Drake was excited not only did he finally get out of the family compound, but it seemed that he made a friend as well.
Drake and Josh talked about their cultivation on the walk back, mainly how both seemed to have extraordinary luck. Drake had gravity, space, and time while Josh had light and luck. Luck was actually a dantian representation. Most wouldn't unlock their representation until they advanced to the middle mortal realm. It may seem like a small thing, but in fact, it was huge.
Josh could start gaining affinity with his representation. It also allowed him to receive guidance from his dantian spirit earlier than others, making his cultivation easier. Josh would probably step into the middle mortal realm within 6 to 12 years, now that he would be going to a top-notch school.
When they all arrived at the Calhoun clan where Drake currently lived, Josh was slack jawed he had never seen such a big compound. The Calhoun clan housed nearly 800 family members, including Drake and his parents. Most families consisted of 3 to 5 children, which meant there were about 200 houses. At this time, some were still empty, but the clan always planned ahead. Some were mansions, and others were houses. You could easily see the difference in strength of each family according to the size of their homes. Plus, the compound had a library and a training ground. Even with all that, there was still a lot of empty space in the compound.
" Wow, you sure do live in style it's like a small town in here. Which one do you live in.?" Josh figured that Drake probably lived in one of the bigger houses. He was so talented that he figured a lot of resources would be given to his family.
Drake smiled, "Well actually we live with Grandpa in the main mansion. We'll probably move into our own house in a couple of years, but right now, my mom and dad still haven't contributed enough to the clan." Drake smiled sheepishly." Actually, we live in a compound in his mansion. The spirit density is pretty good there. Come on, I'll show you. Grandpa, do we have any light techniques that Josh can have a look at?" Elder Drake rolled his eyes. This kid obviously had no idea how valuable cultivation techniques were.
However, Josh was a genius, and maybe his first friend so Elder Drake just nodded. " We have some. However, I can only allow him to see up to the uncommon ones. You should know that even though we have higher level ones, he is an outsider. You must learn that techniques are valuable and to not freely give them out ok. I'll get the ones he can use, if he marries into our clan or contributes to us in a meaningful way, then we'll talk about the higher level ones." Elder Drake stated and gave Drake a look that said this was already his bottom line. With that, he left for the library.
Josh couldn't believe it, Drake had already given him pills for his injuries during the battle portion of the competition. Now, he was going to help him with cultivation techniques as well." I can't begin to thank you enough, Drake. I have a common level technique, but it barely even covers basic light movement techniques. I need the higher level ones to learn any attacks. Thank you." Josh sincerely thanked Drake.
"Umm yea, I was hoping to get you a higher grade technique, but I guess Grandpa can only do so much, even if he is the clan leader. Probably to many people would complain." Drake sheepishly replied." Also, maybe it's better this way. Higher level techniques are harder to comprehend." Drake didn't know if Josh's comprehension was enough to start the higher techniques.
Drake and Josh continued to walk through the clan compound. Just then, some of the clan kids came up to them. They seemed to be all older than them. Most were at the low level 9, but a couple were at the low level 8.
"Hey, are you Drake?" One of the low level 8 kids said domineeringly." You and your parents have been hogging the best resources this family has to offer. I don't think that you deserve them. If you know what's good for you, you'll convince Elder Drake to move you into your own house, a nice small one. That'll reflect how lowly you actually are." He sneered.
"Oh, who are you to say. It seems you're at least 10 or older but only at the low level 8." Drake replied. He couldn't help but think that this was the typical scene from the cultivation novels he used to read in his previous life. A group of cultivators would gang up on the hero, then would be humiliated because the hero was to out their league." I mean, do you have any talent at all? What makes you so worthy of getting the best of the best?"
The group all started hurling insult after insult, none of which had any substance. Drake had already beat the group in the war of words. Next, he knew would come the war of the fist, but the group first had to work themselves up to that point.
"I mean, I'm 7, and at the low level 9, my friend here is 8 and at the low level 8. I mean, when did you all enter the low level 9? Did any of you do it before you were 10?" Drake looked around the crowd they had instantly quieted down. Even though they had quieted down, he could hear whispers some were bad. However, some actually praised him.
"On top of that, I've already comprehended gold level techniques in full. Which one of you is currently cultivating gold techniques?" Drake looked around. Now, no one was talking or even whispering. They all just looked stunned. Drake didn't know it, but he had just hit the nail on the head when someone was favored. There would be jealousy if they were only slightly better, but if there was chasm between them, it would then turn to idol worship. Even Josh looked a little zealous right now.
What was going on just a second ago it seemed like he was about to get in his first fight. Now you could hear a pin drop.
"Are you serious? Could you teach me I'm stuck on my first earth grade technique. My attribute is earth, and I'm a body cultivator. Also, I'm only at low level 9." A burly looking boy stepped out of the crowd. Many others also stepped out as well. The same questions came out their mouths as well.
The situation had gone from bad to confusing for Drake.
"Umm, I'm sorry," the boy with cultivation at the low level 8 said." My name is John Calhoun. I actually entered low level 9 when I was 9. However I'm still trying to comprehend my earth grade technique for my water attribute. I only said those things because my parents think I should be nurtured the most." John knew he lost the crowd, but he also realized this was an opportunity. If he could be-friend Drake then maybe he could advance sooner and get more resources that way.
It seemed that this was going to be a good thing for Josh and Drake. Drake thought to himself this can be a good tempering exercise. If he could get all these kids to come to his family compound he and Josh could use them all as training dummies. Since Drake had no real combat experience he could hone his skills against his fellow clansmen.
"Alright, I can try to help you all. However Josh and I need sparring partners. Who ever would like guidance can come to the compound with us. I'll take a look at what techniques you all have, and then we can talk about what is holding you up. After that we'll spar and further take a look at maybe physical or mental mistakes that are stopping you from fully advancing." At once all the kids started saying how they would all come.
Drake lead the way to his family compound, thinking about how he would be able to get the most out of each spar. At first he would need to spar with those on his own cultivation level so he could grasp his own strength. Then he would spar with those that are stronger then him so he could really utilize his higher level techniques.
Elder Drake, caught up to them just as they were about to enter his house. Seeing all the clan kids, surrounding them he had a bad feeling, so he hurried to intercept them. "Drake, Josh what is going on here?" He used a stern tone hoping that it would have a diminishing effect on any bad attitude that might be cropping up.
"Not much we met everyone on the way here and now we're going to have a study and spar session. This way we'll all benefit. In fact I'd like to make this a weekly occurrence. Is that ok?" Drake looked at Elder Drake like it was his bottom line.
Even though there was confusion on his face, Elder Drake just nodded weakly. 'What is going on with this kid most of these kids all have parents who think their kid is the best. How did he convince them to become his sparring partners." It's fine just don't hurt each other, this goes doubly for the rest of you. Both Drake and Josh are going through the entrance exams and have a sparring tournament coming up starting tomorrow afternoon." Elder Drake this time was a little less stern with his warning. However his gaze could melt steel and all the kids shivered from its intensity.
After his warning he led all the kids into his house and into Drake's compound. Other then Drake all the kids were stunned the qi was intense to say the least. Almost all of them had the same though simultaneously. How can he live here the pressure alone is overwhelming.
Drake asked them all to sit and get out their techniques, so he could have a look. As Drake was helping them with their various techniques he could start to vaguely feel comprehension towards each of them, this stunned him as he had no affinity for most of their attributes. The thing that really surprised him was the fact that he could easily comprehend Josh's techniques. He decided he'd ask his grandpa's for their advise after everyone left.
After going over everyone's techniques they had a sparring session. Josh and Drake easily defeated all the cultivators on their level and Drake even managed to best all the low level 8 cultivators. Josh was simply to fast and Drake was to strong. At the end Drake went over everyone's techniques again helping quite a few get past their blocks. Everyone left thanking Drake for his help.
Elder Neim and Drake were at the side at this point, marveling at how much Drake had helped all his fellow clansmen." I suppose you'll be wanting to bring your clan kids next week hey?" Elder Drake had a sly expression. " It won't be a problem as long as you pay 100 spirit stones a week for them to enter my clan space, as I'll probably need to have a study space built especially for them." Elder Drake didn't even give Elder Neim a chance to respond as he knew he had him over a barrel. Drake was just to valuable as a teacher. His comprehension was simply to frightening.
Drake and Josh made there way over to the Elders." Grandpas I made a discovery while I was helping the other kids." Drake announced once he reached them. Both Elders looked at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. At this point they figured they could no longer be shocked." I believe I can cultivate all attributes." They were wrong.
" What did you say, that's not possible." Elder Drake answered.
" Hold on,"Elder Neim said." There is a legend in my archives of a woman who could control more attributes then anyone. It's said that she even ascended to become immortal. Maybe my clan's bloodline has this ability." Elder Neim looked thoughtful.
The elders looked at each other and smiled.
" Wait here we'll get you the cultivation manuals."