Chapter 11 – Baihu Sect

The earth swelled below the flying ship, from rolling hills to sprawling mountains. Ahead lay four towering peaks, enclosing an expansive lake from the four cardinal directions. The ship began to lower its altitude gradually, heading towards the easternmost peak. A twisting mountain pass beneath led to a gate in the shadow of the mountain’s crest and beyond it, spiraling marble stairs ascended to the summit.

Senior Sister Li steered the ship around the summit. As they circumvented the mountain, residences and sealed cultivation caves came into view on the mountainside. White-robed disciples of the sect went about their menial tasks, while others practiced their techniques and Arts.

Soon, they came into full view of the lake, its surface was broken by a scattering of isles, each holding a mansion or a pavilion. At last, the ship landed on a particular island containing an understated, yet grand, residence.

As the ship’s arrays powered off, the new disciples gathered on the deck and waited for Senior Sister Li to provide instructions. A final shudder as the ship settled made Yuan Hao stumble. Sher noticed the youths sneaking longing glances to the ground, ready to disembark. She mused that after the horrors in Tur, they likely craved the presumed safety of the sect more than the excitement of learning magical techniques and Arts, or fulfilling their dreams of becoming legendary cultivators.

“Allow me to officially welcome you to Baihu!” Li Meilien stood near the helm overlooking the assembled. “Outer Sect is located on the eastern peak we flew by. Tang Jun, Fu Jin, Yuan Hao, you will join Baihu as Outer Disciples. Report to the Elder Dhruv in the Outer Hall on the peak’s summit, he will provide you with a copy of the sect’s rules and answer your questions. Also, he will assign you the tasks you will be performing in the Outer Sect. Work hard on your cultivation and you will have a chance to rise to the Inner Sect.”

“Senior Sister Li, will you still teach us? Is the Elder going to be fine?” Fu Jin took a step forward, concern written on his face.

“I am afraid I won’t,” Li Meilien said, her voice strained. She paused, her gaze briefly darting to the stairs and the cabin beneath, where Elder Feng recuperated. “You will have opportunities to learn from other instructors, but your time in the Outer Sect is mostly for self-cultivation. You must focus on your own path and prove your worth.”

“Junior Sister, with my recommendation, and I’m sure Elder Feng’s when he awakes, you will be joining the Inner Sect.” Li sent a jade slip flying toward Sher. Guided by Li’s control, it gently alighted on her outstretched hand. “Report to Elder Ma in the Inner Hall on the southern peak’s summit.”

“The northern peak is reserved for Core Disciples and the western peak is grounds of the sect’s Spirit Beasts. The isles on this lake contain residences of the Elders and important sect resources.”

“Lars, you will wait with me. I have alerted the Elders of Elder Feng’s condition and either the Elder wakes and decides, or another Elder will determine your situation.” Senior Sister Li gave an encouraging smile. “I wish you all success, you may go now.”

Sher took out her sword and stepped on it, prepared to depart. “Big Sis Sher, wait a moment. I have something for you, from my Master.” Lars scurried over and handed her a red-tinted rock. Sher took it with a raised brow. “Why, thank you, what is it?”

“Oh, you will know when you check it. Master said it is not for me, so I didn’t mess with it and, unfortunately, I don’t know what it contains.”

“Alright, then, I might ‘mess’ with it after I settle. Bye, Lil’ Bro, good luck with the Elders.” Sher took off on her sword and flew over the lake towards the southern peak. ‘What trouble will you bring me, little stone?’

* * *

Sher ascended the mountain peak flying on her sword, weaving between mansions and cultivator caves. Some included small gardens with growing spiritual herbs. In the entrance of one cave sat a disciple immersed in cultivation, while a bored panther dozed with a head on his lap. From a neighboring cave, a scent of burning incense reached her nostrils.

She noticed that many disciples weren't wearing the sect's uniforms, unlike the Outer Sect she had briefly witnessed.

Even though she was a new face here, moving alone, no one paid her overt attention. Did they consider themselves completely safe? Was it overconfidence in the sect’s defenses?

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She witnessed two disciples strolling and vividly discussing some topic, when a sudden explosion from a cave they were passing threw them to the ground. She left quietly as they began arguing with a disciple who came out of the cave trying to catch breath, his face and robes charred.

Finally, as she crested the summit, where a much grander residence stood. Its entrance was guarded by a disciple in the sect’s uniform consisting of white robes with black accents with an insignia sewn on one of the lapels representing a stylized tiger’s head. Tall, with sharp cheekbones and long, black hair loosely tied back, the man halted her with a raised hand. “Junior, what business brings you to the Elder? I don’t believe I have seen you before.”

“I’ve just arrived with Elder Feng and Senior Sister Li. They are otherwise occupied, but I have been recommended for the Inner Sect. And greetings, I am Song Sher, courtesy name Sherenna.”

“That’s unusual, I will inform the Elder. I am Anshar by the way, pleasure to meet you, Junior Sister.” He disappeared briefly inside the building. “You may enter. If you would like me to show you around the sect after…”

“Thank you, I appreciate it, but I think I will be fine on my own.” Sher politely declined. Being the newest, and presumed vulnerable, Inner Sect disciple put a target on her back. She didn't know the customs here, and she had no intention of volunteering for trouble.

The interior was austere. A lone man sat in a meditative pose in the middle of a stone hall, surrounded only by a few unadorned pieces of furniture and bookshelves with scrolls and jade slips. No carpet covered the stone floor, no paintings decorated the walls. As she entered the man looked straight at Sher. He had facial features suggesting he hailed from the Song Empire or neighboring regions, though he wore robes similar to Elder Feng’s.

“Greetings Elder, I am Song Sher, Senior Sister Li sent me here. I have a jade slip she sent you here.” Sher approached the Elder and handed him the slip.

“Hello, a fine morning, or is it evening already? Mmm,” the Elder took the jade slip and placed it against his forehead. “Oh, I see, very well. You are entitled to a single technique or Art from the Arts Pavillion. You may also pick any unoccupied building or cave as your home. Just make sure not to choose one belonging to another disciple, unless you know you are stronger. The best ones are on the northern side, near the lake!”

“Thank you. Do you have a copy of the sect’s rules? Do I need to know anything else?”

“Just use your common sense and you will be fine. But if you are a stickler, you can grab one from the shelf by the exit when you go.” Elder Ma scratched his chin. “For other things you can just ask around. Oh, you can grab a uniform from the crate other there, as you leave.”

“I get the message, I'll let you get back to it, Elder, but just one more quick question,” Sher smiled wryly. “How do I get contribution points and what can I spend these on?”

“It’s in the rules. As are the answers to your other questions.” With that the Elder closed his eyes and Sher felt a slight pulse of cycled Qi. It seemed purer and more saturated than even Elder Feng’s, though Elder Ma appeared to be at the Core Formation realm, if at the very peak.

“Very well, have a wonderful evening.” Sher inspected the scrolls, they were all the same, and stored one in her ring. Then from the crate she chose a robe roughly her size, which followed into the ring. She inspected the tables near entrance and picked a badge with a scroll engraved on it. “I assume this is the token needed to retrieve the technique?” She took Elder’s silence for agreement and left the room, walking past the disciple—Anshar and down the mountain.

* * *

A helpful disciple met at the lake’s shore directed Sher to the island with Arts Pavillion. As she flew over the calm water, a pleasant breeze caressed her face, Sher wondered what sort of technique she should choose. She doubted there would be any useful Arts for someone like her, with her massive well of knowledge and capabilities to tailor make new ones for herself. There was no point in choosing another breathing technique, as White Tiger Blawan was the core technique of Baihu sect, and she would need to worry about a new one only once she reached Foundation Refinement stage.

She could choose another combat technique like Tiger Palm, ideally one that would complement it or maybe a technique designed to further enhance her body, building on the foundation White Tiger Blawan provided.

She reached the indicated island and dismissed her sword mid-air, landing softly on the grass. She drew closer to the stone building and directed her steps to the open entrance.

She was greeted by the sight of heavy bookshelves full of yellowing scrolls, seemingly randomly placed stone tablets and discarded jade slips. There was no one stopping her from entering or checking if she had a permit to enter.

The aisles between the bookshelves were very narrow, Sher had doubts about how some of the larger and bulkier disciples accessed these resources. As she proceeded, the heavy smell of old paper and dust filled her nostrils.

She went in picking and quickly skimming through the techniques. Nothing noteworthy so far.

A girl in slightly oversized robe and eyes downcast came from the right as Sher was passing through an intersection between aisles. She had no room to dodge the girl in the narrow spaces; gently she held out her hand and stopped the girl.

The girl yelped and looked up at Sher. Her face looked mature with wrinkles around the eyes. It wasn’t right to call her a ‘girl’. “I didn’t see you there! Welcome to my home, I am Rubati! What techniques are you looking for? May I recommend something? What is your favorite Art? I bet you would be interested in the Tiger Incarnation Art! Or would you like something grand like Rain of Fire? Oh, I bet I can find something just for you.” The constant stream of words dammed for a moment, as Rubati looked Sher up and down. “You must tell me all the techniques you know, I bet I will find something that complements them well. Or rather somethings, why stop at one? One more technique is nothing, just make sure to learn all of them well. But if you don’t you can always find me and I will help you find something more interesting! So what do we want to achieve?”