They left the clinic as soon as William put on his robes. It was a relatively slow walk to the housing area, mainly because every single disciple they passed paid their respects to Elder Yu.

He honestly didn’t mind. It was nice, taking a walk with the goal of reaching his new home instead of escaping collapsing tunnels. It did disappoint him that he hadn’t seen any of the disciples he met in his brief visit when he entered the sect, but there would be plenty of time to find them in the future.

William was mainly interested in the ones that had been crowded around the library. Call it stereotyping, but he assumed that they were lovers of knowledge, and he would love to pick their brains. That, along with the tutoring from Zheng Tao he was very much looking forward to, he would no longer be ignorant the next time he ventures out of the sect.

He would prove Sophia wrong. He wasn't lazy and unmotivated.

“You seem content.”

“Huh?” William was snapped out of his thoughts to see Elder Yu staring at him. The group of disciples that had been talking to her was nowhere to be found. It still surprised him with how casual the sect seemed to be with the way disciples could greet Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.

He knew for a fact that it wasn’t typical with how the guards started to bend over backward the moment they found out that Princess Jin was in a higher realm. Plus, their difference in major realms was nothing compared to the disciples in the Outer Court and Elder Yu.

Speaking of Elder Yu, she seemed far too interested in his feelings. With the evidence being her repeated statement.

“Compared to before, you seem far happier to be in the Outer Court.”

William nodded, “I was too hasty before. I wanted to live in a city that I was fond of.”

That was only the partial truth. Wanting to live in Xuanjing City was one of the factors that played into his decision, but most of it had to do with how the Outer Court looked. It was a college campus, without a doubt. And as much as he enjoyed going to one in his old world, that wasn’t what he envisioned here.

Of course, that was then. Things had changed. A lot.

Now, he would love to stay in the Outer Court. Where a Nascent Soul Realm Elder seemed to spend her time. And also had the powerful Grand Elder available if necessary. Yes, he wanted to stay.

“Then this might work in your favor,” Elder Yu motioned for the few disciples around them to not disturb them, “The Sect Master fought in your favor during the Elders Gathering.”

“Oh,” William wondered why that was needed at all. He didn’t think he did anything worth getting punished over, especially not to the point where the sect leader needed to save him.

His worry must have been plastered on his face since Elder Yu explained without being prompted.

“There are some circumstances that result in entering one of the Shards, and no matter which one, the Empire gets involved. Usually, you would be required to leave the Jade Healing Sect, but the Sect Master convinced the Grand Elder to speak with the Empire for you.”

“Oh!” William blinked in surprise, thankful but confused. After the suspicious things he had learned about the Empire, he wasn’t keen on joining them in anything. “I’m grateful, Elder Yu. I really am, but why was he willing to do so? We have never met before.”

They reached the modern-looking dwelling, which looked like a luxury apartment to him.

“I asked him to. My sect needs sentinels, Wei Liang. If I wasn’t confident in giving you the resources that could easily match and even exceed what the Empire could offer, I would have conceded.”

That made sense to him. Elder Yu might seem cold, but she had shown that she cared in her own way. Even before he had ever seen or knew about the range of emotions she possessed.

“Again, I’m grateful, Elder Yu.”

Elder Yu hummed in acknowledgment and said, “Follow. I have one more thing prepared as a surprise. Do you have your pass?”

William stared blankly in confusion. “Pass? I never got one.”

“It looks like this,” Elder Yu pulled out a card made out of red jade, “Either Lan Yin or Wang Mei should have provided you one.”

He immediately recognized it, but that didn’t mean he knew where it was. The last time he had seen it, he had been with Lan Yin, getting the entry into the Qi Refining rooms in Xuanjing City. However, he didn’t remember where it went after that.

He quickly searched his spatial stone to see if he had stored it there. He did not.

“It might have been misplaced,” William admitted with a wince.

“Meet Wang Mei for a replacement,” Elder Yu shook her head, “In the meantime, use this.”

He accepted the pass she handed him and held it between his fingers, looking around to see where he needed to use it.

“Just follow me,” Elder Yu said helpfully, “The pass will let you pass the barrier without activating it.”

William did so, right into the building and reaching an area that resembled a lobby. There was even something that seemed to be an elevator, except the doors were made of stone.

“What would happen if someone didn’t have the pass on their person?” He asked curiously.

“They will be transported to the holding area. Mainly for safety. If it turns out it was just a forgetful disciple, they are deducted points to cover the cost of activating the array for transport.”

William nodded, impressed at how seriously the sect took security. However, he did wonder what happened to take such measures in the first place.

“Press your pass there,” Elder Yu pointed to an indent on the wall near the stone doors, which he did.

The stone doors didn’t rumble open as he expected. They shimmered out of existence to reveal a modest living room.

“Go ahead,” Elder Yu urged when William just stared.

He did so hesitantly. It wasn’t that he was terrified of taking that step, but it was more about the feeling of nostalgia that hit him. The hotel he was staying at in Xuanjing City, The Golden Lotus, was similar to what he could have expected from a hotel in his old world. Still, this flat took it to another level.

It looked like a model showroom that tastefully decorated its best features. The only thing that was really missing was a television, but if that existed in a world without electricity and broadcast networks, he would have to conclude he was in a coma in some hospital.

Of course, that wasn’t possible. He had seen his body get crushed in the elevator.

“Interesting. Is this not to your liking?” Elder Yu asked curiously, “Do you prefer the foreign designs?”

“Foreign design?” William repeated in surprise, “Is this unique to the Tianxia Empire, then?”

“Yes,” Elder Yu nodded, “It originated well over a millennia in the past. The design is mainly used for small dwellings due to cost, but it is not for everyone. If you prefer, I can move you to something different.”

He shook his head. It wasn’t bad, though it was smaller than he expected. Plus, he would live in a flat that was very obviously influenced by Sophia.

“Good! There are three rooms here. Other than this, there is the bedroom and a small Qi Refining room.”

William’s eyes widened in surprise, his interest in the flat increasing significantly. “How does the Qi density compare to the Qi Refining rooms available for sentinels?”

“This is not a replacement. It is meant for self-reflection in a space that is only accessible to you. The room is reinforced to handle the power of a Core Formation Realm cultivator. Use that to your advantage. If you wish to cultivate, there are far better options.”

He nodded slowly, realizing that this could be where he tested his martial skills. The urge to try it spiked. “I want to test it right now.”

“Before that, let me show you the surprise I arranged for you,” Elder Yu stopped him from running off like an excited child, “Enter!”

William’s jaw almost dropped when a door opened softly to reveal someone he never expected to see again, and if not never, at least months after he advanced into the Foundation Establishment Realm.

“Little Brother Wei,” the familiar voice made him shiver, “We’re reunited again.”