**AUHTORS NOTE: This cultivation arc will be 1500 words per chapter.
By the time the meal ended, evening had already washed over the city, its orange light painting the wooden interior of the inn.
Julian stood up quietly, pressing his palms together and bowed with a calm smile. "Thank you for your hospitality, young miss. The sun is setting—I must find a forest to rest under tonight."
Mei shot up from her seat. "Brother Monk, why don't you come with us to our sect?" she offered eagerly, her eyes bright in anticipation.
But before Julian could answer, Luoshi's calm yet firm voice cut in. "No." She rose gracefully to her feet. "Not just anyone can walk into the sect. There are rules, Mei'er."
Feng joined in quickly, clearly on Luoshi's side now that he noticed Mei's growing interest on the monk. "She's right, Mei'er. The elders would punish us if we brought someone unknown."
Mei pouted and crossed her arms. "But it's just for one night…"
