Ishin strode through the doorway of the Restoration Hall and immediately called for assistance. “I need a healer! Now!”

  The entryway of the Restoration Hall contained a clerical desk at the front, with six open corridors lining each side of the interior. Paneled windows that framed the ceiling illuminated the room, and two white slated boards listing room occupancy hung on both the right and left walls. A red-robed female attendant in her late thirties rose to assist him.

  “Welcome, disciple.” Despite speaking to Ishin, her attention remained fixed on Rhee. “What happened?”

  “She was stabbed in the stomach,” Ishin explained, adjusting Rhee in his arms so that the protruding dagger was visible. “And she was stabbed in the leg.”

  “Which leg?”

  Ishin turned and saw a spectacled man in his mid-twenties step out of one of the corridors. He was dressed in black and red robes, marking him as a full disciple. The disciple approached quickly, but not rushed, his expression serious.

  “Her left.” Ishin walked toward the disciple, desperate to get Rhee assistance. “Please, she needs help immediately.”

  “She underwent the Gauntlet,” Jiang Yu explained, following behind Ishin. Her voice was calm, evidently lacking the urgency that Ishin felt.

  “That foolish custom,” the Restoration Hall disciple criticized as he began inspecting Rhee’s injuries. Ishin held her firmly, careful not to let the dagger slip out.

  “Her name is Disciple Zhu Rhee, Outer Sect and affiliated with the Combat Hall,” Jiang Yu reported to the attendant who had first greeted Ishin. The woman nodded and retrieved a scroll from the front desk, taking down the information.

  “The wounds aren’t fatal yet,” the male disciple said as he examined first the dagger impalement, and then the thigh wound. “Nerve and muscle damage will occur soon if this isn’t addressed.” He examined her cut cheek next. “This one is minimal.” Turning to Ishin, he commanded, “Bring her this way for treatment.”

  Ishin obeyed and carried Rhee through the corridor he was directed toward. The corridor led to a small recovery bay, containing only eight beds organized into a rectangle. Currently, all the beds were empty. The disciple pointed toward the closest bed. Ishin gently laid her down on her back, and then the hall disciple moved forward.

  “On my command, withdraw the dagger.”

  “But she’ll bleed out.”

  The disciple shook his head and withdrew six thin needles from a nearby tray. “I’ll stop the bleeding, but I can’t begin mending the wound while it’s still inside.”

  “Alright,” Ishin relented. He had no choice but to trust the disciple.

  “Now.”

  Ishin withdrew the dagger, and the spectacled disciple quickly placed his six needles around the wound. Even without using his third eye, Ishin could feel qi radiating from the implanted needles. To his relief, blood didn’t seep out the moment the dagger was withdrawn. Whatever technique this was, it was clearly effective.

  “You can place that in the black bin over there,” the disciple told Ishin, referring to the dagger.

  Ishin had practically forgotten about the dagger he still held. “Right.” He deposited the weapon into the bin and returned to find that four more needles had been placed around the puncture wound on her thigh.

  “She’ll need two, maybe three days before she recovers,” the disciple pronounced, as he inspected her cheek wound next. He rose and moved to a mounted cabinet, rummaging through several canisters and vials. “It’ll be at least a day before she regains consciousness.”

  “But she’ll be okay?” Ishin asked as the spectacled disciple returned to Rhee carrying a vial.

  “Ultimately, yes.” He removed the lid and with two fingers scooped out a thin lime-colored salve, applying it carefully to Rhee’s cut cheek. “But she will remain under observation until she’s sufficiently recovered. I won’t discharge her until her wounds have been sealed.”

  “Thank you,” Ishin said, his relief palpable. She’ll be okay.

  “You’re welcome.” The disciple closed the canister. “Now leave her to rest. Once she’s discharged, she’ll be free to seek you out. Focus on your own training in the meantime.”

  The dismissal took Ishin aback. “Alright,” was all he could think to say.

  Ishin was promptly shooed out of the bay and returned to the Restoration Hall entryway, finding Jiang Yu waiting patiently near the front desk.

  “Done?”

  “Yes, Senior Sister,” Ishin replied. He glanced back at the corridor. More brisk than I expected, but at least Rhee will be okay. “Thank you for your assistance,” Ishin said, offering a deep bow to Jiang Yu.

  Analytical eyes studied Ishin. “Come. There is no reason to remain here. Let us talk about your own attempt tomorrow.” Jiang Yu started walking toward the exit, and Ishin moved to follow her, unsure what she meant.

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  “Are you referring to my own attempt at the Gauntlet?” Ishin asked as they left the Restoration Hall. Brilliant sunlight shone overhead, and there was a slight breeze in the air.

  “Naturally.” Jiang Yu spared him a glance. “You’re still intent on entering the Combat Hall, yes?”

  “I am,” Ishin answered. His resolve hadn’t changed, even after witnessing what happened to Rhee. Though his friend’s state did leave him with questions. “Pardon, Senior, but the disciple inside,” Ishin realized just now that he didn’t know the spectacled man’s name, “stated that Disciple Zhu Rhee would need two to three days to recover. How can I undergo the Gauntlet while she is recovering?”

  Jiang Yu shifted her zither from her right to her left hand. “A fair question. This does happen from time to time, especially when multiple new disciples wish to undergo the Gauntlet at once. The Combat Hall frowns upon any delays in undergoing the Gauntlet. In this case, you’ll still participate tomorrow. Disciple Deng Hai should have recovered by then. If you defeat him, you’ll face Disciple Shen Hui. If you defeat her, you’ll continue to the next until you’re defeated, assuming the appropriate rank.”

  “But what about Disciple Zhu Rhee’s rank, Senior? Wouldn’t I need to fight her before Disciple Shen Hui?”

  “Given Disciple Zhu Rhee’s recovery period, you’re allowed to bypass her if you defeat Disciple Deng Hai. However, if you lose against Disciple Shen Hui, you’ll then face Disciple Zhu Rhee once she’s recovered to determine placement between the two of you.”

  So I might end up surpassing Sister Rhee without even fighting her.

  While Ishin could understand the Combat Hall’s logic, it still sat wrongly with him. He didn’t want to earn a higher ranking than Rhee without properly earning it.

  “What if I postpone my attempt until Disciple Zhu Rhee has recovered?”

  “That would be seen as cowardice,” Jiang Yu answered icily.

  “It would?” Ishin asked hesitantly.

  “Yes. You’ve already seen the capabilities of the first two disciples you’ll fight. Postponing any longer than absolutely necessary would allow you time to specifically prepare to face them. A coward’s tactic.”

  Ishin wasn’t entirely sure he agreed with that assessment. Back in the Daihu Tribe, hunters would study the habits and traits of predators before engaging them. The Exhibition Tournament had further demonstrated how strategic preparation could be essential in demonstrating one’s martial competence. That was how Rhee had defeated Dong Zhi, after all. But Ishin knew better than to argue the point.

  “I understand. I’ll make sure to be present tomorrow morning.”

  Jiang Yu nodded in satisfaction. “Good. A true martial should always be ready to fight, not fearing the unknown and always ready to test themselves.”

  That, Ishin actually did agree with—though he still thought Jiang Yu was too narrow-minded in her evaluation of strategic planning before battle.

  The two reentered the Combat Hall proper. Disciples had resumed fighting on the platforms ahead, their grunts filling the air.

  “Yes, Senior.”

  “You’ve been in the sect for how long?” Jiang Yu asked.

  “Three weeks now,” Ishin answered, surprised by the question.

  Once again, Jiang Yu considered Ishin with her analytical gaze. “Have you neglected your cultivation like your friend?”

  Ishin opened his mouth to respond, then closed it. He hadn’t expected such a rebuke. “I don’t follow, Senior.”

  Jiang Yu stopped, and Ishin quickly did the same. “Both you and Disciple Zhu Rhee only have chakras at the very earliest stages of the Adept Realm. It’s as though you haven’t cultivated at all since reaching it.”

  “Yes, Senior. We…had been focused on completing missions.” The explanation sounded like an excuse even to his own ears. In truth, Ishin had spent a few hours each evening cultivating, but he knew it hadn’t amounted to much. Even then, his efforts had been focused purely on his lightning-aspected chakra.

  “A common mistake amongst new disciples.” She tapped a finger against her zither. “Let me guess—you haven’t bothered learning any new techniques for your second chakra either?”

  “Correct, Senior. I have no excuse.” Shame filled him, but he knew it was justified. I really haven’t even tried using my water chakra at all. But how could he even learn water techniques? Heavens, I still need to learn an actual water cultivation technique. My Silent Storm technique is too inefficient.

  “Remedy this deficiency,” Jiang Yu advised. “Both Disciples Deng Hai and Shen Hui have trained in both their qi aspects.”

  Ishin realized she was right. Deng Hai had demonstrated both metal and mist techniques when he fought Rhee. And while Ishin didn’t know exactly what Shen Hui’s chakra aspects were, he was certain she utilized both as well.

  “Otherwise, you’re no better than an Initial Realm cultivator with a larger amount of qi. You might as well be fighting with one arm tied behind your back.”

  “I hadn’t considered that, Senior,” Ishin confessed.

  “Many new Adept Realm cultivators don’t. This is an oversight that many succumb to. Don’t remain merely a half Adept Realm cultivator. The Crimson Abyss Sect doesn’t have time for the weak or incompetent.”

  She sounds just like Elder Su.

  “If I may ask, Senior, how can I learn better techniques? My first chakra is lightning aspected, and I know two lightning techniques, but my second chakra is water aspected. I never learned any water techniques. I don’t even have a proper water cultivation technique.”

  “Did you not undergo an orientation upon entering the Outer Sect?” Ishin could tell Jiang Yu’s patience was waning.

  “Yes, Senior,” he answered quickly. “I believe it was mentioned that the library contained techniques?” Despite his effort, it came out as a question.

  “There is your answer,” Jiang Yu stated.

  Ishin felt foolish. “That’s the only way, Senior? The Combat Hall can’t offer assistance?”

  Jiang Yu let out a short sigh. “You can spend points to receive individual training from Inner Sect disciples within the Combat Hall. You might learn a technique that way. Otherwise, the Combat Hall can teach you better spear techniques and martial arts. But,” she stressed the word, “if you need to learn cultivation and other qi techniques, they are all located on the second floor of the Outer Sect Library. Use your contribution points to gain access.”

  I have a new priority then.

  “I understand, Senior. Thank you for your guidance.” He bowed again.

  “Tell Disciple Zhu Rhee the same once she recovers. If you don’t focus on cultivating both aspects, you’ll both remain unremarkable.”

  “Yes, Senior.”

  His response appeared satisfactory. “It is good that you are receptive. Some new disciples are too proud to heed advice.”

  Ishin straightened. “I don’t have the luxury of pride—not when my goals require reaching greater heights of cultivation.”

  “That mentality will serve you well.” It was the first compliment Ishin had heard from Jiang Yu.

  “Thank you, Senior.”

  Jiang Yu turned to examine the various sparring matches filling the Combat Hall courtyard. “Reflect on what I’ve said. Tomorrow, I’m curious to see how you’ll fare.”