Chapter 3 First mission

Icaros's mind raced like lightning as he weighed the offer – the benefits, stakes, and his place in this new world. As thoughts swirled through his head, the man he'd deduced was the Li Sect Master stared silently, a faint smirk on his face.

After what felt like an eternity, Icaros spoke calmly: "I greet the Sect Master."

Instead of the reaction he expected, the man laughed aloud, turning to Deimos who stood a foot behind Icaros. "This lad is sharp – he already knows who I am, but it seems he still has much to learn."

"Yes, Father," Deimos replied. Turning to Icaros, he pulled a rectangular jade object from his armor pocket and handed it over. "Take this jade slip to the men outside the hall. They'll tell you what to do next."

"Men outside the hall?" Icaros muttered, turning the slip over in his hands. Seeing his confusion, Deimos explained: "Cultivators at high enough level develop what we call divine sense – it lets us perceive more than our physical eyes can, and do things like encrypt information into objects like this slip. Only someone with divine sense can read it."

Icaros furrowed his brow, struggling to process everything, then recovered and walked calmly out of the hall.

As Icaros's figure faded toward the doors, Deimos turned to his father. "Do you really believe his story?"

The Sect Master laughed, his expression thoughtful. "Of course not. But he's definitely not from any opposing power,and from what you've told me about your findings in the azure forest,plus the recent event that will soon happen,there's definitely a huge storm brewing, we'll need all the strength we can get."

Icaros examined the jade slip with curiosity as he stepped into the sunlight. "Surprisingly, everything worked out well," he thought, smiling to himself. Just outside the grand hall, he spotted the four men from the forest – the same ones who'd piloted the flying vessel, though he had no idea how it worked.

He approached them and held out the slip, his tone calm and face impassive. "Young Master Deimos said I should give you this."

One of the men,studied him closely before taking the jade. He closed his eyes, as if listening or seeing something beyond sight. Icaros wondered what he was doing, but before his thoughts could wander, the man opened his eyes – a flicker of surprise in his gaze. He stared at Icaros for a moment, then smiled. "Follow me, and don't wander off."

Icaros nodded obediently. The man gestured to the other three. "Return to your duties – your work here is done." They scattered, and Icaros noticed this man was dressed better than the rest with a green robe,filing the detail away as he followed.

They walked for nearly an hour through a district of grand mansions with intricate architecture. Eventually, they reached a glowing blue light barrier, with a manor built beside it. As Icaros studied the barrier and what lay beyond, the man pulled a token from his robe and waved it toward the manor.

Suddenly, Icaros felt an intense gaze on him – instinct flared, and he tensed to act. But the feeling vanished instantly, and a gap opened in the blue barrier.

"Relax," the man chuckled. "That was just a senior's divine sense sweeping over us to verify our identity before opening the barrier."

Icaros nodded, making a mental note. "This divine sense is both annoying and convenient – I wish I had it," he thought. His attention was soon drawn to the buildings ahead: still well-crafted, but lacking the grandeur of the previous district.

"The first hall and section are for the sect's upper echelon and core disciples," the man explained as they walked. "Those with high cultivation, power, talent, and unwavering loyalty – the sect's foundation. This area is for inner disciples, who have strong cultivation and good talent. Beyond here is where most disciples live, unless they earn a spot as an inner disciple."

"I appreciate the information," Icaros said formally, looking around as he kept pace.

The man laughed softly. "No need to thank me – you'll be heading to the library soon, and this will all be covered there."

"Library?!" Icaros's face showed genuine surprise.

"Yes," the man replied. "The Young Master's message in the jade slip says you need to learn about the cultivation world to avoid appearing and being ignorant. Though your time is limited."

"Why is that?" Icaros asked.

"You have the rest of today to prepare. By tomorrow, I'll lead you and other new recruits on your first mission. Succeed – and survive – and you'll become an official sect member." He quickened his pace slightly, as if to emphasize there was no time to waste.

Icaros drew a deep breath at the mention of a mission. His first task on Earth, saving humans had been rewarding and even enjoyable. But his last mission still haunted him: killing the only other being like himself.

They soon passed the inner disciples' area and entered the district for outer and non-official disciples. Outer disciples lived in full houses, big enough for families, arranged in neat rows. Non-official disciples were housed in simple but sturdy rooms lined in grids – and Icaros was given one, along with a key and a library permit from the Young Master. The man also introduced himself: Li Han – a name Icaros vaguely recalled Deimos using back in the forest.

Icaros sat on the only bed in his new room, reviewing the day's events – a habit he'd kept through millennia on Earth. After several minutes of quiet thought, he decided he'd handled things as well as possible. He knew there were gaps in his story to the Sect Master, but pushed that worry aside.

His next step was clear: visit the library. First, to erase his obvious ignorance. Second, to prepare for the newbie mission tomorrow – he had only one day to get ready.

A new mission... A smirk crossed his face. "For now, my mission is the library."