Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

Li Hua and Li Wei exchanged startled glances—this represented a significant freedom they hadn't realized they possessed.

Elder Sun chuckled at their obvious surprise. "It's a privilege we implement quietly. Those disciples who never venture beyond our mountain naturally remain unaware of such accommodations." His eyes crinkled with unexpected humor. "The sect benefits from broader perspectives gained through appropriate visitation of other sects."

The siblings nodded, appreciating both the practical benefit and the subtle lesson within his explanation—true advancement required exposure to varied environments, not just isolated practice.

"Thank you for your wisdom, Elder Sun," Li Wei responded with genuine gratitude.

"We appreciate your guidance," Li Hua added, her formal words carrying sincere respect .

Elder Sun acknowledged their thanks with a dignified nod and a rare smile before continuing on his way, his robes rippling with subtle spiritual energy that enhanced his every movement—a masterful display of essence control that would have gone unnoticed by most disciples, but registered clearly to Li Hua's heightened perception.

"That was unexpected," Li Wei murmured as they descended the hall steps. "All this time, we could have visited Second Brother more frequently."

"The sect has many layers," Li Hua observed, smiling at her brother's slight frustration. "Perhaps cultivation advancement is as much about discovering existing privileges as earning new ones."

Li Wei shot her a sideways glance, momentarily thrown by this philosophical observation so unlike her. But he merely nodded, adding this to the growing collection of changes he was cataloging in his beloved sister.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Li Hua exclaimed with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, momentarily forgetting her careful self-restraint. "Let's go!"

Li Wei smiled at his sister's sudden exuberance—another small but noticeable change since her return—and the siblings headed toward the main gate. As they approached, they noticed an inner disciple hurrying back into the sect, moving with the furtive haste of someone guarding valuable knowledge. The siblings exchanged knowing glances, realizing they weren't the only ones who had discovered the sect's quiet policy on inner disciple mobility.

Once they passed through the imposing stone archway marking the sect's official boundary, they encountered a small gathering of commoners arranged respectfully near the mountain path.

"Greetings, honored disciples!" called a middle-aged man, stepping forward with a bow—not the full prostration of ordinary villagers but the respectful acknowledgment of someone with modest spiritual attainment.

Li Hua and Li Wei exchanged curious glances before Li Wei stepped forward, naturally assuming his role as the elder sibling. "Yes? How may we assist you?"

The man appeared to be in his late forties, with streaks of silver threading through his dark hair and laugh lines etched deeply around his eyes. Despite his age, he carried himself with the vigor of a practitioner.

"Are the esteemed disciples seeking transportation today?" he asked, his manner balancing appropriate deference with practical directness.

"You provide transport services?" Li Wei inquired, his scholarly caution evident.

"Indeed! My clans men and I offer swift travel throughout the Ascending Plateau Realm," the man confirmed with genuine pride. "We can reach any primary location—except to the Forbidden Zone, of course." He added.

Li Wei nodded thoughtfully, his mind assessing this unexpected resource.

Noticing the inner disciple's hesitation, the man elaborated, "Several villages exist under the Beast Tamer Sect's protection. Those of us fortunate enough to form bonds with flying-type spirit beasts serve the sect by providing transportation for disciples. Elder Sun can confirm our standing if the honored disciples require verification."

He gestured toward two other men who stood beside their respective spirit beasts—one with a magnificent azure crane and the other with a golden-eyed hawk of impressive size. "We represent the Silver Flame Village, and maintain a daily presence at the mountain base specifically to assist disciples with their journeys."

Li Hua stepped forward. "What would be your fee for transport to the Heavenly Smith Sect?"

The man's eyes brightened at the prospect of business. "For such distinguished cultivators, merely twenty copper coins for the complete journey—both departure and return included."

Li Hua nodded decisively, producing the required payment from her pocket space with smooth efficiency. "Excellent. Shall we depart immediately?"

The man bowed, genuine pleasure evident in his expression. "My silver eagle can accommodate two passengers without difficulty. My name is Chen Liang, at your service for this journey."

As they followed Chen Liang toward his waiting spirit beast—a magnificent eagle with feathers that gleamed like burnished metal in the morning light—Li Wei leaned closer to his sister. "You've become quite trustworthy," he observed quietly.

Li Hua merely smiled. "Efficiency serves all our purposes, brother. The sooner we depart, the more time we'll have with second brother."

As the siblings climbed onto the eagle's specially designed saddle, Li Hua felt a moment of perfect contentment.

The eagle spread its impressive wings, and with a powerful downstroke, they were airborne—soaring above the mountain peaks toward the distant forges of the Heavenly Smith Sect, where their second brother awaited.

As they soared through the clouds, Li Hua wasn't certain if her eldest brother had already notified Li Hao of their imminent arrival. Rather than interrupting Li Wei's quiet appreciation of the aerial view she established her own spiritual connection with their second brother.

Brother, our transportation is approaching the Heavenly Smith Sect, she sent through the communication technique. We'll be arriving at the main gate shortly.

The familiar chime of connection returned almost instantly, their brother's irrepressible enthusiasm vibrating through the transmission. I'm already running there! Li Hao's mental voice practically shouted, his excitement palpable even across distances. The sect will think we're under attack from how fast I'm moving!

Li Hua chuckled, then relaxed her posture as she took in the panoramic view.

Soon, their eagle mount began a graceful descent, mighty wings adjusting to the currents that perpetually surrounded the Heavenly Smith Sect. The compound came into view below them—a striking contrast to their own sect's natural aesthetic. Where the Beast Tamer Sect embraced organic cultivation forms that harmonized with mountain terrain, the Heavenly Smith Sect was a masterpiece of spiritual engineering—precisely arranged forges, geometric spiritual arrays etched into the very ground, and multiple solo buildings designed for maximum refinement efficiency rather than meditation harmony.

Near the imposing main gate with its massive spirit-metal doors, a single figure darted back and forth across the receiving plaza, creating faint traces of spiritual energy with each rapid movement. Li Hua didn't need enhanced vision to recognize their second brother's characteristic pacing—the combination of disciplined posture and barely-contained excitement that made Li Hao instantly recognizable even among identical cultivation uniforms.

Their eagle mount circled once before gliding toward the designated landing area—a circular platform inscribed with wind-stabilizing arrays that facilitated smooth arrivals. Before they could even touch ground, Li Hao was already sprinting toward them, his excitement palpable.

"Sister! Brother!" he shouted, hands waving enthusiastically in the air as if they might somehow miss his animated presence among the otherwise composed Heavenly Smith disciples. Several elders passing nearby glanced at their exuberant disciple with mixtures of disapproval and reluctant affection—Li Hao's crafting talents apparently earning him lenience for behavioral eccentricities.