Standing majestically on the highest mountain of the Central Continent was the Taohua Sect. Among the other three sects, one must be the most envious of this particular sect for its celestial-like energy and serene beauty that some might think it was a female cultivation sect at first sight.
The disciples of Taohua had an edge to them, maybe because they were all sculpted by the soft and tranquil nature of the sect, but nonetheless of were it manifested from, they received the recognition as 'fine cultivators' by many of whom they had encountered.
When you arrived at the top of the mountain, you would see the giant gate with a giant stone plate atop written 'TaoHua Sect' intricately woven in vines and thorns. A few tiny flowers would bloom here and there making it less intimidating to newcomers. Upon walking inside, the sound of a waterfall would engulf you like spring weather and a wave of lonely petals would brush past you once in a while kissing your cheeks, hair, and clothes. Even the most renowned writer wouldn't be able to capture the scene and bled it into their inks to its utmost potential.
The first hall that many elders and sect leaders have visited was the Black Peach Blossom Hall. It received the name from the surrounding garden of pink peach trees in contrast to the black structure of the hall.
Taohua sect leader was the infamous poker face Shi Lei. It was written in the record book that his founding ancestor was a very gentle and grounded soul. He was a good person that made living selling peaches he plucked from his only garden. But, his fate had allowed him to open the path for cultivators and lord and behold, bred the Taohua Sect known for its graceful yet deadly fighting style.
Now, coming to the most anticipated part. The sect was definitely not without some beauty. After all, it was rumored that they only accepted decent-looking disciples to train to maintain the image of the sect. So you would find yourself fancying some of older disciples coming down the mountain if you ever visited the Central city.
"And that wasn't even all to it!'' The chef exclaimed. He had already taken the liberty to sit down across his customer.
The youth across from him replied back in a lazy manner, picking a small potion of stir-fried vegetables into his bowl. "What else is there?''
"It's the young master of TaoHua, Shi Lihua!" he grinned and for an instant, the youth thought he looked like a happy lizard with his huge bulging dark eyes and creepy smile. But, he let him continue. "This young master is incredibly handsome like warm spring water after summer, frost after autumn and pink peach blossom! I also have a daughter that wouldn't shut up about him! She's one of the outer disciples and she would come home blabbing about him every damn time."
''Don't you hate it?''
He looked at the youth in bewilderment, "Why would I? My wife and I always give her extra pocket money to buy some make-up. I tell you, young gentleman! She might be a sect's leader wife in the future!'' He snickered heartily. He had almost forgotten about his job completely because his stall was too quiet and the youth was, unfortunately, his only customer. So when he heard him asked a few questions about the Sect, he didn't mind chipping in composing a whole fairytale story to gossip. "How about you, young master? Why do you want to know about TaoHua? Are you planning to be a disciple?''
The youth dropped his bowl and nodded midst eating. He couldn't wait to get going already. God knew he was already late. After paying handsomely, he left to the direction of the mountain. His black robe fluttered chillingly behind him as he strode along the beaten path up towards the Sect.
It was in late autumn, and it would start snowing soon approximately in the next few days. He couldn't believe he would be kicked out at a time like this where he had to travel with his heavy ropes all the way from the North. It took him six days to finally find his new home which by the way wasn't giving him an easy time with all the rugged mountain paths he had to heave himself all the way up.
The chef was right about the details, all the way from the gate to their disciples. Upon arriving, he found two people chatting playfully guiding by the stone walls. When they saw him, they came over with their gentle smiles. "May we ask this gongzhi, what respectful business do you have here?''
He almost forgot what he had practiced saying during his travel, "I-uhm-my uncle...he sent me.''
"He sent you here? May we ask who this gongzhi's uncle is?''
"Uhm...Duan Jing..."
"Duan Jing? There's only one Duan Jing in the world..."
The other disciple exclaimed wide-eyed to his friend, "Duan Jing the Humble Sky of the North?''
"Lan Yan Sect's leader!?'' This was aimed directly at the youth.
He nodded mildly, casting his eyes down.
"No way! So this gongzhi must be Young Master Wu Huan? Why didn't you tell us right away?'' The two cupped their hands and bowed politely. "We apologize for the rudeness! The sect leader is waiting for young master in the Black Peach Blossom Hall. Please follow these humble disciples."
As soon as he stepped into the Sect, his ears immediately picked up on the sound of soft waterfall accompanying with the mild scent of peach blossom trees. His eyes gaze up ahead at the black wooden building surrounded by its beautiful pinky forest. He saw a small figure of a man and his white rope waiting in his chair. His heartbeat nervously.
Crunk Crunk Crunk
The hardwood echoed under their steps. "Greetings, Sect leader. This is young master, Wu Huan, of Lan Yan Sect."
"Wu Huan humbly greets Sect leader Shi."
"You two can go," the man spoke, his voice warmer than the youth expected. After the disciples left, he smiled at him easily. The chef might not have been wronged that the man had a poker face but he still gave off the impression that this man would be strict and crude while describing.
[He made me nervous for no reason!]
Suddenly, he had a low chuckle. "What is it, Wu Huan? Why aren't you saying anything to this old man? Are you nervous?''
"A-a little bit..." he trailed off, not directly meeting his eyes.
There was another moment of silence but the Sect leader seemed to be observing him from his sitting position. "You made such a healthy and handsome young man. I heard that you are the same age as our Hua'er."
"Thank you for your compliment, Sect Leader Shi."
"Hmm. First, take a seat over there." After Wu Huan followed his order, he calmly continued, "I was at first afraid that you would feel overwhelmed upon settling down here so I was reluctant to assign you a master right away. But the more I think about it, I also believe that the faster you have a master, the better you feel settled down. Most importantly, you will have your master and fellow disciples guiding you."
Wu Huan took a while to answer but when he did, he only gulped and nodded to avoid being rude. He wasn't naturally good with strangers especially those who were older than him. Plus, he had been mulling over the idea of how to get along with his new fellow disciples for a while already. To be picked as a disciple on his first day here might have been translated as a horror to him.
"Well then, the elders are already here."