After being familiar for a while, Sargon, Rockarna & Arjumon went inside the Outer Dormitory Hall & were finally assigned together as the members of the Courtyard No 72. They then took their respective tokens & their Sect-equipment & went outside relishing the unique beauty of the Sect's Environment.
After roaming & being lost for a while they finally reached their destination. In Front of them, there was a Phoenix carved gate with a plaque at the top that read "Outer Peak 72". Each peak was assigned an Outer-Courtyard with the same Number. There were a total of 108 Outer peaks as per Rockarna.
After asking some senior disciples they were soon led to the Dormitory Area of the Peak with the similar tall Gate holding a plaque of "Courtyard No 72 ".
There was only a four-building located in a Cardinal Direction surrounding a Large Courtyard.
The Northern Building was allocated for the Outer Elders who would give some lectures on the general subject of the Cultivation.
The South, East & Western buildings were for the actual Courtyard disciples.
Since the trio had registered together, they were all assigned rooms in the Southern Building. However, this building was in poor condition, with cracked walls and a dilapidated roof.
Sargon entered his assigned room, adjacent to those of Rockarna and Arjumon. After tidying the sparse space, which contained little more than a bed and some empty shelves, he unpacked his belongings from his storage bag.
He took most of the items outside the storage bag, especially that Mutant Bird Egg after he tidied up his room.
Changing into his sect robes, Sargon stepped out into the courtyard. He dismissed the discomfort of the room's size and lack of amenities; he was not here to enjoy luxury but to pursue his cultivation path. Though he occasionally felt nostalgic for the cozy life of modern Earth, he had long since adapted to this world and its challenges.
Soon, Rockarna and Arjumon emerged from their rooms.
"So, what are we supposed to do now ?" asked Sargon trying to get further information out from this talkative Fatty- Friend Rockarna .
"Well , we would have to meet the Outer Elder for Apprenticeship tomorrow. Being Free till then we can look into the subjects we want our main focus to be", surprisingly it was Shy & Skinny Arjumon who took the initiative.
"I would like to continue onto the Southern Uprising River Region Inheritance to get back my Great- GrandFather's Spear Inheritance. My Inner Disciple Region will be that.", Arjumon made himself clear while giving hints of his background- connection with the Sect.
"Well I just like to Eat & Play & Gamble all day but my Family & Father said it would be the Easy considering my talent to focus on the Northern Eminence Regions Essence Body Cultivation." , replied Rockarna with a somewhat easy-going expression.
"As you may have already guessed I am here to be the Great Alchemist of the Sect & will focus my attention towards the Eastern Angakok Region, to pursue my Dao.", Sargon renounced his goal as if he was playing a game as a protagonist already somewhat aware of his own hubris.
"All of these goals are far away. Let us not focus on it. As for the realm of Dao-Foundation let us not dwell on it. Our Major goal is to become an Outer-Gold Disciple as fast as possible & rid us of our Courtyard Apprenticeship. It would be better if we could all enter the 3rd JourneyMan Mage Phase before the 2 year Ultimatum period , preferably within a year.", Arjumon expressed his opinion.
Sargon was confused why the need for it to be faster ? Soon he got his answer.
The Faster you are able to enter the 3rd Mage Phase the more free time one would have to study freely . let's say if we graduate faster after 1 year, we would be Outer-Gold Disciples. But the preferential treatment of Courtyard Disciple won't be taken off from you until the 2-year is off.
You can get the benefits of the Outer-Gold Disciples to choose Missions & attend lectures of sufficient weight & will also get an extra Sect-Credit - not being worried about the daily necessities till the 2-year time is up.
You get higher Knowledge, more extra credits & more free time to focus on your cultivation. Who wouldn't want that ?
Only a fool.
Soon after another light conversation they parted their ways & started doing their own things.Rockarna was said to have a meet-up assigned with his Family-Kins who were sent to the sect as fresh-bloods a long time ago. Arjumon also had minor inconveniences he had to take care of , after all he also must have some connections as his father is Sect-Master of the Vassal Sect of the Violet Valley Sect.
Sargon went to the Market area looking for some chance encounter , especially anything that would assist in growing or hatching of Bird-Type Monsters. It had been too long but the Egg showed no sign of hatching up.
Who among those Fantasy enthusiasts do not want to have their pet or mount , a Companion ? Either it be Dragon, Wolf, Gryphn or even a Bird ?
Man proposes Heaven disposes , unfortunately he soon got disappointed, after all this market was of the outer-peak & the items sold out were by the disciples for the Disciples.
Since this Egg is already a Hybrid with a pretty High-End Bloodline Limit. Wasting Mind, resources & investing emotions it is better to focus on only a few Beast-Companions.
Sargon had long since planned to solely support fully the growth of his First Pet for a long time. What's more? Like Sargon himself, this Egg is also a hybrid creature. So it seems almost like Destiny. Nonetheless, Beast with Hybrid Parentage are more favored comparative to the Sentient Human-Like Races in the Society & Culture of Nashirah.
After all this Egg was a mixture of the Mythical Thorondor Eagle and Skymaster Raven. One has to know that even the weaker Bloodline-Limit SkyMaster Raven are the creatures with extreme Wind & Darkness Elements, usually one with a pretty good bloodline can survive the Beast-Shen Tribulation & establish their Foundation rivaling the Inner Elders of the Sect.
While Thorondor Eagles are simply known as Number One Beasts of the Sky with Lightning & Space Elemental Abilities & Talents.
Success is due to the High Hybrid bloodline limit but Failure is also due to the Hybrid Blood Limit. Hybrid-Beast have good versatile abilities & growth on early Stage but later it will start to limit further Breakthroughs, unlike Hybrid-Sentinel Races have exact opposite Progress, Hard to establish Foundation but more easy to breakthrough later.
This Egg was also slow to mature due to the High Bloodline Limit. Plus the Items used to hatch normal Ravens, Hawks, Eagles had almost no effect on promoting the growth & hatching of the egg.
Morning arrived swiftly, and the trio gathered in the central courtyard. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as disciples filled the open space. From the Northern Building, a semi-bald elder with a long white beard emerged, exuding a calm yet commanding presence.
"Welcome to Courtyard No. 72," the elder began. "I am Courtyard 72' Elder Zheng, responsible for overseeing your progress and ensuring you adhere to the sect's teachings. Over the coming weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of cultivation, sect regulations, and the responsibilities of an Outer Disciple. Remember, your actions reflect the honor of the Violet Valley Sect."
**
Elder Zheng's words resonated deeply with the dozen new Courtyard Disciples. His calm yet commanding voice carried across the courtyard as he began, "There are three rules you must always remember: First—never betray the sect or leak its teachings. Second—never commit fratricide among fellow disciples. Third—always uphold the honor of the sect outside its walls."
He paused, his gaze sharp. "These rules form the foundation of the sect's social contract. In return, you gain access to invaluable resources, protection, and the teachings of one of the finest sects in the Republic. But beyond these, the path you walk depends entirely on you."
Elder Zheng's tone softened, becoming introspective. "Tell me, why do we cultivate? Why tread this harsh path that grows crueler with every step? Civilians are content with reaching the Second or Third Phase in their lifetimes, so why do we push beyond that? The one who gives the most enlightening answer will receive this Houtian Mortal Grade Secret Manual of Talismans , crafted by my own hand."
A Human boy Rahus Lombaros with Triangular eyes stepped forward confidently & answered "Master, isn't it all for honor, fame, and fortune? After all, no one in Nashirah's Three Continents has ever achieved true immortality. Everything else is just pretense."
Elder Zheng chuckled, his voice tinged with both amusement and gravity. "A straightforward answer, but one rooted in mortal thinking. Honor and fame are fleeting. Once you've built your foundation and extended your lifespan, such desires become illusions. Reputation can be remade, strength can mask any shame, and what society values as 'face' shifts with power. The true essence of cultivation lies not in appearances but in how far you walk your own path."
He looked at the disciples, his voice unwavering. "The core of cultivation is grasping Immortal Fate—a concept as elusive as it is profound. You ask, why defy the heavens if we're still bound by destiny? The answer is this: by cultivating, you've already entered a pact with the heavens. The karmic debt you owe grants you the chance to ascend, but it is no gift. Heaven's way is impartial, yet the higher you climb, the greater the resistance."
Rahus Lombaros asked further , "Master being given a chance of Immortality but going against Fate ? Can it really be done ? "
Elder Zheng stroked his beard, his gaze turning skyward. "Fortune—both good and bad—is Heaven's subtle hand, shaping opportunities and obstacles. To grasp Immortal Fate is to command fortune through virtue: the will to transform your environment, to fight constantly with the All-Encompassing Fortune/Fate also means to fight against all Situations constantly hindering you from achieving ever-higher paths either it be an Active Hinderance like lack of resources or Passive Blockage like No opportunity of Enlightenment."
"Dharma/Scriptures & Immortal Arts, Dao-Couple/Companions- Wealth/Luck & finally the Spiritual Land/Temple of Practice - are the four Fortunes of Immortality The Higher the Realm you enter the more you need these thus you need the power to have a say , control & mould your environment whether it be Internal or External, whether intangible like Destiny or tangible like the Fortunes of the Earth. "
He paused, letting his words sink in. "The Way of the Heaven as per the Ancients is composed of Three Talents of Heaven,Earth & Men. So Defying Heaven also means overcoming the trials of Heaven, the stubbornness of Earth, and the treachery of the human heart.", Elder Zheng heaved a long sigh as if remembering all his struggles till this old age.
"One Defies the Unchanging Cosmic Origin Laws; this Heavenly Trial is the easiest, accumulates & consolidates the wealth of Earth; this trial of earth is relentless & never-stopping , destined to go against the Talent of Other Men to prove your Dao; this Human Trial is the most hidden & treacherous . Which of them is easy? Collectively going against this stream, changing fate, it is called Defying Heaven & Grasping the Immortal Fate."
Returning his focus to the group, he added with a sly smile, "I've given you much to ponder. Now, tell me—if cultivation is about grasping Immortal Fate, why do we cultivate at all? Is it merely for longevity?"
The disciples exchanged uncertain glances, their minds stirred by his words, eager to understand the essence of their journey.
After some contemplation the eager Rahus Lombaros answered with a bow, "From what Master preached, is it then that we pursue Cultivation to Prosper & Protect One & Others ? To Perfect Self through continuous trials to achieve enlightenment ."
" What you say is good & Virtuous. But is it the True Way ? I can't refuse it yet neither can I entrust it as my Purpose of Life Cultivation", Elder Zheng heaved a long sigh neither accepting or denying the answer.
"Is there anyone else ?"
Sargon answered , " Master, although I can't say for others. But for me & the way I think the Purpose of Immortality is very simple : To swim against the stream, fight against the Heaven & be qualified to take a peek from the High Mountains of Immortality : To See Once , One being an Sovereign Free Spirit , wandering Carefree throughout Heaven & Earth. Even if in Dreams & Illusion I achieve that Ease of Immortality, students are content to see the Dao at evening & perish at Night. What is Scary is not Death but not being able to See the Dao."
"Haha. Good, Very Good. Death is not Scary but not being able to See the Dao is. What Good Words from the young lad. Even achieving Dao in Dreams is more acceptable than not seeing Dao. Good Good! I am satisfied, here is the Talisman Secret Manual", Elder Zheng clasped his hand in praise & bestowed upon Sargon an rusty old book .
"Sargon!! You again , ruining my good deeds. Hmph , what you said is just the same as me just evoking grandeur & using flowery words. No one who has trampled this Master's Good Deeds & lived better to tell others. I will settle this in the Future.", Rahus Lombaros clenched his fists in agony & envy.
"Continue On. After all, I don't have only one Manual of Talismans. As long as you give some satisfactory answer. ", Elder Zheng tried to further magnify the envy & ire of this new students.
Unfortunately, no one after that gave him a satisfactory answer. Forget Sargon, even Answers close to Rahus Caliber were not given.
"Hmm, It seems you guys still have to be polished or else even in your entire lifetime you can't step onto Outer Houtian Transformation Realm, the 4th Phase of Inner Houtian Realm would be your Peak.", Elder Zheng continued in an energetic undergone, "Alright. The Questionnaires are over now the First Lecture on Mana Cultivation's First Phase - The Apprentice Mage would begin. Seat in a Lotus Position with upright Spine & Calm Spirit. First Phase of Houtian Awakening is … "