The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Protagonist; Divine | calm, composed, and insightful.
Miao Miao: Yena's friend | a flower spirit; divine being | Playful, sharp-witted, and a bit mischievous.
Jin Yue: Heir of Huliya; Yena and Miao Miao's companion | Protective, confident, and a bit playful
Guo Ming: Worker at the old warehouse | Awkward, helpful, respectful.
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Jin Yue, scanning the map closely, muttered under his breath, "It should be here…"
The city's inner quarters were far more crowded than the quiet outskirts where they had stayed the night before. The three of them now wandered through Tianlong's bustling markets and narrow alleyways, searching for the sect.
"You've been saying that for over an hour," Miao Miao groaned.
"I've never been here before," Jin Yue sighed. "The location was shared by one of my informants—it's not like I had a proper address."
"Well, you could've at least confirmed it," Miao Miao muttered.
"How could I have, Little Miao Miao?" he replied with a smirk.
Yena interrupted their bickering, "Why don't we just ask around? If it's the only independent sect in Tianlong, surely someone must have heard of it."
They both nodded.
"Let us split up and meet here in half an hour," Yena added. "If any of us uncovers any leads, let's call out and inform the others."
They parted ways and began questioning the townsfolk. Many claimed they'd heard of the Flying Dragon Sect—but none had actually seen it or knew where it was.
After asking around for a while, Miao Miao caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd. She quickened her pace, weaving through the people—but before she could get closer, the figure vanished into the crowd.
She glanced around, scanning the area carefully—when suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder.
Startled, she spun around.
"Ah! You almost gave me a heart attack," she said, clutching her chest with an exaggerated sigh.
Jin Yue raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so scared?"
"If you sneak up on someone like that, isn't it obvious they'll get startled?" Miao Miao frowned.
"Is that so, Little Miao Miao?" he said, clearly amused.
Miao Miao just shook her head in frustration.
Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Jin Yue chuckled. "But what are you doing all the way here? Yena already found someone who knows the location. I came to bring you back."
"I thought I saw someone…" she murmured, glancing once more into the crowd.
Jin Yue gently turned her by the shoulders so she would face him. "Here? You must've been mistaken. Tianlong is a secluded place. Most outsiders don't come here. If your acquaintance isn't from this region, there's little chance it was them."
"Hm… maybe I was mistaken," Miao Miao said with a faint nod. With one last look toward the street where the figure had vanished, she began walking beside Jin Yue.
Yena stood waiting outside an old warehouse.
"You're here," she said. "Let's go inside. The worker here seems to know something about the sect."
The three of them entered the warehouse.
"Hello," the worker greeted them. "I'm Guo Ming. I heard you're looking for the Flying Dragon Sect[1]."
Jin Yue stepped forward. "Is Zhang Haoran the Sect Leader there?"
Guo Ming scratched his head. "I think that's the name. I only worked there for a short while, so I've forgotten most of the details. Not many people train there."
"But you know where it is, right?" Yena asked. "Can you show us the way?"
"I do. Do you have a map?"
Jin Yue handed him the map.
Guo Ming pointed at a spot. "Head straight from here, then take a left at this junction. Behind the old temple, you'll find a forest trail. Walk along it for about an hour until you reach a clearing near the forest's edge. Beyond that, the trees thin out into a wide open ground—that's where the sect's campus begins. From there, you'll see the main gate of the Flying Dragon Sect."
Miao Miao tilted her head. "Wait, the sect's inside a forest?"
"Not exactly in the forest," Guo Ming replied. "That's partly why I left—I couldn't handle the daily back-and-forth. The campus is vast and beautiful, though. I hope you can find your way there."
Yena nodded. "We will. Thank you."
Guo Ming studied her. "Are you a magic practitioner[2]?"
"Uh… not yet," Yena replied. "But we hope to join the sect."
Guo Ming blinked, clearly taken aback by her reply. He paused for a moment, clearly trying to regain his composure. With an awkward smile, he spoke again.
"You… you look like a goddess, truly." he stammered, clearly taken off guard by her presence. "No offense meant, but the training there isn't easy. Many fail to even qualify to join the sect."
He scratched the back of his neck nervously, glancing at Yena and then quickly looking away. "I just… didn't expect someone like you to be seeking to join a sect. But… if you do, I hope you'll make it. Just… be ready for how tough it is."
Before Yena could respond, Jin Yue stepped slightly in front of her. "She's tougher than she looks. And yes, she is beautiful."
"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it," Guo Ming stammered, his face turning slightly red. "I was just… stunned when I saw her."
Yena smiled politely, her voice calm and steady. "I'll take that as a compliment. But if I may ask—what makes enrollment so difficult? Are there specific trials or qualities the sect looks for in its disciples?"
"They focus a lot on physical strength," Guo Ming explained. "The entrance test is tough. They care more about perseverance and willingness than anything else. It's frustrating, honestly. These days, they barely accept new applicants. The headmaster there... well, he's a bit strange. I mean, how can you run a sect without disciples or money?"
Jin Yue's voice sharpened. "There's no use admitting students who won't put in the effort. That's the foundation of becoming a magic practitioner."
Yena gently touched his arm, calming him.
She turned to Guo Ming. "He's not wrong. Without the will to learn, even gods can't help someone grow stronger. But... well, that's your view." She gave a respectful bow and added, "We'll take our leave now."
Guo Ming bowed back, his gaze lingering on Yena with a hint of admiration. "I'll think about your words... and you," he grinned, adding, "I truly hope you get selected."
Jin Yue scoffed under his breath and looked away, while Miao Miao narrowed her eyes at Guo Ming.
Yena smiled warmly. "Thank you."
And with that, the three of them left the warehouse and continued their journey toward the sect.
Following the directions given by Guo Ming, the trio walked for over an hour until they finally reached a clearing—and before them stood the Flying Dragon Sect.
It was just as beautiful as they had imagined. Surrounded by a thick forest, with towering mountains rising protectively behind it, the sect looked both serene and formidable.
As they neared the sect, a sudden whoosh of air caught their attention, and an arrow flew toward them. Yena instinctively stepped back, raising her hand just in time to catch it—mere inches from her face.
[1] Fēi Lóng Zōng
[2] Magic practitioners are magic commoners who refine their magical abilities through formal training and discipline within a sect.