## Chapter 12: The Night Class
The classroom was a large circular stone chamber tucked into the base of one of the sect's outer towers. The lanterns hanging from the ceiling glowed with pale green spirit fire, casting dancing shadows along the etched walls. Rows of stone benches curved inward toward a single elevated platform at the center.
Kai entered quietly, following the stream of gray-robed disciples. The air inside was cool and dense with incense—sharp, earthy, and vaguely bitter.
He took a seat near the edge of the circle, away from most others. A few glanced his way. He ignored them.
The murmurs faded when a figure stepped onto the platform.
An older man with silver-threaded hair and a long indigo robe. His face was thin, eyes dark and unreadable. He held no scroll, no book. Just a bone-carved staff he used to tap the floor once, sharply.
"Silence."
The class stilled instantly.
"I am Instructor Shen," the man said, voice even but commanding. "Tonight, we begin with what you should already know—but few of you do. The truth of cultivation. Its history. Its danger. Its cost."
Kai leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
"Cultivation is not a gift," Shen continued. "It is theft. The world does not want you to ascend. It does not wish for mortals to gain power. Everything you take must be taken by force—from beasts, from spirits, from the world itself."
He let the words hang before continuing.
"The cultivation path is broken into tiers. The first is Body Tempering—where you harden flesh and bone through martial conditioning and low-level spiritual absorption. Most outer disciples remain here."
He drew a small circle in the air with his staff. A shimmering glyph appeared.
"Above that is Qi Refinement. Here, you begin to cultivate inner energy—essence drawn from nature, purified through your core. This stage awakens the spiritual meridians."
He carved another shape.
"After that: Foundation Establishment. You form a stable core, capable of holding immense spiritual energy. Only then do you earn a chance to challenge for the Inner Sect."
More glyphs appeared. The air hummed.
"Then comes Core Formation. Then Nascent Soul. Then Void Phase. Then Heaven Ascension."
Kai frowned.
**So many steps...**
**And I haven't even taken the first.**
Instructor Shen let the glyphs fade. His eyes swept the room.
"Each stage is harder than the last. Each demands sacrifice. You will lose friends. Time. Safety. You will suffer. And if you are fortunate, you will become powerful. But power breeds enemies."
He paused.
"And enemies breed war."
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
"Which brings us to the tournament."
That got their attention.
"The Gods Tournament," Shen said, tapping the staff again. "Held every ten years by the Five Great Sects. A chance to display strength. Make alliances. And recruit new disciples from the lower realms."
Whispers spread quickly.
"It will begin in nine years. Each sect will send their finest. Even our outer sect will have a small preliminary. One of you could stand there."
Kai blinked.
Even me?
Instructor Shen smirked slightly.
"Unlikely. But miracles happen. If you think you have the will to compete, begin preparing now. The first stage of testing will be announced at the end of this cycle."
Kai's chest tightened.
**Testing. Evaluation. Opportunity.**
The room was silent again.
"Class is dismissed. Tomorrow, we begin cultivation technique theory. Study your root element if it has been revealed. If not, begin sensing."
Shen turned without further words and vanished down the side steps.
Disciples stood slowly, their voices low and speculative.
Kai remained seated for a moment, letting the information settle.
The path was long.
But at least now, it had a name.
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**End of Chapter 12**