“Spatial affinity.. An element that hasn’t been seen since the ancient era..”

The old man spoke while sitting himself down to rest.

“To think a child in the 2nd level of the Mortal realm would have a spatial affinity..”

The young man still reading the description of the spatial element was Patriarch Shui.

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With the heat of the sun intense as ever, Li Jian and Lee Gang made their way to the Outer Sect Hall.

“Here we are!”

Out of breath and sweating, Lee Gang dropped to the ground to take a break.

Li Jian saw many disciples gathered around the mission board. There were all sorts of missions ranging from item requests, escorting, bounties, and even things like delivery. The mission rewards were varying amounts of contribution points.

Lee Gang, seeing Li Jian studying the mission board, crossed his legs and faced the mission board as well.

“There are many missions you can choose from, and there is no requirement, so you can accept any of them. Be careful though, some missions can reward a lot of contribution points, but can be way too risky and you might die. I remember I accepted a mission where I had to find a Serpent Fire herb. Who knew a big Infernal Serpent was there guarding it. It was even at the peak of the Earthly realm! I’m only in the 2nd level of the Mortal realm! I turned back around and dropped that mission haha.”

“What are those letters on the mission requests?”

“Missions have different difficulties which are determined by the sect. Hardest is A-level difficulty, where E is the easiest. I’ve heard of S-level missions, but it might just be a rumor.”

“Okay, I think that’s enough time for rest. Li Jian, you’ll have to talk to Elder Ma inside of the Hall and he’ll tell you all about your classes. I’ll wait outside and then show you around some more.”

“Thanks Lee Gang.”

With that, Li Jian walked into the Hall.

The Outer Sect Hall was a large, curved, white building that looked like a crescent moon on its side. Inside of the hall was a giant guardian lion statue with its left paw clutching the moon. To the left of the statue was a large store, which was the Outer Sect Shop. To the right was a closed off area with an old white haired man seated behind a table.

Li Jian walked towards the old man.

“Greetings Elder Ma.”

Raising one eyebrow, the old man looked up, placed his book down, and examined this child in front of him.

“So you’re Li Jian: the only new face I haven’t seen yet. The Patriarch already told me about you and your lack of affinity. I’d usually place disciples into a class that matches their affinity, as well as a battle training class, but for you I’ve been instructed to only have you participate in the latter. While other students are learning more about their element, and using that knowledge in battle training, you won’t have that advantage.”

“Your class is instructed by Master Yun in the north training grounds. Here is an outer sect medallion. This medallion not only acts as your identity within the sect, but is also used for your class. Classes are held once a week and your medallion will notify you a day before Master Yun begins class. If you have any other questions, I’m always here.”

Elder Ma smiled and resumed reading his book.

“Thank you Elder Ma. I’ll be off then.”

Putting away the medallion, Li Jian bowed and turned around. Instead of walking towards the exit, he headed towards the shop.

‘I have 500 contribution points, so let’s see what I can get with that.’

There were many disciples here grabbing all sorts of items; pills, herbs, tools, weapons, etc.

‘Looking at the prices, there doesn’t seem to be anything that I can’t buy.. I shouldn’t spend impulsively. I’ll come back later, Lee Gang is probably getting impatient.’

While exiting the hall, Li Jian noticed Lee Gang was talking with a couple of other disciples. One disciple had a piercing in his nose, the other had a rather long neck like a giraffes, and the last looked like a sloth. Walking closer to Lee Gang, Li Jian noticed Lee Gang was looking down with a slight frown.

“Look at this pig standing up on two legs acting like he’s human, hahaha dumb pig.”

“He’s so fat too! He actually thought Hwa Qing would want to be his? Quit dreaming!”

“Maybe all that fat is weighing your cultivation down at the 2nd level hahaha.”

Lee Gang was getting bullied! While these three were making fun of Lee Gang, the surrounding disciples were either watching in silence or laughing.

“Why don’t you three ugly pieces of shit shut up.”

Like glass shattering, everyone’s attention turned towards Li Jian.

“Who the fuck are you kid.”

“He’s in the 2nd level of the Mortal realm like this pig hahaha, do you want to die an early death?”

“2nd level? I could beat you with my eyes closed hahaha.”

The disciples who were watching couldn’t wait to see a fight, but were disappointed when they saw that the kid was only in the 2nd level (it would be over in an instant).

Lee Gang stared straight at Li Jian.

“Li Jian, what are you doing!! These guys are students of Elder Lu, the Head of Punishment! You can’t offend them like that! And by yourself, you can’t take on three people in the 3rd level of the Mortal realm..”

“I won’t stand by and watch you get bullied. Friends don’t do that.”

Hearing this, Lee Gang almost bursted into tears. Always bullied for being fat, Lee Gang didn’t really have many friends. He had always holed himself in his home, except one day where he confessed his love to Hwa Qing. Being rejected, he lost the remaining bit of his confidence.

“Friends don’t do that wahh. Shut up trash. Jia Xi, He Ra, show these two what we do with trash. They’re an eyesore.”

This was the “leader” of the three, Lu Bao. He was the son of Elder Lu, the Head of Punishment.

Gazing at them with a cold look, Li Jian readied himself for a battle.

Before anything could even happen, a woman’s voice rang loudly before a figure showed up.

“Stop. Lu Bao, Jia Xi, He Ra, what do you think you’re doing picking on disciples with lower cultivation than you guys? Did you also forget that it’s against the rules to fight inside of the sect? Your master is Elder Fong, yet you forget this simple rule?”

“Princess Bai!”

Everyone immediately fell to their knees and bowed. She not only had a high position in the sect, but was also the daughter of the Patriarch. On top of that, her cultivation towered above the disciples of the sect.

Li Jian stood there wondering why someone like the Princess was in the Outer Sect at this time.

“Anyways, break it up.”

Princess Bai sighed before leaving.

‘So much for being lowkey, forgive me father..’

When she left, all the disciples screamed in excitement. This was their first time seeing her in person.

“She’s so beautiful! I wish she would notice me.”

Lu Bao gave Li Jian and Lee Gang a death stare.

“We’ll settle this soon. Jia Xi, He Ra let’s go.”

With the three leaving, Lee Gang let out a breath relaxing himself.

“Brother Lee, don’t ever let them bully you like that again. Be strong!”

“I can’t.. I’m fat, weak, and a loser.”

“Stop thinking like that. If you get stronger nobody will mess with you again. Show others who you truly are.”

“Thanks Brother Li. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that..”

Sniffling, tears streaked down Lee Gang’s face.

“Well, we’re stuck together now since Lu Bao wants us dead haha.. Anyways, is there anywhere else you need to show me?”

Wiping his face, Lee Gang smiled once more and led the way.

The two visited many more buildings and locations before taking a small break.

“There’s only one more place: the Jade Moon Trial. This trial is open to all sect disciples and is a trial by fire. It tests how far you can travel before reaching your limits. There’s even a ranking system, but only for the top 1000. You’re looking at rank 993!”

“The spiritual energy inside of the cave is insanely abundant, making it a good training place. But it’s too dangerous, so don’t even think about going in. I only went in last time because I was depressed Hwa Qing rejected me..”

“What rank are those three monkeys from before?”

“Lu Bao is rank 711, Jia Xi is 712, He Ra is 713. And you know who holds rank 1? Huang Fang!”

“Those who are in the top rankings receive crazy amounts of resources as rewards! I bet if we ever reached those ranks we'd be able to become inner disciples!”

The two boys walked towards a mountain where a cave entrance was seen: this was the Jade Moon Trial. Besides the cave entrance was a massive board with a thousand names. This wasn’t an ordinary board because the names and ranks were glowing with spiritual energy. Some ranks and names were constantly shifting because of the disciples inside the trial.

There were many disciples watching the rankings while others were entering the trial. Those who couldn’t last any longer inside of the trial were teleported out in front of the entrance.

“That completes the tour Brother Li! Come on, I’ll treat you to some dumplings to celebrate your first day and to thank you for earlier.”

Li Jian stood there looking at the mouth of the cave before turning around and following Lee Gang.

The sun set and the two sat on a bench, snacking on some dumplings.

“Aren’t these the best dumplings ever? I could eat a million of these and never get sick of them!”

Taking a bite, Li Jian was shocked. He swallowed his dumplings and then wiped his mouth.

“This is too good!”

“Hahaha didn’t I tell you?!”

Stars shining, and the moon illuminating the sky, the two walked back home.

“Goodnight Brother Li! I can’t come by tomorrow because of my classes, but I live on the corner farther down, so come by whenever!”

“Goodnight Brother Lee.”

Parting ways, Li Jian entered his home.

‘I’ve already made enemies on my first day in the sect.. Although unlucky, I’ve also made a friend.’

Li Jian sat on his bed and closed his eyes. He thought about all of the events that happened earlier in the day and then remembered his dream.

‘I wonder what kind of skills those were to be so powerful?’

Thinking about his own set of skills, he only had one: Four Palm Strike.

Sighing, Li Jian thought, ‘Even if I reach the 3rd level I won’t be able to fight those three idiots with only my Four Palm Strike..’