Main Chapter: Ascending along with 4,500+ futures.

Xuan Yu and Xuan Yi left the Xuan Estate together. Walking from the stone walkway of their house. To the dark grey road that lay outside the Xuan Estate's half white and half black gates.

Since this morning was one that no carriage would be driving. The Xuan brothers were walking in the midst of the road. Xuan Yu at the front Xuan Yi a step behind.

Though it took some time the two brothers reached the intersection. And met a long procession of youths aged 10 – 15 on the Path of Ruo. One might expect a bunch of youths gathered together would be noisy discussing this or that. This procession, however, was silent.

The youths had been instructed to walk from the Rings they lived all the way up to the peak of the mountain. This distance would normally be too much for untrained youths but on this day at the Peak. The Elders of the Reflecting Moon Sect were gathered together, and they watched over the hopefuls of the Ruo Clan. Empowering them so they never felt tired as they walked. And therein lied the reason the youths were silent.

Though they were quiet. They still gathered into groups. The biggest groups were;

The over 3,000 youths who were from pure mortal families, were orphans or were from outside the Clan walked together. Making the largest clump. They had gathered from the Lower Mortal Ring.

The 45 who were from families with a recent cultivator ancestor but no living members who were cultivators. Made a much smaller clump. However, they made sure to stay away from the full-mortal families as much as they could. They were from the Upper Mortal Ring.

The 1,009 youths from pure cultivator families but had no one sitting as an Elder. Were the next clump but they were further divided into six obvious factions. They were from the Minor Cultivating Ring.

As the Xuan brothers joined the procession. Those already in it stopped to let them take the lead and waited before following.

Before any real progress was made. From the opposite side of where the Xuan brothers had joined a short young girl joined the procession. Her hair was bright yellow and her eyes emerald green. Her bright, shoulder-length hair was pushed back behind her ears and a purple bauble kept it in place. Her expression was set into a slight pout.

Seeing the Xuan brothers, she bowed.

"Greetings to the Reliable Xuan Family."

Xuan Yu elegantly returned the bow and Xuan Yi clumsily followed.

"Greetings to the Diligent Fan Family."

And then the procession continued. The girl from Fan walking in line with the Xuans.

Reaching the Supporting Ring the procession stopped, and another youth joined.

A dark-haired youth who looked as if the world had wrong him. Anger, hatred and raw rage seemed to be etched on him. The deep dark eyes he held seemed to flash with ill-intent. His hair was brushed back neatly giving a full view of his vicious face. And a purple ornament sat on top his head, letting his back-length hair fall on his shoulder instead.

Several people in the procession were shivering, some broke out into a cold sweat and many others looked away.

"Greetings to the Stalwart Xuan and the Reliable Fan."

The youth's voice was fitting with his age and suited a young refined youth. His tone was calm and polite while his bow was steady and well practiced.

"Greetings to the Resourceful Dai."

Rang out thrice, from the Xuans and Fan.

Like the others did before them the Xuan brothers and the Fan daughter waited before following. Until the youth who joined was a few steps ahead.

The procession continued just as quietly after. Stopping one last time for the last youth. Just as the procession was about to leave the Supporting Ring.

Her eyes were half-closed, and her black hair was a mess. Even the ceremonial robes she wore seemed to be ill-fitting. Her appearance was an obvious sign that the sun had only recently begun to rise. And had yet to peek out.

"Greetings to the- Resourceful Dai, the Reliable Xuan, and the Diligent Fan."

Though she had ended up yawning shortly after starting. She managed to get her greetings out properly.

"Greetings to the Perceptive Tan."

Four voice ringed out, one after another. Then just like the Xuan and the Fan. The Dai and the Tan ascended together side by side but apart.

And together the procession reached the Peak.