The morning sun bathed the Azure Plum Blossom Sect in a warm, golden glow as Alex and Elara made their way to the sect's dining hall. Nestled among the azure plum blossoms, the hall's exterior boasted intricate carvings of blooming flowers and cascading waterfalls, a testament to the sect's appreciation for nature's beauty.
Entering the hall, the air was filled with the delightful aroma of freshly cooked meals. The interior reflected the sect's aesthetic, with wooden beams and delicate plum blossom motifs adorning the walls. Long, rectangular tables stretched across the hall, and disciples sat together, sharing laughter and camaraderie.
The dining hall of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect bustled with activity. Alex and Elara found themselves a table near a large window, allowing the morning sunlight to spill onto the wooden surface. The aroma of freshly prepared meals filled the air as disciples gathered for breakfast.
Alex watched as two people made their way to the table he was sitting at with Elara.
"Ah, here they come," Elara said with a smile.
The man approaching was tall, easily half a foot taller than Alex, with the worn, tired features of someone in their mid-thirties. A wild mane of hair framed a face that looked like it had seen too many long nights. The woman beside him was his complete opposite: she was petite, made even smaller by his towering presence, with her hair pulled into two neat twin buns that bounced with each step.
Elara gestured as they arrived. "Alex, this is Jay and Lily."
Jay gave a curt nod, his eyes already returning to the steam rising from his bowl of congee, a familiar intensity in his gaze. It was a look Alex recognized from the most driven students back in college and at his part-time labor jobs. The ones who knew if they stopped moving, everything would crash and burn, living on fumes, and were moments away from snapping.
'Whoa, this guy seems kind of intense,' Alex thought as he watched Jay silently take his seat.
Lily, however, slid onto the bench with a sigh and immediately started picking at Elara's plate. "Are you going to eat that, or are you just going to stare at it all morning? Some of us need our energy." She shot Alex a quick, appraising glance before a hint of a smile softened her features. "Nice to meet you. Don't let Elara's 'inner disciple' status fool you; she still trips over air."
Elara rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "He's been less than a week, Lily. Try not to scare him off."
As conversation flowed, Elara reminisced about becoming friends with Jay during their shared trials as outer disciples. Lily's tales, in turn, were more pointed, weaving a map of the sect's daily life and hidden dangers. Her voice dropped as she discreetly gestured toward certain tables, cautioning Alex about the disciples whose formidable family influence made them wise to sidestep.
As they continued their breakfast, the dining hall hummed with the energy of disciples immersed in conversation and shared moments of camaraderie. The vibrant atmosphere mirrored the sect's commitment to fostering not only individual growth but also a collective spirit among its members.
Amidst the pleasant interaction, the door to the dining hall swung open, and a ripple of quiet annoyance spread through the nearby tables of outer disciples. Chen, a young disciple well known among the outer disciples for his arrogance and privileged background, entered with his entourage of yes men trailing behind him. His gaze swept across the room with disdain until it landed on Jay. A cruel smirk formed on his face as he approached.
"Well, well, if it isn't Jay, the perennial weakling," Chen sneered, his entourage echoing his laughter.
Before Jay could respond, Lily's sharp voice cut in. "Chen."
Chen's smirk faltered as he finally noticed the inner disciple at the table. His posture changed subtly, his aggressive stance softening into one of feigned respect. "Lily! I didn't realize you were here. Forgive me, I was simply having a word with... these disciples." His tone dripped with condescension, but it was now directed around her, not at her. "Surely a talented inner disciple like you has better things to do than babysit the bottom of the barrel."
Chen's gaze shifted to Alex, sizing him up with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "A newbie, huh? Make sure you choose your company wisely. Hanging out with weaklings won't do you any good," he said, directing a condescending glance at Jay.
Jay remained composed, ignoring the provocation. Lily, however, couldn't hold back. "Chen, we're all part of the same sect. There's no need for this kind of behavior."
Chen chuckled, dismissing Lily's words. "Ah, the righteous defender of the weak. How touching. But in the world of cultivation, strength is what matters. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Young Master Chen, "his entourage of yes men echoed in agreement.
Elara clenched her fists, maintaining her composure. She glanced at Alex, silently urging him to handle the situation with tact.
Ignoring the taunts, Alex calmly continued his breakfast. He understood that life was not just about physical strength but also about inner resilience and character.
Displeased by Alex's nonchalant response, Chen decided to escalate the situation. "Elara, why waste your time with these weaklings? Join me, and I can make sure you're surrounded by strength and wealth."
Elara's expression hardened. "I'll choose my company based on character and virtue, not just strength, and you should know by now that your family wealth means nothing within the sect. Now, leave us be."
Chen smirked, "As you wish, Elara. But remember, the path to greatness lies in strength and money. Choose wisely."
With that, Chen and his entourage sauntered away, leaving a tense atmosphere in their wake.
Jay clenched his fist under the table, though his face remained a stony mask. Lily scoffed quietly into her cup.
"Who was that asshole?" Alex inquired, looking to the three sitting around him.
"That arrogant prick is Chen," Jay explained, his voice low. "He arrived about a year ago and has been insufferable ever since. He's hailed as the top outer disciple, but it's not from talent alone. His family is absurdly wealthy; they've been pumping him full of rare spirit-nourishing elixirs his entire life. He started his cultivation journey miles ahead of everyone else."
Elara sighed, her frustration tinged with weariness. "I apologize for that, Alex. In our sect, merit is supposed to matter more than background, but some people never let you forget where they come from."
Alex smiled, unfazed by the encounter. "No need to apologize. I've seen his type before, and I know how to deal with them."
"How do you deal with them?" Jay's interest was now piqued, looking for a way to finally shut Chen's mouth.
"That's easy, you just have to give them a good ass kicking," Alex answered in a matter-of-fact way that left the three speechless. Alex was never in a fight himself, but he read enough stories to know that the 'young master' type always needed a good old-fashioned beating to set their attitude straight.
His answer didn't surprise Jay at all because he was well aware that in this world, might made right.
Elara, on the other hand, was a bit taken aback. "Alex, have you ever fought anyone before?"
"Me? Nope," Alex answered, leaving the three with their jaws agape.
Jay was the first to pull himself out of his stupor. "Elara, where did you find this crazy guy?"
Elara simply cleared her throat and continued eating, not giving Jay an answer.
The group resumed their breakfast, "Dig in, Alex," Elara encouraged. "The meals here are not only delicious but also tailored to provide the energy needed for cultivation. It's essential to nourish both the body and the spirit."
Alex picked up his chopsticks and began to savor the flavorful bites. The food was indeed delicious, and he felt a subtle warmth spreading through him, invigorating both his body and his senses.
Between bites, Alex looked at Elara with curiosity. "You mentioned the meals being tailored for cultivation. How does that work?"
Elara smiled, taking a moment to chew before answering. "In our sect, the meals are designed to align with the cultivation needs of each disciple. Depending on your cultivation level, the food's spiritual energy content varies."
She pointed to the different tables where disciples of varying levels sat. "Outer disciples, like you and Jay, receive meals with relatively low spiritual energy. It provides the essential nutrients for the body but doesn't overwhelm it with excessive spiritual power. We believe in gradual progress."
Elara continued, "Disciples who have advanced in their cultivation to the foundation establishment realm, like Lily and I, enjoy meals with a higher spiritual energy content. It helps us sustain their progress and enhances their connection with the spiritual realm, making it easier for them to take in spiritual energy."
Her gaze shifted toward a more secluded mountain peak through the window. "Golden Core disciples, the more advanced practitioners that are particularly favored within the sect, have their meals delivered to their private residences. These meals contain a significant amount of spiritual energy, supporting their intensive cultivation and the pursuit of higher realms."
As Alex absorbed this information, he realized the intricate balance maintained within the sect. The nourishment provided reflected not only the physical needs of the disciples but also the nuanced requirements of their spiritual journeys.
"Think of it as a personalized approach to cultivation," Lily added. "The sect aims to support each disciple on their unique path, ensuring that the meals harmonize with their current cultivation level. It's another way we strive for balance and unity within our community."
Alex nodded, appreciating the wisdom embedded in the sect's practices. The breakfast became more than a mere meal; it symbolized a connection between the tangible and the spiritual, a thread woven into the fabric of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect.
As they enjoyed their breakfast, Elara, Jay, and Lily engaged Alex in conversation about the sect's morning routines and the various training activities available. The chatter of the dining hall provided a backdrop to their discussion, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Once they finished their meal, Elara and Alex stood to start heading to the training grounds where the formal assessment would take place. Alex looked at Jay and Lily as they finished their breakfast, and he had an idea. "Do you guys want to come with us? It's my first-ever training session, and I think having you two there, sharing insight, would be helpful."
Jay and Lily looked at each other, then at Elara, who just smiled at them in a way to approve their joining. Jay spoke up, "If you don't mind, okay, but I have very weak cultivation and haven't been able to advance a single step for three years."
"I'm sure whatever bottleneck that is stopping you from advancing will be solved with ease with the three of us there to help. Let's push each other to break through and advance together," Elara said, showing her cheerful, optimistic personality.
The four then left the dining hall and made their way over to the outer disciple training area. The training area, located relatively far from the dining hall in a more open space, was a vast expanse of manicured landscapes, with designated spaces for different levels of cultivation. There were raised stone platforms that disciples were currently using to spar with each other, and wooden dolls for practicing boxing and sword techniques.
As they walked, Elara explained, "The formal assessment will help us gauge your current cultivation level and determine the most suitable path for your training. It involves showcasing your understanding of basic techniques, control over spiritual energy, and your affinity with elemental forces."
Arriving at the training grounds, they found an empty stone platform marked with intricate plum blossom patterns. Disciples of various levels were already engaged in their morning exercises, their movements fluid and purposeful. Others could be seen meditating cross-legged in seemingly random locations.
"Alex," Elara said, "take a moment to center yourself. Remember the basics we discussed yesterday: the Qi Condensation Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Core Formation Realm, and Nascent Soul Realm. Your task is to demonstrate your proficiency in controlling your spiritual energy and showcasing any elemental affinity you might possess. I suggest you start with locating your dantian."
Before Alex could even close his eyes, a heavy presence settled over the training platform, silencing the distant chatter of other disciples. Standing at the edge of the stone platform was a stout, powerfully built man whose age was impossible to guess. He wore the dark azure robes of an elder, but his short, graying beard was trimmed with military precision, and his face seemed carved from granite. His gaze was as sharp and unyielding as a drawn blade.
"Elder Wu!" Elara gasped, her expression a mixture of surprise and alarm.
Instantly, she, Jay, and Lily rose to their feet and performed a deep, formal bow, their hands clasped respectfully. "We greet Elder Wu," they said in unison.
Alex, however, remained seated, blinking in confusion at the sudden interruption and the group's rigid formality. He saw an imposing old man, but in his world, you didn't bow to strangers who just showed up.
Elder Wu's piercing gaze swept past the bowing disciples and landed squarely on Alex. His eyes narrowed, a flicker of cold displeasure in their depths. He ignored the greetings and addressed Elara, though his focus remained on Alex. "Is this the outsider Elder Zheng spoke of?" His voice was low and resonant, like grinding stones.
"Yes, Elder," Elara replied, straightening up but keeping her head slightly lowered. "We were just beginning his formal assessment."
"I see." The two words were heavy with judgment. A faint, invisible pressure emanated from the elder as he sent out his spiritual sense to scan Alex. Alex felt a strange, prickling sensation wash over him, as if he were being scrutinized from the inside out.
Elder Wu's brow furrowed, his stern expression tightening into one of sheer disbelief. He had expected to find a hidden, perhaps malevolent, cultivation base. Instead, he found... nothing. Not a wisp of Qi. Not a hint of a meridian or even any Qi. The boy was, for all intents and purposes, a complete mortal. The perceived disrespect of not bowing was now compounded by the insult of a mortal attempting to join their sacred sect.
"A mortal," Elder Wu stated flatly, the words laced with cold contempt. "You wish to assess a mortal?" He took a step onto the platform, his presence making the air feel thick and heavy. "Very well. By order of the Elder Council, I will oversee this... assessment. Proceed. Show me what a boy with no cultivation hopes to achieve."
The atmosphere, once supportive and encouraging, had become icy and hostile. Alex now faced not just the challenge of finding his dantian, but of doing so under the withering gaze of an elder who had already judged him as worthless.
As Alex prepared for the assessment, the pressure of Elder Wu bearing down on him, the air now thick and heavy, making it hard to breathe. Elara, noticing Alex's difficult time, offered some words of encouragement, "You'll do fine, just remember what you've studied so far and put it into practice."
With a deep breath, Alex focused on the principles Elara had shared and the text he had studied. He recalled the stages of cultivation, the intricate dance between spiritual energy and elemental forces, as well as the way energy flows through the body. Alex took out a spirit stone, calmed his mind, and focused on sensing the Qi within it.