The Road That Narrows

The road out of Qingshi Village sloped downward, meandering along the river's edge before disappearing into the horizon beyond. Dust rose with every step, clinging to the bottom of their clothes.

The journey was silent, no one speaking.

The disciples walked behind them in loose formation, their pace steady and unhurried. To them, this was a routine journey. But to the three before them, it marked the end of one life and the uncertain beginning of another.

Xu Yan walked first, his steps light, posture straight, eyes taking in the unfamiliar landscape with curiosity.

Zhou Kai followed a few paces behind, shoulders tense. His breathing was uneven, betraying his nerves.

Lin Shen walked last, his gaze lowered, matching the disciples' pace. The rhythm of his breathing quietly reinforced his body, slowly but surely. In his previous life, Lin Shen had discovered this method of cultivating in the Body Reinforcement rank, but had disregarded it, believing it to be rudimentary and crude. But now, it proves its usefulness, reinforcing his bone and muscle with each breath.

The road narrowed as the sun set, the terrain growing rougher, jagged stones and dense brush being out in the open. The river dipped out of sight, replaced by the sound of howling wind moving through the hills.

Zhou Kai lagged behind, the disciples reprimanding him quickly.

"Keep Up."

Xu Yan slowed slightly, matching Kai's pace for a moment.

"You Alright?" He asked.

Zhou Kai nodded quickly. "Yes."

Xu Yan smiled faintly and resumed his pace.

Lin Shen observed this exchange without reaction. Xu Yan's kindness was genuine, a part of Heaven's design for their chosen child.

The group carried on walking until dawn where the road had ended.

It had not ended with a gate, nor a grand formation, but rather stone.

A vast cliffside cut into terraces came into view before them, each level carved with buildings and narrow paths. Rows of structures clung to the rocks alongside flags bearing the Black River sigil.

This was the Outer Sect, Lin Shen recognised it immediately.

This was not a place meant to inspire awe. It was meant to process people.

The disciples stopped, saying flatly,

"From here on, you are outer sect initiates."

No ceremony followed.

"Climb."

Xu Yan stepped forward, Zhou Kai following and Lin Shen moving last.

Although there were stairs, the climb was still gruesome. Uneven stone steps bit into already aching legs. Other recruits from foreign villages were already struggling, some panting and others stopping.

No one waited for them.

An outer disciple stood near the steps, watching with bored eyes. When one boy had stumbled and fell hard against the stone, he did not move, watching complacently.

The boy tried to rise, but failed, his body forcing him to kneel.

The outer disciple spoke.

"If you cannot stand, roll aside."

The boy hesitated.

"Roll."

The boy did.

No one helped him.

Cruelty in this part of the world was not emotional, it was the norm, it was procedure.

They reached the first terrace near midday.

A large stone platform stretched across it, already crowded with new arrivals. An outer sect disciple spouted orders whilst others distributed thin wooden plaques with numbers on them.

These bore no names, only rank.

Xu Yan received a low number.

Zhou Kai's was higher.

Lin Shen's was among the highest in the batch.

Lin Shen expected this. The Black River Sect only cared about spiritual cultivation, not physical.

Sleeping arrangements were announced, the low numbers assigned to inner rooms whilst the higher numbers given space near the edges.

Food distribution followed the same logic.

No complaints were heard, those who complained had already learned better.

As they were herded towards their assigned quarters, Lin Shen noticed something to his left.

Two initiates were being dragged away by disciples. One had collapsed as they were standing, and the other tried to help him.

Neither struggled now.

"Rule one."

"You strength is your responsibility."

The dragged initiates did not return.

Zhou Kai's face had turned white.

Xu Yan's expression tightened, but he said nothing.

Each group was led through their own respective passages to arrive at their sleeping quarters.

Lin Shen's group was led to a narrow sleeping hall carved directly into the stone, thin mats laying on the floor. Lin Shen took the one near the far wall.

Cold air seeped in from the cracks in the rock above.

As evening approached, initiates were ordered to gather again.

This time, an elder stood waiting.

This was not the one from the village, this one was older and sharper, he was less patient.

"You are all outer sect initiates. You will cultivate when permitted, eat when permitted, and live as long as you remail useful."

"This sect does not waste resources."

The message was clear, each word being engrained into each one of their heads.

That night, food was distributed again, some receiving more and others less.

Lin Shen received little.

A coarse lump of grain paste and a strip of dried meat, tough enough to strain his jaw and teeth.

He ate slowly, conserving energy. Hunger was familiar to him.

Around him, bodies settled into place, some whispering, and others staring silently into the dark. A few shifted restlessly, unable to sleep beneath the weight of uncertainty.

Cold seeped through the stone at his back, creeping into muscle and bone. Lin Shen adjusted his breathing instinctively, his body transitioning his breathing back into the one he had previously used in order to spread warmth inward and seal what little strength he had.

This was the Outer Sect.

It was not cruel by emotion, but by design.

These designs, Lin Shen knew, could be studied and endured.

And eventually,

They could be broken.