Willing Expulsion

Thousands of disciples across the land practice Martial Cultivation, relentlessly seeking that ultimate goal - to grasp the profound Dao and attain power beyond their wildest dreams. To live a life of unparalleled luxury and extravagance.

For the average cultivator, the ideal starting point on this grand journey is to join a Martial Sect. These profound organizations contain a wealth of cultivation arts to guide disciples in their tireless pursuit of the Dao.

Even an unremarkable sect would be a godsend to the common cultivator. Within Red Maple City, one such sect was the Blue Wind Sect. Hundreds of aspiring disciples were pouring their hearts into joining. 

But at this very moment, a bizarre spectacle attracted the attention of the gathered citizens.

Right before the lavish Dao rune engraved gate, behind which loomed the beautiful Cloud Wind Sect complex adorned with intricate wind and cloud designs, the strange scene unfolded.

"You are no longer welcome here!" an arrogant, contemptuous voice boomed through the air, carrying a special quality that made mortals quiver.

Two muscular young men in expensive blue silk robes stood imposingly before the gate. With a rough shove, one of them ejected a plain-looking young man in a simple black robe, a stark contrast to their own lavish attire.

For any aspiring cultivator, being cast out would spell utter disaster. But the black-robed youth simply caught himself, turned to the pair with a faint smile, and said, "Come now, there's no need for such theatrics. I was on my way out anyway. Though I suppose you're angling for brownie points with your master - oh, pardon me, I mean your senior martial brother."

"Shut your mouth Miao Ying, you ingrate!" one of them sneered. "You should be thanking the heavens that Senior Brother Weng showed a mere commoner like you such generosity. You're a fool to think you can make it on your own without a sect."

Ripples of disdain spread through the watching crowd. 

"Is this kid really leaving the sect?" 

"He must have lost his mind. I'd kowtow a thousand times before even dreaming of abandoning a sect."

Some average cultivators regarded Miao Ying with particular disgust. Here they were, slaving away for a chance to join, while this brat callously tossed aside an opportunity many would kill for.

Miao Ying paid the negative attention no heed, maintaining his slight smile as he shrugged. "It's just a second-rate sect, barely a step above the lowest tier. Certainly adequate for the average cultivator though..."

He spoke his mind freely, unconcerned by the other disciples' darkening expressions. 

The second one barked out a scornful laugh. "You dare speak that way, you pathetic former outer court disciple? What makes you so special? You're no better than dogshit! Now get lost!"

His outburst invited a flurry of mocking jeers from the crowd. 

"This boy is the pinnacle of stupidity!" 

Miao Ying could not deny his lowly former status. As an outer court disciple, to scrape together meager resources he had to risk his life on dangerous missions or perform demeaning drudge work.

Despite the paltry rewards, he had been diligent in his cultivation, managing to reach the 3rd stage of Body Refinement, the first major milestone of cultivation.

He could have continued, but constantly putting his life on the line at the orders of cruel, entitled disciples wore on him.

It wasn't that Miao Ying was exceedingly proud or brash enough to lash out at his tormentors. He would be perfectly fine with living a life in a sect without the abhorrent abuse of higher-ups.

No, it was all about the suffocating system of Authority that rankled him. The notion that sacrificing your autonomy to others was the only path to a decent life.

As a freethinker, this convention always rubbed Miao Ying the wrong way. So he simply leveraged a situation with Martial Brother Weng to get himself officially expelled, freeing himself of any complications.

To Miao Ying, the esteemed Blue Wind Sect held no luster. He turned his back to the Blue Wind disciples and said, "Feel better after all that barking? Empty words from empty hands. See you around." 

With that, he promptly walked off without waiting for a reply.

The first disciple's face twisted in anger. "Why you-" he growled, taking a heavy step forward, whipping up gusts of air that sent the other average cultivators scrambling back.

But his companion restrained him. "Remember Brother Feng, we can't kill the miserable stain here in public without causing a mess with the city and sect." 

He then whispered, "Patience. The opportunity to squash a bug always comes."

The first disciple smiled cruelly as citizens and the other average cultivators shook their heads, writing Miao Ying off as another idiot marching to his doom.

Meanwhile, Miao Ying calmly made his way out of Red Maple City. As an orphan with no one waiting, his plan was to return to his hometown. 

But despite his collected demeanor, Miao Ying was not unperturbed about this shift in his future.

To clear his head, he opted for a leisurely stroll through the sprawling Azure Cloud Forest, a region where danger and fortune intertwined. Designated trails offered ordinary cultivators relatively safe passage.

As Miao Ying entered beneath the canopy, the fresh, tingling air and steady ambient energy revitalized him. Various groups traveled the crisscrossing paths. He ambled along, pondering his path forward when a voice called out.

"Brother Miao, wait up!" 

He turned with a small smile to see three Blue Wind disciples hurrying over - two handsome men and a cute girl. They were all decidedly average in bearing, unremarkable in any crowd.

These were Miao Ying's acquaintances from his sect days. He waved casually. "I take it you've heard the big news."

Reaching him, their faces were etched with concern. The first man said, "Brother Miao, think this through! Without the sect, what will you do?"

The girl clasped her hands, her gentle, pleading gaze enough to move a heart of stone. "Please Brother Miao, wouldn't it be wiser to make peace with Senior Brother Weng?"

The other young man added quietly, "They're right, you know." 

Their worries were genuine, truly loathe to see Miao Ying go.

Miao Ying opened his mouth to respond but narrowed his eyes. An uncanny feeling crawled over him, an intuition that something was amiss, detectable by his soul force.

Typically, soul force simply allowed Miao Ying to sense and absorb ambient energy during cultivation. But after countless brushes with death against fierce beasts, his soul had grown highly attuned to life-threatening peril.

He smiled at the trio. "Piao, Dong, Xue - I appreciate the concern, but fraternizing with me will only bring you trouble now. Give the others my regards and wish them well." 

With a wave, he promptly continued on his way.

Xue puffed out her cheeks in frustration, starting after him. "Brother Mia-" But Piao's hand on her shoulder stopped her short.

She whirled on him, indignant, yearning to make her friend see reason. But Piao's grim expression gave her pause. His solemn words were, "Let's go. We have a mission to fulfill."

Xue hesitated, looking to Dong who was equally somber. The two men had clearly grasped something transpiring behind the scenes - Xue could guess at it too. But it only fueled her anger and frustration.

With a frosty snort, she shrugged off Piao's hand and stormed off towards the sect. 

Piao and Dong could only sigh and follow, hoping for Miao Ying's success.

At this time, Miao Ying was swiftly moving forward, the sense of danger not abating but intensifying. He veered off the dirt path into the untamed depths of the Azure Cloud Forest.

Miao Ying remained on high alert for any sign of movement. The Class 1 Demonic Beasts here were equivalent to Body Refinement experts. With superior physical might, they far outclassed mortal creatures and even many humans.

As he walked, Miao Ying wrestled with his doubts. 

Was this the right course? 

Should he just lower his head and resume that old path?

His life would be secure. With diligence, he could rise to a cushy position in the sect. 

But then he took in the rustling leaves glinting in the light, the rugged cliffs in the distance, the caverns scattered throughout.

This air of unpredictability put him at ease. Every choice from here would shape his destiny. That notion lifted the burden from his mind, allowing him to proceed more naturally.

Still, Miao Ying knew action was necessary to avoid a grim fate. Just then, he spotted a trail of blood and patches of fur. Following this grisly path, the scene grew more chaotic - ravaged trees and viscera strewn about, clear signs of a vicious battle.

Miao Ying could sense the dangers rapidly slowing their pursuit, aware of how unwise it was to proceed toward a confrontation between Class 1 monstrosities. 

Backtracking also seemed foolhardy - his stalkers undoubtedly meant to leave him for dead.

Seeing no choice but to press onward, Miao Ying focused on controlling his breathing, manipulating soul force to conceal his aura and presence.

As he advanced, an oppressive weight bore down on him, an overwhelming power he couldn't hope to contest. Spotting some figures in the distance, he swiftly dove into a large bush, ignoring the branches scraping his face.

There at the edge of a cliff stood three individuals. 

Two were finely dressed young men, Dao runes adorning their noble attire, radiating an air of superiority Miao Ying could only dream of. They clearly outclassed him.

These two exuded powerful auras as they menaced a third bedraggled youth. His robes were shredded, blood pouring from grievous wounds. Yet even cornered, a manic glint shone in his eyes - surrender was not an option.

One disciple sneered contemptuously. "Finally nowhere left to scurry, eh trash? You really thought those feeble beasts could hinder us mighty Qi Establishment experts? How laughable!"

Miao Ying's eyes widened at this. 

Qi Establishment! 

The realm beyond Body Refinement, where one could harness the world's Qi essence. No wonder those beast corpses littered their wake. With the power of Qi, these cultivators were in a league of their own.

Though unsurprised by such a flagrant abuse of power, Miao Ying still felt a twinge of unease. These situations were a dime a dozen in the tales of legendary figures who rose from hard, humble beginnings.

The second disciple guffawed. "Truly pathetic, Lian Wu! This all could have been avoided if you'd just kept away from Ming Yue as our Young Master ordered. She belongs to him now."

Astonishingly, Lian Wu cracked a spine-chilling grin, unnerving even the haughty duo. 

"Haha!" 

His laughter rang out as he suddenly tossed an object at them.

The air thickened as Qi swelled within the nobles, ready to retaliate. But a blinding flash erupted, drawing pained yelps as they shielded their eyes.

Miao Ying too was forced to look away, bracing for an eruption of power. But only a soft thud reached his ears. The sound came eerily close to his area.

However, blinking his eyes open, he saw a silver sword plunged to the hilt in the ground between Lian Wu and his attackers, strange glowing runes etched along its handle.