Chapter 4 Entering the Sect

While Fa Wa was catching fish in the river, Xiao Tian sat silently on the riverbank. His gaze was empty as he stared at the vast blue sky, as if searching for answers among the drifting clouds. A gentle breeze blew, rustling the tips of the wild grass growing along the edge, but the cool air did nothing to calm the turmoil in his heart.

His small hands clenched tightly, gripping memories that now only left wounds. Something warm flowed from the corner of his eye, falling to the ground and forming a small puddle. But it was not an ordinary tear. A deep red color stained his cheek, dripping slowly like fresh blood from an unseen wound-a wound caused by the destruction that had befallen his life.

Flashes of those moments replayed in his mind. The palace engulfed in flames, the screams of people who knew him, and the final gazes of his father and mother before their lives were cruelly taken by the merciless hands of the Wang Kingdom and the Ming Dynasty. He could still hear the sound of swords slicing through flesh, the satisfied laughter of his enemies, and the metallic scent of blood that had filled the air that night.

Xiao Tian clenched his fists even tighter, his nails pressing into his palms until they almost pierced his skin. In his heart, the oath he had sworn that night resurfaced, filled with hatred and a burning determination.

Mother, Father... Tian'er swears to avenge you! Tian'er will never let the Wang Kingdom and the Ming Dynasty get away with taking your lives. I will make them pay a hundredfold! If I fail in my revenge, I swear I will no longer be worthy of being human!

Rage and sorrow mixed together, swirling like a storm in his chest. As if the world around him could feel his emotions, the once-gentle wind suddenly blew stronger, making the river's surface ripple chaotically.

At that moment, a soft yet firm voice slipped into his thoughts.

"Tian, you must learn to control your emotions."

Xiao Tian snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head. Ziyan Rouxi stood nearby, watching him with a serious expression, but in her eyes, there was an undeniable sincerity.

"If you want to avenge your parents, there is only one way," she continued. "You must grow stronger than anyone else!"

Xiao Tian did not respond immediately. Her words echoed in his mind, as if offering a sliver of light in the darkness of his hatred. Finally, he gave a small nod-silent, but filled with determination.

Rouxi gave him a faint smile as she watched him, while far in the distance, Fa Wa remained busy at the river, unaware of what had just happened on the riverbank.

***

Entering the Sect...

Fa Wa arrived carrying a large fish, still wet from the river. Its scales shimmered under the sunlight, and its body twitched slightly, a sign that it had just been caught. Skillfully, Fa Wa began cleaning the fish, washing it and roasting it over a small fire he had built using dry twigs by the riverbank. The aroma of the fish cooking spread through the air, making their empty stomachs growl even more.

Xiao Tian sat silently, his empty gaze fixed on the embers as they slowly blackened the fish's surface. Meanwhile, Ziyan Rouxi occasionally glanced at him, observing the expression on the boy's face-one that still held sadness and confusion. However, she said nothing, letting time slowly bring Xiao Tian back to his senses.

Once the fish was cooked, Fa Wa divided it among them. The meat was tender, and the slight melting of its fat gave it a distinct savory taste. However, Xiao Tian ate only a little, his mind still occupied by unanswered questions.

After finishing his meal, Fa Wa clapped his hands, brushing off the ashes and fish crumbs that clung to his palms. "Let's go home," he said in a casual tone, as if this journey was just another routine for him.

Xiao Tian and Ziyan Rouxi followed behind him, walking along a narrow path leading to a massive gate standing majestically before them. As they got closer, the large inscription above the gate caught Xiao Tian's attention. His steps halted, and his eyes narrowed as he read the characters carved firmly into the old wooden plaque, slightly faded by time.

"Supreme Sword Sect."

Xiao Tian murmured the name softly, repeating it in his mind. He tried to recall if he had ever heard of a sect by that name, but nothing in his memory matched. His vast knowledge, gained from reading countless scrolls since childhood, should have allowed him to recognize most of the major sects in this world. However, the name Supreme Sword Sect was completely unfamiliar.

Doubt crept into his mind as a realization slowly dawned upon him. His gaze swept across his surroundings, studying the architecture of the buildings, the distinct air that filled the place, and the accents in the speech of the disciples that occasionally reached his ears. His heart pounded faster as his thoughts arrived at a startling conclusion.

"Am I in the She Dynasty?"

A question formed in his mind, and his body tensed. He had no idea how he had ended up so far from home. The last thing he remembered, he had been in the Ming Dynasty. How could he have drifted along the river all the way to the She Dynasty? The distance between these two dynasties was not something one could travel easily.

Xiao Tian inhaled the cold air surrounding him, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He recalled the knowledge he had gathered from reading ancient texts. According to what he had learned, the She Dynasty lay to the northwest of the Ming Dynasty, separated by towering mountains, steep valleys, and powerful rivers. It was impossible for someone to arrive here simply by being carried away by the river's current... unless some unknown force had aided him, or something much greater was happening beyond his understanding.

Regardless, Xiao Tian could not ignore the fact that he was now in a foreign land, in a sect he had never heard of. He clenched his fists, trying to make sense of the situation, but there were too many unanswered questions.

Amidst the turmoil in his mind, the voices of the gate guards pulled him back to reality.

"Respect to the Patriarch!"

As soon as they saw Fa Wa, the guards immediately bowed deeply, their posture filled with absolute reverence. There was not a hint of hesitation in their actions, demonstrating the high status the man held within this sect.

Fa Wa simply gave a faint smile, as if he was already used to receiving such respect. He said nothing and walked straight in, followed by Ziyan Rouxi and Xiao Tian, who remained silent, his mind still clouded with confusion.

Xiao Tian finally arrived at Fa Wa's residence, the place that would now become his new home. The estate was vast and neatly arranged, reflecting Fa Wa's status as the sect's patriarch. A spacious courtyard was filled with ancient trees, providing a serene and cool atmosphere. On the other side, a training ground stretched out, its stone floor worn down by time, a testament to how often it had been used by the sect's disciples.

Fa Wa turned to Xiao Tian with a firm gaze. His voice was deep and full of authority as he spoke. "Tian, from now on, you will live here. However, just because I have taken you in as my grandson does not mean you will be exempt from responsibilities. As part of this household, you must be accountable."

He paused for a moment, making sure Xiao Tian was listening carefully before continuing, "Every day, you must clean the entire courtyard and the training grounds. Additionally, you must take care of all the scrolls in this house. I do not want to see a single one covered in dust. Once you turn ten, I will officially register you as a disciple of this sect. Even though I am the patriarch, I must still abide by the rules set by the sect. Do you understand?"

Xiao Tian clasped his hands respectfully, his gaze filled with determination. "Grandfather, I understand."

---

From that day on, Xiao Tian lived his days with strict discipline. Every morning, as soon as dawn broke, he was already awake before anyone else. With a broom in his hand, he swept the courtyard, clearing away the dry leaves scattered on the ground. The morning sunlight reflected off the sweat on his youthful face, but his expression remained serious and full of determination. Every movement of his broom was steady and precise, as if he wanted to ensure that not a single corner was overlooked.

After finishing with the courtyard, he moved on to the training ground. The vast stone floor had to be cleaned of dust and dirt. Sometimes, he had to scrub it with a damp cloth until its surface was spotless once more. Some sect disciples passing by often glanced at him-some merely observing, while others sneered. But Xiao Tian paid them no mind; to him, this was a responsibility he had to fulfill.

As the sun climbed higher, he moved on to his next task: cleaning the library and caring for the scrolls and books inside. The room was filled with tall wooden shelves stacked with ancient scrolls and thick books. Xiao Tian carefully wiped each cover, removing the dust with a gentle yet meticulous touch. Although his hands were still small, he worked with great caution, treating the books as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.

However, there was one habit of Xiao Tian's that Fa Wa was unaware of.

At night, when the residence fell silent, Xiao Tian would sneak into the library. With light steps, he navigated the dark corridors and pushed open the wooden door he had become so familiar with. The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming through the cracks in the window. Carefully, he pulled out a scroll from the shelf and sat cross-legged on the floor, immersing himself in the pages filled with words and illustrations.

His eyes sparkled as he read. Even though he was still very young, his thirst for knowledge never wavered. He did not merely read-he truly absorbed the contents of every book he opened. Some scrolls contained the history of the sect, while others delved into battle strategies, philosophies of life, and, of course, martial arts techniques. Xiao Tian absorbed all this information like a sponge, committing every detail to memory with remarkable sharpness.

Time passed quickly.

Without realizing it, three years had gone by since Xiao Tian began living in the Supreme Sword Sect. Now, he was nine years old.

The morning sun shone softly, illuminating the spacious courtyard of Fa Wa's residence. Birds chirped cheerfully in the treetops, and a gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of green leaves. The sect remained calm, but the sound of small footsteps running along the wooden corridors could be heard.

"Tian, let's go to the martial arts arena! There's something exciting happening today!" Ziyan Rouxi called out excitedly.

The young girl was now eleven years old. Though still in her youth, her delicate features were beginning to show signs of maturity, with sharp eyes and a confident expression. Her long black hair flowed freely, swaying with her light movements.

Xiao Tian, who was sitting against one of the wooden pillars, lifted his head. "What event?" he asked casually.

"The tournament to find the strongest disciple in the sect. Come on, it's going to be fun!" Ziyan Rouxi grabbed his wrist without waiting for a response.

Xiao Tian let out a small sigh but did not resist. In truth, he was also curious to see the fights between the sect's talented disciples. So, he followed Ziyan Rouxi to the martial arts arena.

By the time they arrived, the arena was already crowded with sect disciples. The air buzzed with murmurs and hurried footsteps. The arena was a vast circular space with a sturdy stone floor, worn down by countless battles over the years. Several sect elders sat on high seats at the edge of the arena, watching over the matches.

As Xiao Tian and Ziyan Rouxi entered, several disciples immediately turned their attention toward them. None dared to stop their approach, as everyone knew that these two children were the grandchildren of Patriarch Fa Wa. However, whispers soon spread among the crowd.

"Look! Is that the patriarch's adopted grandson, Tian?" one disciple murmured.

"Yeah, but that kid doesn't seem interested in martial arts. No one has ever seen him train."

"Maybe he's waiting until he turns ten before he starts practicing."

"Hahaha! Are you joking? He's just the patriarch's useless adopted grandson. He's nothing compared to Miss Ziyan. Even though she wasn't ten yet when she started training, she already surpassed many older disciples!"

"That's the difference between a biological grandchild and an adopted one. Tian doesn't have the patriarch's bloodline. It's only natural that his martial talent is inferior."

Every word reached Xiao Tian's ears clearly. However, he continued walking with a neutral expression, as if all those insults were nothing more than passing wind. For years, he had grown accustomed to hearing such ridicule, and not once had it ever bothered him.

Ziyan Rouxi, on the other hand, could not contain her emotions. Her face flushed with anger, and her gaze turned sharp. She was about to open her mouth to retaliate, but Xiao Tian lightly tapped her arm.

"There's no need to entertain them," he said calmly. "Let's go see Grandpa."

Ziyan Rouxi huffed in frustration. "You're too soft on them! If you keep this up, they'll continue mocking you!"

Xiao Tian gave a small smile. "Their words don't hurt me."

Although his lips curved into a smile, there was something hidden in his eyes-something no one could decipher.

The two of them sat behind Fa Wa, who had already taken his seat in the main chair. Before the hundreds of disciples, the patriarch sat with undeniable authority. His sharp gaze swept across the arena before he finally spoke.

"You all already know why this competition is being held." His deep and commanding voice echoed throughout the arena, infused with inner strength so that everyone could hear him clearly.

"This tournament is meant to identify the strongest talent among you. The winner will represent the Supreme Sword Sect in the tournament in the She Empire. Therefore, use your full strength! I want to see the extent of your abilities so that I can determine the best resources to help you grow. Over the next year, I will personally train the strongest disciple chosen. When the tournament arrives, you must be prepared to compete against disciples from other sects and kingdoms in the She Dynasty. Do you understand?"

The patriarch's voice was firm and charismatic, prompting all the disciples to respond in unison.

"Patriarch, we understand!"

Fa Wa nodded in satisfaction. His gaze then shifted to an elderly man standing at the edge of the arena. "Liu Qingyun, lead the event!"

Liu Qingyun, one of the high-ranking elders of the sect, immediately stepped forward. Despite his old age, his body remained strong and muscular. His stern face gave off an impression that he was not someone to be underestimated.

"Yes, Patriarch!" Liu Qingyun replied in a deep voice before stepping into the arena and commencing the tournament.

Xiao Tian observed the battles with sharp eyes, sitting relaxed in his seat while the other disciples cheered and shouted in excitement at the intense duels. However, one figure continued to capture his attention.

A disciple named Daniel.

Xiao Tian watched him closely, his expression remaining calm. In his heart, he mused, This person clearly possesses an internal force of 230 rings. He has already reached the rank of a third-class warrior. But he has sealed his own power, only revealing that he has 100 rings of internal force. This person is very cautious... It seems he will be the winner of this competition.