Chapter 3 Settling

Looking towards the sky Ren nodded his head. "Seems its about time, and thankfully you're all here. I hope you've all sorted your personal matters as you won't be let down the mountain for some time. Now follow me!" Ren commanded as he ascended the mountain the 48 disciples in tow.

Many of them couldn't hold back their excitement, while others were nervous. Despite this the now fellow disciples began chatting amongst themselves as they followed Ren up the mountain. Soon they arrived at the plaza and Ren came to a stop. Turning towards the disciples once again he flashed a smile.

"Here is the plaza. You are expected to come here at 10 in the morning for recall everyday. This is only a temporary measure and is in place so we Elders can provide adequate guidance." Ren explained before pointing towards one of the paths ahead.

"That path leads to the Elder Halls, and the Sect Master's Palace, unless told otherwise you should never go up that path." He then motioned towards another path. "Following that path you'll reach the Sky Reaching Pagoda, or in other words where all the Sect's techniques are kept, that will be relevant in the coming days. Of the remaining two paths, one leads towards the Merit Hall which I am sure you're all familiar with now, and the final path leads towards your quarters which I will be taking you to now." 

Finishing his explanation Ren began walking once again the disciples in tow. 'Hmm, so far none of them really stand out to me. Sure the noble children already have 1st Layer cultivation bases, one of them even has a 2nd Layer cultivation but they're not really my style.' Ren thought to himself as they arrived.

There were 15 huts, they weren't shabby but they weren't necessarily very well built either. One of the huts stood out from the rest, being larger than the other 14 and seemingly made of better materials. "Each hut contains 4 beds, those 6 there are for the boys the 6 there are for the girls." Ren simply declared without mentioning the 3 remaining huts.

The 14 regular huts were merely constructed with an estimated number of disciples in mind. Statistically they were going to get between 40 to 55 disciples, which is why 14 were built as a precautionary measure. On the other hand the final hut had a more relevant purpose for the future.

"Naturally 4 of you will live in each hut, stand in front of it as a group of 4 and then I'll explain further."

After a few seconds the disciples began dividing themselves up. Even from now it was clear that divisions were brewing amongst them. The nobles and the commoners divided themselves cleanly, each with their respective huts, 4 for the nobles and 8 for the commoners. 'We'll need to fix this later, but for now its to be expected.'

"All right! Inside you will find azure robes, naturally they denote your status as Azure Leaf Sect disciples along with your medallions, beside them there is also the Sect's rule book along with a copy of the Sect's signature cultivation technique the Azure Vitality Manual. A Top Mortal grade cultivation technique, and the foundation of our Sect!" Ren declared sending waves of excitement throughout the disciples.

"Even the royal family's cultivation technique is only a very strong Middle Mortal grade technique!"

"We get that for free!"

"Wow!"

"My family's technique can't even compare!"

The disciples exclaimed excited at the prospect. "Mhm it is indeed your great fortune to join the Azure Leaf Sect but do not forget! While you're benefitting now, you will be expected to repay the Sect later by striving for its growth! Remember there is no free lunch in this world." 

Hearing this the disciples nodded. He then motioned them to head inside and they ran in without a second thought. "Familiarise yourself with the rule book then come to the plaza at four in the afternoon, tardiness will not be tolerated!" Ren's voice sounded throughout the huts before he disappeared.

Atop Radiant Dawn, Chen looked below with a smile on his face. "Haiz the joy of being young. We'll see how they turn out but for now I am pleased with this crop of disciples." Chen muttered to himself as a figure blurred up the mountain. After a minute or so the figure came to a stop before Chen, it was naturally Ren.

"So what do you think? Impressive ain't I?" Ren laughed grasping at his beard. Chen merely nodded patting his friend on the shoulder. "Impressive, very impressive. As long as you guide them through the basics well we'll be on our way to start progressing as a Sect." Chen replied to which Ren made a very solemn expression.

"Fret not Sect Master! I may not dare to say I know the Azure Vitality Manual as well as you, but I am certainly no amateur either." Ren declared hand on his heart. "Not to mention when it comes to recultivating I am no novice either." He added to which Chen nodded.

"All right. Well as long as this week goes well I'll head out of the Kingdom in search of some treasures. Luckily I think that lead from last time is bearing fruit. So who knows, we might have a Sect Treasure this time next year." Chen said excitedly his eyes sparkling. Likewise Ren was also excited. A Sect Treasure would boost them immensely.

The fact that Chen was a Foundation Establishment cultivator meant that his ability to gather resources was way beyond the four Elders combined. Because of this it was decided that especially in these initial stages Chen would bolster the coffers of the Sect while Ren took charge of teaching the disciples. Naturally Mei, Jin and Cong would help out, but they also had their own tasks.

"Anyway about that gold, I really want to buy some Radiant Tiger wine! I'll even let you have some!" Ren suddenly asked, a pleading expression gracing his face. "Ahem, I have no gold on me you should ask Jin." Chen coughed clearly trying to divert the trouble. Immediately Ren's expression soured. He knew there was no way he could get any money out of Jin.