At the Jade Capital Military District, inside a Quiet Chamber.
Wu Eiwei sat cross-legged on the floor, draped in a loose robe. A cold metal mask hid her face.
"Knock, knock."
A faint light suddenly shone from the mask's eyes.
"Come in."
Someone opened the door.
The Quiet Chamber was tiny, perhaps no bigger than a bathroom. Its length and width were roughly those of a single bed. Padded mats covered the floor, and there was a small window. Hooks and shelves on the walls held clothes and other odds and ends, while a little tea table offered space for a drink. Cultivators could sit inside and practice, or lie down for a nap when tired. Such rooms were standard in sects, universities, research institutes, and military bases.
Quiet was the minimum requirement. Better Quiet Chambers also supplied ample spirit power and even had auxiliary formations to calm the mind and sharpen concentration.
Wu Eiwei looked up at the person in the doorway.
"Did you find anyone?"
"No."
"?"
"We contacted two Seventh Tier sword cultivators from the Sword Sect. We offered the first one money to spar with you, and he agreed at first. But when he heard you were his opponent, he refused." The man stood in the doorway. The Quiet Chamber was so quiet that, even knowing he could not disturb the soldiers cultivating in other rooms no matter how loudly he spoke, he still lowered his voice. "Offering him more money didn't help."
"Sword Sect Disciples have some backbone."
"Mm..."
"He said some nasty things too, didn't he?"
"You guessed it."
"Heh..."
Wu Eiwei paid it no mind. "What about the second?"
"We didn't mention money to the second. We just challenged him to a match, and he readily agreed. But then... when he heard you