Chapter 7 - Hard Work Pays

It takes Azreal over twenty minutes to make his way to the entrance of the Heavenly Root Sect. As he approaches, he notices more and more people wearing different coloured robes moving through the main entrance. The influx of people startles Azreal as he is accustomed to a very solitary life. He has to take a second to himself and he closely inspects the entrance.The Heavenly Root Sect, is encased by a large stone wall that stands over twenty-five feet high and carries on through the forest and up the side of the mountain. 'What are they planning to defend from with monstrous walls like these?' Azreal thinks to himself. From Azreal's vantage point, the walls look wide enough for guards to stand three or four deep, with a small tower built every fifty feet. Every tower Azreal can see has a black flag with a golden tree embossed within a golden circle.Azreal begins to walk slowly towards the large stone gate house and sees a line forming on either side of the pathway leading into the Sect. He decides to join the closest one as both seem to be moving quickly. Ten minutes later, Azreal is beckoned forward by a guard whose black robes have a single line of gold trim. Azreal recognises the emblem on the guard's chest matches the flags; he sees that same gold tree and circle."Ah... A new recruit, it's that time of year, is it?" The middle-aged balding man smirks as he speaks. Another guard who is seated at a small wooden table going through paperwork looks up at Azreal and the first guard."Yea, didn't I tell you, or did you not listen to me, Balric?" The seated guard gives a heavy laugh. "Over the next day or two they will be coming through in hopefully hundreds. If it's a good year, we should see over a thousand. Let him through, I need to speak to them all anyway."The bald guard, Balric, turns sideways to Azreal and motions for him to move through. Azreal nods at the guard and quickly walks over to the table. Upon closer inspection, the seated guard is an elderly man wearing a similar robe to the other guards, his kind face mostly covered by a huge beard."I assume you have your wooden slate, young man," The guard says while looking up at Azreal. "It's Azreal, and I do, but I was instructed to go to my new dorm, and as I've never been here, could you please at least point me in the right direction?" Azreal responds while pulling out the wooden slate he has tied to his belt loop. After Azreal has handed the slate over to the guard, he stands there patiently while it is inspected. "Who gave you this slate, boy?" The guard's abrupt tone confuses Azreal.Azreal stares at the guard for a few seconds before responding, "Elder Juhee gave me this slate, Senior." Azreal decides to show a bit more respect towards the guard as he feels a sense of hostility and doubt in the guard's voice. The guard mulls over the information and Azreal can feel the pressure exuded from him slowly rise, before disappearing a few seconds later.Throwing the token back to Azreal, "Are you lying to me?" the guard questions.Azreal quickly shakes his head and ties the wooden slate back onto his robes' belt loop, "I have nothing to gain but punishment if I lied to you, Senior. I am not stupid enough to do that." "It's very uncommon for Elder Juhee to personally choose a disciple, let alone a man who seems to be so weak."The guard sighs. "I will believe you this once, but if I find out you lied to me, then I will become your worst nightmare. Got it?" The guard stands up and walks Azreal to the other side of the gate. He then points to a large stone building, about a third of the way up the mountain. "See that stone building there? With the two flags on it? That's where the guards of the inner disciples' area live. Head to that building. Your place shouldn't be more than a couple hundred metres walk from your dorm's location."The guard turns and walks back towards his table. "Thank you for your time and guidance!" Azreal shouts as he begins to walk towards the area the guard pointed out. 'Didn't he say something about the inner disciple area? Surely not... I'm barely a disciple yet, I couldn't live in a location like that,' Azreal thinks to himself.As Azreal steps further into the sprawling expanse of the Sect, his sense of awe only deepens. The Sect, stretching across the base of a colossal mountain and weaving its way up its vast sides, is a testament to the profound legacy and power it holds. From afar, it has appeared impressive, but up close, it is nothing short of monumental, challenging Azreal's very conception of what a Sect could be.The lower reaches where Azreal walks are bustling with activity. The air is alive with the sounds of commerce, conversation and the occasional burst of Qi from nearby training grounds. Buildings of varying sizes, ranging from modest wooden structures to grand stone edifices, line the streets and each serves a purpose in the life of the Sect's myriad members. Markets thrive alongside smaller training grounds, and libraries stand in peaceful coexistence with dining halls, creating a vibrant tapestry of Sect life.Yet, as his gaze drifts upwards following the mountain's ascent, Azreal can see the transformation in the architecture and the aura of the place. The buildings become more imposing and intricately designed. Their materials reflect the precious resources available to higher-ranking cultivators. Jade pavilions gleam under the sun, and halls constructed from spiritual woods emit a soft, pulsating glow, indicative of the powerful enchantments that protect them.The air is charged with a more potent Qi as Azreal observes the higher echelons of the Sect. This is where the inner and core disciples train, where the Elders meditate, and Azreal believes the most sacred and ancient cultivation techniques are studied and preserved. The mountain itself seems to serve as a natural barrier, segregating the different strata of Sect life, with each ascending tier exuding a more regal and authoritative aura.Terraces carved into the mountainside host exotic gardens, where rare herbs and spiritual beasts can be seen contributing to the Sect's self-sufficiency and wealth. Higher still, secluded peaks house the personal residences of the Sect's most powerful figures, their secluded abodes almost merging with the sky, a symbol of their near-heaven defying status.Azreal's heart races as he takes in the panoramic view of the Sect's grandeur. 'This is no mere training ground,' he realises, 'but a behemoth of cultivation, a bastion of knowledge and strength spanning the base to the summit of this sacred mountain.' The realisation that he is now a part of this formidable entity fills him with a mix of pride and daunting responsibility.'What role could someone like myself possibly play here?' Azreal ponders, his mind alight with possibilities as he continues his search, each step taking him deeper into the heart of the Sect's mysteries.'What is that heavenly smell?' Azreal quickly stops moving before sniffing the air and following its trail. A minute later, Azreal comes to a stop outside of an authentic yet ancient-looking restaurant.'The Ancient Dragon Restaurant!' Azreal mumbles under his breath as he reads the name. Quickly walking over to a cute-looking young woman with short red hair, emerald eyes and a petite frame. She is wearing a chef's uniform and stands out the front of the restaurant, which makes her rather noticeable."Hey! Miss! I'm new to the Sect, and I just wanted to say that this place smells amazing!" says Azreal. The young lady eyes Azreal as he approaches, "I know right! I love the smell here too! So, you're new to the Sect? I don't think you'll be able to eat here sadly," she says with a clear hint of sadness in her voice."Huh? Why not?" Azreal says as he watches a few disciples in plain blue robes pass them by. "We only take contribution points as payment here, silly!" The young lady says, before looking left and right to check if anyone is watching."But, because you're cute and so new to the Sect, I will treat you just this once, a little taster of the best food in the Heavenly Root Sect!" She smiles. The young chef takes out a small ring that she has in her pocket, before injecting some Qi into it. Before Azreal's eyes, a small bit of meat appears floating in front of him."Quickly! Eat it! That costs at least five contribution points!" she urges him.Without a second thought, Azreal grabs the piece of meat and shoves it inside his mouth. Tears begin to form in his eyes, 'I have never eaten something so tasty! Not in my entire life! I only ate the gruel from the orphanage and then when I lived alone it was only two-minute noodles.'The young lady notices his entire demeanour change right in front of her, she quickly asks, "Is it really bad?" in a panicked tone. Azreal stares at the young lady with a dumbfounded look on his face. "BAD! How could this ever be considered bad! This is the best food of my life," Azreal practically shouts while putting his hands onto the young lady's shoulders.The young lady's face blushes slightly at the enthusiasm shown by Azreal, before looking downwards and mumbling, "It wasn't that good, you don't have to exaggerate!""I am not exaggerating! It was amazing!" Azreal rebutts. "Okay, okay, I believe you, can you please let me go!" A small smile can be seen on her rosy face. Azreal, realising he is grabbing a random woman he doesn't even know the name of, quickly retracts his hands and apologises."It's fine, don't apologise too much," She pouts in response. "I am Bea Liang, and this is my father's and my restaurant. I am technically an inner disciple in the Sect here, but due to my ability to infuse food with my Qi, I have been allowed to work in my father's restaurant and improve my skills here," Bea Lao states with a voice full of confidence and pride."I think this has to be the best restaurant in the city. If you eat here enough, I believe that my food will help your cultivation speed and make your foundation stronger! So, if you want more of that delicious meat to become a stronger cultivator, get yourself a stack of cultivation points! You better work hard and come back soon!" exclaims Bea."I am Azreal, it is literally my first thirty minutes in the Sect. It might take a while, but I will return!" Azreal responds. After a few more minutes of conversation between the two, a voice can be heard shouting from inside the restaurant."Ah, that's my Dad, I've been out here way too long! He's going to scold me! It's been fun, Azreal, I'll hopefully see you soon," Bea says while beginning to walk into the restaurant.