By the time Shuren gained clarity, he was standing at the centre of the old stage, with Overseer Juan in front. Patting himself and checking the insides of his robes, he could only sigh with relief. Both his true body and clothes were untouched. Though he did express some confusion seeing his surroundings quite empty.
"We dealt with the contestants that lost already, otherwise it would be quite crowded right now," Overseer Juan said, as if he read Shuren's thoughts.
Overseer Juan personally came to give Shuren his results, his hand passing to the man a writ of acceptance, proceeding to give a rare evaluation. "You have done very good, but don't let this cloud your judgement. Always keep your ego within your sight."
"My gratitudes for your advice, Sir Juan," Shuren said as he clasped his hands in respect, before leaving the stage.
I'm truly glad my clothes recovered with my injuries. The folded paper is fine as well.
Shuren left, paying no heed to the audience's stunned gaze. Instead, he went towards the newsboy that roamed on the outskirts of Evening Clouds. During times like these, they would organise information on all the top winners from each stage, selling it for others to speculate. Though that was the old methods of the sect examination, they should still be updating with information.
I'll have a better idea of my chances to be granted Inner Disciple status based on the others who won.
It didn't take long to find a pair of Silvent children; well-dressed boy and girl with a parchment of papers. Both seemed like identical twins of brown hair, and they held a large table alongside a rectangular brick of a cyan stone. The girl would douse it in a large jug of an ink-like substance that didn't stain the clothes, before imprinting it on the next paper. The young boy would both make stacks of these papers, now written with the results of the battle, while serving potential customers.
That's the first I've seen such a contraption. They're depending on the speed and efficiency of delivering the news to break into this trade. It seems the last season of trade routes opening up has led to some interesting things, aside from those Lunescent trinkets from the far west.
They were a hardworking bunch, making the best use of their circumstances to make a living.
"Boy, pass me a paper," Shuren commanded, while throwing out five silver taels that smoothly landed in his hands, perfectly stacked on top of each other. The small queue of customers naturally made way for Shuren, not daring to make him wait with them.
The young boy almost fell out of his chair when he saw Shuren, quickly placing the money back. "L-lord Liu Shuren, it's my honour. This paper is only five copper, but I wouldn't dare charge you for this. Please, take it," he bowed while sticking out the results of the other stadiums.
"I don't keep copper change on me." Shuren skimmed through the page, noting the detail of the other top participants he didn't encounter. The pair had an impressive information network, and were clearly working with a few others.
"You two are new to this, but you've bested your competition. What's that equipment you have there? " Shuren asked out of curiosity. The last time he had spectated the examinations, it took at least a few hours for newspapers to be spread around for the results of all the observed information in proper detail.
"Yes lord, this is our first time, and this is a Pendern Quartz mined from the west. We can shape it with heat, easily imprinting the same words written," this time his sister answered, having stopped her work for a moment.
I heard mortals all had their own methods of inscribing scriptures and manufacturing tomes. This thing is quite useful for their occupation. Unlike the ones Master Zelfin looks after, these two don't use their struggles to take it out on others.
Shuren grabbed on the insides of his robe, before placing down a violet medallion, which contained a wisp of his Qi. It was engraved with the name of the Liu Clan. "This is a medallion to signify your connection to the Liu Clan. If anyone dares to disrupt or take over your business, they will be offending me," Shuren declared, leaving before facing the reaction of the twins.
He didn't need to worry about anyone else stealing that medallion from them. Not only did it contain a portion of his Qi; it also acknowledged and linked to the two children when they grasped it. It would be worthless in anyone else's hands, completely sealing itself and rendering it with no value. The name of the Liu Clan would be more than enough to make any idiot stop.
Medallions that contained Qi were mere junk stones if that Qi was removed. Otherwise, what would be the point of handing them out if some ignoble mortal would dare to steal it for some meagre coin? At that point, it would only be holding a hot potato, while notifying the owner that the connection had been severed by force.
The Seven Clouds Sect was situated on the north eastern sector of Cloud City, considered the heart of the city. Though now recognised as a Rank 5 region, the number of people living in this region was only around two million. Usually, Rank 5 empires and regions would have at least a few dozen million inhabitants.
This was due to Cloud City only having formed fifty years ago, when the founders conquered the corner of Kallas Jungles, giving themselves a massive plot of fertile land to work with.
Though, if they completely combined with the survivors of the fallen city of Yestervaul, they may bolster their numbers. The elites of Cloud City wouldn't allow that.
It would change the landscape of those in power far too much.
The richer you were, the closer you resided near the Cloud City. The Sky District was where Shuren's home was, only about fifteen minutes away if he bothered to run.
Today, just wanted to stroll. He was exhausted now more than ever, but not from the battle itself.
"Aside from me and Wu Ming, that fan user Junyu came fifth. The one in third I didn't get to deal with was Aerestia, most likely at upper Rank 1 with how she could transform her Qi to manifest ice. And Chen, the crazed guy clearing the battlefield with his glaive and even his own bare hands, came third. His duel with Wu Ming at the end was one of the highlights." When he saw the next name however, Shuren glanced at the manor he just passed. "The one in sixth is Zhou Yan."
The Sky District was filled not only with a beautiful assortment of flora, from trees to flowerbeds, but also were streets covered with manors of all sizes. A familiar scent of flowers always wafted from the large mansion he passed by, the manor of the Zhou Clan of Cloud City. The Zhou Clan Leader had sometimes met with his father from time to time, though Shuren himself had only seen him once. He rarely stayed home nowadays. And now a descendant of this clan made it quite high on the list.
Shuren took note of the description and abilities of one person. A man he had met right before the sect finale, and related to the orphanage members who were students of Master Zelfin.
"So his name is Tez. He actually made it to top ten, even though he had the lowest cultivation stage." He thought back to his strength. He managed to go from Stage 2 to Stage 3 in the middle of the sect examinations finale. I don't like admitting it, but that one has some potential. What would his results be if he was mid Rank 1 instead in the finale?
He covered his mouth as he let out a yawn, his eyes almost tearing up. "I can finally relax. All that stress and anxiety from my preparations paid off in the end."
Shuren slowed down, taking a deep, long breath. Admiring the mesmeric array of autumns flora, an inspiration of words appeared in his mind. "O' nature, the mother that shelters us to zen. The world shines brighter evermore, glory on the horizon. Heaven's Eye open and close, Elysial trees and flowers, unintermitted, grows." he sang the amateurish poem, a habit he picked up from admiring the Great Poet Dan Zi's scriptures.
He relaxed his pace as he walked back home, humming an old tune his grandfather had taught him. Right now, the world felt ever so clear.
Appreciating the beauty of life.
If any of the servants had seen him now, they would drop their jaws at his state. His only impressions were that of a grumpy, stressed young man with a permanent scowl, busying himself with either martial arts, cultivation, or family matters. Shuren's anxiety as the upcoming family head had vanished after all these years, at least for the day. His strict upbringings, the expectations of his father, the pressure of gaining resources from the Liu Clan. It was the first time for a while Shuren grew to appreciate the small things. For once, thinking about drinking a well brewed Candesiel tea didn't seem like just a routine.
Upon reaching his home, a quaint manor by the city's canals, an aged butler, Old Xuan, greeted him with a pleasant smile. "Welcome back home, young master. Your father is in his office and he awaits of your results."
Shuren nodded back at Old Xuan, before entering. "At least I'll be getting great sleep. We definitely need to prepare a feast for tonight." Energising himself up, Shuren sped his stride, walking past the hallway filled with paintings and levitating sculptures crafted by his father.
"Good afternoon, honoured father," Shuren greeted with a slight bow, yet unable to hide a radiant smile.
Across the study desk filled with unending stacks of paperwork, his robust father dropped his old-fashioned jade quill. "Little Shuren, you look to be in a great mood. How did you do in the sect examinations?" He gazed at Shuren with anticipation, his eyebags prominent from the strain of his work.
"I have to explain first that the sect finale has changed this year. Instead of testing the disciples in multiple stages of hundreds, we were all taken to a Fractured Realm, with even the effects of a false death. All thousand of us had to contend for the top ranks amongst each other and beasts of all kinds."
The jade quill by his father's hands were deftly spun around as he pondered. "A Fractured Realm of such quality. Such things are only found in Immortal Factions beyond Rank 6. Are they finally revealing their true foundations?" His Father knocked a finger on his table. These words indicated something far greater than it let on. "It's also a clear message to those trying to take control of them. My speculations were indeed true."
What he said did make sense to Shuren himself. This wasn't any ordinary Rank 5 province.
"So how did you do in this new test?"
Shuren showed a proud smile as his eyes lit up. A son merely wishing to make his father proud. "Out of the thousand finalists and attacks from Deviant Beasts, I came first."
His father rose with all his strength from his chair. In a rare expression of his affection, he pulled Shuren into an embrace. "Little Shuren, no, my great son has done well. This is fantastic news!"
His father pulled him apart from the embrace, gazing into his eyes. Seeing the wrinkles and white hair on his father, Shuren inwardly sighed, but he wouldn't let it show on his face.
With the pride of a father, he celebrated Shuren's achievements. "You must work hard to attain the best out of this opportunity and bring glory to our household and yourself. I'll inform your mother to visit soon as well."
With a loud pat on Shuren's shoulder, his father announced, "Tonight, we feast! Tomorrow, we commemorate! And then, we invite the entire family and celebrate!"
***
All the manor's household servants were in a clamour, preparing the feast for dinner. "Remember, only prepare the young master's favourite dishes and brew his tea," Old Xuan instructed. At the manor's engraved Crimnolian oak table, one of his father's masterpiece, Shuren received his Candesial tea. Made from the ashen leaves in the Volkahor mountains, the effects provided great clarity and awareness. Shuren's eyes drooped, struggling to stave away at his exhaustion. Yet, at the sight of his two younger siblings entering the dinner table, he stood from his seat and regained his composure as the eldest brother.
Liu Yuxi skipped to her older brother. Two heads shorter than him, she was a spritely young girl, bright blonde hair like Shuren's, with the same striking blue eyes. At her side was Liu Jing, a teen with black hair taken from his father's side. They both wore the turtle insignia of green robes, having returned from the Sky District's training hall. Liu Jing stared at his older brother's face in surprise. "It's rare, you know. Older brother always has a stern look like my teacher. You should be more like this," Jing said as he patted his brother's shoulder, emanating maturity.
Usually, Shuren would have a serious response, but today he had eased up. "Yes, yes, that is right. It's not good for the spirit to always be anxious. Little Jing, how's your performance as of recent? I'll pay by a visit to your teachers." Liu Jing's face contorted, expression sour. That mature aura had dissipated in an instant, in fear of his brother's endless lectures. Shuren clapped even harder on Jing's shoulder, saying in amusement, "I am merely jesting. Soon, I'll have fewer opportunities to check up on you, but of course, father will handle you."
Liu Jing heaved a sigh of relief. At least his father was a bit more gentle.
Liu Yuxi grabbed a glass of water, and she grinned asking, "Eldest brother, you won't be home for a long time, right? The journey of a sect member often spans many years."
Shuren gently pinched her cheek, "You truly are eager just because I'm leaving for a while… No matter, you have good talent in formations, so eventually I'll-"
Yuxi halted for a moment when she heard formations, before stammering with her words,cutting off Shuren. "I don't think I'm that t-talented in formations. I want to focus more on getting a Bronze Talisbody with brother Jing…"
Yuxi's eyes darted around, but Shuren had long noticed the weariness in them. Thankfully, Old Xuan was as astute as he was, and gave him plenty of intel for him to figure out the reason. "It's alright, you're still young. There are plenty of other things you can try out. But remember, always stay true to your heart, that's all I ask."
Yuxi looked down at her feet, not giving a response.
"Either way, by then I can help arrange you to join one of the Clouds in the sect," Shuren continued.
"Do I have to join? I'll be stuck there for years!" Yuxi whined.
"What else would you do? Haven't you heard that even the Seven Clouds Sect might become a Rank 6 force in the future? It'll also solidify our influence here and in the clan." Shuren said, noticing Yuxi's clueless expression.
"Liu Yuxi, explain to me the ranks of cultivation now." Shuren commanded with a stern voice.
She jerked up at his tone. "There's nine realms to cultivation. Qidense Realm. Path Foundation. Core Genesis. Path Forger. Nascent Soul. And…um." Yuxi began shrinking away, finding some excuse to leave.
"Don't forget Physique Rebirth, the transitionary Rank between Mortal and Immortal cultivators. It's conventionally known as Rank 5.5, and after that is the most difficult step, to become an Immortal Cultivator. Rank 6, to tread upon the Grand Paths and become a Grand Pathstrider." Shuren sighed. "I'll ask next time I see you, so study well, alright. Either way, once I'm in the Seven Clouds Sect, I'll have a better grasp of things for your future."
Yuxi pouted, about to whine, but she shuddered as she saw Shuren clear up his throat. "Village fades behind, Heavens Formations call, so she ascends. What do you think, little Yuxi?"
"Ahaha, eldest brother, your poetry almost leaves me in tears," Yuxi said as she left, begging the nearby chef for her favourite bowl of ember fried noodles.
Sitting back down, Shuren's shoulders slouched as he sipped on his Candesial tea. Slowly taking in the sense of clarity, Shuren said to his younger brother, "Little Jing, once I become a young elder in training, I will bear the responsibility of running this household when I return to retire father. With this, I can ensure a strong alliance and grant you more resources. You just focus on what you are best at, honoured mother believes you to have the greatest potential in cultivating her path. Soon, you'll be alone at the Liu Clan." The light mood disappeared off Shuren's face as he looked down at Jing, fidgeting with his cup of tea.
"You worry too much. You've explained to me enough how the Liu Clan back home treats its members in training. I'm not naïve anymore, Shuren." Jing rebutted. His forehead stung in pain as Shuren flicked it.
"That's big brother. Now scram and go change."
Some things were better to be experienced first hand than explained. Shuren tapped his finger on the table. Perhaps I worry too much. I should put some trust in my siblings for once.
He wouldn't be there to look after them all the time.
Now, it was time to deal with the situation between his sister and the brats from Master Zelfin's little school.