There was no sign of Elder Shadow when I arrived at Martial Hall, but I hadn't expected there to be. An Elder would never be seen waiting around for a new Sect member. There was a Master at Arms that was responsible for allocating training weapons and assigning fields who had me wait once I introduced myself and explained that I was supposed to meet with the Elder.

The building itself was segmented into training arenas and fitness centers. Each area open to the next but divided by an array that isolated those training. The array included a field that guarded against stray ammunition or thrown weapons from crossing the demarcation lines established for each field.

Every area was surprisingly active. I'd thought most students would be attending lectures today, but I learned that lectures were rarely attended. They existed for the most part to help those members that may have hit a bottleneck, discussing theories and ideas that may spark the fire of enlightenment needed to advance. The schedule classes were usually only attended by the new outer Sect members, and only until they got their footing.

Most members self-studied. This was done for a couple of reasons, it allowed the cultivator to focus and experiment with ideas and techniques they were interested in, creating a foundation that was specific to their requirements and needs. The most important reason was one of secrecy. Cultivators did not like sharing their abilities and skills. They liked having hidden abilities that they could use if desperate to either turn the tide of battle or escape.

This obsession with secrecy meant that there was a lot of false information that had to be waded through to separate the nuggets of truth, but it also meant that challenges and fights were a last resort. No one could be certain that someone that might appear weak might have hidden talents.

Of those practicing that I could observe, an inordinate amount of people seemed to be concentrating on sword techniques. As I watched, I was able to get a basic understanding of what they were doing. For most, the barest amount of sword intent was expended, the intent meshing with the kata's they were practicing.

For a few, real energy could be seen as they wove and danced, their swords an extension of their bodies. Sword strikes that had the power of Qi and intent, beams of light cutting the air, sword images created, and adding additional attack to targets. Multiple blades shredding targets in an awe-inspiring ballet of movement and power.

I had secretly thought people idiots for concentrating on swords as their primary weapon. Cultivators would need to hunt, and the weapon seemed a poor choice, hunting was not a duel or battle, it was a carefully orchestrated game of danger. Prey could become the hunter at any given moment.

Resources were plentiful, beasts were easy to find, but you had to go out and gather them. To learn a weapon that put you within reach of the beast you were hunting seemed insane. Why risk it when there were weapons available that would increase your reach? But now that I saw the sword powered with killing intent and Qi could be used as a ranged weapon, I understood the attraction. It was one of the best up-close weapons available.

"Are you interested in learning the sword?"

"Not really," I answered still concentrating on a member that seemed the most talented of those training.

"Tarrah explained that you would work with me to gain some small mastery with weapons. I will do my best to honor the gift of your time and teaching," I promised, bowing, student to master, as I greeted him. I'm not sure how long Elder Shadow had been standing next to me as I focused on those practicing, but it was long enough for him to note where my focus was directed. He didn't seem bothered that my attention was focused on those training.

He spent a few moments appraising me. Perhaps trying to determine if my words were real or simply polite. I wasn't sure exactly what role he played in the Sect, but he had been powerful enough to contend with Elder An. It was only by listening to the whispers of conversation during breakfast that I finally had some idea how influential Braun and his father were.

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Their family lineage was only part of the reason they were so feared and respected, if that were the only factor their influence would have been tempered by other Sect members that had their own alliances and lineages to fall back on. Elder An's younger sister was a once in a millennium genius. She possessed a Gold Spirit Root and had affinities with Fire, Metal, and Air. Her combat and dueling record were likewise impressive, she had defeated any who had dared to meet her in combat, both during competitions and in ambush.

Elder An cloaked himself in the aura and prestige of his lineage and the connections with his powerful sister. Her occasional visits to the Sect were always welcomed with full guest honors. Banquets that would beggar some smaller Sects. An all effort to curry favor. She had joined a much more powerful Sect. One that stood with only the best and most powerful Sects on the world.

Because of that connection, the Sect dared not insult her. Her visits were not without profit, the banquets and festivals that were hosted were often rewarded with higher level beast cores. Cores that the Sect was unable to farm for itself, as well as the occasional rare treasure or herb.

Not for free.

But with enough of a discount in price that made keeping her happy a priority.

Elder An used that connection shamelessly. Hinting to other Sect members that he might leave and join his sister's Sect. After some consideration, I thought that threat baseless, his reliance on the historical value of lineage would never allow him to abandon the Sect. Plus, if he had the ability to join a more powerful Sect, he would have done so long ago. There was a reason he hadn't used his sister's influence to join her Sect, it was better to be the one in charge of a mid-level Sect than to be lost in the sea of mediocrity in a larger Sect.

Here, his influence and power allowed him to stand out. His protection of Braun an example of his power as an Elder that would not be duplicated in a more powerful Sect, one that gave little concern to the status of his sister or his connections. But it seemed forces were gathering to stifle his power, I just wished they weren't using me as the fulcrum to advance change.

"Why no interest in learning sword techniques?" Shadow Elder asked drawing my attention back to his original question.

"At first it was because I thought it strange for a cultivator to master a weapon that would require them to get within easy reach of the beasts they were hunting," I answered hesitantly. I wasn't sure what weapon Elder Shadow was proficient with and I didn't want to insult him so I tried to give a reasoned response without offending.

"A bow or spear made more sense to me. My father had always impressed upon me the need to fight from a distance and minimize the chances of being savaged or gored during a hunt. But seeing the application of sword intent, I realized that those who perfected this martial art were as capable of fighting from a distance as any other weapon master. I see how flawed that assumption was," I continued with a nod toward the Sect member that was using his sword to send out a flurry of wind blades.

"The only other reason is hard to explain. It is more emotional than logical. The sword doesn't 'call' to me. I admire their skills, but my gut is telling me this art is not the path I should follow."

Elder Shadow's appraisal intensified; his eyes thoughtful as he digested my words. "As valid a reason as any," he finally agreed smiling as he noticed my shoulders sag in relief.

"Elder Tye and I have agreed to split your training. He will readily admit that his martial skills are not the best. His talents lay in the field of pill concoction, there is no one in the middle tier of Sects that can surpass the depth of knowledge or skill that he has accumulated.

"We discussed how we can best prepare you to defend against the next attack aimed your way, and I agreed to accept you as an outer disciple. We will share responsibilities. He will train your secondary profession abilities, and I will help you to establish martial skills that focus on survival," he said more a warning than a promise.

"In time, we will decide between us where your talents lie," he warned, "and if you deserve to be elevated and offered a core disciple position."

"As for weapons, I agree the sword arts are not for you. With your affinity to air, you need to focus on quick and agile movements and attacks. Movement skills that allow you to always be just out of reach of any attack. I have thought about what would best synergize with your affinities, but before we make a final decision, I need to know what cultivation method you are practicing?" He asked.

"Elder Cix was kind enough to suggest Transcend the Heavenly Footpath cultivation technique," I said.

"Have you had any success cycling using this method?" Elder Shadow asked. He seemed both concerned and surprised at either the effrontery of Elder Cix to suggest this method or my hubris for agreeing to practice it.

"I've had some small success but have only been able to decrease the time needed to complete a full cycle to once a minute," I answered with a small modicum of shame. Shame that seemed without merit if his surprise was anything to go by.