The place where the new disciples for the sect would be selected soon came into view. At first it was a small speck but soon the humongous building came into view. Fei could make out the outline. When he knew he had arrived he descended from his spiritual and retracted it.
The fan fell into his hand. The fan in his hand clicked open as he slowly fanned himself. It added a charm to Fei.The elder was known to be cold and antisocial. He also cared about his appearance and always kept a stoic expression on his face.
The public square in front of the main hall was crowded with children who wore plain black robes. Noticing the new arrival, they whipped their heads to the slends yet lean male. An unapproachable and cold aura enraptured the male,
The children looked at him with bright eyes silently praying to be his disciple. Anyone who was to be his disciple was bound to get the best of the best resources, so it was obvious many wanted him to be their master. Plus the pills he provided were top notch and not even other elders could obtain it.
There was no one in the room who had not at least heard of Fei Hong. In mere seconds of his arrival he was the centre of attention as he walked to where the other elder were gathered.
Fei felt quite uncomfortable, but it didn't show on his face since the mask of illusion was equipped. But it didn't lessen the discomfort of the gazes directed to him. It seemed as if it were going to burn a whole through him.
Shortly after Fei Hong arrival, the door of the main hall, whose height was more than two persons, the door had the sect emblem engraved into it. One could tell at first glance it was not cheap to make. The rest of the elders stepped out and glanced at the new arrivals. As if trying to get a head start on who to take in.
The person who led that group of people was a middle-aged man dressed in a white robe that gently fluttered in the wind. He seemed at be a wise old man you see in dramas, well to Fei. When the man sawFei Hong, he smiled at him, "Elder Hong, you arrived just on time. The selection is about to start if you couldn't already tell."
This seemingly gentle and courteous middle-aged man was the Sect Master of Heavenly Cloud Sect-Changming Boquin.
Fei Hong nodded his head to Changming, not saying a thing and stood to one side, making sure not to accidently bump into someone.
The sect master already knew Fei's personality and attitude and paid it no mind. After all, the original Fei Hong was a cold man. He closed his heart and never talked about his personal life. He enjoyed peace and tranquillity, so not being disturbed.
He was not close with anyone and had his heart set on cultivation; however, it may be because he had indifferent nature that Fei Hong was not easily affected by foreign matters and stabilized his inner spirit. He remained as calm as still water. The other elders also knew of his personality although some despised him, thinking he was superior just because he had more achievements then them.
His origins were quite a mystery and no one knew much about Fei other then his long dead mother. Changming dare not pry into matters to much as to not disrupt peace. After all Fei was quite formidable.
Changming directed his attention to the group of disciples below. "Please assemble into lines according to age groups and your *spiritual roots.
* Spiritual Roots (灵根 línggēn) - figuratively, the very foundation (roots) of one's body and soul. Associated with a person's innate talent and affinities.
The disciples hastily assembled themselves into neat and orderly lines. Each couldn't contain their excitement and were jittery. While this happened the sect master looked at the elders.
"How should we choose the disciples this year?"
"The same as the other years. But I request I get to choose first since I went last the previous times." A women said, she had long jet black hair that was up to wait height. Although she seems delicate she was extremely powerful. No one dare look down on her due to gender.
"That only seems fair. No disagreements. "All the elders were fine with the decision and began discussing who they would want as a disciple. Although they had chosen before hand to speed up the progress, if two elder wanted one disciple the more powerful and famous one would get first choice. This is how it went.
When it was Fei Hong's chance t pick a disciple, no one expected him to actually choose one as many suspected he despised children. What was even more shocking was he chose a very timid looking child.
But Fei Hong already aware that he was the villain in this story. The child blended in with the crowd and was hard to detect if one wasn't looking closely.
[Host that is the villain!] Fei squinted his eyes even though it wouldn't help at all since he had a white cloth around his eyes. He still hadn't gotten used to not being able to see. It was for Fei to even discern where the child was due to the sea of people and the villain being small. But luckily the system outlined his figure in bright red for Fei.
Fei outstretched one of his slim delicate finger to the direction of where the villain was suppose to be. He pointed to the far back where a malnourished, dirty and smelly child stood. All head turned to him. People might have mistaken the child for cowering in fear because his head was down. But that assumption was far off. It was for a completely different reason.
"I want to take that child as my disciple."
The elder looked at him with a slightly confused or slight shocked expression before reverting back to their original appearance,
"Are you sure you want that child Elder Hong?"
"*En, that is the only person I want from this selection."
*En means yes or a sign of agreement.
Some were green with envy and hatred were directed at the child. Many were confuzzled why the genius elder wanted a weak, talentless boy. That boy must have accumulated luck from his ancestors.
"Are you sure, you do know his talent for cultivation is very low."
Fei long simply nodded but didn't seem to care about what the sect leader said. Well because he already knew the plot. A small sigh could be heard from the master but he didn't oppose or question Fei's decision anymore.
"Hurry up lucky bastard. The elder is calling you. Go to him." A disciple behind the chosen person said. His voice dripping with envy and restraint anger.
The timid and malnourished child walked forward and raised his head looking at the elegant and stoic elder.
"You dare raise your head when the elder has not said to-" Fei put a hand out to stop the other disciple from talking.
The child *clasped his hands.
* (抱拳 bàoquán) (拱手 gǒngshǒu) - also translated as Cupped Fist or Cupped Hands. A respectful salute or greeting.
"Greeting elders."
"What is your name young one?" Although Fei already knew he had to go with the flow.
"Cheng Jian Elder Hong."
Cheng Jian stared at the peerless beauty before his eyes. This man had a beautiful face with delicate features, his porcelain skin seemed silky smooth. The expression on his face was indifferent, and the colour of those tightly closed lips was luminous. His eyes brows were curved like a rainbow and lips were rosy pink. The ink black hair flowed down his pack like a painting
He had a tall and slender frame; the hands exposed outside his broad sleeves also looked like they were carved from a high-quality white jade. Under the sunlight, the man's frame appeared to have been covered with a faint layer of halo. He looked like a banished celestial from heaven.
"Will you take me as your master?"
"Thank you elder. I gratefully accept your offer."
"From now on you will be a disciple of the Chuanli mountain."
----------------------
After the sect disciple selection concluded, Fei Hong used his spiritual tool to take Cheng Jian back to his mountain peak. Fei took notice to feed his disciple when they got back since he was all skin and bone. No meet at all, he looked small for his tender age of 10. But no matter, he was in no rush.
Th mountain top was smaller than the other elders peak but Fei Hong did not mind at all. This was not only because he has just become and elder a few years ago but the previous Fei enjoyed peace so he wouldn't be disturbed by the noise.
Other then the few servants that visited frequently to clean it was deserted but Fei enjoyed the tranquility. It was much different to the life he had grown accustomed too. It was nice.
Fei led Chen to the courtyard where he resided in. Fei couldn't help but glance at the surrounding in silent awe. Although he couldn't see the full extent of it's beauty he could sense it. If you looked extremely closely you could see the smallest smile hook on his lip's
The bonsai trees lined the perfect lawn in their wooden boxes. In the centre there was a pond as large as a small lake with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crossed the middle so you could look down at the koi carp. The flower beds were a riot of May colour and even on close inspection they were weed-free. The grass was like a soft carpet, perfectly trimmed.
There are the dancing birds and the squirrels that dart. It is as if the song, the scurries and the subtle movements of flora are their voice, the song of the garden for those who listen with more than their ears.
To the left of the manor was a spiritual spring and to the right was a medicinal herb field, essential to making pills. There extremely rare plants there that could sell for a fortune but no one dares to casually steal it
The duo soon arrived at Fei Hong's humble abode. The courtyard was about 1/2 *Li in diameter. There were five rooms, which Fei resided in the master's bedroom. Which was locate in the middle. Fei let Chen stay in one of the guest rooms.
*Li 市里= 5000 metres aka "Chinese mile"=1500 Chi
"You will stay there later, and I will live next to you. If there's anything, you can come and look for me."
Fei pointed his slim finger to the room he was talking about.
"From now on as my disciple if you need guidance look for me. If someone dare bully you do not hesitate to tell me. It will not only look bad for you but me as your *shifu
*Shifu （师傅) means 'master' or 'teacher
"Yes." Cheng Jian said with a monotone but respectful voice. He did not disagree with the arrangements as he had no reason too.
"Lessons shall begin tomorrow, just read over this manual. No need to start practicing. Take these pills. They are supplements. Go to your room and write the rules of the sect once. I have something to do I'll call you out once I'm done" Fei Hong gave the items to Chen before heading to the kitchen. Cheng watched his leaving back.
Fei felt around until he felt a saucepan or something familiar. Using his senses and smell he managed to find where the . Usually there would be servants here but since today was the sect-disciple selection some came and apparently one of the kitchen staff somehow scared the kitchen servant. They just had to be away today.
While cooking a simple meal of noodles which sides he cut his finger when chopping the vegetables and burnt his finger on the hot pot. Fei cursed in his mind for his bad luck. Once he finished the simple dish he carefully placed it on the table before calling his disciple.
"Come outside to the stone table. From now on you will be having meals with me. I shall supervise you. You must here on time everyday."
While walking back to the table Fei accidently hit his foot causing him to curse in his mind. But lucky the mask hid his emotions or else he would have been ooc. But the small wince didn't seem to escape Chen's eyes.
"Shifu, would you like this disciple to guide you to the table?"
"No need."
[Host that was a close call be more careful next time!]
"It's not my fault I can't see where the seat and table was. It hurt like hitting you foor on a stone table harshly."
[Host, that's what happened.... Your just stating the obvious.]
"Don't sass me Xiao UWU. And I am not getting uwu vibes from you.
[Hmph. How can host be so mean (ಥ﹏ಥ)]
"Master is something the matter."
Cheng Jian stared at his master's stoic face. This man was strange. He had never seen him in his previous life except once. Since he has been blessed with the opportunity to reborn, he shall get revenge and rightfully claim what is his. This master of his will only get in the way. But Chen couldn't help but be intrigued at the peculiar male. I'll see where this takes me.
"Eat, I don't want such a skinny disciple or others may think I don't feed you at all."
Cheng gave Fei a confused glance before eating it. He who had tasted the most exquisite dishes in the world found this meal to be the best. It made his heart feel warm and full.
The master and disciple ate in peace. Since Fei Hong didn't need to eat as he was already a nascent level cultivator, he only ate a small bowl before placing the chopsticks down. He decided to pour a cup of tea. His long slim fingers clasped the tea pot pouring it with grace and elegance that Chen eyes couldn't help but darken.
He brought the teacup to his lips before taking a sip and inhaling the fragrant tea. He ate a piece of the osmanthus cake. Before realising it was already getting dark.
"Head in, it's already late."
"You can go in first shifu, I shall clean up."
"En." Fei Hong went inside his room.
[Host, you remember your objective right?]
"Yes raise husbandos. So all that'll happen if I leave this world is going back to my old life."
[Yepidy Yip Yap yop. You are correct. Make good husbandos and it's all good. It isn't essentially for the female leads. They just have to get married and be a better man then what they were previously.]
"How many do I have to raise?"
[The requirement is three!]
"Well I can already tell this is going to be a head ache."
[Don't be down. There are benefits, when you leave the system God may bestow a gift to you if you do well.]
Fei rubs his aching temples. This is going to be a pain. But no use crying over spilt milk.