After Shang Yuan left the hall he entered a large, mostly empty room. Unlike the extravagant hall he was previously in, this room only had a table and a pot of tea. Sitting at the helm of the table was Lin Xun and Chen Mingyue.
Chen Mingyue was taking paced sips of tea, an amazed expression appearing on face. Lin Xun on the other hand gulped down an entire cup without care, earning Chen Mingyue's scorn in the process.
Shang Yuan approached the two and took a cup of tea for himself.
"So, what do you guys think of our fate?"
"Fate?" Lin Xun asked with slight angst.
"He thinks that the immortals are going to get rid of us", said Chen Mingyu, not even looking in their direction. She was completely focused on the tea.
"And you don't wench?"
Chen Mingyue turned to Shang Yuan and glared, "I don't know about you, but the fairy promised me that I have a bright future. This is clearly why they questioned us here instead of in New Mulberry City."
Shang Yuan chuckled, knowing that his nemesis was in for a big surprise. Lin Xun meanwhile, was just as confused as ever.
Just as Shang Yuan was about to speak, a young woman, looking no older than twenty years old walked in.
"You three get up", said the young women.
"Who are you-..."
"Don't speak, just follow me to the outer court", the women interjected. "Also, take these talismans and swear to not speak on your background by spilling your blood on to them."
Three talismans flew to the hands of the three children. Shang Yuan and Chen Mingyue did so with no question by taking out knives they had stored, but Lin Xun was hesitant. Although after seeing what the other two did, he decided to follow their actions, using a piece of glass he had pocketed from the explosion. Just as the blood spilled on the talismans, the talismans merged with the three, putting a chain in their memory regarding speaking about their pasts before the sect.
It wasn't that they weren't hesitant on what the talismans might do to them, but what choice did they have.
Following the young woman, the three quickly reach a vast courtyard, larger than a neighborhood. Inside the courtyard were thousands of children that looked around ten to sixteen years old. They were all dressed in blue navy robes, with different types of tools and weapons near them
The three each took seats and the young woman disappeared. At the center of the crowd stood a middle-age man, instructing the crowd bellow.
Unlike some of the old men they had been introduced to so far, this instructor was exactly how the three envisioned immortals. With large veins going through his boisterously chiseled arms and a black robe that highlighted intimidating figure, he looked like a man from legend.
"-ich is why you should never attempt to make back-to-back breakthroughs for the sake of your foundation", said the instructor as he was addressing the crowd.
Seeing the three youths joining the lecture, the instructor decided to change topics.
"Now even though you may all be familiar with this topic, I think it's about time to address you all. What do you all think is the purpose of this sect."
In the back of the youth, a disciple in beat-skin raised his hand. "To become immortals!"
The instructor shook his head, "that is merely the belief of the common-folk. We are not immortals, but cultivators of the path of life, Qi to be exact."
Some of the children were surprised, diluted by a hint of disappointment. Others on the other hand didn't even react.
"Qi is one of the many paths of cultivation is to reach immortality, which is where the legends come from. Of course they are exactly that, legends, with no real evidence to back them up other than ancient legends."
Another youth raised his hand, "But doesn't cultivation increase our lifespans like the older disciples said?"
The instructor looked at the youth silent before answering, "It does, but immortality is in itself a whole other concept. Unperturbed by the mere extension of life, it is unending."
"Listen to what I say next as I won't repeat myself. Where you are here is the Soaring Sword Sect, each and everyone of you were picked by wandering cultivators from our sect because you have the potential to become cultivators. The potential to outlive than nations, bring storms upon armies and move seas with your thoughts. You will compete with the children of Immortals in this long path as well."
An intense feeling of excitement could be sensed among the youth has huge grins covered their faces and blood rushed to their heads like tsunamis.
"However… not all of you will reach this power. Cultivation is divided into many realms, with the first being the Vein Opening Realm. This includes two parts, the actual opening of your cultivation veins, otherwise known as meridians, and a process called spirit possession. For the first step of the vein opening realm is using cultivation pills and spiritual techniques for opening of the vein and the spirit possession realm involves building a spiritual connection with a Spiritual Artifact. Cultivators use many artifacts throughout their life, but the one you first connect to is the one that shall be your natal artifact, the one that is connected to you for life and you have the best control over, so pick wisely. This whole cultivation process will mostly depend on your cultivation talents."
"How do we knew our talent? Asked a young girl in the crowd.
"You're talent is solely depended on the grade of your Spiritual Cains, which can be low, medium, large or supreme grade. The elements of your veins will also define the path you take in cultivation. Each cultivation realm has different requirements and processes our great predecessors slowly discovered, which the sect will reveal to you the further in the path of cultivation you reach."
The disciples exploded in chatter, excited over the future that was in front of them.
"Quiet! Quiet! Before we go any further, I need all of you tell me why you want to cultivate", the instructor yelled. "Don't even think about lying, or else I'll make sure you'll lose any hope of becoming a member of this sect."
One by one the the different youths started saying their dreams and goals. Most saying things that the instructor had heard a thousand times before.
"To gain immortality."
"To give my family a better life."
"To gain the respect of others."
However, there were some that gave some interesting answers. Whether fueled by inexperience or naivety is up to debate.
"To be able to protect those I care about."
"For the opportunity to change the world in a way that I see true."
When it came to Shang Yuan, he gave an unexpected answer.
"To be strong enough that no one else can ever control my fate."
The instructor gave Shang Yuan a weird stare, making sure to specifically take note of this disciple.
The rest of the disciples continued, except Chen Mingyue, who decided she wanted to remain silent.
...
Finally it was Lin Xun's turn, as he spoke so quietly that the wind could almost cover his voice, "To find a purpose in my existence."
The instructors eyebrows slowly raised, an answer he hadn't ever really heard from a child. He gave Lin Xun a sight smile.
'This child might be one to keep my eye on as well.'
Little did anyone there, least of all Lin Xun, knew that Lin Xun's journey ahead wouldn't be nearly that simple.