Re-birth: The Beginning after the End-Chapter 142: DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Grandmaster Yu let the echoes of Old Guo’s praise fade before speaking. He stepped between the siblings and the keepers, his eyes lingering on Li Hua and her brothers with mingled pride and concern. "You’ve all progressed much faster than anyone expected," he began, voice low but carrying in the stillness. "And with progress comes the need for new horizons."

Li Hua opened her mouth as if to reply, but hesitated, sensing her grandfather had more to say.

Grandmaster Yu’s gaze traveled over the keepers, silently acknowledging their role. Then he drew in a measured breath. "I wanted to bring this up earlier, but you three immediately devoted yourselves to this sparring session with such intensity that I hesitated to interrupt your progress. Now, though, there’s something important we need to discuss." His stern expression softened. "News arrived: the sects will hold their open enrollment in a month. It’s not mandatory for you to attend, but you’ve each spoken of forging your own paths in blacksmithing, beast taming, healing, or otherwise."

He paused meaningfully. "Staying here, in the Sixth Realm, to continue learning from the keepers is always an option. They would welcome your further training. Or you could leave in a few weeks and enter the sects during this year’s disciple intake. There’s no urgency—no one will force you either way."

The courtyard fell silent, tension shifting from the awe of their demonstration to the weight of a life-altering decision. Li Wei and Li Hao exchanged glances, both turning in near unison to Li Hua. She stared at her grandfather, a flicker of calculation passing behind her eyes.

Her mind drifted to the careful plans she’d crafted before their arrival—three months dedicated to physical training and cultivation, which they had completed, followed by three years of learning from the sects. They could stay longer in the Sixth Realm, continue learning from the keepers, perfect what they’d begun, since they had six months before their original timeline demanded action. But now, with this new information about the sect enrollment...

Finally, she asked, "Grandfather… what do you recommend?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Grandmaster Yu folded his hands behind his back, expression thoughtful. "You three have special affinities, true—but a sect offers experiences the Sixth Realm cannot. More worldly knowledge, more varied resources, fellow disciples to measure yourselves against, and the chance to cultivate reputations and connections that could help you down the road."

Li Wei dipped his head, thoughtful lines creasing his brow. "If we remain, we’d likely advance our techniques faster. But… we’d be isolated. When we finally do step into the larger world, we might lack the crucial context of how other cultivators operate."

Li Hao fidgeted, the remains of steam still wafting in faint tendrils around his shoulders. "We’ve lived in seclusion for so long, first in the village, on the run, then here. I—" He paused, looking almost sheepish. "I want to see what else is out there. Spar with other disciples, meet forging masters, hone my craft against real competition. I can’t do that if we stay locked away in another realm."

Li Hua listened intently, her gaze flicking between her brothers. She remembered her own reasons: healing knowledge that might surpass what texts her parents accumulated could provide or even beast-taming techniques found only in specialized sect archives. The keepers were brilliant, but they were guardians of this realm; the outside world held countless other secrets.

She exhaled slowly. "If we join a sect, we can integrate everything we’ve learned so far, test our skills against new challenges, and build alliances we might need later. If we stay here… we’ll gain more insight into the Sixth Realm’s mysteries, but lose time in the broader cultivation world."

Li Wei gave a decisive nod. "I want to enter the sects. We can return someday if the keepers allow it—and by then, we’ll have fresh perspectives to bring back. Time in a sect won’t erase what we’ve learned here; it’ll refine it."

Li Hao grinned. "Count me in."

Li Hua allowed herself a small smile. Turning to Grandmaster Yu and the keepers, she bowed her head in a gesture of respect. "We’ve decided. The sects. We want to take that path."

A murmur of acknowledgment rippled through the keepers. Lady Wei inclined her head with a slight smile—whether it was approval or quiet acceptance, Li Hua couldn’t be certain. Old Tang’s eyes glimmered, as though satisfied by a private insight. Lady Xu, Lady He, Old Xiao and Old Guo all shared a knowing glance, while the air around them seemed to vibrate with possibilities.

Grandmaster Yu’s face relaxed into an unguarded smile. "Then you’ll leave in a few weeks." He looked over at the keepers. "I trust you’ll continue to push them, yes?"

Old Tang gave a gentle chuckle, inclining his head. "They won’t leave the Sixth Realm without at least one more proper trial."

Li Wei and Li Hao exchanged determined grins, adrenaline sparking at the mention of another test. Li Hua simply squared her shoulders, that quiet conviction she carried never more visible than now. We’ll show them what we’re capable of, she vowed silently.

Lady Wei swept forward, her robe trailing silver light across the courtyard floor. "Very well," she said, regarding the siblings. "We’ll not waste this final month and we’ll make sure you all are prepared for anything."

Her words settled over them like a promise and a warning all at once. The siblings stood side by side, spirit beasts gathering at their feet, each creature reflecting their master’s stance—ready, resolute, unafraid of what lay beyond.

Somewhere high in the shadowy rafters, Feng Yi gave a piercing cry, echoing through the silent realm. Li Hua tilted her head skyward, lips curving into a smile. They would soon spread their wings beyond these mystic halls and twisted paths. The horizon beckoned—not just the mysteries of the Sixth Realm, but the vast world of sects, alliances, rivalries, and boundless knowledge.

And they would go together, stronger than ever, to face whatever awaited them on the other side of that journey.