“Are you going to select another mission for the Alchemic Hall?” Rhee asked as she stretched outside their house beneath the dawn light.

  Ishin pulled his right arm while twisting his torso in his own stretch. It was nice to wake up feeling truly rested. He hadn’t felt this good since his arrival on Desolate Island. “I think I’ll explore a different mission this time. One that’s less irritating.”

  Up ahead, several other disciples were departing the lower-numbered houses. Several moved in pairs like them. Others had more elaborate methods of transportation, riding Spirit Beasts or, in some cases, riding atop flying spirit tools. Given the vast distance between locations throughout the sect, Ishin understood the value of tools that allowed for faster transportation.

  Ishin peered back at the closed door to their house. They hadn’t seen Mei or Long this morning. Ishin suspected that Mei had already left before first light for another shift at the library. Long… he had no idea if Long was in his room or not.

  He clearly is up to something. I wonder what.

  “Should we get going?” Rhee asked after completing a final stretch. “I doubt either of the other two will be coming.”

  “You’re right,” Ishin replied, looking away from the door.

  At least this way I can finally talk with Rhee in private.

  Ishin considered the other meandering disciples up ahead on the path. He squinted ahead, noticing that the crowd had appeared to thin quickly.

  They all left so fast. He looked ahead more carefully. Oh.

  “Sister Rhee, I have an idea.”

  Rhee considered him with an arched eyebrow. “Hmm?”

  “Let’s try running to the Administrative Hall.”

  “You want to run there?” Rhee looked from Ishin toward the path up ahead, where the last of the other disciples were barely still visible in the distance. “Oh.”

  She figured it out too.

  “I can’t tell if the sect is brilliant or diabolical.”

  Ishin shrugged. “Probably both. How many miles do you think it is from here to the Administrative Hall?”

  Rhee considered for a moment before answering. “Maybe twenty miles. I’m not entirely sure.”

  Twenty miles. The previous morning, it had taken hours for them to walk to the Administrative Hall, even with their improved physique from the Adept Realm. Ishin was sure that they could run the twenty miles, but he had yet to attempt this level of endurance since reaching the Adept Realm. He was eager to try, though.

  “I bet we can reach it in under an hour. We could also cycle qi to try to do it faster.”

  “I wonder if that’s what some of the other disciples do,” Rhee theorized. “Consistent qi cycling training like this would improve the strain that our meridians can handle over time. Our cycling endurance could become remarkable if we stick with it.”

  “Let’s try!”

  Rhee nodded, and the two took off at a steady pace, running toward the Administrative Hall.

  They first began cycling their qi. The process was easier now that they had double the number of meridians compared to the Initial Realm. Qi could be cycled across more meridians, limiting the strain on any single meridian. Ishin had an even easier time with it than Rhee, thanks to his bloodline granting him thirteen meridians with each realm instead of twelve. As a result, the two made it fifteen minutes before they had to cease cycling, but in that time they covered half the distance.

  “That was effective,” Rhee remarked between labored breaths.

  “Indeed.” Ishin wiped the sweat from his forehead. The morning coastal breeze helped cool him down. Peering around, Ishin saw that they were alone along the path again. They had passed several other disciples as they’d run, with the other running disciples not appearing to be cycling their own qi. Those that had cycled their qi, Ishin assumed, were still up ahead.

  This might be a good time to talk with her, Ishin realized. The sun was still low, they had saved significant time on their journey to the Administrative Hall, they were alone, and they needed some time to recover before running again.

  “Sister Rhee, would you mind walking with me over there?” Ishin asked, gesturing toward the coast. He’d examined the area with his third eye and didn’t detect any other presences in that direction.

  “How come?” Rhee asked. “The Administrative Hall is that way,” she continued, pointing northward.

  “I know. I just want to tell you something, and I’d like to do it in private.”

  Rhee’s expression turned considerate. “Tell me something in private.” She twirled a long strand of her black hair around her finger, looking toward the ground. “Okay.”

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  Ishin noticed her changed expression and realized how his words might have come across. Heavens above, does she think I’m going to confess to her?

  Ishin, who wasn’t afraid of hard truths, was aware that he was attracted to Rhee. He’d been attracted to her since they’d first met back in Yellow Dome City. His attraction had evolved into genuine feelings over the last months, between the Exhibition Tournament and Desolate Island.

  However, there were two reasons he hadn’t acted on his feelings. First, he didn’t know if Rhee felt the same way, and he was concerned his admission would make their relationship awkward if she felt differently. Second, Ishin had no experience with relationships and was unsure how to manage one, especially while trying to adapt to their situation in the Crimson Abyss Sect. For now, he thought it best to keep their relationship platonic. For now.

  Ishin cleared his throat. “I just wanted to tell you about my own ambitions in joining the sect.” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling strangely awkward now. “That’s all.”

  Rhee met his gaze for the first time. “Oh… okay.” Ishin couldn’t tell if there was disappointment or relief in her tone or not. She let go of the strand of her hair. “Lead the way.”

  I really wish I knew her thoughts. But that was a problem for another time, Ishin decided.

  He led them over toward the coast until they were at the very edge of the cliffs. Black ocean waves crashed against gleaming, polished cliffs that separated land from sea. The unmistakable scent of sea salt filled the air this close to the ocean, and the morning sunlight danced beautifully across the waves below.

  Ishin stared out at this immaculate sight as he began, Rhee standing beside him. “Have you ever heard of the Hidden Ring?”

  “The what?” Rhee asked, clearly caught off guard.

  Ishin looked at his confused friend. I thought so.

  “Your grandfather told me that they are a secret faction within the Void Wraith Sect.”

  Rhee’s brows furrowed. “My grandfather? What does he have to do with this? When did you talk with him?”

  “After I defeated Chu Winxi in the semifinals of the tournament.” Ishin shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m explaining this poorly. Let me restart.”

  Rhee waited patiently for Ishin to continue, but it was clear she was perplexed by his seemingly random explanation so far.

  “You know that I’m from the Daihu Tribe in the Nine Striped Hills. What I didn’t tell you was that my mother and I originally came from somewhere else. I don’t know where exactly, but I guess I have a clan out there somewhere. My best guess is in Spearshore City, but I don’t know for certain.”

  Rhee’s lips twisted, but she remained silent, allowing Ishin to continue uninterrupted.

  Sighing, Ishin resumed his explanation. “My mother took me to a place within the Nine Striped Hills called Tyrant’s Rest to help me cultivate. She also told me that my clan has a unique bloodline tied to lightning.” Ishin held up a palm that he considered. “It’s the reason why I have lightning qi and my Pale Azure Lightning Force Technique.”

  “The blue and white lightning,” Rhee breathed. “I always thought it was strange you possessed such a powerful technique, but if it’s tied to your clan’s bloodline, it makes sense.” She considered him with new eyes. “It makes perfect sense, actually. You have a bloodline!”

  Ishin nodded. “I do, but I don’t know much about it. I don’t even know who my father is.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No. My mother never mentioned him. Ever. My only hope is that perhaps there might be answers in Spearshore City. It was the only place she ever mentioned outside the Nine Striped Hills. There might be nothing there, but it’s my only lead.”

  Rhee rubbed her chin. “You want to find your clan. That makes sense. Is the Hidden Ring tied to your clan, then?”

  “No,” Ishin replied sharply, earning a wince from Rhee. “Sorry,” he apologized quickly. “No, they aren’t.” He took a deep breath, trying to prevent his anger from surfacing at the memory of what happened to his mother. “They are the ones who killed my mother. At Tyrant’s Rest. Right before I came to Yellow Dome City.”

  Rhee’s eyes went wide. “They killed your mother?” She stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Brother Ishin, I am so sorry.”

  Ishin placed his own hand over hers, finding comfort in her touch. “I appreciate that, Sister Rhee. But that’s why I joined the Crimson Abyss Sect. I want to get vengeance for my mother.”

  “The Void Wraith Sect,” Rhee said in realization, not moving her hand away. “You said that the Hidden Ring was a part of the sect. You want to fight against one of the five Notable Sects within the province?”

  “I do,” Ishin confirmed, meeting her eyes. “I need to avenge my mother, and while I recognize that I’m not strong enough now, I’m hoping that the Crimson Abyss Sect can make me strong enough.”

  Finally, Rhee took a step back, retracting her arm. “You mentioned that my grandfather talked to you about this. Does he know?”

  Ishin shook his head. “He doesn’t know my true motivation. Just that I’m seeking the Hidden Ring. Though I think he might understand my intent for them. He said it was risky to share the Hidden Ring’s existence with anyone else. I’m sorry if this knowledge puts you in danger.”

  “No need to apologize,” Rhee replied. “In fact, I’m glad you told me.” A thin smile spread across her lips. “And I’m certain my grandfather understands your intent. I can see the hatred in your eyes every time you mention them. But Ishin, do you understand what you just told me? You’re planning to fight one of the most powerful sects in the province. What’s more, they are famous for assassination and espionage missions. Along with the Flame Devil Sect, they’re considered the two deadliest Notable Sects in the province. If you really plan to fight them, you’d need to reach at least the Venerable Realm to have a chance.”

  Ishin frowned and crossed his arms. “You think I’m foolish, don’t you?”

  “No,” Rhee replied quickly. “In fact, I understand your motivation. If they had killed my mother…” Rhee didn’t need to finish that sentence. “I don’t think you’re foolish. In fact, you’re right. If there was a place that could eventually give you the power you need to avenge your mother, it would be the Crimson Abyss Sect. They are renowned for caring about power over anything else, and there is a reason why they are a Grand Sect.”

  Rhee ran a hand through her silky hair. “Thank you for sharing this with me. I appreciate you trusting me enough to be honest.”

  Ishin felt tension he didn’t even know he had fade. He lowered his arms. “You’re the person I trust most. You’ve been honest with me about your dreams. I owed you the same.”

  Rhee stepped toward Ishin. “We’ll both strive for the Venerable Realm together, then. We’ll use the Crimson Abyss Sect for all they are worth to go even beyond the Venerable Realm and reach even the Paragon Realm.”

  “And then the Heavens, right?” Ishin laughed.

  Rhee smiled back at him. “Exactly. Once we wrap up all of our mortal affairs, including avenging your mother, we’ll ascend to the Heavens.”