Reaching the Sect

Steadily and fast, the wagon gained ground, and the darkness of waning moon night prevented a good view of the passing scenery. With nothing to do, the disciples used the night to sleep and rest, not that they had much success resting in that uncomfortable wagon.

At dawn, the warmth of the first sunlight touched Ryu Sei's face, waking him from his light sleep. His action was to emit a loud yawn and stretch his arms as far and wide as he can, releasing the tension that covered his body after the poor night of sleep.

However, in the awakening process, his hand pushed the person who was sitting on his side. Ryu Sei noticed his mistake, but it was too late to regress.

"So- Sorry." when he turned to see the person, he found the young master with luxurious robes tilted to the other side, waking from his slumber.

Ryu Sei's eyes opened wide in surprise, on his mind, he was already cursing.

'Sh#t, it's not even my first day, and I am already in trouble.'.

Ryu prepared himself for the incoming contest, there is no way for a person like this to take the insult lightly, he would most probably stand demanding punishing or declaring enmity. However, instead of a taunt followed by an explosive overreaction, he was expecting.

"It's fine." the young master calmly said while correcting his posture and stretching his back, arching his spine, and he continued,

"This thing might be convenient for traveling, but it is rather uncomfortable.".

"By the way, I am Nura Muneyoshi. Nice to meet you."

Ryu Sei was astonished by this simple presentation. The Muneyoshi family is very famous for being an old family with many known strong cultivators, unnecessary to mention, they are filthy rich and wield immense political power.

The discomfort Ryu Sei felt against Nura previously only raised, but there is no reason to avoid him here, especially after pushing him.

"Hi, I am Ryu Sei, nice to meet you too."

"Where are we?" asks Nura pointing outside the wagon.

Ryu Sei turned his attention to the landscape around and noticed a vast yellow plain with short vegetation and sparse twitched trees as far the eye could see. A very distinct view than the usual forest region he had ever lived.

"We are on the prairie, apparently. I can't believe we covered so much distance in just one night."

It was not long before the wagon made its first stop.

The elder looked exhausted, making the disciples realize that keep a formation like active this using his own essence should be very taxing.

While the elder was resting, disciples used this time for eating and toiled. Several groups were already forming, revealing the first spark of friendship.

When the group boarded to resume the voyage, Ryu Sei decided to choose another seat at the end of the wagon, however, his attempt to avoid the young master Nura proved fruitless when the other followed behind, taking a spot at his side instead of seating in his previous seat, thus losing the hint of Ryu Sei going to another place.

The sun, in the morning, was on their left side, but after passing through half sky is on their right side. The worst part of the travel, the heat of the prairie, was finally over and the scorching sun is now just emitting a warmth comfortable heat.

The weather was getting colder as they went the north, making the sun a pleasant existence in their journey. The landscape had changed once again with a predominance of conifers trees such as pine, spruces, and larches. Rocky mountains with remnants of snow on top complete the landscape, making a beautiful contrast with the green grass of the low-density forest, a signal that they are finally reaching their destination.

The disciples were enjoying the view, thinking about their arrival that should not be that far away, when a feminine voice right in front of Ryu Sei caught their attention.

"LOOK, it's a Silver Luan Bird!" excitedly, the childish blonde woman says as she points to the mountains on the horizon.

Everyone shifted their attention to the magnificent silver bird flying over the mountains with twinkling lights being emitted by its long metallic feathers. Even elder Hu Rong was amazed by this rare sight, wondering if this is a good or a bad omen.

"It is a rank 7 beast, won't it attack us?" a voice came from the front.

"It is actually a rank 8 beast and a pacific one. It will not attack anyone unless you venture into its territory and threaten the nest." the childish woman angrily cut off the other comment, and for the next five minutes, she continued to talk about the silver luan bird habits and traits "... hibernate for five years before giving birth...".

While her passionate speech continued, over and over, Ryu Sei gave a compliment hoping she would stop.

"Wow, amazing! You know a lot about the Silver Luan Bird. Are you an enthusiast of beasts?"

"My dream is to become an explorer and travel the world to see rare beasts and study their habits." she turned back with her knees on the bench. It was clear that Ryu Sei's remark hit the spot because she had a proud look on her face.

"You are Ryu and Nura, right? I've heard you earlier. I am Luise Reinner, study beasts are my hobby since I was small, I really like it." she spoke casually, with no sign of formality in her introduction.

"It's nostalgic, I remember collecting beasts figures when I was a kid." Nura spoke, joining the conversation.

Luise's eyes squinted, and her lips twitched, Nura's reckless commentary landed on her weak spot, triggering her in anger.

"I am not a kid ... Okay."

"I am nineteen ... Okay."

"I am not collecting stupid figures like a stupid spoiled kid ... Okay."

Nura became agitated and tried to defend himself when he realized the mistake he committed.

"Ahn.. n-no, I was not mocking your size, I am sorry." his words adding oil to the fire.

Luise's tone changed from angry agitate to sarcastic cold.

"Don't worry, I understand it was just a mistake... people your age tend to be nostalgic about their childhood... right... OLD MAN?".

Ryu Sei almost burst out in laughter when he saw Nura making an angry expression. Nura's gray hair was a natural trait from part of his family, but it really gives him a vibe of premature aging.

Nura and Luise's skirmish continued for nearly an hour, disturbing everyone until the elder said to the group, for the group general relief.

"We have arrived at the Sect." elder Hu Rong lowered his voice so that no one could hear him "another minute of this, and I was going throw this wagon off a cliff."