A New World (8)
Early morning light filtered weakly through the thin paper windows as Jiu Yin trained in the small shaded corner of their courtyard. He moved through simple forms, testing the limits of his strengthening body. Each punch cut through the air with increasing force. His muscles felt denser and more responsive than they had only days ago. The dire bear essence continued to refine itself within him, slowly reshaping the once frail vessel into something stronger.
He was aware of her presence. Jiu Lan had been watching him closely for the last two days. She lingered nearby under the pretense of practicing her own cultivation or helping with chores, but her gaze was sharp and constant. Because of her vigilance, he had not been able to slip out for another hunt. The faint tinge of crimson thirst stirred at the corners of his mind, a quiet reminder that his hunger would not stay dormant for long. It was still manageable, but he could feel it growing with each passing hour.
Before he could continue his training, the sound of approaching footsteps reached him. His mother, Jiu Ping, hurried into the courtyard to greet two visitors. One was a middle-aged man dressed in the inner branch attire of the Yin family. The other carried a ledger and a small pouch, clearly the tithe collector.
“Third Cousin,” Jiu Ping said warmly, offering a respectful bow. “Thank you for coming.”
The assessor, a third cousin to his mother, returned the greeting with clear apathy. His expression remained indifferent as he accepted the pouch of coins Jiu Ping offered. The money had come from the dire bear hide and teeth Jiu Yin had sold. The assessor counted the coins quickly before giving a small nod.
“The assessment has been moved up,” the assessor announced flatly. “The Lu clan stewards wish to conclude the reviews of all Yin family branches today. They are particularly interested in the younger generation because of the upcoming tournament.”
He glanced toward the training area and raised an eyebrow. “Call the twins. I may as well assess them while I am here. Though I do not expect much. Especially from the boy who was considered trash until recently.”
Jiu Ping’s face tightened with quiet anxiety, but she nodded and called out, “Yin’er! Lan’er! Come here please.”
Jiu Yin stopped his training and walked over with calm steps. Jiu Lan followed closely behind him, her eyes never leaving her brother. The assessor looked them over with little interest at first.
“Jiu Lan,” he began, motioning her forward. After a quick examination using a spirit lens, he gave a small nod. “Still at the fourth stage of Iron Warrior. Acceptable for your age, though nothing exceptional.”
Then his gaze shifted to Jiu Yin. The assessor activated his spirit lens again, clearly expecting to confirm the boy’s worthlessness. His expression changed slightly as he studied the results. He moved the lens up and down, his brows raised slightly.
“First stage of Iron Warrior?” he muttered, sounding surprised. “And your bone age and meridians… they appear unusually sturdy for someone who only recently awakened. How exactly did this happen?”
Jiu Yin kept his face neutral and replied respectfully, “I had a fortuitous encounter in the woods, Honorable Cousin. It awakened my dormant bloodline.”
The assessor studied him for a moment longer before speaking. “The fact you awakened so late means you will be behind. It is unlikely you will be able to amount to much, but… you should push yourself. Bloodlines are fickle and occasionally even with your disadvantages you might be competitive.”
The assessor stared at him for a long moment, suspicion flickering in his eyes. The courtyard grew tense. Even Jiu Ping held her breath. Jiu Lan stood silently beside her mother, watching her brother with even sharper focus than before.
The Yin family assessor lowered his spirit lens slowly. “The main family will want to see both of you at the central hall. The Lu clan stewards are already waiting. Do not keep them waiting.”
After the assessor, Yin Gu, left, silence lingered in the small Jiu family courtyard. The weight of his words hung in the air. It was now confirmed that Jiu Yin’s body had awakened its ability to cultivate, but they had yet to learn what that truly meant for him.
Jiu Yin had yet to even attempt conventional cultivation methods. Something told him it would not work. Deep down, he did not believe he had actually healed the host’s meridians in the way others understood. Not that it mattered. The truth was he would have to deal with his crimson thirst regardless of whether he could or could not cultivate using normal methods.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
The day wore on. Both twins changed into matching simple robes provided by their mother. As they prepared to leave for the main Yin family compound, Jiu Lan walked up beside him and glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
“The Lu clan is powerful, but there is a reason they are even coming to us for recruitment,” she said quietly. “You know that, right?”
Jiu Yin shook his head. “Why?”
His sister gave him an irritated look. “Did you never pay attention to all the times this was explained to you?”
He could only shrug. The host’s memories were still too fragmented when it came to matters beyond their small branch.
Jiu Lan sighed. “The empire has about twenty sects that operate at a high level. Our kingdom has three within it, and they are sending representatives to recruit people if they show promise. Our city is a very low-tier city in the kingdom, and even our kingdom is considered quite low-ranked within the empire. The three main clans here, Yin, Lu, and Shi, are roughly equal in strength. Because of that, the Lu clan is willing to look at even the smaller branches like ours.”
Jiu Yin listened quietly. In this world, strength was clearly everything. Those without it were left behind or used as stepping stones.
When they arrived at the main Yin family compound, the difference was stark. The buildings were larger and better maintained. The courtyards were spacious and decorated with carved stone lanterns. Servants moved about with practiced efficiency. Several members of the main Yin family glanced at the two of them with thinly veiled disdain as they passed.
They were led into a wide open hall where the assessment was already underway. Two Lu clan stewards stood at the front, watching with sharp eyes. One was a stern middle-aged man with a short beard, while the other was a younger woman with a cold, appraising gaze. The Yin family patriarch, an older man with sharp features and graying hair, sat to the side observing everything with a calm but heavy presence.
Several youths from different branches were already being tested.
The tests were straightforward. The first required candidates to strike a heavy wooden log placed on an elevated platform using raw strength reinforced with Qi. The second test involved channeling Qi into a spirit stone. The stone would glow with different colors and intensities depending on the cultivator’s talent and the nature of their trait.
Jiu Yin watched quietly as several youths went through the tests.
A boy from one of the main Yin branches struck the log with solid force, sending it sliding a respectable distance across the platform. When he channeled Qi into the spirit stone, it glowed with a steady blue light. The stewards nodded with mild approval.
Another girl from a different Yin branch performed even better. Her strike was clean and powerful, and the spirit stone lit up with a bright green hue. Whispers spread among the gathered family members. She clearly possessed a known trait.
Then came several members from the Jiu family, their mother’s side. Their results were noticeably weaker on average compared to the main Yin branches. One of their cousins managed a decent strike, but the spirit stone only produced a faint yellow glow.
Finally, it was Jiu Yin’s turn.
He stepped onto the platform. The sun was already high in the sky, and he could feel its draining effect immediately. His body felt heavier, and the Qi within him moved more sluggishly than it did at night. Still, he struck the log with controlled force. The log slid a moderate distance, enough to be considered acceptable, but far from impressive.
When he channeled Qi into the spirit stone, it produced a faint, murky gray light with no distinct color. The two Lu clan stewards exchanged glances.
“First stage of Iron Warrior,” the male steward muttered. “Unusually sturdy foundation for someone who only recently awakened. But there is no detectable trait. Either it has not manifested yet, or it is something unknown.”
The female steward nodded. “Adequate. Especially considering he was considered talentless until recently. Bloodlines can be fickle.”
Jiu Yin kept his expression neutral. He knew the truth. His power was tied to his Sanguinari nature. It would not show itself through normal means.
Next was Jiu Lan.
She stepped forward with calm confidence. Her strike on the log was clean and carried noticeable power for her stage. When she injected her Qi into the spirit stone, it glowed with a soft, silvery-white light that carried a gentle radiance.
“Moonlight trait,” the female steward said with clear interest. “Same as her mother. Decent talent for her age.”
The Yin family patriarch gave a small nod of approval.
After all the assessments were complete, the two Lu clan stewards discussed quietly among themselves before making their selections. Several youths from the main Yin branches were chosen. A few from other branches were also picked. Then the male steward spoke.
“Jiu Yin and Jiu Lan of the Jiu branch. You will both be allowed to participate in the upcoming selection. Your performances were adequate. Do not expect special treatment.”
Both twins were accepted, though clearly on the lower end of those chosen.
As they walked back toward their compound later that day, Jiu Lan stayed quiet for a while. Only when they were away from the main family grounds did she speak.
“After we return,” she said without looking at him, “I want to speak with you. Alone.”
Her tone left no room for refusal.
Jiu Yin glanced at her from the corner of his eye but simply nodded.
Jiu Lan did not say anything else for the rest of the walk. However, the sharp, suspicious look in her green eyes made it clear she was no longer willing to accept vague answers.