“That I understand. There’s no free meal in this world,” Lu Sheng nodded.
This was precisely why he chose to enter the Crimson Whale Sect through proper channels. Doing so would allow him to plant roots in Mountain-Edge City, earn stable income, secure protection, and build the connections he needed. And ultimately, his aim was to acquire inner force techniques more powerful and destructive than the Black Fury Skill.
Zhao Jie began explaining the sect’s rules. They were straightforward—only three.
“No betrayal of the sect. No divulging of sect secrets. Obey orders at all times.”
He smiled as he continued.
“As long as you keep to these three rules and are not expelled, you will receive a monthly allowance. Most shops in the city will also give you discounts. And when trouble arises, the sect will be your strongest support.”
Zhao Jie’s tone grew slightly proud.
“Just a few days ago, our External Affairs Emissary held negotiations with the city’s Deputy Commander, Official Jiang, regarding how to handle the refugee situation. Understand—this was only one emissary. There are many others of equal standing, not to mention elders, deputy sect masters, and the sect master above them.”
He patiently outlined the structure of the Crimson Whale Sect. To him, Lu Sheng’s refined bearing and scholar’s composure marked him as someone who would likely rise quickly within the organization. Making a good impression now was a sensible investment.
Lu Sheng understood this clearly. Among those who could read, write, and calculate, the ones who joined sects often became high-ranking officials within their internal administration. Even without martial skill, such people were indispensable.
So Zhao Jie’s warm attitude made perfect sense.
Lu Sheng was brought into a side chamber to register. The process was simple. No one questioned his past, his family, or his history. Only his name, age, and declared skills were recorded. And just like that, Lu Sheng became an ordinary One-Fish level member of the Crimson Whale Sect.
After joining, sect members were required to earn contribution merits through service. Ordinary members patrolled the city, collected protection fees, apprehended thieves, assisted the authorities in cases of human trafficking, and handled similar affairs. Their deeds were submitted to an agency overseen by the Internal Affairs Emissaries, who would verify the services rendered and award corresponding merit grades.
As Lu Sheng familiarized himself with the system, he found it more structured and well-run than he had expected. The sect was not merely a criminal gang. In truth, it resembled a civil organization operating in a gray zone—closely intertwined with the local yamen authorities.
Once the registration was done, Zhao Jie led him out through a discreet back door. His smile was warm, clearly hoping to leave a good impression. They walked into a quiet courtyard framed by white walls.
“This is where Old Master Xiao resides,” Zhao Jie explained. “He oversees this branch and evaluates new recruits. Your rank in the sect will depend on the level of your martial skills.”
Lu Sheng nodded, smiling calmly.
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing the techniques of the sect’s experts.”
As they walked, Zhao Jie glanced at him curiously.
“Has Brother Lu trained in martial arts before?”
“I’ve learned some basics from the instructors back home,” Lu Sheng replied with a light shake of his head, “but nothing particularly strong.”
“Old Master Xiao’s Sword of Wind and Thunder ranks among the top thirty-six techniques in the entire sect!” Zhao Jie boasted as he pushed open the courtyard gate. “Our Crimson Whale Sect has more than ten thousand members. For a skill to place within the top thirty-six among so many experts—well, Brother Lu, you’re in for a true spectacle.”
No sooner had they stepped inside than an impatient voice sounded from within.
“I just finished assessing a group. Why have you brought another one so soon?”
Zhao Jie laughed and replied deferentially.
“This one is different, Elder Xiao. I made a personal trip to bring him. I must trouble you for one more evaluation.”
“Different?” The voice echoed with doubt.
Lu Sheng walked into the courtyard. Under a peach tree stood an elderly man in gray robes, his complexion rosy and his long white hair draped over his shoulders. A cup of tea rested in his hand as he observed Lu Sheng with calm, discerning eyes.
Lu Sheng cupped his fists respectfully.
“Greetings, Elder Xiao. May I know when the assessment will begin?”
The old master nodded slightly, his tone polite upon noting Lu Sheng’s composed bearing.
“Simple enough. Young man, display the skill you are most proficient in before this old one.”
Lu Sheng thought for a moment, then slowly raised both hands, palms open before him.
“My strongest techniques are in the palm arts,” he said evenly. “I seek to join the Crimson Whale Sect to learn from its experts and gain stronger skills. I hope Elder Xiao will not disappoint me.”
His tone remained pleasant, but the atmosphere shifted instantly. A cold, oppressive killing intent rippled through the courtyard like a storm about to break.
Elder Xiao’s expression hardened. The boy’s words were bold—but more importantly, his stance was extraordinary. His energy gathered and circulated smoothly, contained yet powerful, like a tide held behind a steel gate.
The old master’s eyes widened.
“Strength Proficiency…?!”
Zhao Jie, standing beside them, was stunned speechless.
“Strength Proficiency? At his age?” He stared at Lu Sheng, disbelief and awe mixing in his gaze.
Even within a renowned sect like the Crimson Whale Sect, experts who had reached Strength Proficiency were scarce. Out of ten thousand members, having a hundred such individuals was already considered remarkable. These were the pillars of the sect—many stationed as guardians in smaller cities, and even in Mountain-Edge City’s headquarters, they were regarded as elite.
Lu Sheng only smiled. He slowly extended his right palm.
A low, rumbling sound seemed to fill the courtyard.
HOO—
A savage aura burst forth, thick and metallic, like the scent of fresh blood. It felt as though a ferocious beast had awakened, prowling the air with murderous intent.
Zhao Jie and Elder Xiao felt their skin bristle. A chill ran down their spines, their hearts thudding violently.
“That… that’s Intent Proficiency!!!”
The teacup slipped from Elder Xiao’s fingers and shattered on the stone floor. He stared at Lu Sheng, utterly stunned.
“You… you— how old are you?! My heavens…”
He could not even form a proper sentence, pacing in disbelief, his face flushed with shock.
Zhao Jie hurriedly steadied the elder, patting his back until his breathing calmed.
Lu Sheng maintained his easy smile.
“May I know how my skills compare to the sect’s standards?”
In truth, his strength far surpassed the Intent Proficiency realm. He was confident he could stand against even Spirit Focus experts—those who were ranked above Intent Proficiency entirely. But there was no reason to reveal more. Showing only what was necessary would draw respect, not trouble.
Even so, Elder Xiao seemed to age before their eyes. A weariness settled into his expression as he looked at Lu Sheng with a complicated mixture of awe and envy.
“I… Old Xiao… reached Strength Proficiency only after thirty years of cultivation… and spent another forty years to reach its peak… only to find…” Unable to continue, he released a long, heavy sigh. “I will report this to headquarters at once. Your placement is far beyond my authority.”
With that, he turned sharply and entered the house.
Moments later, a black pigeon shot into the sky, streaking swiftly toward the distant horizon.
Zhao Jie’s demeanor had completely changed. The easy friendliness from before was gone—replaced by a subdued reverence. He hurried inside to fetch a chair for Lu Sheng, setting it down carefully before him. Then he poured tea with both hands, remaining close at his side, attentive to every detail.
When Elder Xiao returned, he glanced at Lu Sheng again, and his heart sank a little further.
A twenty-year-old Intent Proficiency expert… Such talent… Remaining near Lu Sheng felt as though it shaved years off his own life. Compared to him, Elder Xiao felt like a weathered old stump—someone who had spent a lifetime clawing toward a realm this youth had reached with ease.
He sat in a distracted silence, while Zhao Jie kept conversation flowing, answering Lu Sheng’s occasional questions.
Before long, the sound of many footsteps and raised voices came from outside the courtyard. A sizeable group entered, all wearing the sect’s black training robes. At their head were two notable figures.
One was a white-haired elder with a long sword strapped across his back. The other was a full-figured but strikingly elegant woman, twin scimitars at her waist. Both wore robes embroidered with the emblem of a white whale.
As soon as they entered, the sword-bearing elder bellowed,
“Where is he!? Where’s the Intent Proficiency expert!? I was dragged out of bed when I heard the report! A twenty-year-old Intent Proficiency practitioner—are we telling jokes now!?”
Zhao Jie’s eyes widened.
“Internal Affairs Emissary Elder Wang! Elder Ouyang!?”
He and Elder Xiao hurriedly bowed in salute, hands trembling.
The woman—Elder Ouyang—lifted a hand gently.
“No need for formalities.” Her gaze settled on Lu Sheng, the only one seated calmly and smiling. “A dragon among men indeed. You must be Brother Lu.”
Lu Sheng rose slightly and cupped his fists.
“I am Lu Sheng. I presume I am the Intent Proficiency expert you were referring to.”
The white-haired elder barked,
“Intent Proficiency, huh? Let’s see if you’re real or just full of hot air! Let Your Father here test you!!!”
BOOM!
Before the echo of his words faded, his body shot upward like a released arrow—and the sharp, piercing cry of an eagle exploded through the courtyard.
“Very nice!” Lu Sheng’s eyes brightened. It was his first time encountering another Intent Proficiency expert—someone who could manifest the living spirit of their martial art just as he could.
Without calling upon his inner Qi, Lu Sheng met the challenge head-on, executing the Heart-Shattering Palm.
“ROAR!!!”
Even without circulating Qi, the strike carried the thunderous bellow of a tiger. Having comprehended the true intent of the Black Tiger Saber Technique, the roar surged forth naturally. Peach trees throughout the courtyard trembled, and their leaves cascaded down like rainfall.
Lu Sheng’s palms flushed a deep, violent red. Blood-red vein patterns appeared faintly between his brows. His body shot forward like an arrow, colliding straight into the old man.
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Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
The first clash hurled both combatants backward. In the next instant, they exchanged five blisteringly fast palm strikes, then broke apart.
“Hahahahahaha! Excellent!!!”
Elation surged through Lu Sheng’s veins. Aside from battles against ghosts, this was the first time he had felt such exhilarating resonance while fighting a human opponent. To meet someone who could withstand even the full weight of his intent—though he had held back his Qi—was like discovering a long-awaited kin.
“Again!” Lu Sheng raised his palm, now completely blood-red, and prepared to launch forward once more—
“PUU!!”
Before he could move, the old man suddenly spat a mouthful of blood and toppled backward like a felled tree.
The courtyard fell into stunned silence.
“Lord Wang!!! Quick, help him!!!” Zhao Jie snapped back to his senses first and rushed forward to catch the old man.
The middle-aged woman strode over with grave urgency. From her sleeve, she produced a small vial. Pulling out the stopper, she tapped out a white pill no larger than a soybean and placed it under the old man’s tongue. Then she pressed her fingers along several acupoints, guiding his breath and blood flow.
Everyone scrambled into action, while Lu Sheng stood quietly to the side.
Elder Xiao approached to speak—but seeing that Elder Wang had not yet recovered, any words would have been meaningless.
Elder Xiao looked at Lu Sheng as though he were staring at something inhuman. After a long moment, he could only let out a weary sigh and place a hand on Lu Sheng’s shoulder, saying nothing.
Lu Sheng had no words either. The battle-fervor that had surged so fiercely within him just moments before faded away entirely.
In that quiet instant, the realization settled in.
He had not merely reached the level of the renowned masters he had once imagined.
His strength had already surpassed them.
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