The morning sun cast a golden hue over the snowy ground of the Silver Lotus Sect, bathing the training grounds in warm light as disciples gathered for what would be a pivotal moment in their lives. Bao and Jiang stood at the forefront, flanked by Atlas, Layla, and Meyu, who watched with quiet anticipation. The air buzzed with nervous energy; some faces were hopeful, others anxious, but all carried the weight of uncertainty.
Bao stepped forward first, his voice carrying across the assembly. "Today marks the end of your initial training period. Over the past month, you have pushed yourselves beyond limits you may not have thought possible. Some of you have shown exceptional promise—promise that deserves further cultivation."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the crowd. "Others… have chosen paths where this sect is no longer the right fit."
Jiang took over, her tone firm yet compassionate. "To those who are leaving today, know this: just because you aren't selected to continue doesn't mean you've failed. Each of you has grown stronger—even if it's only by one percent. That growth matters. It will serve you well wherever life takes you next."
Atlas chimed in, leaning casually against a wooden post. "For those returning to the main city, we've arranged carriages to take you back safely. If you wish to stay and invest in your future here, you can make payment to dear Meilin. Those who are chosen, Ryl Trading offers them sponsorship. We believe they can truly benefit from advanced training."
His golden eyes gleamed mischievously. "And trust me, Bao and Jiang don't pick lightly. They've been watching every step, every punch, every breath. If you lack behind in training, you will be left out."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Disciples exchanged glances, some nodding in understanding, others visibly disappointed. But there was no bitterness—only determination etched into their expressions.
One by one, those not chosen began stepping forward, ready to board the waiting carriages. Before they left, however, Jiang and Bao approached each individual personally, offering words of encouragement.
"You've improved more than you realize" Jiang told a young man from the Copper tier, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Your reaction time during sparring drills? Sharper than when you arrived. Don't lose that edge."
Bao knelt beside a woman clutching her bag tightly. "Your footwork has become steadier. I saw it myself during endurance tests. Use that foundation to build something greater."
Even those boarding the carriages seemed lighter, carrying newfound confidence alongside their belongings. As the wheels creaked and rolled away, the remaining disciples turned toward their mentors, resolve burning in their eyes.
With the departure settled, Meyu stepped forward, her commanding presence silencing any lingering chatter. She held up a scroll bearing the insignia of Ryl Trading, unrolling it dramatically.
"Congratulations to those staying" she announced.
"But let's make one thing clear: sponsorship isn't charity. It's an investment—in you, in your families, and in the future of this sect."
Her sharp gaze swept over the group. "Ryl Trading will cover all costs associated with your continued training. However, this comes with responsibilities. You represent us now. Every action reflects on our reputation."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "For those whose families wish to relocate closer to the sect, housing will be provided. Free rent for the first year—a gesture of goodwill. After that, affordable rates will ensure stability without burdening anyone financially."
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd. A few disciples exchanged excited whispers, imagining their loved ones settling nearby. Others looked thoughtful, considering the implications.
"This isn't just about supporting individuals" Meyu concluded.
"It's about building a community—a network of loyalty and mutual support. Choose wisely."
Atlas seized the opportunity to expand on Meyu's announcement, his grin widening as he addressed the group.
"Now, here's where things get interesting. Housing alone won't sustain this growing settlement. To thrive, we need connectivity. Which brings me to my next point, trading routes."
He gestured toward a map pinned to a nearby wall, marked with key locations.
"Currently, traveling between the main city and the sect takes too long—up to a week under normal conditions. We're going to change that. Ryl Trading will establish secure roads and checkpoints, reducing travel time to two days or less."
The disciples stared, wide-eyed, as Atlas outlined the plan. "These routes won't just carry goods—they'll bring prosperity. Faster access means fresher supplies, quicker reinforcements, and stronger ties to the outside world. And yes," he added with a wink, "it also means fewer excuses for being late to training."
As the excitement settled, Layla yanks Atlas aside, her expression unreadable.
"Are you building a kingdom here?" she asked pointedly. "This feels like more than just helping a few disciples."
Layla continued with her tone being worried. "Building these routes won't be easy. Bandits, harsh terrain, and imperial spies will pose challenges.''
Atlas chuckled, unfazed. "No, I'm not building a kingdom. I'm giving people strength and stability. That's all."
"But why go so far?" Layla pressed.
"Free housing, trading routes, relocation assistance—it's ambitious, even for you."
Atlas sighed, his demeanour softening. "Because dependency creates loyalty. Not blind obedience, but genuine bonds. When people feel supported, they fight harder to protect what they care about. If the Emperor tries to tear this apart, he'll find himself facing not just a sect, but an entire community united against him."
Layla studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Just… be careful. Ambition like this attracts attention. Dangerous attention."
That evening, the remaining disciples from the first batch gathered around a bonfire, laughter and camaraderie filling the air. Sponsored student, Han Zhu shared stories of his farming days, while Ren Shi another sponsored student, recounted tales of patrolling the city streets. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they now shared a common goal: to grow stronger, together.
Atlas watched the bustling activity around the Silver Lotus Sect, his expression thoughtful as he leaned back against a wooden pillar. The distant hum of disciples training and workers setting up new housing units filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere—on the daunting task ahead.
Opening trade routes to this remote location wasn't going to be easy, no matter how much gold or manpower I throw at it.
Meyu glanced at him sidelong, her smirk still lingering. "Looks like you're getting soft, Atlas."
He shrugged, feigning innocence with that trademark grin of his.
"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just playing the long game."
But when Meyu didn't respond right away, he felt her sharp gaze boring into him. She knew him too well—better than anyone else, really—and silence between them always carried weight. After a moment, she crossed her arms again and raised an eyebrow.
"Alright, spill it. What's eating at you?"
Atlas hesitated, which was rare for him. For all his bravado and calculated schemes, there were moments where even he had to admit uncertainty.
And Meyu? Well, she was one of the few people who could drag those admissions out of him without much effort.
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"Honestly?"
He paused, glancing toward the mountains surrounding the sect. Their jagged peaks loomed ominously, almost mocking him. "I have no idea how we're gonna pull this off."
Meyu blinked, caught slightly off guard by his candor.
It wasn't like Atlas to openly admit doubt—not about something like this.
Still, she kept her tone light, teasing even, because if there was one thing Atlas hated more than failure, it was being pitied.
"What, you mean the whole 'building roads through treacherous terrain while fending off bandits and imperial spies' part? Yeah, shocker. That sounds hard."
Atlas shot her a look, though there was no real bite behind it.
"Ha ha. Very funny."
He pushed off the pillar and began pacing, his movements restless. "It's not just the logistics, Meyu. This isn't some minor outpost or sleepy village we're talking about—it's the Silver Lotus Sect. A martial sect buried in the middle of nowhere. I should've thought twice before trying to crack this nut."
Meyu tilted her head, intrigued despite herself Atlas often meet with ridiculous plans, offers, discussing impossible challenges and if Atlas was comparing their current predicament to one of his old ideas, then things were worse than she'd initially assumed.
"So what's stopping you?" she asked, her voice softer now.
"You've faced bigger threats before. Hell, you've stared down entire armies with nothing but clever words and a well-timed bribe. Why does this feel different?"
Atlas stopped pacing and turned to face her, his golden eyes unusually serious.
"Because this isn't just about me anymore" he admitted quietly.
"Back in the day, yeah, I could afford to take risks—to gamble big and walk away if things went south. But now…" He gestured vaguely toward the settlement growing around them.
"These people—they're counting on us. On me. If I screw this up, it's not just my neck on the line. It's theirs too."
For once, Meyu didn't have a snarky comeback. She studied him carefully, seeing past the mask of confidence he usually wore so effortlessly. Beneath it was a man carrying the weight of countless lives on his shoulders—a burden he hadn't asked for but couldn't ignore.
After a beat, she let out a low chuckle, shaking her head. "You know, for someone who prides himself on being untouchable, you sure do care a lot."
Atlas rolled his eyes, though the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. "Don't start. I'm not giving you material for another 'you're getting soft' lecture."
"Too late" Meyu quipped, smirking again. But then her expression softened, just a fraction.
"Look, I get it. This is risky. Probably one of the stupidest things you've ever tried. Actually scratch that. This is like barely top 10, you've done worse but point being, since when has that ever stopped you?"
Atlas arched an eyebrow. "Since the stakes got higher than my usual tolerance for chaos?"
Meyu snorted. "Please. You thrive on chaos. Admit it—you're only worried because this time, you actually care whether everyone survives your brilliant schemes."
He opened his mouth to retort, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.
"Save it. I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty. I'm saying it because you need to remember who you are. You're Atlas fucking Ryland. The guy who builds empires out of thin air and laughs in the face of impossibility. If anyone can figure out how to open these trade routes, it's you."
Atlas stared at her for a moment, his lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "
You realize that pep talk sounded suspiciously like emotional support, right? Are you feeling okay?"
Meyu punched him lightly in the arm. "Shut up. Don't make me regret it."
They shared a laugh, the tension breaking just enough to remind them both why they worked so well together. Despite his doubts—or maybe because of them—Atlas felt a flicker of resolve reignite within him. Meyu was right.
I faced impossible odds before, and somehow always found a way to win.
"Alright" he said finally, straightening up.
"First step, reconnaissance. We need detailed maps of the surrounding area, including potential choke points and ambush zones. Second is to secure local guides. Someone who knows these mountains better than we do. Third…" He grinned wickedly.
"We bribe, blackmail, or otherwise coerce every influential merchant and noble within a hundred-mile radius into supporting us. Classic Atlas-style."
Mewu smirked, crossing her arms again. "There's the bastard I know and tolerate."
Atlas smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As they walked back toward the heart of the sect, Atlas couldn't shake the lingering unease in the back of his mind. This was going to be harder than anything he'd attempted before—but if history had taught him anything, it was that the impossible only stayed that way until a deafening boom shattered the tranquility of the sect.
The ground trembled beneath their feet, sending everyone scrambling for balance. Dust rose from cracks forming in the nearby walls, and birds scattered into the sky, startled by the sudden disturbance.
For a moment, silence reigned—then chaos erupted.
Layla, Jiang, Bao, Lin Wuye, Yuxe Wuye, Zhu Fen, Zhao Lihua, and Jian Bo all turned toward the source of the explosion, their faces etched with concern. Even Atlas paused mid-walk, his golden eyes narrowing as he processed what had just happened.
Without hesitation, the group sprang into action, rushing toward the sound together. As they crested a ridge overlooking the site of the explosion, the scene came into view: trees splintered, their trunks reduced to jagged stumps; a crater scorched black at its edges, evidence of immense heat and pressure.
And lying unconscious at the center of the destruction was a boy.
He couldn't have been older than sixteen, perhaps younger. His clothes were tattered, singed in places where the blast must have caught him off guard. Dark hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat—or maybe blood; it was hard to tell. One hand rested limply against his chest, fingers curled loosely inward, while the other lay sprawled out beside him, palm upturned. Blood trickled slowly from a gash on his knuckles, the wound raw and angry-looking.
Everyone stared in stunned silence, taking in the devastation around them.
Lin Wuye stepped forward first, his expression grim. "This… this isn't natural. Something caused this—an energy unlike anything I've felt before."
Jiang nodded, crouching down to inspect the boy more closely. "He's alive, but barely. Whoever or whatever he is, we need to figure it out quickly."