Kai followed the winding path from the entrance of the outer sect grounds. The route was flanked by dense woodlands, the towering trees casting dappled shadows under the midday sun. The air here was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds.


    After some time, the forest began to thin, and the path gradually opened up to reveal the modest yet bustling settlement of Meidao. This small village, nestled within the outer sect territory, sat near the border of the sect’s walls. Its location made it a hub for lower-ranked disciples, outer sect workers, and tradespeople who served the Ember Sword Sect’s more mundane needs.


    Despite its proximity to the illustrious sect, Meidao carried a rustic charm. Its cobbled streets were lined with simple wooden buildings, their rooftops adorned with red tiles reminiscent of the sect’s signature colors. A few shops and stalls dotted the main thoroughfare, selling everything from basic supplies to low-grade talismans and cultivation pills.


    For Kai, Meidao represented a familiar midpoint—a place where the grand aspirations of the sect''s inner grounds felt distant, replaced by the practical concerns of daily life. It was here he would stop to deliver the excess spirit herbs to the alchemy pavilion’s supply point and perhaps barter for a few necessities of his own.


    Kai walked through the streets of Meidao, his steps steady but his expression resigned. Most of the sect members barely spared him a glance, too engrossed in their own tasks. However, a few passersby recognized him, and their reactions were immediate. Some cast him sidelong glances of disdain, while others openly pinched their noses, mocking him with exaggerated gestures to imply he smelled.


    The jeers and silent ridicule felt no different than the treatment he had received from the guards at the gate. Among the Ember Sword Sect, his bad reputation preceded him. Mockery had become a constant backdrop in his life.


    Kai sighed under his breath, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Really? Don’t these people have anything better to do than mock me? he thought, his hands tightening slightly on his bag. It’s not like I’ve ever done anything against them. If they have the time to waste sneering at me, maybe their “endless pursuit of immortality” isn’t as urgent as they pretend.


    Though his internal monologue provided some solace, it didn’t change the reality of his situation. He was an easy target—an unassuming, low-ranking worker without allies or power. And in a world driven by status and strength, being at the bottom of the hierarchy made him a convenient outlet for others'' scorn.


    Still, Kai kept his head down and pressed forward, determined not to let their disdain slow him. He had tasks to complete, and no amount of ridicule would stop him from fulfilling his duties.


    Kai continued along the path until he arrived at a breathtaking pavilion. The structure before him was a masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship, its design intricate and flowing, with ornate carvings depicting ancient alchemical symbols and legendary spirit beasts. The sheer size of the building was imposing, its towering spires reaching toward the sky, and its grandeur exuded an air of reverence.


    From where Kai stood, he could see the centerpiece of the pavilion: a massive pill-refining cauldron, its surface etched with glowing runes. Flames roared steadily beneath the cauldron, their intensity a clear indication that the refining process was underway. Sect members in pristine alchemist robes moved about with purpose, their every action precise and deliberate. Some examined the cauldron, their eyes scanning the flames and inscriptions to ensure the process was proceeding without issue, while others worked diligently at nearby tables, their hands deftly blending herbs and powders to craft medicinal pills.


    The air was thick with the scent of spirit herbs and the faint metallic tang of alchemical elixirs. The atmosphere hummed with concentrated energy, a symphony of discipline and mastery.


    Kai couldn’t help but marvel at the sight. And this, he thought, is only a branch pavilion. The alchemy pavilion before him, as impressive as it was, paled in comparison to the main alchemy halls located in the inner grounds of the sect. He had heard tales of those halls—structures said to be even grander, where skilled alchemists crafted pills capable of transforming one’s destiny.


    For a moment, Kai felt a twinge of longing. The dedication and skill on display here were awe-inspiring, and though his own role in the sect was far removed from such greatness, he couldn’t deny the allure of the alchemical arts. Yet, he quickly pushed the thought aside. This was not his place.


    With a resigned sigh, Kai adjusted the bag of spirit herbs on his shoulder and steeled himself for the interaction ahead. His task was simple and devoid of fanfare: deliver the surplus herbs and leave quietly, hopefully without sparking any unnecessary ridicule.


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    As he approached the pavilion, his eyes fell on a table near the entrance, strategically placed to greet visitors. Sitting behind the table was Wen Cai, the alchemy apprentice responsible for receiving herb deliveries. True to form, Wen looked as disinterested as ever, his posture slouched and his fingers lazily tapping on the table’s surface.


    When Wen noticed Kai’s approach, a faint smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes glinting with mockery. "Ah, look who it is. Stinky Kai, gracing us with his fragrant presence," Wen yawned, his tone dripping with condescension. He didn’t bother hiding the derision in his words, waving a hand dismissively as if to shoo away an unpleasant odor.


    Kai forced a neutral expression, unwilling to rise to the bait. "Yeah," he replied evenly, setting the bag down on the table with a solid thud, "I’ve got a particularly good haul this time. Plenty of spirit herbs, fresh from the forest."


    He began unpacking the bag methodically, his movements steady and calm despite the slight sting of Wen’s words. The derogatory nickname no longer bothered him as much as it once did; he had learned long ago to let it roll off his back.


    Wen leaned forward, his bored expression giving way to mild curiosity as he peered into the bag. He rummaged through the herbs with a practiced hand, occasionally lifting a sprig to inspect it under the light. "Hmph," he muttered, his tone begrudgingly approving. "Not bad. I guess even someone like you can manage a decent haul every now and then."


    Kai bit back a retort, opting instead to nod. He wasn’t here for validation or praise, and he certainly wasn’t going to give Wen the satisfaction of an argument.


    “The amount you brought is worth five merits,” Wen Cai said, sliding five small bronze tokens across the table with a perfunctory motion.


    In most sects, including the Ember Sword Sect, metal tokens served as a tangible representation of an individual’s contributions to the organization. These tokens were not merely symbolic; they functioned as a form of localized currency within the sect. Known simply as "merit," these tokens could be exchanged for cultivation resources, weapons, techniques, or other items essential to a cultivator’s progress.


    Merit was also a measure of status and opportunity. With enough tokens, one could even purchase entry into the esteemed inner sect, gaining access to superior training grounds, rare cultivation materials, and the tutelage of senior elders. For many outer sect members, merit was the key to rising above their station and stepping into a realm of greater potential.


    “Would it be possible for me to exchange some of this merit for low-grade healing medicine right now?” Kai asked, his tone cautious but direct.


    Wen Cai leaned back in his chair, a sly smile creeping across his face. “You’re in luck. I was trying to refine some tier 7 healing medicine earlier, but it didn’t go as planned. Ended up with a batch of tier 2 instead. I’ll sell you some for… let’s say, four merits.”


    “Four merits?” Kai''s voice rose in disbelief. “Are you trying to sell me gold? Tier 2 medicines are worth two merits at most!”


    Wen shrugged lazily, feigning disinterest. “Expensive ingredients went into that batch. Besides, my time isn’t cheap.”


    Kai clenched his jaw, his patience thinning. “That’s not my problem. The quality determines the price, not the process. Two merits, Wen. That’s the standard.”


    “Well, too bad,” Wen replied, his tone dripping with mockery. “Take it or leave it. I’m the only one at this branch authorized to trade medicine for merit, so don’t bother running to the others for a better deal. If you’re unhappy with my generosity, feel free to visit another alchemy branch.”


    Kai’s stomach sank. The nearest branch was a full day’s walk away, and Wen Cai knew it. His smug expression made it clear he was banking on Kai’s desperation.


    “Oh,” Wen added, his grin widening, “now that I think about it, I believe the price just went up. Five merits.”


    Kai felt his grip tighten on the pouch at his waist. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was extortion. Wen Cai wasn’t just flexing his authority—he was outright enjoying this power play.


    Kai took a steadying breath, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Losing his temper wouldn’t solve anything—not here, not with Wen Cai. Instead, he adopted a calm, measured tone, though his words carried a sharp edge.


    “You know,” Kai began, his voice low and deliberate, “it would be a shame if Elder Shen Ju’s son, Lei Ju, were to suddenly learn that his precious spirit beast had fallen ill because an alchemist refused to provide the necessary medicine to care for it.”


    Wen’s smirk faltered, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance. The implication was clear: involving Lei Ju, the favored son of a sect elder, could turn a minor dispute into a career-ending calamity. Even the hint of annoyance from someone of Lei Ju’s status could be dangerous for someone like Wen.


    “Fine,” Wen grumbled, his earlier arrogance giving way to irritation. He snatched two of the merit tokens from the table and shoved the small vial of green liquid toward Kai. “Take the blasted medicine for two merits. Are you happy now?”


    Kai nodded, retrieving the vial and collecting the three remaining merits without another word of thanks. As he turned to leave, Wen muttered scornfully, “I can’t wait for the day you lose Lei Ju’s protection.”


    Kai paused, glancing over his shoulder with a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d be careful with your words, Wen. It almost sounds like you’re wishing harm upon a sect elder’s son. And we wouldn’t want any misunderstandings, would we?”


    Wen glared at him but said nothing as Kai walked away, leaving the alchemist simmering in his own frustration.