Three years passed like the fleeting wind, yet for the daughters of Jin, each day carried profound lessons, laughter, and challenges. Within the safety of their father's domain, Mochi and Sachi grew not only in age but in wisdom and strength under Jin's meticulous guidance.
The household brimmed with activity during those years. The training grounds echoed with the clash of wooden swords, the hum of spiritual energy, and the sound of Jin's deep, patient voice guiding his daughters through cultivation techniques and combat forms. The library saw the flickering of candlelight late into the night as the girls pored over ancient texts, delving into the histories of powerful sects, cultivation theories, and the vast intricacies of the mortal and immortal worlds.
But amid the rigor of training, life retained its simple joys. Ren, now a spirited three-year-old, often toddled into the training grounds with his mischievous giggles, earning groans from Mochi when he tried to imitate her forms by swinging a stick twice his size. Their mother, serene and ever-watchful, ensured that the family's moments of rest were filled with warmth, laughter, and connection.
Mochi's Reluctance
As the three years unfolded, a change loomed on the horizon—a tradition that neither Jin nor his daughters could ignore. At the age of twelve, every child of potential entered the world beyond the comfort of their home, joining sects to hone their skills and broaden their horizons.
For Mochi, however, the idea of leaving home sparked dread rather than excitement.
"I don't want to leave!" Mochi declared one evening, crossing her arms stubbornly as she stared at her father. Her amber eyes were alight with emotion, her auburn hair framing her face in disarray after an intense training session. "Why can't I just stay here? I don't need to join a sect. You've taught me everything I need!"
Jin, sitting calmly at the head of the table, his golden eyes glinting in the firelight, remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Mochi," he began, his voice measured and warm, "your mother and I have given you a foundation. But the world is vast, and there are things you can only learn by stepping beyond these walls. You must understand how others live, how they fight, how they think. It is not about what you need; it is about who you can become."
Mochi looked away, her lips pursed, but her father's words lingered.
Sachi, now seventeen, placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. Her emerald eyes sparkled with gentle reassurance. "Mochi, I didn't want to leave either, but look at me now. Joining a sect is more than just training—it's about finding your place in the world. You'll make friends, grow stronger, and discover things about yourself that you never imagined."
Mochi hesitated, her resistance softening under her sister's encouragement. "But what if I don't like it?"
Sachi grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. "Then you'll come back and brag about how much better our home is compared to the sect."
That earned a reluctant giggle from Mochi.
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Three Years of Growth
Those three years weren't idle. Jin's training was relentless yet balanced, tailored to each daughter's strengths and weaknesses.
For Mochi, whose amber eyes betrayed a creative and spirited nature, Jin focused on refining her agility and her instinctive approach to combat. She became adept at weaving through opponents' attacks, using her smaller frame and quick reflexes to her advantage. Her artifact, a delicate dagger with a crystalline blade, hummed faintly with spiritual energy whenever she wielded it. Despite her reluctance in many aspects of training, she excelled in crafting talismans and arrays, her artistry shining through in the intricacies of her work.
Sachi, on the other hand, embodied discipline and focus. Her emerald eyes burned with a quiet determination as she practiced advanced sword techniques, the longsword gifted by Jin becoming an extension of herself. Her cultivation progress astonished even Jin at times, her steady climb reflecting her unwavering commitment.
The girls also delved deeply into knowledge. Jin often tested them with riddles and scenarios to sharpen their minds. "A sharp blade is meaningless without a sharp mind," he often reminded them. Sachi absorbed historical strategies and sect politics with ease, while Mochi preferred tales of legendary cultivators and the peculiarities of ancient artifacts.
Ren, though too young to participate formally, often watched his sisters train with wide eyes, imitating their stances with his own brand of clumsy enthusiasm.
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The Fateful Evening
On the eve of Mochi's twelfth birthday, Jin called for a family gathering in the main hall. The air was thick with anticipation as the family seated themselves around the table. A stack of scrolls lay in front of Jin, each one detailing the offerings and reputations of mid- to high-level sects.
"Mochi," Jin began, his golden eyes softening as they met her amber ones, "it's time for you to choose."
Mochi fidgeted in her seat, glancing at the scrolls. "Do I really have to?"
"You do," Jin replied, his tone firm yet kind. "But I will not force you to decide blindly. These scrolls contain information about sects that would suit your talents. Take your time and choose one that speaks to you."
Sachi leaned over, nudging her sister playfully. "Go on. You might find something exciting."
Mochi hesitated before reaching for the nearest scroll. Unrolling it, she read aloud: "The Verdant Flame Sect... Known for its mastery of fire-based techniques and its focus on refining spiritual artifacts."
Her brow furrowed. "I don't know if fire suits me."
Jin smiled faintly. "Keep reading. There's no rush."
One by one, Mochi read through the scrolls, each detailing a sect with its own unique culture, strengths, and focus. Some emphasized combat prowess, others valued scholarship and spiritual refinement. By the time she reached the final scroll, her amber eyes were alight with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.
"This one," she said finally, holding up a scroll detailing the Celestial Moon Pavilion, a sect known for its artistic cultivation techniques and mastery over illusions and talismans. "It sounds... different."
Jin nodded, his expression approving. "The Celestial Moon Pavilion is an excellent choice. Their methods are unconventional, but they value creativity and precision—qualities you possess in abundance."
Mochi glanced at her father, her reluctance momentarily replaced by a spark of excitement. "Will I really fit in there?"
"You will," Jin said with quiet conviction. "And when the time comes, they will see the brilliance within you."
---
A Bittersweet Farewell
As the preparations for Mochi's departure began, the household was filled with a mix of excitement and melancholy. Mochi, despite her initial reluctance, began to warm to the idea, spurred on by her sister's encouragement and the allure of discovering a new world beyond the walls of their home.
The night before she was set to leave, Mochi sat with Sachi in the garden, the stars twinkling above them. "Do you think I'll be okay?" Mochi asked, her voice small.
Sachi wrapped an arm around her younger sister, her emerald eyes shimmering with affection. "You're Mochi. You'll be more than okay—you'll thrive. And if anyone dares to give you trouble, just remember: you're the daughter of Jin."
Mochi laughed softly, leaning into her sister's embrace. "I'll miss you, Sachi."
"I'll miss you too. But we'll see each other again. And when we do, I want to hear all about your adventures."
---
A Father's Pride
On the morning of her departure, Jin stood by the gates with Mochi, Sachi, and the rest of the family. The warmth in his golden eyes belied the strength of his aura, which seemed to embrace them all.
"Remember," Jin said, resting a hand on Mochi's shoulder, "this is the beginning of your journey. You may face challenges, but you are never alone. Your family is always with you, no matter where you go."
Mochi nodded, clutching the small pouch of talismans her father had gifted her. "I'll make you proud, Father."
"You already have," Jin replied, his voice filled with quiet pride.
As Mochi stepped through the gates, her auburn hair catching the morning sunlight, she glanced back one last time. Her amber eyes met her father's, her sister's, her mother's, and little Ren's. Then, with a deep breath, she turned toward the road ahead, her steps growing more confident with each passing moment.
Though the family watched her until she was out of sight, they knew this was not a farewell—it was the beginning of a new chapter in their shared story.