High in the air, Lassim and his team soared effortlessly, their flight enhanced by lightning techniques, which crackled faintly as they sped back to the Lightning Sect’s headquarters.
Far off in the distance ahead of them, the ever-present storm of the sect’s central region churned and rumbled, casting bolts of lightning toward the earth with relentless fury.
Lassim led the group, still recovering from the intense battle two days ago. They had chosen to stay in the city and keep Tristan company while he was healed by a specialist the sect brought to bring him most of the way to a full recovery.
Lassim refused the sect’s healer and chose to use it as a chance to practice [Lifestream] more on himself during the wait. Despite the weight of exhaustion and the soreness in his muscles that still lingered, there was a quiet satisfaction in him.
They had successfully recaptured Amberlight City, a crucial victory in the sect war against the Endless Sun Sect. But now, as they returned to the sect, his mind wandered, thinking about the strange camaraderie he had found with his team over the last few weeks, with the addition of the two Spirit Transcendents in the last battle.
Behind him, Tristan, flying slow as everyone else matched his pace, still bore so lingering injuries from the intense battle. He had earned a chance at life, thanks to Lassim’s [Lifestream] and Eveline’s runic skills, but there were still traces of the wounds left behind by the Sun Sect’s Spirit Transcendents.
Despite being healed significantly, he would need further treatnt once they reached the sect, but his spirit remained high.
Lassim glanced back, his gaze briefly eting Tristan’s. They flew in close formation, the silence of the skies surrounding them, save for the occasional crackle of distant lightning from the perpetual storm ahead, guiding them ho.
"You’re holding up well," Lassim said, his voice steady as he noticed Tristan’s slightly labored breathing.
Tristan chuckled then coughed lightly, the strain from his injuries was clear, "Holding up better than I thought I would, considering I nearly had my chest pierced the whole way through. I owe both you and Eveline for keeping alive there." He paused, his tone softening as he glanced at Eveline flying beside him. "When we get back, I’d like to treat you both to a proper al.
It’s the least I can do to thank you."
Lassim blinked, slightly taken aback by the offer. It wasn’t sothing he was used to—these kinds of gestures from Lightning Sect mbers. So far, other than the sect servants he was bunking with before, he hadn’t been one to socialize beyond what was necessary for training within the sect, and he instinctively hesitated.
He was considerably lower rank than all of the others within the sect, "That’s really not necessary—"
"Oh, it is," Eveline interrupted with a grin, glancing at Lassim. "I could use a proper al after all the fighting. And hey, you don’t get many chances to dine with us Inner Sect disciples, do you? Are you really going to turn down an invitation from your superiors?"
Her tone was playful, but the truth of her words wasn’t lost on Lassim. Both Tristan and Eveline were far higher-ranked within the sect—Inner Sect Disciples who had ascended beyond most of their peers. They were chosen as so of the most hard working and talented within the sect that had earned their place. Lassim, despite his unusual strength and ability, was still technically an Initiate.
The invitation was no small thing if you disregard their unusual team arrangents.
Lassim’s eyes flicked toward the other mbers of the team, a mix of assorted levels of Spirit Ascension stage cultivators who were flying in the rear behind the strongest in the group. Most had kept a respectful distance, but Lassim didn’t miss their wishful expressions.
Their eyes casting furtive glances toward him and the two Transcendents revealed their thoughts. For them, being invited to share a al with higher-ranked disciples was a rare and prestigious opportunity that could make their life and future within the sect much easier.
Tristan seed to notice Lassim’s hesitation, following his gaze toward the others.
He raised an eyebrow, a slight smile pulling at the corner of his lips. "Well then, Lassim," he said, his tone casual but warm, "why don’t we make it a celebration for the whole team that you led? Everyone’s earned it. This victory was a team effort, after all."
Lassim hesitated for a mont longer, feeling the weight of the offer. He wasn’t used to this kind of friendliness within the Lightning sect. Finally, he nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright. If it’s for the team, then I’ll co."
A ripple of excitent ran through the group. The other Spirit Ascension cultivators, who had been holding back, exchanged glances, their expressions brightening as Tristan’s invitation beca inclusive.
"Perfect," Eveline chid in, her grin widening. "Looks like we’ve got ourselves a proper feast to look forward to."
Even Aerin, who had remained sowhat reserved, despite his often cocky attitude when discussing plans, during the flight, gave a small nod of approval. "It’ll be good for morale. After everything we’ve been through, we deserve a break."
Kaelin, who had been flying quietly to the side, smirked. "I’m looking forward to seeing a Spirit Transcendent actually spend their precious rit points or even open their wallet on sothing other than cultivation for once."
Lara added, "A dinner sounds perfect. I need the opportunity to relax, especially once we’re back at the sect."
Lassim nodded again, his earlier reluctance fading as he glanced over at his team. For the first ti in over 8 months since he had joined the Lightning Sect, though it was just a small group, he didn’t feel like an outsider or outcast like he had when he started as a sect servant.
With the decision made, Tristan pushed himself and the group picked up speed after him, their excitent palpable as they flew toward the heart of the Lightning Sect, the perpetual storm cloud that hung above the desert as their guide.
~~~
An hour or two later, the Lightning Sect’s headquarters finally ca into view, its towering lightning pole adorned spires directing the chaos of the skies underneath the perpetual lightning storm that swirled overhead. Massive arcs of lightning streaked across the sky, grounding themselves in the sect’s enormous lightning poles, which attracted and redirected the raw power of the storm.
As they descended toward the sect, Tristan took the lead, directing them with a hand gesture to follow him to a part of the city that Lassim hadn’t really explored. While he had spent a couple stints exploring, that was mainly only to learn the locations of the sect’s library and training grounds or get other forms of cultivation inspiration. There were still vast areas he had never ventured into.
They landed in front of an impressive-looking building. The structure was carved from a shimring, silver tal, its surface adorned with intricate lightning patterns that danced and shifted in the light.
"This is one of the finest restaurants in the sect," Tristan said with a grin, gesturing to the entrance. "The ’Thundering Hearth.’ Fancy place, but, in my opinion, they’ve got the best food you’ll find within a thousand leagues."
Lassim stared up at the building. The restaurant was undeniably impressive with the entrance flanked by statues of actual lightning elentals, their forms twisting and crackling with ethereal energy, as if they might be actual guards to the establishnt, ready to defend it at any mont.
The interior was equally striking once they went in.
Inside, the restaurant was spacious, with vaulted ceilings that arced high above. Floating lanterns illuminated the space, their light reflecting off the polished tal walls. Each table was set with silverware that sparked with a faint charge and violet colored embellishnts, and the seats were made from plush, storm-gray fabric.
In the center of the room, a massive chandelier made entirely of lightning-infused thunder stones, the very sa Lassim had to collect for his first month within the sect, hung, casting a soft, crackling light over the diners below. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet energy as the patrons lightly conversed and picked at the appetizing looking als on their plates.
"This place is incredible," Kaelin said, his eyes wide as he took in the surroundings. "I’ve never been here before."
Eveline smirked. "That’s because it’s usually reserved for Spirit Transcendents and above. We don’t usually invite lower stage cultivators in because the beast at and esoteric herbs they serve are particularly potent with how filled with mana they are."
Lassim raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It probably couldn’t compare the divine mana filled beasts and herbs he had within his magic pouch, but he looked forward to tasting what they had to offer.
Tristan quickly seated the group with familiarity at a large, circular table near the center of the restaurant, as if he had been here countless tis before. The energy from the chandelier above crackled faintly.
As they settled into their seats, Tristan raised his hand to call for a server, a tall, graceful woman dressed in flowing lightning-embroidered robes that matched the rest of the wait staff. She approached with a welcoming smile, the faint hum of lightning mana marking her as a fellow Lightning cultivator surrounded her as she spoke.
"Welco to the Thundering Hearth. May I start you with so drinks while you decide on your als?"
Tristan didn’t hesitate. "Bring us the finest Storm Wine you have. Enough for all 22 of us! My treat."
The server bowed before retreating to fulfill the order. The table fell into a sowhat awkward silence as they waited, though there was a palpable sense of curiosity in the air.
They had fought side by side for weeks, but the more personal aspects of their lives had remained a mystery.
"So," Eveline began, breaking the silence as she leaned back in her chair, her hair braid falling over her shoulder. "Now that we’re all relaxed, how about we get to know each of you younger cultivators a bit better? Though we only joined for the last battle, you all have been through a lot together based on the reports we read before joining.
However, despite being sowhat familiar with so of you like Lara since I’ve tutored her as a lecturer’s assistant in defensive runes before, I barely know anything about most of you."
Lassim, for his part, remained quiet, his eyes flicking between the others. A part of him was curious, too. He had fought with these people, trusted them to support him with his life, and now, learning more about them as individuals seed fitting if they were potentially going to fight together again soon.
Tristan was the first to speak. He took a sip from the storm wine that had just arrived with the tall waitress dispersing the decanters across the table strategically for everyone to enjoy. He poured himself a glass, took a sip and smiled, before setting the glass down.
"I suppose I’ll start," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of amusent. "I’ve been with the Lightning Sect for about 1,300 years now. Born and raised in the southern mountains near the Thunder Canyon. The place is a nightmare for anyone who isn’t used to constant lightning storms, but for , it was ho.
My parents were both Lightning cultivators too—Spirit Ascension stage, like most of the old guard in the region—but I broke through to the Spirit Transcendent stage pretty early, around 800 years old."
Lara raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That’s earlier than most!"
Tristan chuckled. "No secret powerup or anything, just a bit more talented than others I guess. Growing up where I did probably helped too. I rember being struck by lightning a ti or two as a kid, which probably influenced Famthar to choose at my Spirit Awakening. I guess you could say I’ve been molded by the storm ever since birth."
Kaelin snorted in amusent. "I’d expect nothing less from soone who can rain lightning down from hundreds of miles away. So what do you do when you’re not dodging sunfire and saving our hides from sneak attacks on the battlefield? Oh, and thanks for that by the way.
I saw how you took out that trio of Sun Sect disciples that were sneaking up on us even though you were in the middle of the battle with Lassim and Eveline."
Tristan leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "When I’m not fighting? I guess you could say I’ve got a bit of a hobby. I’ve always been fascinated by the ancient ruins scattered across the southern continent. So date back thousands of years, long before the sects as we know them existed.
I’ve spent a good deal of my downti exploring those ruins, learning about the history of the region and the powerful cultivators who ca before us."
Lassim listened intently. He had always been focused on training and survival, but hearing about Tristan’s passion for history sparked a sense of curiosity in him. It reminded him that there was a world beyond cultivation and battle.
"I’ve co across a few ancient relics, too," Tristan added with a grin. "Nothing that’ll make stronger in a fight, but they’re valuable in their own right. The past has a lot to teach us, if we take the ti to learn. It’s actually helped a lot in the Lighting God’s Trial. I was pretty successful and made it near the end, but I failed the last challenge.
Though, I think everyone fails the last challenge anyways. No one has ever better it, as you all know."
The table nodded in agreent, and the conversation shifted naturally to Eveline, who had been watching Tristan with a smirk.
"I guess it’s my turn then" she said when the attention turned her way.
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