Meanwhile, unknown to Lucian and Kenji. A middle aged man covered in a dark robes, stood behind them both all the time, following them but the duo were completely unaware.
The middle aged man seeing the eagle soar into the sky suddenly took out a rune card as he sent his Qi into it before speaking:
"Patriarch, Young Master has decided to join the Divine Battle sect with another boy not of the three clans." the man said to the card.
"The Divine Battle sect? Then let him go, it could serve as some experience on his path. As for the boy, just leave him be, it's just another commoner that Kenji took interest in.
Just make sure they don't die. Ok?"
"Yes, Patriarch." the robed man said as the card in his hand immediately turned to dust after that, while the man himself slowly walked in the direction where the eagle soared to with calm unhurried steps.
-- -- --
A Golden eyed eagle moved with speed close to the clouds as it sent occasional screech as if alerting the world of it's presence.
On its back was a middle aged man sitting at the fore most front while behind him were two young man, one fat while the other held on tightly to the fat one as if trying merge into his body.
Lucian's body almost ran cold when the eagle soared into the air. He immediately held on tightly to the eagle's feather, but they were to soft for him, and afraid he could pull them out and fall, so he held on tightly to Kenji instead.
His heart pounded in his chest everytime he looked below him, as the thoughts of falling from such a height sneaked it's way into his head and his answer was sure, he'll be immediately reduced to a pancake.
"It's impossible to fall." Kenji said as if hearing his thoughts.
"Even if you do fall, the eagle will catch you once again before you can fall for one metre." Kenji said as he calmly lied on the eagle's back not at all worried.
Lucian slowly freed him from the tight hold, as he slowly sat upright but everything was normal and there was no turbulence at all so he simply also lied down too. The dome of Qi the man set around them prevented air from entering into it, only allowing as little as possible.
The duo sat on the eagle as they look at the sky littered with different stars, which occasionally shone with starlight illuminating their face, while their hair gently blew to the wind.
"So what do you know of the Divine Battle sect?." Lucian asked engaging in a conversation as the height was freaking him out every time, so he needed something to get his mind out of it.
"Hmm, the Divine Battle sect. There are a very strong sect. Even though their training regimen is a little tough, it's almost guaranteed you'll grow stronger by joining them." Kenji said in one breadth.
"But among the three sects they ranked roughly second and third. The only sect which are the undisputed first is the Sword Dao sect. They are the real monsters. So strong, the other two sects can only fight for the second and third position." Kenji said amazement flashing in his eyes, something Lucian has never seen before.
"But their test requirements is also the hardest of the two sects. They only accept those with weapon Martial spirit with at least 3rd grade. And their test is also difficult too pass weeding out most of the those with 3rd grade. They have the greatest number of talents, it's not hard to know why they are already far off in the starting line." Kenji.
"But do you know what causes the real difference between their strengths." Kenji asked Lucian in a mysterious tone.
"Their number of talents?" Lucian said as that was the only thing he thought could have caused such difference.
"No! It's their number of Battle Arts." Kenji said in a whisper.
"Their battle arts?"
"Yes, their battle arts. You'll later understand after joining the sect." Kenji said to him in a mysterious tone and didn't say anything more.
"But while the three Sects are fearsome. The three clans are the real deal. I heard the BurningBlue clan even had a 6th grade genius. His name is Zeras BurningBlue. It's said that he already broke through to the Middle Star rank stage." Kenji said in amazement, unaware of the cold light that flashed through Lucian's eyes.
"The Raiden also had a 6th grade genius who also already broke through to the Middle Star rank stage. Not only is she the number one genius of her clan, she's also the number one beauty of the entire Azure Dragon province. Strong and beautiful, a perfect bride don't you think." Kenji said almost drooling. It seems to Lucian this was were he was heading in the first place.
"Umm, I guess so." Lucian said not giving it much thought.
Kenji suddenly stood up as he straightened his clothes while looking at the horizon, his gaze fantasizing.
"You know, one day I dream of riding on the back of a golden coloured dragon. Standing proudly on it's back, a gourd of the finest wine in my left hand while she stays by my left hand. A perfect dream for man isn't it." Kenji said flashing Lucian a smile from above.
"Um, a good dream I would say. Having a crush on the greatest beauty of the Azure Dragon province, and finally obtaining her. It's really an achievement worth clapping for if finally fulfilled." Lucian said thinking about it but Kenji suddenly jumped on him as his looked at Lucian with puppy eyes, before asking.
"You..You really think it's a good dream?" he asked as of trying to make sure he didn't hear wrong.
"Yes, I really do." Lucian said seriously.
"You're the first person to approve of my dream, Lucian. When I told my old man, all I received was three days of hammering with no rest and food. Tch, tch, fiery old man."
Kenji said, unaware of the spittle crawling all over Lucian's face.
Lucian slowly crawled away from under him, as he stood up and wiped the spittle away, unaware he was standing upright on the back of the eagle.
"Well, it'll be weird if your old man agreed to such a dream. Only young men like me would understand." Lucian said reassuringly.
"You were the first person to accept my dream Lucian. So from today on, I Kenji Zenin will be a Life and Death brother of Lucian Atherston." Kenji swore with utmost seriousity.
"Uh?, Ok" Lucian said surprised a little but eventually agreeing. There's no harm in it, besides it didn't affect his goal, so he was fine with that.
"So what about the Zenin clan. Did the Zenin clan have a 6th grade genius too." Lucian said staring at the distance, when he suddenly saw he was standing on the eagle as he quickly sat down immediately, sweat droplets rolling down his face, he had been carried away the entire time.
"Well the Zenin clan too had a 6th grade genius. He's nothing special though, only at the Early stage Star rank. He's probably the weakest of the 6th grade geniuses." Kenji said not saying anything more.
"Oh?" Lucian said but it was understandable, the Zenin clan never focused on combat in the first place.
"It will still take about 6 hours before we arrived there so how about a short nap." Kenji said lying on the bird before closing his eyes.
Lucian also slept on the back of the eagle, but more carefully as he didn't want to fall down and die in his sleep.
Today he unknowingly made his first Life and Death brother, Kenji Zenin.