The Last Sages Sect [II]

The grand elder continued his welcome speech after the sect masters had finished with their introduction.

"Simplicity, patience and compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Being patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the ways of things. Compassionate toward yourself, and you will reconcile all beings in the world."

The grand elder directed the new disciples towards the center of the hall, where there was a circular ring on the floor, with himself at the front of the ring. The disciples would stand in the middle of the ring to determine their elemental affiliate in the view of others, saying their names to the grand elder. Then, the grand elder would call out their names and elements affiliation for the houses' acolytes to register. Afterwards, sects badges would be handed to the disciples by the acolytes.

When it was Ju Feng's turn, he stepped into the circular ring, making it flared softly.

"Ju Feng. One major element, lightning. One minor element, light."

The disciples continued to step into the circle to fully determine their affinities. Path of air, path of terra, and path of fire, had thirteen new disciples each. Path of water, path of light, path of ice, path of woods, and path of metal, had eight students each. Path of lightning and path of shadows had five students each. Path of dreams and illusions, path of flora, and path of necrosis, had three disciples each. And the path of space-time had two disciples.

There were eighty five disciples of one elemental affiliation, thirteen disciples with two elements, and two disciples having three elemental affinities. Although the disciples with two elements were also hard to come by, disciples with three elements were the most revered and coveted in the sect, their potential were limitless. Four elements cultivators were simply mythical. 

Lost in his own mind, Ju Feng began to wonder on the possibilities. But three affinities, wow. What would happen if he could add fire to his own? Fire, lightning and light, he would be able to create ribbons of fire with some lightning and light. Hehehe, that would have been a pretty sight. He could even create a fire dragon, head of fire, body of light and tail of lightning. Hehehe...that was the impressive stuff. Ju Feng broke away from his daydreams in time to hear the grand elder's words.

"Now that you have all been accepted and registered, the doors of our sect will be opening a week from now. Go and make necessary preparations since you'll be here for five months, starting from the commencement day. You'll be given two months break after this five-month period. You can use this time to visit your families, or you can venture into the Ageless forest for some rewards. It's all up to you. But you are expected to return for second phase of another five months. And when you are coming, bring twenty five Lorran gold coins which will be repeated every year. If you are having trouble paying, see your path master. Once again, you are all welcome. Be orderly as you make your exit from here."

With all eagerness, Ju Feng was happy to inform his mother and grandparents about the proceedings. They were already waiting for him near the entrance when he came out where he quickly joined them.

"Ma, grandpa, grandma, I made it!"

"Congratulations!"

They chorused happily in support.

"And we'll start a week from now."

"This is good news, Ju Feng. We'll celebrate this when we get home. It's getting late now."

"Yes, we'll celebrate it at home, my grandson."

They rode their swords lights out of the sect's area, before Zhang Li Qiang used minor teleportation seal to take them home. Few minutes later, they were on the premises of their cave.

Back at home, Zhang Xiu Ying informed the titan lord through her mindvoice of Ju Feng's acceptance into the Last Sages sect.

"Oh, that's good news, Xiu Ying. I know you are all concerned about his safety, this I understand. But going to a place like a sect will only benefit him a lot. Even their securities are adequate. So, let your mind be at rest, Xiu Ying. I will come over tomorrow evening, if that's alright."

"That's just fine, uncle Luyang."

Inside their cave, they celebrated Ju Feng's admission in the usual way of magical turtle's meat. Cooked with lily tubers, and ground lily leaves. Added on top of the meat was the delicious wasp honey. It was a true celebration all night.

After the meal, continued to check everything he would need before leaving for the sect. Robe! His mother would take care of a new robe for him. Not that he would need many robes anyway, since they would be given new sect robes. The personal robe would be for informal occasions, if there were any. He would also need some writing parchments and quills. The more he prepared, the more he realized he would need many things, and a bigger bag.

Since he couldn't think properly enough of what he needed, he decided to go and train his body using the no-name technique they received from his uncle Luyang. His body had already become quite strong and powerful. Even his strength could rival that of an early-stage zhuji cultivator. Inspite of all this, he continued training until late afternoon before leaving for the pond side.

On the way to the pond, his mind wandered off again to what he needed to take with him to the sect. He would surely take a new robe, he would pack some turtle meat, some lily tubers, and leaves. What more could he take? He wanted to take many things but there was nothing much left to take, except more turtle meat and lily tubers. Maybe, he would have to take to think properly.

Reaching the pond area, he sat down in lotus position to clear his mind. What if he could pack a whole turtle's meat with him? That would have been better. Or, his mother could be bringing him more meat. No, not ideal. He had to look for a bigger bag. Ju Feng closed his eyes, and clear his mind as he began to meditate. However, he couldn't meditate for long before deciding it was enough. He was on his way back to the cave when lord Luyang arrived alongside his mother.

"Uncle Luyang!"

"Ju Feng, good to see you. How is my nephew doing?"

"Very good, uncle. You know what, uncle. I was accepted into the Last Sages sect."

"Yes, your mother told me about it already. I'm very proud of you, Ju Feng. That's why I brought you a small gift."

Lord Luyang glanced at Zhang Xiu Ying before flicking his hand to produce a small bag, the size of his palm.

"Here, take it."

"Go ahead, son."

With shaky hands, Ju Feng collected the small bag from his titan uncle, and continued to stare at it in total shock.

"Yes, it's a spatial sac. I thought you might need something like that to pack the things you need."

Ju Feng's mind was in the state of a rolling cloud, and didn't even know when he fell on his knees in front of his uncle with teary eyes, and bowed. He knew it would have cost a big fortune to acquire. How could he receive this for nothing?

"No need for that now. After all, you are my only nephew. I should be doing this for you anyway. Now, stand up."

As if in a deep trance, Ju Feng stood up slowly just as the rest of the family arrived at the scene. Meeting the two of them this way, the rest were a little bit curious of what was transporting before them.

"Lord Luyang, we meet you well. Welcome."

"Lord Luyang, we welcome you."

Zhang Li Qiang looked from lord Luyang and Zhang Xiu Ying, who were smiling, to Ju Feng who had tears of joy.

"Is everything okay, lord Luyang?"

"Nothing master Li Qiang, Ju Feng here was just too excited that I brought him a spatial sac. You see, there's nothing wrong at all."

"..." Zhang Li Qiang.

"..." Zhang Wang Jing.