Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

She channeled a thread of essence into the board, watching as it responded to her touch. Different sections illuminated: rankings of current disciples, available tasks sorted by difficulty and reward, and a specially marked area for unique requests that glowed with a different light.

The ranking system was clear enough—disciples could earn merit points through various contributions to the sect. Some tasks were simple, like helping maintain the training grounds or assisting in the medicine hall. Others required more skill, such as accompanying senior disciples on herb-gathering expeditions or helping refine beast cores.

But it was the special requests section that caught her attention. These missions came from both within and outside the sect, ranging from merchant escort duties to assisting other sects with beast-related issues. Each request listed specific requirements and rewards, with a note that all such missions needed Elder Fu's approval before acceptance.

"Master," Little Firefly's voice whispered in her consciousness, "with your abilities, you could easily handle many of these tasks. The missions beyond the sect's walls might offer fresh challenges."

Li Hua nodded, eyes brightening at the thought. After years of rigorous training with her brothers, the prospect of venturing beyond called to her. Their endless cultivation sessions had prepared them for more than just theory—they needed practical application.

Something caught her eyes as she leaned forward, a special request glowing in red. The mission description detailed a need for skilled disciples to enter the Forbidden Zone—a treacherous area within the realm where wild spirit beasts roamed unchecked. The objective was to collect rare spiritual herbs that only grew in that dangerous environment. The reward was substantial, but the warning at the bottom was clear: "Previous attempts have resulted in severe injuries. Only those with exceptional concealment abilities should consider this task."

Li Hua felt Little Firefly's interest spike through their connection. With their combined abilities and the techniques they'd mastered in the Sixth Realm, this type of mission would be well within their capabilities.

The request specified a need for disciples two weeks from now. After careful consideration, Li Hua decided to revisit in a few days when the exams were over.

She then turned her attention to the ranking system. The board tracked all two hundred inner disciples, but it was the top rankings that drew her focus. Though she and her brothers would only remain in the sect for a little over three years, having a clear goal would help guide her progress.

The top five positions caught her eye:

First - Zhang Nia, whose spirit beast was a Shadow Panther

Second - Chen Yue, partnered with a Silver Serpent

Third - Sun Wei, accompanied by a Thunder Eagle

Fourth - Liu Fei, bonded with a Golden Crane

Fifth - Zhao Jun, whose companion was a Frost Wolf

Li Hua studied each name carefully, noting not just their rankings but also the types of spirit beasts they commanded. The diversity of their companions suggested different combat styles and specialties, information that could prove valuable in understanding the sect's training methods. Each combination of cultivator and beast seemed to represent a different approach to power—from the Shadow Panther's stealth to the Thunder Eagle's direct force.

Li Hua committed the names and beast types to memory, then stepped away from the board. Knowledge was her first priority—understanding her competition could wait until she'd equipped herself with the sect's teachings.

With her new permissions secured and a clearer understanding of the sect's hierarchy, Li Hua made her way to the library. The building's presence was imposing—stone steps led up to massive doors carved with intricate beast patterns, while crystalline windows stretched toward the sky, allowing natural light to illuminate the treasures within.

As she approached, the doors seemed to recognize her inner disciple status, responding to the jade slip Elder Sun had given her. They opened silently, releasing a breath of air that carried the familiar scent of old scrolls and spiritual ink.

Inside, the library was even more impressive than it had appeared during yesterday's tour. Shelves stretched upward for five floors, connected by gracefully curving staircases. Each level was divided into different sections, marked by luminous formation scripts that indicated their contents. The ground floor held basic texts available to all disciples, while the third level—now accessible to her—contained more advanced knowledge. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

"Master," Little Firefly's voice carried a note of excitement in her consciousness, "I can sense some rare manuals on the third floor. The spiritual energy up there is different—more concentrated."

Li Hua smiled inwardly. Between the sect's library and Little Firefly's collection in her inner space, she would have no shortage of knowledge to absorb.

Making her way to the top floor, Li Hua carefully selected manuals that caught her interest—advanced beast taming theories, spiritual resonance techniques, and rare texts on understanding different beast attributes. Each one she chose, she discreetly transferred into her inner space.

"Master," Little Firefly's voice held both amusement and understanding, "I can duplicate these for you and Brother Wei. It will take some essence, but I should be able to make perfect copies."

Li Hua nodded slightly, continuing to browse while Little Firefly began the copying process in her inner space. She knew her scholarly brother would appreciate having his own collection to study. The thought of Li Wei's eyes lighting up at receiving these advanced texts brought a small smile to her face.

She was careful to maintain a casual appearance, making sure to actually read some texts at the library's study tables. After all, it wouldn't do to seem too eager on her first day with library access.

After copying eight of the most promising manuals, a familiar chime resonated in her core. Li Wei's essence signature carried through the sound transmission: "Sister, they're beginning the Illusion Tests for the candidates. Would you like to watch?"

Li Hua closed the text she'd been pretending to study, her interest piqued. This would be a good opportunity to observe how the sect tested mental fortitude.

Li Hua made her way to their agreed meeting spot, finding Li Wei already waiting near the main hall's entrance. His demeanor couldn't quite hide his anticipation—after all, they'd bypassed these tests themselves, and understanding the sect's evaluation methods would provide valuable insights.

"The Illusion and Heart-Demon Tests are supposed to be particularly challenging," Li Wei said as they walked together. "From what I've heard, they use formations to manifest each candidate's deepest fears."