Southern Continent, Harmony Blossom Sect, Lianhua City
As they exited the platform, Elder Qinxiu took out a large greatsword from his storage ring and made it float a little above the ground, "Well, hop on, the walk would take us at least a day, we can't have Great Elders wait."
Xi Shen stepped on the greatsword, and after making sure he was stable, so did Elder Qinxiu. And they set out toward the Northern Peak, as that was the meeting ground.
Xi Shen looked at the back of Elder Qinxiu and couldn't help but ask, "Elder, could you clarify for this junior who the Great Elders are?" He was curious, 'To be a Great Elder in a sect with such rich history, they must be at least in later levels of Golden Core, or even-'
Elder Qinxiu interrupted his thoughts, "Great Elders are masters of four peaks, each one of them is formidable. They are all Nascent Soul cultivators, each one of them specializing in certain cultivation art."
Xi Shen almost lost his balance, "Nascent Soul?!"
Laughing, Elder Qinxiu continued, "What else did you expect from the oldest sect of Southern Continent?" Smugly, he emphasized, "Our Sect Master, Celestial Blossom Blade, is an 8th level Nascent Soul cultivator."
Letting that sentence sink in, he continued, "As for Great Elders, or as they are better known as Pillars of Harmony, let's just say the weakest one is in the 4th level Nascent Soul."
Xi Shen was shocked, 'One half-step Nascent Soul was enough to destroy the whole Xi Clan, how strong is a legit Nascent Soul?'
Seeing his shock, Elder Qinxiu nodded, 'Boy, you should be honored you're gonna be evaluated by Great Elders themselves.' Xi Shen finally saw a pagoda in the distance.
As they approached, Xi Shen questioned Elder Qinxiu, "Elder, could you give me a brief summary of the elders, as this Junior isn't well informed?" Curiosity and anticipation filled Xi Shen.
Elder Qinxiu, hearing his question, stroked his chin, "A summary? I guess it can't hurt to broaden your horizons." He slowed down his flight, "There are four Great Elders, all of whom are in Nascent Soul."
"They are Long Jianxian, Tian Quixian, Yun Zhen, and Xian Yuexin, that's the order in terms of combat strength. Xian Yuexin, the Ethereal Alchemy Maiden, might be the weakest, but the whole sect relies on her alchemy, array, and formation skills."
Xi Shen was even more shocked, 'I have some pill and array recipes, so I know how hard they are to master, not only that but also formations… wow.'
Elder Qinxiu looked at Xi Shen's admiration and smugly continued, "Then there's Yun Zhen, the Palm of Heaven, who specializes in palm techniques. He destroyed a demon clan by himself, killing two opponents two levels above him."
Seeing Xi Shen didn't have as intense a reaction, he grumbled a bit, but continued, "Tian Quixian, the Echoing Harmony Fairy, is mostly focused on Music Arts. She inherited the Founder's Music Arts and is almost on par with Long Jianxian. She's also the most beautiful woman in Southern Continent, though don't mention that to her, as she hates that title."
Confusion filled Xi Shen's eyes, 'Music Arts are so powerful? I did hear the founder was mainly a music cultivator, but he was also a sword cultivator. So I assumed he was famous because of the sword, guess I'll have to reevaluate my understanding.'
Not noticing his confusion, Elder Qinxiu fastened his speech, "And lastly, Long Jianxian, Imperial Blossom Sword. He was born with an innate sword heart, he mastered almost all sword techniques our founder left. He's the strongest cultivator under Sect Master. I would recommend you go under him, as you have destiny with Sword Dao."
Seeing that Elder Qinxiu fulfilled his request, Xi Shen bowed, "Thank you, Elder, for fulfilling this Junior's request and for your guidance." Elder Qinxiu pleasingly nodded.
They soon arrived before the pagoda, and as they entered, they both saw four figures in purple robes meditating. A woman in her 20s, with a guqin on her back, calmly opened her eyes, "Little Qinxiu, you made us wait." Her voice was mesmerizing, Xi Shen was almost hypnotized.
Elder Qinxiu immediately put on an image of a respectable junior, "Senior Quixian, this junior was explaining important information to little Xi Shen." Tian Quixian nodded and looked at Xi Shen, with her red eyes.
Xi Shen, looking at her eyes, felt his mind tingling with drowsiness, 'What is this?'
The old man on her right shook his head, "Quixian'er, don't do that." He waved his hand, and Xi Shen felt his mind clear, "This lad doesn't have affinity with your Dao, he's her son, so of course he's destined with me."
The old man slowly pointed at himself. His long white hair and beard signified his age, but he wasn't frail-looking. Rather, his brown eyes were vigorous and full of life. A short sword floated behind him, looking small yet sharp.
When the young-looking man who sat on Tian Quixian's left heard that, he couldn't help but grumble, 'Why? Why does this old man have to have all the good seedlings? He first took Huo Fan, and now this Xi Shen boy. Heavenly Dao isn't just. Heavenly Dao isn't just.'
As if feeling his grumbling, the old man looked at the young-looking man, and asked with a smile, "Junior Yun, do you have a problem with my arrangement?"
Yun Zhen's face stiffened, and he forced a smile, "Of course not, Senior Long. It's your fortune to take in another talented seedling." While inside, he was screaming, 'Old man, Heaven will punish you for hoarding all these talents!'
The woman next to Yun Zhen looked indifferently at Xi Shen and asked, "Child, do you want to learn the production aspect of cultivation?" She had brown hair tied in a bun and tired blue eyes.
Long Jianxian looked at the woman in shock, "Yuexin'er do you intend on fighting with this old man over this lad?" He was genuinely confused, 'She isn't like this. Was it because of her?'
Xian Yuexin's tired look sharpened, "You took Tang Suxian from me that year, so if this child wants to learn, I'll take him from you, humph." She then turned to Xi Shen, "So, child, what will you choose, sword or any and all production methods?"
Xi Shen was caught off guard, fidgeting, he bowed, "Senior, this junior doesn't have talent in anything other than sword, I-"
Xian Yuexin raised her hand, stopping him mid-sentence, "No need for explanations, you'll become just another sword cultivator." She sighed and stood up, 'I know this child doesn't have talent in my Dao path, but to let the old man win over another talent leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.'
Leaving, she turned around, "Become one of many sword cultivators, but don't regret it." With that, she vanished, leaving everyone speechless. Especially Long Jianxian, 'I'm boring?!'
Snapping out of his thoughts, Long Jianxian asked, "So, no one objects to this lad becoming this old man's disciple?" Seeing the other two don't speak, he smiled, "Then it's settled." He turned toward Xi Shen and waited.
Seeing Long Jianxian look at him, Xi Shen was confused, 'What am I- Oh!' He immediately kowtowed nine times, while saying, "Disciple greets Master!" He raised his voice due to excitement.
Looking at the knowtowing Xi Shen, Yun Zhen secretly clenched his hand, while on the outside he smiled, "Senior Long, congratulations on taking in such a talented disciple." He then turned around and vanished.
Tian Quixian didn't stand the ceremony and vanished, while Long Jianxian waved at Elder Qinxiu to leave. Elder Qinxiu only bowed and left without saying anything.
Long Jianxian, looking at the kowtowing Xi Shen, he was quite pleased, 'See that Junior Brother Hua, although you became the Sect Master, I got more talents, hehe.' A wide smile spread on his face, unbecoming of an expert, but it quickly vanished as he cleared his throat.
"That's good. Now, as you're still green, take these." He took out two manuals, a sword, and a bottle of pills, "These will aid you for now, when you breakthrough to Qi Refinement or you have some questions about cultivation, come and find me."
The things floated and landed in front of Xi Shen, who again kowtowed, "My deepest gratitude, Master!"
Long Jianxian, even more pleased, stroked his beard, "No need for this much." While he smugly thought, 'Zeng'er and Fan'er can't compare to this lad.' Taking out a communication jade, he sent out a message.
After a few breaths, a man in his 20s arrived. He wore black robes with a golden outline, his brown hair was tied in a loose bun with a headband, and his dark brown eyes were sharp. He came in front of Long Jianxian and casually said, "Old man, you know I was resting from the last mission. Why not call Junior Sister Suxian?"
Long Jianxian didn't even blink at his comment, and ordered, "Take your new Junior Brother to Disciple Admission Hall." With that, he turned around and vanished, not leaving any chance for argument.
When the man heard his master introduce him to a new junior, he beamed, immediately turning toward Xi Shen, "A new Junior!" With a smile, he introduced himself, "I'm Huo Fan, second disciple of Imperial Blossom Sword, and a lover of everything sweet."
Standing up, Xi Shen greeted, "Greetings to Second Senior Brother, I'm Xi Shen." After he finished, Huo Fan gestured for him to continue, "And I like… to cultivate…"
Huo Fan just stared at him, with no comment whatsoever. After a minute of silence, he mumbled, "Not another one." Shaking his head, he gestured to Xi Shen to follow him, "Come on, Junior Brother. You need to get your robes and the identification jade."
They headed north, as they were flying, Huo Fan introduced their destination, "We're headed to Swordpetal Valley (剑花谷), it's where you'll get your missions from Mission Hall, and the living quarters of Inner Sect Disciples of our peak. There is also Pavilion of Knowledge with lots of interesting books the old man picked up."
During the flight, Huo Fan introduced all the basic stuff about the sect and rules that Xi Shen should follow. He also gifted Xi Shen with a jade short sword called, Dawn as a welcoming gift.
Southern Continent, Harmony Blossom Sect, Swordpetal Valley
Many disciples were coming and going, the business of the streets was higher the usual, as Inner Sect competition was nearing. Many of the disciples hoped to participate to get more resources.
Such was Ji Heng, a grandson of Yin-Yang Palm, Ji Zou. He was in the 7th place in the Northern Peak ranking, and as a proud person, he held his head high. But he still had to walk in the Swordpetal Valley, as flying was forbidden.
So when he saw a sword carrying two people flying above, he was rightfully shocked, 'What the -' He heard others discussing it.
"Heavens, that's Second Senior Brother! And who's the one being carried by him? He only carried Third Senior Sister like that… Don't tell me, Master has accepted another disciple?!"
The other disciple next to him had a weird look, "But why is he…" He didn't finish the sentence as huge pressure descended, and Huo Fan's voice floated over, "From now on, this is my Fourth Junior Brother, any offense to him will be offense to me, and to our Master."
With a humph, he flew toward the Disciple Admission Hall, ignoring everyone who stared. He said to Xi Shen, "If Junior Brother encounters any trouble, just contact me through this." He then took out a communication jade.
Ji Heng clenched his fists, as becoming a Core Disciple was his dream, but it was difficult, so difficult that it was impossible unless you're born with extraordinary talent. So for him not to have such talent, while some 12 or 13-year-old gets it, was frustrating.
But he let it go for now, as he can't do anything, 'I can't do anything right now, but maybe Grandfather can.'
As Xi Shen and Huo Fan entered the Disciple Admission Hall they were greeted by an old man, who looked to be in his seventies, "Greetings to Blossom Dragon of the North." He then looked at Xi Shen, "And who might this be?"
Huo Fan let out an embarrassed cough, "Elder Xiao, please don't mention that title, Eldest Senior Brother is still fired up because of it." He pointed at Xi Shen, "This is my newest Junior Brother, Xi Shen. The old man instructed me to arrange everything for him, so I'll have to trouble the Elder."
Elder Xiao slowly clasped his hands, "Greetings to Junior Xi. If this old man can ever do anything for you, just seek me out. I don't leave this Hall, so you know where I live."
Xi Shen swiftly returned the greeting, "It's an honor, Elder Xiao." While inside, he wondered, 'This Elder might not be as simple as it appears, as Senior Brother Huo wasn't this respectful towards Master.'
While Xi Shen was thinking, Huo Fan took out a golden gourd, "Elder Xiao, this is Spirit Wine I obtained on my trip to the Capital, it should be up to your taste."
Elder Xiao, nodding, thanked him and took out a pink jade, plaque, and a set of black robes, "Congratulations, Junior Xi. And as a welcoming gift…" He took out a green ring, "This is a spiritual ring, it can hold about 50 cubic meters, you just inject it with your spiritual energy."
Xi Shen quickly tanked him, bowing slightly. Huo Fan turned around and gestured for Xi Shen to follow, "Come on, Junior Brother, let's get you settled."
After they left, Elder Xiao's stoic face welcomed a small smile, "He's just like you, don't you agree?" Suddenly, a person stepped out from his shadow, he wore red robes and had full hair of white hair.
The old man slowly said before vanishing, "Junior Brother, make sure these youngsters don't mess with this person. Master informed me of the arrival of a pivotal person, years ago, I guess it's time."
Southern Continent, Harmony Blossom Sect, Xi Shen's New Cave Adobe
Xi Shen followed Huo Fan while looking around. As they passed by, there were fewer and fewer cave adobes, until they arrived almost at the top of Northern Peak. Huo Fan stopped in front of the cave adobe with number four on it.
It had a small crack, perfectly made for a plaque Elder Xiao had given. Xi Shen took the plaque and inserted it, opening the cave adobe, and the inside surprised him.
Inside was like a small Heaven on Earth, a small lake exuded dense spiritual energy. Spiritual plants that were planted around it gave off a medical aroma. There were even four black koi fish, bathing in the spiritual lake.
In the back was a small room, with a bamboo bed and a cushion for cultivation. The whole cave was lit up by Fire Vines, which are used to enhance Fire element spirit energy.
Huo Fan, seeing the awe on Xi Shen's face, teasingly remarked, "Quite magical, right? I was the same back then." With a sigh, he turned around and said his goodbye, "Junior Brother, I'll leave you. If you have any questions, you can visit me or go to the Pavilion of Knowledge."
Xi Shen bowed in his direction, while saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
But before leaving, Huo Fan said, "Don't do any missions until you're at least Foundation Establishment, just focus on your cultivation. As a Core Disciple, the mission rule doesn't apply to you."
With that, he vanished into the horizon, while Xi Shen walked into his new home, and let out a breath of exhaustion, "So many things happened in such a short amount of time. I need a small break from all human interactions."