The Eternal Journey: rise of the supreme dao sage

After a while, the elder finished introducing the sect. He allocated their dorm rooms and left shortly after.

Li Hao now sat on his bed. His dorm was a plot of land 25 meters in diameter, with a small ancient house and a modest courtyard in front.

Knock knock knock.

In the middle of meditation, Li Hao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm as he said softly, "Come in."

The door opened, and Xian Ling stepped in. She closed it gently behind her and asked, "Brother Hao?"

She walked over and sat beside him on the bed, her eyes somewhat unfocused.

"Brother... can I stay with you? My house just doesn't feel the same without you."

Li Hao sat in a lotus posture, listening silently.

"Mm, she wants to stay with me." he thought.

"Aren't you comfortable in your own house?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

She paused, her cheeks flushing red as she looked down and nervously rubbed her legs together.

"Well... it's just that..."

She turned even redder, lowering her head further, unable to meet his eyes.

"I…"

Li Hao stared at her. He could feel her emotions—her heartbeat was quickening.

"Okay. You can move over. But I'm going into seclusion for a while—make sure you stay safe," he said.

"Brother Hao, how long will you be in seclusion?" she asked, though in her heart she rejoiced: "Yes yes yes! He agreed! I knew he wouldn't refuse."

Next to her, Li Hao clenched his fist.

"I don't know... but it'll be a while," he replied.

His gaze remained fixed on his hand, his mind focused on the techniques he had yet to master.

"Even if I can't reach perfection, I must at least reach great accomplishment. That's the only way I'll be safe," he pondered.

"Mm, Brother Hao is so dedicated to his cultivation... I must reach perfection as well," she thought to herself.

"That's right. During this time, I'll focus on increasing my strength and experience," she concluded.

"I'll be off then, big brother," she said as she stood and left the room, allowing him to continue his cultivation.

She stepped out of his courtyard onto the green grass, her movements as light as a feather.

In the far distance stood the grand outer gate of the sect city—small yet large at the same time, depending on the angle.

As she entered the city, thousands of disciples walked about, most of them wearing dark, intricately patterned robes with black and silver detailing. A white inner robe contrasted sharply with the outer garment, and a red cord belt tied at the waist added a pop of color.

Embroidered patterns and black arm guards completed the outfit.

Some wore their personal martial robes instead of the uniform, but that mattered little—it was the disciple token that identified who they were.

Xian Ling'er walked along the streets.

There were both outside and inside shops—some selling beast pets, others weapons, pills, or even beast meat.

Everything was meant for those in the Master Realm and below.

She kept walking, focused, remembering what she had told herself earlier.

She headed to the Scripture Pavilion, where all techniques were stored. Using her outer disciple token, she entered the building.

The pavilion had four floors, with fewer techniques as one ascended. The first floor held the most and was for outer disciples. The second floor was for inner disciples and contained more advanced techniques. The third floor belonged to core disciples, with powerful and complex techniques.

And finally, the fourth floor was reserved for the elders and sect masters of the White Dragon Palace.

"Mm." Ling'er let out a light gasp as she picked up a technique book.

Its name was: Seven Mystic Steps.

The title caught her interest.

"Junior sister, I wouldn't recommend that book," came a voice from beside her.

She turned. Standing there was a young man in his early twenties, wearing the same outer disciple robes.

"What's wrong with this book?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

"Junior sister, that book is a step technique created by one of the elders. But over the years, some pages were torn and lost.

Now it can't be fully mastered, which is why it's still here on the first floor," he explained, his brows furrowed in concern.

Even though they had just met, he didn't want a fellow disciple to waste time on a technique that led nowhere.

Time was precious—it should be spent cultivating, not chasing incomplete arts.

"Okay... so what do you recommend?"

"If you're looking for step techniques, I recommend Path of the Wind, Free Movement Technique, or Phantom Illusory Step.

All of them are great movement techniques from the first floor," he said.

"Mm..." Ling'er hesitated for a moment, but in the end said, "Thanks for the advice, senior brother. But I still prefer the Seven Mystic Steps."

She took the manual and walked toward the front desk.

There, a disciple was stationed to record which techniques were taken out.

"Mm, is this the technique you've chosen?" the disciple asked. "I've heard this one is unfinished and might hinder your cultivation time in the future."

"I'm sure," Ling'er replied. "This technique feels like the best one out of them all."

"Alright. Please take good care of the manual and return it after you've memorized all its contents," the disciple said.

"Okay," Xian Ling answered, stepping outside.

Back on the street, she turned and began walking back to her house.