Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

Li Hua and Li Wei smiled at each other, both excited and slightly nervous about this new chapter in their lives.

With final glances at each other, they went their separate ways, following their respective guides into different parts of the vast sect grounds.

As they walked, Li Hua took in the sect's architecture with quiet appreciation. Stone pathways wound between trees, their branches heavy with spirit essence that made the leaves shimmer in the morning light. Occasionally, they passed other female disciples, some accompanied by their spirit beasts, others carrying scrolls or cultivation materials.

Senior Ming maintained a steady stream of questions as they walked—where had Li Hua trained before? How long had she been cultivating? How did they get past the entrance exams? Li Hua kept her responses polite but brief.

The senior disciple's silver-winged falcon occasionally glanced at Li Hua with curious eyes. But Li Hua maintained her composed demeanor, walking with the quiet confidence.

They passed through a moon gate covered in luminous vines, entering what appeared to be the female disciples' residential area. The path opened to an elegant building crafted from pale jade-veined stone, where inner disciples were housed in individual chambers.

This will be your room," she said, activating the door's recognition array with a touch of essence. "As an inner disciple, you have certain privileges."

The door swung open to reveal a spacious chamber that exceeded Li Hua's expectations. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated the far wall, offering a breathtaking view of the misty mountains. Morning light streamed through the crystal-clear glass, filling the room with natural warmth.

A carved wooden door to the right led to a private bathroom, complete with a deep soaking tub and shelves for spiritual herbs and cultivation materials. The main room itself was furnished with a large bed draped in silk, a meditation area set on a raised platform, and a sturdy desk for studying.

"The windows are enforced with protective arrays," Senior Ming explained, gesturing to barely visible characters etched into the glass. "They can be adjusted for privacy or completely darkened for meditation."

Li Hua nodded, already appreciating how the room's design would support both her cultivation and her need for privacy.

"I'll give you a moment to take a look and then we'll register your essence into the array." Senior Ming said, as she stepped out of the bedroom and shut the door.

"Master! This is quite nice!" Little Firefly's voice shouted in her mind.

"Yes. I think so too." Li Hua responded.

Remembering Grandmaster Yu's teachings, she traced the familiar pattern for the Distant Echo Sound Transmission in the air, watching as wisps of essence formed the complex characters. Brother, I've arrived at my quarters. They're quite impressive, she transmitted to Li Hao, feeling the technique's gentle resonance as her thoughts reached across the realm. His response came moments later, a chime in her core carrying an unusual burst of enthusiasm beneath his typical dry humor: Same here! The forging rooms are nice as well, sister! Though I suspect you got the better view.

Smiling at her brother's message, she turned her attention to examining her new home. It was clean and well-maintained, with subtle patterns of spiritual energy woven into the very walls. She could sense the protective formations humming quietly, creating a cocoon of safety that would shield her during meditation.

When she walked into the bathroom, she noticed the thoughtful details - arrays for both hot and cold water to accommodate disciples who couldn't manipulate water essence.

"Look, Master!" Little Firefly's energy pulsed excitedly in her consciousness. "Even the mirror has spiritual properties!" Indeed, she could see faint traces of clarity essence woven into the glass, likely to prevent fog and maintain perfect visibility regardless of steam.

When she finished her inspection, she met Senior Ming outside.

"Everything good?" Senior Ming asked.

Li Hua nodded.

"Good! Now, let's register your essence."

Li Hua watched intently as Senior Ming's fingers traced elegant patterns in the air, golden threads of essence following her movements like silk ribbons catching light. The formation shimmered briefly before dissolving, revealing a small crystal embedded in the doorframe.

"Place your hand here," Senior Ming instructed, pointing to the crystal. "It will attune to your essence signature, ensuring only you can activate the protective arrays."

Li Hua pressed her palm against the cool surface, feeling a gentle tingling as her essence naturally flowed into the crystal. The stone responded immediately, glowing with a soft, warm light as it recognized its new master.

Once that was complete, Li Hua followed Senior Ming back to the central courtyard.

She made sure to pay close attention to her surroundings as the sect was quite large and she wanted to avoid getting lost.

They wound their way through elegant pathways lined with spirit stone lanterns, past meditation gardens where senior disciples practiced with their beast companions, and under archways carved with ancient beast taming techniques. Each landmark could serve as a reference point for future navigation.

Li Wei was already waiting for them in the central courtyard, Senior Chen standing respectfully beside him. Her brother's expression suggested he was equally impressed with his own quarters, though he maintained his usual composure.

Senior Ming's falcon shifted on her shoulder as she addressed them both. "Now that you've seen your quarters, let's start with the essential locations." She gestured toward the sprawling grounds before them. "The Beast Tamer Sect is divided into several key areas: the beast training fields to the east, cultivation caves to the north, medicine halls and libraries to the west, and combat arenas to the south."

"The main hall sits at the heart of the sect," Senior Chen added, his serpent familiar raising its head with interest. "That's where Elder Sun and the Sect Master reside. Most important ceremonies and announcements happen there. If you need guidance from the elders, that's where you'll find them."

Senior Ming nodded. "The dining hall is just west of the main hall—three meals are served daily, though inner disciples can request food outside regular hours. The kitchens use spirit herbs in their cooking, so the food here aids cultivation."

"The inner disciples have priority access to most facilities," Senior Chen continued, "but there are specific times reserved for different ranks. We'll show you the schedule boards and explain the rules for each area."

Li Wei and Li Hua exchanged glances, nodding.

"First," Senior Ming continued, "let's show you the training fields. That's where you'll spend most of your time, especially in the beginning."