu by reputation. She was twenty-six years old and had a strong cultivation base at the Dao Perception realm, one level above him. She rarely socialized with other disciples, spending most of her time training or studying formations. He had never spoken to her directly.
"It seems like a balanced team," Yan Kai observed. "Elder Tian's combat skills, your strength, Liang Shu's formations and sword work, Jiang Mei's detection abilities, and my spear techniques. We should be able to handle most situations."
"That's what I thought too," Chen Wu agreed. He took a sip of tea and looked thoughtful. "But I keep wondering what could make an entire expedition disappear. Fifty disciples aren't weak. And five elders at the Domain Genesis realm or higher? That's serious power."
"It troubles me as well," Yan Kai admitted. He sat down across from Chen Wu. "The most logical explanation is that they encountered something completely unexpected. Perhaps something ancient that woke up in those mountains."
"Like a sealed beast?"
"Possibly. Or an old formation that activated. Or ruins that contained something dangerous." Yan Kai set down his cup. "The problem is that we won't know until we get there and investigate. All we can do is prepare as thoroughly as possible and stay alert."
Chen Wu nodded seriously. "Elder Tian said the same thing. He told me that the mission might not involve any fighting at all. We might arrive and find that the expedition simply got delayed by some environmental issue. But we should prepare for the worst possible scenario."
They talked for another hour about various preparation strategies and discussed what they knew about the Void Mountains. Chen Wu had a much more casual way of speaking than most core disciples, which Yan Kai found refreshing. Many cultivators at their level became arrogant or distant, but Chen Wu seemed genuinely interested in learning and working together effectively.
When Chen Wu finally left to finish his own preparations, Yan Kai felt more confident about the mission. Having a teammate with a good attitude would make everything easier. He finished organizing his supplies and placed them in a neat pile by the door, ready to be stored in the ring Elder Bai would provide tomorrow.
The sun was setting when Yan Kai decided to visit the training grounds one more time. He wanted to practice his techniques in actual combat conditions, not just solo forms. The sect maintained several training areas where disciples could spar with each other or with training constructs powered by formations.
The main training ground was a large flat area covered in hard-packed earth. Wooden weapon racks lined one side, and several stone platforms of different sizes provided elevated fighting spaces. At this time of evening, only a few outer disciples remained, practicing basic techniques under the supervision of an inner disciple instructor.
Yan Kai walked to an empty platform and activated the formation control panel built into its base. The panel glowed with soft blue light as he selected his training parameters. He chose to face three opponents at the Meridian Awakening realm, all armed with spears similar to his own. The difficulty wasn't particularly high, but he wanted to warm up before trying anything more challenging.
The formation activated with a low vibration that ran through the stone platform. Three figures materialized from swirling spiritual energy. They looked almost human but were clearly constructs, with features that were slightly too perfect and movements that were precisely coordinated. The constructs didn't think or feel. They simply followed combat patterns programmed into the formation.
The first construct attacked immediately, thrusting its spear toward Yan Kai's chest. He sidestepped and deflected the attack with the shaft of Piercing Heaven, then countered with a quick strike at the construct's shoulder. His spear tip touched its target and the construct flickered, indicating a hit that would have injured a real opponent.
The second and third constructs attacked together from different angles. Yan Kai spun his spear in a defensive circle, blocking both attacks simultaneously. This required precise timing and spatial awareness. He had practiced this exact situation thousands of times over the years.
He fought the three constructs for ten minutes, working through various combinations and techniques. The constructs adapted to his patterns, becoming more difficult as the fight continued. This was the advantage of formation-based training. Real opponents would tire or make mistakes. Constructs maintained perfect consistency until their energy ran out or they were defeated.
Yan Kai finished the session by defeating all three constructs in a rapid series of strikes. His breathing was slightly elevated but still controlled. Sweat ran down his face and back. He felt good. His body was responding well and his techniques were sharp.
"That was impressive."
The voice came from behind him. Yan Kai turned to see a woman standing near the platform. She was tall and slim, probably in her mid-twenties, with black hair pulled back in a severe style. Her robes were immaculate and her posture was perfectly straight. She carried a straight sword at her waist, and her cultivation aura indicated she was at the Dao Perception realm.
"Senior Sister Liang," Yan Kai said, recognizing her immediately. He stepped off the platform and bowed respectfully. She was both older and more advanced in cultivation than him.
Liang Shu returned the bow with exact precision. "I heard from Elder Tian that you would be joining the expedition. I wanted to meet you before we departed." Her voice was cool and professional, without any particular warmth or coldness.
"I'm honored to work with you, Senior Sister. I've heard about your skill with formations."
"Formations are tools, nothing more." Liang Shu walked closer and examined him with sharp eyes. "I watched your sparring session. Your spear technique is solid and your fundamentals are excellent. But you rely too much on direct approaches. Against the three constructs, you could have manipulated them into interfering with each other."
Yan Kai considered this criticism. She was right. He had fought the constructs as three separate opponents instead of thinking about the space between them and how they moved in relation to each other. "Thank you for the observation. I'll work on improving that aspect."
"See that you do. The Void Mountains won't forgive simple mistakes." Liang Shu crossed her arms. "I understand that Chen Wu also visited you today. He's enthusiastic but inexperienced. Jiang Mei is talented but young. You and I are the ones who will need to maintain discipline if things become difficult."
"Elder Tian will be leading us," Yan Kai pointed out.
"Obviously. But elders focus on large-scale threats. They expect core disciples to handle themselves and manage smaller problems independently." Liang Shu's expression didn't change. "I'm not trying to establish a hierarchy. I'm simply stating facts. We need to work together efficiently."
Yan Kai appreciated her directness. She wasn't being arrogant, just practical. "I agree completely. Do you have suggestions for how we should coordinate during the mission?"
They spent the next half hour discussing tactics and strategies. Liang Shu had clearly thought extensively about the mission already. She had ideas about formations they could use for defense, detection, and even escape if necessary. She asked intelligent questions about his spear techniques and how they might complement her sword style.
By the time their conversation ended, Yan Kai felt they had established a good working relationship. Liang Shu wasn't the warmest person, but she was competent and thoughtful. Those qualities mattered far more than friendliness when lives were at stake.
"I'll see you at the western gate tomorrow at dawn," Liang Shu said, preparing to leave. "Don't be late. Elder Tian values punctuality."
"I'm always early," Yan Kai replied.
The corner of Liang Shu's mouth might have twitched upward slightly, though it was hard to tell. "Good. We may work well together after all."
After she left, Yan Kai returned to his residence. The sky was fully dark now, with stars visible overhead. The sect's protective formations created a faint shimmer in the air above the mountains, invisible unless you knew to look for it. Those formations had protected the sect for three hundred years, keeping out threats and maintaining stable spiritual energy.
Yan Kai wondered what kind of formations the Crimson Dawn Sect used. He wondered if those formations had somehow failed, allowing whatever attacked their expedition to strike. Or perhaps the attack had happened far from their territory, in the wild lands where no formations existed.
He ate a simple dinner of rice and vegetables, then spent an hour meditating to calm his mind. Tomorrow would begin a new chapter in his life. His first real mission outside the protected environment of the sect. The first time he would face unknown dangers without immediate support from elders and senior disciples.
He wasn't afraid exactly. Fear was an emotion that cultivators learned to control. But he was aware of the risks. Death was always possible in their world. Cultivation was fundamentally about defying heaven and extending one's life beyond natural limits. Heaven didn't appreciate being defied and would test cultivators constantly.
Before sleeping, Yan Kai performed his evening cultivation session. He sat cross-legged on his meditation cushion and began absorbing spiritual energy from the environment. The energy on this peak was rich and pure, flowing easily into his body through his meridians. He guided it carefully through the proper channels, adding it bit by bit to his spiritual core.
His core was quite full now, approaching the limit of what the Soul Manifestation realm could contain. Soon, perhaps in another month or two of steady cultivation, he would be ready to attempt a breakthrough to the Dao Perception realm. That breakthrough would require him to demonstrate understanding of at least one natural law. For most spear cultivators, that law was either sharpness or penetration.
Yan Kai had been studying both, but he felt more drawn to the concept of penetration. The idea that a single point of force, properly applied, could pierce through anything. It wasn't just about physical strength. It was about finding the weak point in any defense and exploiting it with precision.
But breakthrough attempts would have to wait until after the mission. Trying to advance during an expedition would be foolish. He needed his full strength and focus available at all times.
He cultivated until midnight, then lay down on his sleeping mat. His mind was calm and his body was ready. Tomorrow would bring what it would bring. He would face it with the same steady determination that had carried him this far.
Sleep came quickly.
The sound of his door sliding open woke him instantly. Yan Kai's eyes snapped open and his hand moved to Piercing Heaven, which lay beside his mat. The room was completely dark. He couldn't see the intruder, but he could sense their presence.
"Peace, Yan Kai," a woman's voice said softly. "I'm not here to fight."
Light flared as the person activated a small illumination talisman. In its glow, Yan Kai saw a young woman standing in his doorway. She appeared to be around twenty years old, with delicate features and long hair that she wore loose around her shoulders. Her robes marked her as a core disciple, and her cultivation was at the Spirit Refinement realm, one level below his own.
"Jiang Mei?" he asked, relaxing his grip on his spear but not releasing it entirely.
"Yes." She bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry for the intrusion. I tried knocking but you didn't answer, and I wanted to speak with you before tomorrow."
Yan Kai stood up and lit his room's proper lamp, a formation device that provided steady illumination. "You could have waited until morning."
"I know. But I'm not good at sleeping before important events." Jiang Mei looked embarrassed. "And I've never met you before. I wanted to... I don't know. Make sure you were a real person and not just a legend the other disciples talk about."
"A legend?" Yan Kai couldn't help but smile at that. "I'm just a cultivator who practices diligently."
"The other disciples say you're the most talented spear user in three generations. They say you defeated an inner disciple when you were still in the outer sect. They say Elder Tian considers you his best student ever." Jiang Mei spoke quickly, her words tumbling over each other. "I became a core disciple three months ago but I still feel like I don't belong. Everyone else seems so confident and powerful."
Yan Kai gestured for her to sit at his table. He prepared tea while organizing his thoughts. Jiang Mei reminded him of himself when he had first advanced to inner disciple five years ago. That feeling of being surrounded by people who seemed to know exactly what they were doing while you struggled to keep up.
"The disciples who tell those stories are exaggerating," he said, pouring tea for both of them. "Yes, I defeated an inner disciple when I was in the outer sect. But he had been injured the day before and wasn't at full strength. Yes, Elder Tian praises my spear work. But he also points out my mistakes constantly. Legends are just stories that people tell to make reality more interesting."
Jiang Mei accepted the tea and wrapped her hands around the cup. "But you're not nervous about tomorrow? About going into the Void Mountains where an entire expedition disappeared?"
"I'm concerned," Yan Kai admitted. "But being nervous doesn't help anything. It just clouds your judgment and makes you more likely to make mistakes. So I acknowledge the concern, prepare as thoroughly as I can, and then let it go."
"How do you do that? Just let it go?"
"Practice. The same way you practice cultivation techniques or martial forms. You practice controlling your emotions until it becomes natural." He took a sip of tea. "Tell me about your detection abilities. Elder Tian said you're very talented."
Jiang Mei's expression brightened slightly. "I can sense spiritual energy patterns in detail. Most cultivators can sense the general presence of others or detect strong energy sources. But I can distinguish between different types of energy, track residual traces, and sometimes even tell what techniques someone has been practicing based on the energy they leave behind."
"That's an unusual talent. Very useful."
"My family comes from a line of treasure hunters. My grandfather could supposedly find spiritual herbs in complete darkness just by sensing their energy signatures. I inherited some of his ability." She paused. "The sect recruited me specifically because of this talent. I sometimes wonder if they care about me or just about what I can do."
"Probably both," Yan Kai said honestly. "Sects are organizations. They need talented people to remain strong. But that doesn't mean the elders don't care about you as a person. Elder Tian is strict, but he genuinely wants all his students to succeed and grow."
They talked until the sky began to lighten outside Yan Kai's window. Jiang Mei gradually relaxed, her nervous energy fading as they discussed the mission, cultivation, and various other topics. By the time she left to finish her own preparations, she seemed much calmer.
Yan Kai dressed in his traveling clothes and strapped Piercing Heaven to his back. He gathered his organized supplies and took one last look around his residence. Everything important was packed. Everything else could wait until he returned.
If he returned.
He pushed that thought aside and walked out into the cool morning air. The sect was just beginning to wake up. A few early-rising disciples moved through the paths, heading to morning duties or training sessions. The sky was turning from black to deep blue, with the first hints of pink appearing on the eastern horizon.
The western gate was located at the edge of the sect's territory, where the mountain path led down toward the lowlands. Yan Kai arrived to find Chen Wu already there, looking surprisingly alert despite the early hour. The young man waved cheerfully when he spotted Yan Kai.
"Good morning, Senior Brother! Beautiful day for an adventure, isn't it?"
Yan Kai couldn't help but smile at Chen Wu's enthusiasm. "Every day is beautiful when you wake up alive to see it."
Liang Shu arrived next, her appearance as immaculate as always. She nodded to both of them without speaking and took up a position slightly apart, closing her eyes in meditation. A few minutes later, Jiang Mei hurried up, looking like she had barely slept.
"Sorry, sorry," she said breathlessly. "I wasn't late, was I?"
"Right on time," Yan Kai assured her.
Elder Tian was the last to arrive, though he appeared exactly at dawn just as he had specified. He carried no visible luggage, presumably storing everything in a spatial storage device. His expression was serious as he examined his four disciples.
"Good. Everyone is punctual. That suggests you take this mission seriously." Elder Tian removed four rings from his sleeve and handed one to each of them. "These storage rings will hold all your supplies. Simply channel spiritual energy into them while touching an object you wish to store. Channel energy while thinking about the object to retrieve it."
Yan Kai slipped the ring onto his finger and immediately stored all his supplies. The ring felt warm against his skin as it absorbed his belongings. It was an strange sensation, knowing that everything he needed was contained in such a small object.
"Now then," Elder Tian said, forming hand seals in the air. "Let's begin our journey. Stay close and don't resist the energy."
A Sky Ship materialized in front of them.