The Sect’s gate stood, wrought in twisted black iron. At its top, the metal wove to spell out the sect's name. Despite the gate’s mundanity, it marked the great divide between nature’s normal spring behind him and what was currently the fall section of the Sect’s formation before him.

I was so pumped up after talking with that thieving doormat. Yet at the gates I can’t help remembering the mountain I will have to climb. The chasms I will have to navigate. No, no hesitation Felix, one foot after the other.

His feet felt heavy as he walked through the gates, the crisp smell of autumn filling the air. No one blocked him at the gate, and he strolled through the falling leaves unmolested. He reached out and grabbed one, crumbling it between two fingers.

So, ephemeral. So fragile. Just like life. Am I like this leaf to Tai Wei? Something that is made just to die?

Felix’s arm fell limply to his side, the leaf fragments falling from his hand to be caught by the wind once more.

Dust in the wind, eh? Aren’t we all just dust in the wind? Heh, I made a reference. God, I’ve retained the most random shit.

Suppressing a small chuckle, it died naturally as he looked around.

Shouldn’t there be guards or something? Perhaps there is a formation that could tell I am a sect member. Xue did talk about the sect’s formation including a defensive aspect, so that would make sense.

Felix tensed as a man appeared from the direction of the sect mountain. The cultivator didn’t even give him a glance as he ran all the way out of the sect.

…Looks like the messenger thing is still going. Nearly gave me a heart attack.

Still, he remained tense as he watched the surroundings.

…The qi here is shit. Didn’t really focus on it at the time but that place with The Hydra God makes the qi here seem so… pathetic. There it was practically trying to enter my body.

It was when he reached the mountain that he began to see people once again. He ignored them and turned toward the mission hall. It was the opposite of deserted. Felix had to dodge a few cultivators that were rushing to and fro.

I went through all that and life just… continues. What did I expect? Hell, has it got even more crowded? The formation is meant to create cultivation zones for disciples, so if no one is there, then that probably means that people don’t have time to cultivate. Still, there should be lower level disciples cultivating. What has changed?

“Excuse me,” said Felix, stopping a small girl from the Yin Lilly sect. “What has happened? Why is everyone in such a rush.”

She turned with a frown that froze when her eyes saw him.

“Haven’t you heard about the attack in the southeast?”

“I’ve been busy.” Said Felix.

“Cultivating? You can do that with so much going on? That’s so diligent!” said the girl. “The Empire somehow pushed through the bottom of the Beast Claw taking the Alliance by surprise. At least that is what has been published in the reports. Apparently, the elders are scrambling and putting even more responsibilities in the hands of the mission’s hall. They are putting up quests faster than people can take them.”

“So, the Alliance is responding…” muttered Felix.

“Is there anything else senior?” said the girl, stepping closer. “I could actually use your guidance if you could spare a moment. Oh! There is actually this mission I was just going to take but it can be done by two people if you want to join me?”

“Uh, that’s alright thanks. Maybe next time.” Said Felix.

She smiled and waited a moment, but Felix just looked back until her eyes started to swim. Then she turned and fled.

Strange girl.

He absently processed the scene using the first voice and nearly came to a stop.

Wow… It is so obvious now. She was embarrassed… Maybe I should not use this, well I am not sure what to call it after the discussion with the hydra god but voice anymore…. No Felix, one must seize the day. Now… where can I find the elders?

They were not at the mission hall, nor the medicine hall. Only tired-eyed disciples and grouchier guest elders. Tiredly he turned and headed toward the Hall of Knowledge.

This is ridiculous!

A firm hand gripped Felix by the arm and the world smeared around him. His feet were suspended as he accelerated until he was left stumbling on the upper floor of the hall of knowledge.

“You have a lot of explaining to do, disciple.” Said Elder Akeno, his eyes ablaze. “How are you here?”

Isn’t he shorter than me?

Felix found himself hunching his shoulders as the old man seemed to loom.

His pressure seems so weak compared to Tai Wen. Yet I can feel his willingness to do violence. The promise of it. The surety of it!

“Elder, please, I was trying to find one of you!” said Felix, trying to stand tall and failing.

“On earlier this day did we receive news of the Empire’s move. News from Elder Zhenzhen included how you ran into the Beast’s claw as she fought for her life. Yet you are here, an impossible journey for someone in your realm. Unless they have a treasure of course.” Said the old man. “If there is some way for their forces to come here at such speeds, I need to know, now!”

“Brother! Calm yourself.” rang the voice of Elder Shen. Then the old monk appeared in front of Felix. “When Rong said you were bad with the disciples I believed him but this is ridiculous.“

“Bah! We don’t have time for this. We need to know now; the empire has caught us off guard and taken the initiative.” said Akeno and his eyes narrowed. “Besides, you coddle them too much as it is. A will untested is not to be trusted.”

“Brother, we’ve had this discussion a thousand times! You would have us throwing them all into pitched battle before they even started cultivating. Not even one of them would be alive if you had your way!” snapped Elder Shen.

“I survived. So would they,” said Elder Akeno.

They stood there for a moment before Elder Akeno spat on the floor.

“Fine little brother, have it your way. Don’t come crying to me when your softness ruins our immortal journeys.” Then his expression softened from granite to pumice. “Your bleeding heart will be your end. Don’t go doing something crazy like with the brothels.”

Elder Shen’s frown turned to a smile as he brought his hand together.

“Brother your concern is appreciated but trust me. It's worth the risk, or what is the point of my journey?” said Elder Shen.

Elder Akeno snorted and shot a glare at Felix. Then he was gone.

Elder Shen’s expression turned complicated before he spun to face Felix.

“Sorry, you had to see that, Felix. Things have been… tense since we got the news,” said Elder Shen. “He is right that we are going to need your account of things. Elder Zhenzhen was supposed to watch you all…

I am going to pay her back… No Felix, not like that, that’s sexual harassment… Is a sect a workplace?

“Wait, Elder,” said Felix. “How long ago did the attack happen according to Elder Zhenzhen’s message.”

“Five days based on her message. It took a few days to get safe.”

Wait, if we include the three days I was running and the day it took me to walk back to the sect… What happened to the time I was in the place with the Hydra God?

“Yes, well, did you hear what happened to Pale Hill City with the Yang Family?” said Felix.

“Yes, I do,” said Elder Shen. “Elder Zhenzhen stayed there a few days after you all left to address the problems there. After her report, I suspect I know more about what happened there than you.”

“Oh… Well, we made it to Beast’s watch after that and started investigating for our mission. We exhausted every method we could think of but our only evidence was the lack of evidence. So we hired a local. That's when things turned wrong.”

“That matches with what Core Disciple Xue told Elder Zhenzhen.”

“She’s alright?”

“Yes, yes, those four girls traveling you are all alright. Though they did receive a few wounds, none of them should pose long term issues. Focus Felix. What happened next?”

“The guide found something that confirmed our suspicions that not all was well in the woods. That’s also when the splinter group from the Yang Family found us as well. So, we were forced to flee into the woods. We followed the road for as long as we could but the guide… She was injured and…”

“It’s alright boy,” said Elder Shen, a meaty hand patting Felix’s shoulder. “I know that part. Just skip past that, bit.”

“Okay… soldiers of the empire literally walked right upon us out of the forest. We fought and won but that was only the beginning. In our ignorance we continued further into the forest in the hope to escape from them, eventually forced from the path. I had hoped to increase our chances by splitting up. It worked for a moment until Edward and I stumbled upon the spearhead of the Empire's army. If not for Elder Zhenzhen, we would have both died there.”

“She at least did something right…,” said Elder Shen. “Then the High Justiciar stopped you all, did he not?”

“Yes, though I didn’t know who he was at first. I assume you know what happened after?”

“I do. That is when the Beast lord attacked?” said elder Shen.

“Yes, that's right,” said Felix.

“Mmm…” said Elder Shen, steepling his fingers. Then he blinked. “Oh, would you like to sit?

They relocated to the table in the room, a hot cup of tea in both of their hands.

“That is all very strange. A lot of strange things have been happening recently…” said Elder Shen, running his prayer beads through his fingers. “Luckily, we had started to send people there based on Elder Zhenzhen’s earlier messages about the Yang Family. Our arguably overreaction meant we weren't caught totally off guard. Oh, and as I said, Xue and the girls are fine.”

“Wait, what about Edward? Did you find him?”

“I noticed you hadn’t mentioned him yet… I assume things didn’t go well after you were forced to flee into the woods?” said Elder Shen. “Wait, you aren’t referring to his strange ability to come back, are you? He died!?”

“I- Yes. I heard that Elder Kang located him after he first revived. So, I had hope…

“No… we those methods won’t currently work,” said Elder Shen.

“Does that mean he is dead?”

“Worry not young Felix, that just means we haven’t located him yet. Elder Kang’s method to find him the first time around depended on the fresh blood at his first death. Let older heads focus on it. I admit that we should have considered this earlier. Have you completed your quest concerning him?”

“I have,” said Felix.

“Then let us hope that karma between us and young Edward is positive. Maybe it will help us find him. If not, we can only hope the boy stays safe until we meet again..”

Felix stared down at his tea, but he could feel both of Elder Shen’s eyes on him. The purely social pressure felt almost mystical.

“Felix… you have been leaving something out. There is the matter of how you survived the depths of The Beast Claw and even managed to make your way back here. I had assumed it was because Edward had died to save you but now, I am no longer sure… Tell this Old Monk. Do not worry, even if there are treasures or inheritance at stake. I will make sure you get what you deserve.”

“I don't know if I should.”

“Felix, have I yet given you a reason to think I would betray your trust?”

“No, you haven’t, and that isn’t why I am hesitant,” said Felix. “I suppose I should start from when we fled into the woods, shouldn’t I? We fought for days but we somehow managed to survive. Honestly, we were both lost but somehow managed to stay one step ahead of the wolves. It continued like that for days until that young justiciar of the empire found us… That’s when Edward sacrificed himself to save me. Injured and exhausted, I fled further up the mountain. I honestly thought I was going to collapse. Then I came upon the strangest place. A shrine that the wolves didn’t dare approach. A marble stand with a Pekingese sat in the middle surrounded by black obelisks. There was something sacred about that place. On one of the pillars, there was even a secret manual for canines, though I only remember a little of it.”

“Mmmm, it may be best if you don’t go near the beast Claw Felix. I suspect that is one of the wolves' sacred grounds. If I had to guess, those wolves didn’t follow you because they couldn’t but because they had too much respect for the area. They likely were just waiting for their elder to return and deal with you. Is that the secret of your story? Did you stay there a day to recover before sneaking away? It still doesn’t explain your ability to cover such distance.”

“No,” said Felix with a shake of his head. “I couldn’t even rest there because that justiciar boy found me. I fought back and it was only your talisman that saved me. My head was a little shaken by the collision as I think he had a similar talisman. I was knocked into the obelisk with the manual and next thing I knew I was… elsewhere.”

“A secret realm!” said Elder Shen. “You’ve made quite the find. Hah, I might have to see if we can sneak in there. Those damn wolves thinking they can keep it all to themselves. I will just have to think about what to do about the Severing Stage wolf…”

“Elder, you don’t get it. It wasn’t a secret realm. Well maybe it was but what was inside… I don’t think it is what you think it is.”

“Really?” said Elder Shen. “Sometimes secret realms are just trash, but it is well documented that most lead to the rise of rare treasures. In fact, you can even find inheritances in some. Oh, wait, you might not know what inheritance is… Well suffice it to say, it is something left by cultivators for future generations.”

“Elder listen! What was in there is not something I think even you can handle.”

“Really Felix?” said Elder Shen. “You obviously found something good seeing as you barely have any injury. A little beat up perhaps but you clearly have none of the wounds that the story of your flight through the woods implied.”

“That’s because HE healed me.”

“He?” said Elder Shen.

“When I came to, all I found was a vast place shrouded in fog and a giant shadow. That shadow was a throne which upon it sat a man. I don’t know how to quantify the pressure he gave me, but it made all of you, even that wolf beast lord’s pressure felt like nothing.”

“Are you sure, disciple Felix? The pressure you feel from us nascent souls is normally held in check. Perhaps this individual was trying to mislead you.”

“It wasn’t even comparable.” Said Felix, “That’s not all. The things he told me; don’t seem like something people in a mortal world know. The things he said about me. Elder I-“

Felix choked off a sob and found himself encased in Elder Shen’s arms. He stayed for a time until the sobs died off.

Get a grip on yourself man… Damn, he gives good hugs.

“Felix, what did he say about you?” said Elder Shen.

The dam broke. Felix told him, telling him every detail he knew about being a soul abomination.

Elder Shen’s eyes turned from shock to anger and then sadness.

“Truly you met with an expert of the higher realms. To do the things he did, and even heal you so easily,” said Elder Shen, letting go of Felix who awkwardly sat back in his chair. “Ah, arrogant little Zhenzhen, what did you do?”

“She gave me the wrong advice,” said Felix.

And I’m going to get back at her.

“No, Felix. That is what makes this just as painful. Elder Zhenzhen is whimsical and proud, but she may be the cleverest of us brothers and sisters. Certainly, the most talented. Her past has just left her a bit, well, she gave you the advice that we likely would have in the end. Such injuries should normally be healed as soon as possible, the sooner the better… Is there anything else this man said? I am honestly not sure what to make of this senior. You are right to be concerned, for he is far beyond us. I don’t even know what cultivation realm you need to reach before such secrets become available. If I am not wrong, he is how you got here so quickly? Truly a powerful senior.”

“Well… he did tell me his name and title if that helps.”

“Oh? Wait, he must have also sent you all the way here. Perhaps he was a master of Space? Well, what was it?”

“Tai Wen, The Hydra God.”

Elder Shen paled and pulled out a flask. He poured his cup of tea on the wooden floor and filled it till it overflowed. Felix’s eyes watered as the powerful alcohol filled the air but the elder drained it in a single cup. He started filling the cup again before switching to drinking directly from the flask.

“Elder?” said Felix. “Do you recognize the name?”

“No,” said Elder Shen. “But Felix, titles aren’t something that a smart cultivator messes around with. To do so and be from a higher realm... From my readings, a person who uses such a title will die very soon unless they deserve it, for it is a challenge to those who truly deserve the title. For the title to contain ‘God’, well, I only have one point of reference and I hope I am wrong. What a mess… Was there any implication that he is just a pretender?”

“Well, something actually happened after he told me about my ‘condition’. In my anger, I yelled at him.” Said Felix. He brought up his hands as Elder Shen’s eyes dilated. “I was in despair, okay?! He said he would answer one question of mine. So, I asked him who did this to me. He seemed to stare into my very being and then got terribly angry. After that, there was no longer a man in front of me. I thought it was a wall but a body so massive that I couldn’t really see it from my position was in front of me. Nine heads stretched up into the sky, seeming to reach impossible heights. Then the central most head swallowed me, and the world went strange. Next thing I know, I am a few miles from Greenwood Town.”

“Forbidden Zone.” said Elder Shen. “That place is a forbidden zone from now on. In fact, you are forbidden from even speaking of that place Felix. Nothing good will come of it if you do.”

“A forbidden zone Elder?”

“An archaic term but still used. It is used to refer to areas of such danger, that death is certain. If there is really an individual of such power in the Beast Claw… Anything that could possibly upset him is not worth it.”

“Okay.” Said Felix.

“Okay? Okay is all you have to say disciple?” said Elder Shen taking another swing. “I need to stop drinking; this is going to ruin my entire training regime.” Elder Shen took another few swigs. “I’ll end up like that wastrel Bai.”

So much for older heads carrying the burden.

“Oh, I’ll have a message sent to tell your companions that you're safe. With the current situation being what it is and their injuries, it may take a bit for them to come back.”

“That’s good…” said Felix slowly, “Elder, what should we do?”

“I will be dealing with the war.” Said Elder Shen, finally putting his flask away.

Felix's nose scrunched as the smell of alcohol hit him with every word.

“What should I do?” said Felix.

“What do you think you should be doing Felix?”

Felix stared into his cup of plain tea.

I probably should make more eye contact. What do I want to do…? I want to make sure this never happens again. What did Hue Hei say?

“I am going to get stronger. I will not accept this fate,” said Felix.

Elder Shen's face split into a wide grin, his eyes turning into crescents.

“Well… I am glad to hear that. Despite how busy we will be, we will not give up on you. You will have our full support in doing so.