Icaros stood at the bow of the flying vessel, his clothes tattered. Deimos led the way, while four men – whom Icaros assumed were controlling the craft – worked at the controls nearby. He tried to close his gaping jaw, but couldn't help staring in awe.

"No nation on Earth has this kind of grandeur – or at least none I've seen."

As his gaze swept over the vast, majestic Li Sect, the vessel began to descend. Icaros's mind drifted back to what had happened after he'd displayed his strength: when he'd killed one of the attacking beasts, Deimos hadn't been wary of him – instead, he'd been overjoyed.

"To take down a Grade C beast so casually..." Deimos had said, then proposed that Icaros join the Li Sect, explaining they were one of the world's four great super powers.

Icaros had agreed reluctantly. "I don't know anything about this world," he'd thought. "Besides, I can always leave if things go wrong." A smug look crossed his face, but faded quickly as he recalled the protective screen, the advanced craft, and Deimos's finely crafted weapon.

"But I don't have much choice right now," he conceded. "I need to lie low and learn as much as I can – so I'm not caught off guard again. Deimos could have handled that beast on his own. I suppose protecting Earth's fragile humans for so long left me with a protective instinct... one I'll need to suppress to survive here."

At the thought of Earth, and his brother Malakor – whom he'd killed to save humanity – his expression darkened. He pushed the pain and confusion deep into his heart.

The ship touched down in an open clearing, a kilometer from a grand hall adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts and roofs that gleamed like polished jade.

"This small drop should be nothing for someone with your strength," Deimos said with a familiar smug tone. He leaped casually from the ship's deck and landed lightly on the ground, leaving Icaros with an unsuppressible urge to slap him. Though he'd chosen to lie low, he didn't want to draw more attention to himself. He stepped off the vessel, letting gravity pull him down. As he fell, he thought of how he'd usually fly rather than walk, recalling his first days on Earth. He smiled, then landed with a heavy thud, his posture rigid and unbent.

Deimos nodded with a smile, but just as he was about to say something, a calm yet booming voice reached their ears – loud enough to carry clearly, but not so loud as to be harsh.

"Deimos, you're back from your little mission, and I see you've brought a friend." The voice was followed by a light chuckle, and the hall's massive doors – more like miniature gates of architectural marvel – swung open with a resounding bang.

"Wow... columns that stretch up so high, carvings that seem to move in the light," Icaros couldn't help but think as he followed behind Deimos. "Why isn't he surnamed Li, like the man Li Han from the forest,and they are from the same li sect?" His thoughts wandered, but were soon interrupted.

"Father, indeed I'm back from my little adventure – and this new friend won't disappoint,unlike the rest."

Father! Icaros couldn't help but blurt out, stunned by the absurdity of it. The man before them looked so like a man in his prime,not yet a middle aged man– yet supposedly Deimos's father.

The man on the throne at the far end of the hall smiled, without taking any offense. He stood up calmly, and though he exuded no obvious majesty, a steady, indescribable presence surrounded him that made questioning him feel impossible. Icaros's brows furrowed as his instincts screamed danger – the same feeling he'd had when he first faced his brother,Malakor.

"It's not strange that I look so young," the man said as he walked closer. "There are many special ways to maintain one's appearance, if you so choose." He pulled Deimos into a hug – a gesture Icaros hadn't expected from someone he'd already guessed was the Li Sect's leader. They soon broke apart, and the man returned to his throne, settling back with effortless grace. His long white robe flowed around him, revealing only his facial features, palms, and bare feet.

"Give me and your friend a proper explanation," he said calmly. "He seems lost, and clearly knows little of the cultivation world's common knowledge. Though you insisted he's different – to me, he appears no more than a mere mortal."

"Yes, Father." Deimos cupped his fist in a formal gesture and gave a detailed account of what had happened with Icaros in the forest.

"Able to pierce through a Grade C beast with his bare hand,and no obvious signs of cultivation... interesting." The man grinned, a trace of surprise in his steady voice. His broad frame lent him a mild but undeniable intimidation.

"I now understand why my son says you're different," he continued slowly. "I've examined you, and you have no traces of qi cultivation. Yet you possess remarkable physical strength that rivals our experts. From Deimos's account, I infer you're a mortal with little knowledge of the cultivation world – given where you were found. But I still need you to introduce yourself before I make my decision."

Icaros secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Never had being misidentified felt so welcome. He thought of a lie he could use, remembering how his brother Malakor had once called him a poor liar during one of their confrontation. Then he spoke to the sect master:

"You're right – I'm a mortal. I've had incredible physical strength since birth. During the war that destroyed my village, I was knocked unconscious."

The man stared at him for long seconds. Cold sweat beaded on Icaros's back as the hall fell silent, dust motes dancing in the light streaming through high windows. Then the sect master spoke again, his tone calm as ever:

"Fair. Now I'll ask you one question – one that will shape your future in the cultivation world, for your village is no more. Will you join the Li Sect – one of the four world's greatest superpowers?"

Icaros's mind raced like lightning as he weighed the offer – the benefits, stakes, and his place in this new world. As thoughts swirled through his head, the man he'd deduced was the Li Sect Master stared silently, a faint smirk on his face.

After what felt like an eternity, Icaros spoke calmly: "I greet the Sect Master."

Instead of the reaction he expected, the man laughed aloud, turning to Deimos who stood a foot behind Icaros. "This lad is sharp – he already knows who I am, but it seems he still has much to learn."

"Yes, Father," Deimos replied. Turning to Icaros, he pulled a rectangular jade object from his armor pocket and handed it over. "Take this jade slip to the men outside the hall. They'll tell you what to do next."

"Men outside the hall?" Icaros muttered, turning the slip over in his hands. Seeing his confusion, Deimos explained: "Cultivators at high enough level develop what we call divine sense – it lets us perceive more than our physical eyes can, and do things like encrypt information into objects like this slip. Only someone with divine sense can read it."

Icaros furrowed his brow, struggling to process everything, then recovered and walked calmly out of the hall.

As Icaros's figure faded toward the doors, Deimos turned to his father. "Do you really believe his story?"

The Sect Master laughed, his expression thoughtful. "Of course not. But he's definitely not from any opposing power,and from what you've told me about your findings in the azure forest,plus the recent event that will soon happen,there's definitely a huge storm brewing, we'll need all the strength we can get."

Icaros examined the jade slip with curiosity as he stepped into the sunlight. "Surprisingly, everything worked out well," he thought, smiling to himself. Just outside the grand hall, he spotted the four men from the forest – the same ones who'd piloted the flying vessel, though he had no idea how it worked.

He approached them and held out the slip, his tone calm and face impassive. "Young Master Deimos said I should give you this."

One of the men,studied him closely before taking the jade. He closed his eyes, as if listening or seeing something beyond sight. Icaros wondered what he was doing, but before his thoughts could wander, the man opened his eyes – a flicker of surprise in his gaze. He stared at Icaros for a moment, then smiled. "Follow me, and don't wander off."

Icaros nodded obediently. The man gestured to the other three. "Return to your duties – your work here is done." They scattered, and Icaros noticed this man was dressed better than the rest with a green robe,filing the detail away as he followed.

They walked for nearly an hour through a district of grand mansions with intricate architecture. Eventually, they reached a glowing blue light barrier, with a manor built beside it. As Icaros studied the barrier and what lay beyond, the man pulled a token from his robe and waved it toward the manor.

Suddenly, Icaros felt an intense gaze on him – instinct flared, and he tensed to act. But the feeling vanished instantly, and a gap opened in the blue barrier.

"Relax," the man chuckled. "That was just a senior's divine sense sweeping over us to verify our identity before opening the barrier."

Icaros nodded, making a mental note. "This divine sense is both annoying and convenient – I wish I had it," he thought. His attention was soon drawn to the buildings ahead: still well-crafted, but lacking the grandeur of the previous district.

"The first hall and section are for the sect's upper echelon and core disciples," the man explained as they walked. "Those with high cultivation, power, talent, and unwavering loyalty – the sect's foundation. This area is for inner disciples, who have strong cultivation and good talent. Beyond here is where most disciples live, unless they earn a spot as an inner disciple."

"I appreciate the information," Icaros said formally, looking around as he kept pace.

The man laughed softly. "No need to thank me – you'll be heading to the library soon, and this will all be covered there."

"Library?!" Icaros's face showed genuine surprise.

"Yes," the man replied. "The Young Master's message in the jade slip says you need to learn about the cultivation world to avoid appearing and being ignorant. Though your time is limited."

"Why is that?" Icaros asked.

"You have the rest of today to prepare. By tomorrow, I'll lead you and other new recruits on your first mission. Succeed – and survive – and you'll become an official sect member." He quickened his pace slightly, as if to emphasize there was no time to waste.

Icaros drew a deep breath at the mention of a mission. His first task on Earth, saving humans had been rewarding and even enjoyable. But his last mission still haunted him: killing the only other being like himself.

They soon passed the inner disciples' area and entered the district for outer and non-official disciples. Outer disciples lived in full houses, big enough for families, arranged in neat rows. Non-official disciples were housed in simple but sturdy rooms lined in grids – and Icaros was given one, along with a key and a library permit from the Young Master. The man also introduced himself: Li Han – a name Icaros vaguely recalled Deimos using back in the forest.

Icaros sat on the only bed in his new room, reviewing the day's events – a habit he'd kept through millennia on Earth. After several minutes of quiet thought, he decided he'd handled things as well as possible. He knew there were gaps in his story to the Sect Master, but pushed that worry aside.

His next step was clear: visit the library. First, to erase his obvious ignorance. Second, to prepare for the newbie mission tomorrow – he had only one day to get ready.

A new mission... A smirk crossed his face. "For now, my mission is the library."

In a crowded district of the Li Sect, people of all ages moved about their daily routine with purpose and energy. Stalls lined the wide, dirt-packed paths – some merchants displayed their wares on sturdy wooden tables covered in cloth, while others laid out goods directly on strips of fabric spread over the bare ground. Every single person in sight wore simple grey robes, the standard attire for outer disciples,unofficial disciples and some mortals who came to trade, save for a few guards who stood watch at intervals throughout the bustle.

These guards were clad head-to-toe in polished steel armor, with a single well-crafted sword attached to their waist by leather belts, their eyes sharp as they scanned the crowd for any sign of trouble. Amidst the sea of grey and the steady murmur of voices, Icaros walked with ease, his presence blending in despite his calm bearing.

Icaros had a chiseled, athletic build with sharp facial features, piercing eyes that seemed to take in every detail around him, and a strong jawline that added to his striking appearance. He exuded calm confidence and deliberate composure in his plain grey robe, moving through the throng with a grace that belied his immense strength. Even as people brushed past him and merchants called out their wares, he maintained his focus, his posture relaxed but alert – a habit forged through thousands of years of protecting others on Earth.

His brows were gently furrowed as he held an old, weathered map in both hands, running his fingers over the faded ink markings that showed the layout of the sect's lower districts. The paper felt thin and fragile beneath his touch, and he handled it with care despite his power.

"It should be just ahead – the map marks the library at the end of this path," Icaros muttered to himself, folding the map carefully along its creases and tucking it into a hidden pocket inside his robe.

He quickened his pace slightly, weaving smoothly through the crowd as his curious eyes drifted over the stalls around him. There were items he'd never seen before: glowing stones set in simple metal frames, dried herbs bundled with colorful string, small wooden carvings of beasts that seemed to shift in the light. Though each display caught his attention and sparked questions about this new world, he stayed focused on his primary goal – he had little time to spare before tomorrow's mission.

"Woah – this kind of building would be a palace on Earth, with guards at every gate and only nobles allowed inside. But here, it's just a low-level library meant for outer and unofficial disciples. The Li Sect truly is on a scale I never imagined."

The structure stretched wide across his field of vision, its walls made of smooth, light-colored stone that shone faintly in the afternoon sun. Neat architectural lines gave it a sense of order and grandeur, with majestic pillars carved with images of mythical birds supporting the sloped roof. A large wooden sign bearing the word "Library" in bold, black characters hung prominently above the entrance, its surface polished to a shine that added to the building's impressive presence.

Icaros paused at the edge of the path, pulling out a square bronze card from his robe and turning it over in his hands. He recalled Li Han's words from earlier that day, spoken in a quiet tone as he'd handed over the permit: "This card gives you access to all the knowledge outer disciples and unofficial disciple will ever need– basic cultivation principles, sect rules, maps of the surrounding lands, and more. Though you're still considered an unofficial disciple, you can consider it a gift from Young Master Deimos – he wanted to make sure you're prepared for what comes next."

Only the word "Li" was carved into the card's smooth surface, but when Icaros focused his gaze due to curiousity, he faintly saw intricate magical runes glowing with a soft blue light hidden just beneath the bronze. He narrowed his eyes, concentrating harder, but the runes remained just out of full view. "My enhanced sight still works here – I just need to focus like I did back on Earth. It's reassuring to know at least my unique abilities haven't been lost in this transition,as i haven't even tested my optic blast " He smiled slightly as he remembered one of his earliest acts on Earth, centuries ago – saving a bus of school children from plunging off a collapsing bridge by spotting the weakened structure with his heightened vision before anyone else could see the danger. "If my strength, durability, speed, and sight all work as they should, it stands to reason my other abilities do too. But I can't test flight or optic blasts yet – not when I need to lie low, learn my place in this world, and keep my true nature hidden."

By the time his thoughts settled and he tucked the card back into his robe, he'd reached the library's massive doors. They were made of a dark, polished wood he didn't recognize, and when he placed his hand on the surface to push them open, it felt cool to the touch, even in the warm afternoon air. As he stepped forward, he noticed the same armored guards from the market were posted at the library's entrance and along the walls, their stances steady and alert – but it was as if they paid him no mind as he approached, their gaze fixed on the crowd beyond.

Inside, the air was cool and still, with rows upon rows of wooden shelves stretching into the distance, each one filled with neatly arranged books bound in leather or cloth. The smell of paper and ink hung in the air, mixed with a faint, earthy scent he couldn't identify. A middle-aged man in crisp white robes sat at a sturdy wooden table near the entrance – Icaros noted immediately that he was missing his left arm, and the sleeve of his robe was neatly folded and tied at his elbow. The man seemed completely absorbed in a thick book open before him, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read. Before Icaros could step forward to speak, he felt a familiar tingle across his skin – the same feeling he'd had when Li Han's senior had scanned him with divine sense earlier that day. It was as if the man was studying him from head to toe, his attention sweeping over every part of Icaros's body with an intensity that would have made most people uncomfortable.

The man looked up from his book then, his eyes meeting Icaros's with a gaze that held both condescension and disdain. "So you're the so-called strong warrior that brat Deimos brought back from the mortal world?" he said, his voice low but clear, carrying across the quiet entrance hall.

Icaros's brow furrowed briefly in surprise – this was the first time he'd heard anyone address Young Master Deimos with such disrespect. He paused for a moment, weighing his response carefully before relaxing his expression and straightening his shoulders. He replied in a calm, even tone, with no emotion detectable in his voice: "I am indeed the one Deimos brought back. I've come to use the library, and I have a permit for entry." With that, he tossed the bronze card gently toward the man, his movements controlled and precise.

The card flew through the air smoothly, and just as it seemed about to pass the man's figure, his right hand shot out and caught it with superhuman speed – so fast that Icaros barely saw the movement. It was a small detail, but one that made him raise an eyebrow in interest – this seemingly ordinary librarian was far stronger than he appeared,maybe even stronger than me,a quiet thought appeared in his mind.

"Confident and cocky, but willing to bend low to get what you want," the man said, his tone that of someone who was used to being in charge. He turned the card over in his hand, his eyes scanning its surface. "But you're on the wrong side, boy – siding with Deimos means you've made enemies you don't even know exist yet."

He swept his gaze over the card one more time – Icaros suspected he was using his divine sense to verify its authenticity – then tossed it back with the same gentle motion Icaros had used. But as Icaros reached out to catch it, an enormous weight and pressure suddenly slammed into his hand, so strong it nearly made him stumble backward. He gritted his teeth and steadied himself, using his strength to grasp the card firmly until the pressure faded away. When he looked up, the man was watching him with a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"You can only access the first floor with that bronze card," the man called out as Icaros turned to walk deeper into the library. "All other floors are restricted unless you have a silver or gold permit – and those aren't given out to just anyone. Stick to what you're allowed to see, and stay out of trouble."

Once Icaros's figure had disappeared into the rows of shelves, the man leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself, his earlier disdain replaced by a look of approval. "That brat Deimos found a strong helper this time – maybe strong enough to make a difference when the struggle begins."

Time passed quickly as Icaros immersed himself in the library's vast collection of knowledge,not minding other disciples in the library. True to the Li Sect's reputation as one of the world's four great powers, the books covered everything from basic cultivation theory and beast classification to maps of the contested lands and histories of the sect's founding. With his enhanced physiology, his mind processed information far faster than any ordinary human could – he flipped through pages as if just scanning them, or glancing at the illustrations – yet every word, every diagram, every detail was imprinted clearly in his memory. It was an ability he'd discovered shortly after arriving on Earth millennia ago, when he'd realized his cosmic form allowed him to absorb and retain information with perfect clarity.

After what felt like hours – he gently placed the last book back on its shelf, straightening it carefully to match the others around it. "Finally – everything falls into place," he breathed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment as he let the mountain of information he'd just acquired settle in his mind. He now understood the basics of cultivation, the structure of the sect,the structure of the cultivation world,different powers and sects, and what to expect from tomorrow's mission.