The path back to Azure Sun Sect was a narrow stone road winding uphill. Moss filled the cracks between the stones, and weeds swayed along the edges.
Han Li walked with the Tyrant plate at his side and the bone spike hanging from his belt.
Each step away from the Forbidden Zone eased the tension in his body, though the climb still left his legs heavy.
Up ahead, the sect gate came into view, two tall wooden doors bound with iron, set in a wall of gray stone.
Above the arch, the Azure Sun Sect's emblem was carved. a rising sun over a mountain peak. He had walked through it many times before, but this was the first since they threw him out.
The wall had been repaired recently, fresh mortar showing in the joins. New lanterns hung from the gate's beams, their glass clean and unclouded.
Two guards in light armor flanked the doors, spears upright, their gazes sweeping over the road ahead.
As Han Li came closer, one of them tilted his head. A flicker of recognition crossed his face. The other guard leaned slightly forward, his gaze settling on the bloodstained robe and the strange plate weapon.
By the time Han Li was within ten paces, both were watching him openly.
The first guard straightened, his expression turning stiff. "You," he said, stepping forward. "Show your entry token."
Han Li reached into his inner pocket, feeling the worn edges of the token he'd taken before being cast out.
The second guard's eyes narrowed as the token came out. He glanced at his partner, then back at Han Li.
"You shouldn't have that," the first guard said. "You were-"
The man's sentence cut off as his grip tightened on the spear. "How did you get out of the Forbidden Zone alive?"
Han Li met the guard's stare without flinching. "I walked out."
The first guard frowned, clearly unsatisfied. "Stop lying. No one walks out. Not from there."
He held the token up between two fingers, turning it to check the carving.
The second guard stepped in closer, his eyes narrowing. "This is your old token.
You were struck from the register. If the elders hear you're trying to force your way back in-"
"I'm not forcing anything," Han Li said calmly. "The rules say a token holder can enter. I still hold mine."
That only seemed to make the first guard's expression darker. His grip tightened around the token, and for a moment it looked like he might snap it in half.
The gate's side door swung open, and a junior elder stepped out. He was thin, with a hooked nose and sharp eyes that flicked over the scene in one glance.
"What's this?" the elder asked, his tone flat.
The first guard straightened and bowed. "Elder Zhao, this man claims the right to enter with a revoked token. He says he walked out of the Forbidden Zone alive."
Elder Zhao's gaze settled on Han Li. "Is that so?"
Han Li didn't bow. "Yes."
For a long moment, the elder simply studied him, his eyes moving from the torn robe to the Tyrant plate at his side. '
"You look like you fought something strong," he said at last. "And you're standing here, breathing. That's… unusual."
"It was unusual," Han Li said.
The elder's eyes narrowed. "You can enter. But remember, word spreads fast in this sect. Every move you make will be watched. One mistake, and you'll be thrown out again."
Han Li said nothing.
Elder Zhao gestured to the guards. "Open the gate."
One guard returned the token with clear reluctance. The heavy doors creaked open, revealing the stone path inside.
Han Li stepped through without a glance back.
The stone path inside the gate stretched straight toward the inner courtyard. On either side stood neat rows of maple trees, their red leaves drifting down onto the paving.
Disciples in clean robes crossed the path in pairs or small groups, talking quietly.
Han Li felt their eyes on him as soon as he entered. His appearance drew looks wherever he walked.
Low whispers spread through the crowd.
"Isn't that the one who got thrown into the Forbidden Zone?"
"How's he still alive?"
"Yeah… and I heard he blocked Chu Feng just now."
"Chu Feng? The genius? No way."
Elder Zhao walked a few paces ahead, hands clasped behind his back. He didn't look back, but Han Li could feel the man's awareness on him.
"You've been gone long enough that most here won't remember you," the elder said. "But they'll know soon enough."
Han Li kept his voice even. "Then I'll give them something worth remembering."
Elder Zhao's mouth tightened, though he didn't comment, instead he fee curious what Han Li will do.
They passed under a covered walkway where several disciples stepped aside to let them through. Some kept their heads lowered, others stared openly.
At the far end of the path, Zhao stopped and turned to face him. "Your old quarters have likely been given to someone else. Report to the housing clerk before nightfall. And remember what I said."
"I understand," Han Li said.
The elder gave a short nod and walked off toward the inner hall, leaving Han Li standing alone at the crossroads. Ahead lay the disciples' living quarters.
To the left, the training fields. To the right, the main hall where notices were posted.
Han Li took the right path toward the main hall. More disciples passed by, some slowing when they saw him.
"I heard Chu Feng went to the Forbidden Zone this morning," one said. "Someone saw him coming back alone."
"Then how is he here?" the other whispered, glancing over their shoulder at Han Li.
He didn't react. Let them talk. The more questions they asked, the better.
The main hall's notice board stood against the far wall under the shade of a tiled roof. Sheets of parchment were pinned in neat rows, each marked with a red seal. Most were minor announcements, training rotations, supply deliveries, patrol schedules.
One notice caught Han Li's eye.
Inner Sect Tournament – Seven Days.
Beneath it, the rewards were listed: rare manuals, cultivation resources, and the right to challenge for higher ranks.
Han Li read it once, then again.
A public stage, an official reason to face opponents in front of the whole sect, it's perfect.
He stepped back from the board, feeling eyes still on him from the hall entrance.
The whispers hadn't stopped.
Seven days was enough. More than enough.
Han Li turned and started toward the housing clerk. He needed a place to rest, and to plan.