The First Steps into Gurukul

As the sun began its descent behind the mountains, the grand gates of Gurukul of Vindhya stood before Arjun, Zhao Yufeng, and Zhao Yufei. Towering stone walls stretched high into the sky, adorned with intricate carvings of ancient warriors and celestial beings, their fierce gazes frozen in time. The sheer size of the gates made them feel small, a stark reminder that they were stepping into a world far beyond their humble village of Gokul.

A pair of guards, clad in sturdy black armor, stood at the entrance. Their sharp eyes scanned the three newcomers as the village chief guided them forward.

"Halt," one of the guards ordered, holding up a hand. His voice was deep and commanding, his gaze unwavering. "No one enters the Gurukul of Vindhya without permission. State your purpose."

Zhao Yufeng, ever the hot-headed one, opened his mouth to respond, but the village chief placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Stepping forward, the old man pulled out a scroll, its seal bearing the mark of the Gurukul itself.

"This is the official work quota certificate issued by Gurukul management," the village chief stated calmly, handing over the scroll. "These three are working students from Gokul, assigned by the village under the Gurukul's initiative to promote cultivation among civilians."

The guard took the scroll, his eyes scanning the document carefully. The tension in the air was thick as Arjun and his friends waited. For a brief moment, Arjun felt his heart pound—what if something went wrong? What if the certificate wasn't enough?

Then, with a slight nod, the guard rolled the scroll back and handed it to the village chief.

"Everything is in order," he said, stepping aside. He turned to Arjun, Zhao Yufeng, and Zhao Yufei. "You may enter."

Arjun exhaled in relief. But before they could move forward, the guard turned his sharp gaze toward the village chief.

"However," he continued, "you may not enter. It is against Gurukul rules for non-students and non-staff to pass beyond these gates."

The village chief sighed, as if he had expected this. "I understand," he said, his voice calm. He turned to the three of them, his expression gentle yet firm. "This is as far as I go. From here on, you must rely on yourselves."

Arjun felt a lump form in his throat. Though he knew this moment was coming, he hadn't realized how hard it would be to say goodbye. The village chief had always been a figure of wisdom and strength in their small village. Now, they were stepping into the unknown without his guidance.

"You must take care of each other," the old man continued. "Cultivation is a difficult path. You will face hardships, rivals, and even enemies. But never forget the bonds you have with one another."

Zhao Yufei's eyes glistened slightly, but she quickly wiped them, not wanting to show weakness. Zhao Yufeng, on the other hand, folded his arms, his usual confidence wavering for just a moment.

"Thank you for everything, Chief," Arjun said, bowing deeply.

The old man smiled. "Do not thank me, Arjun. Instead, show me with your actions that my faith in you was not misplaced."

With those final words, he turned away and began his journey back to Gokul, his figure growing smaller in the distance.

Arjun clenched his fists. I will make you proud.

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the massive gates, beyond which lay his future.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed almost immediately. The air felt thicker, charged with spiritual energy. It was unlike anything they had experienced in Gokul. Even without cultivating, Arjun could feel it flowing through his body, making his breath steadier, his mind clearer.

"Whoa," Zhao Yufeng muttered. "This place is something else."

Zhao Yufei nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "It's… overwhelming."

Inside the walls, the Gurukul was nothing like their simple village. The courtyards were vast, filled with students walking around in different-colored robes, each representing their status and year. There were tall stone buildings, their surfaces carved with ancient runes. Some students were practicing martial techniques in the open fields, while others meditated under the shade of old trees.

As they took in their surroundings, the guard spoke again.

"If you are new students, you must go to the Administrative Building for enrollment," he instructed. He pointed toward a large three-story building at the center of the Gurukul. "Follow the stone path, and you will reach it."

Arjun nodded. "Thank you."

The guard didn't respond. His job was done.

The three of them began walking toward the Administrative Building, their steps slow as they absorbed the overwhelming sight of the Gurukul.

As they walked, they noticed how different groups of students interacted.

Some were engaged in fierce duels in the open sparring grounds, their attacks sending waves of energy rippling through the air. Others sat in meditation circles, their bodies surrounded by faint auras of spiritual energy. A few were simply chatting, their laughter echoing through the pathways.

Then there were those who walked with an air of superiority—their robes embroidered with intricate golden patterns, their gazes filled with indifference toward others.

"Nobles," Zhao Yufeng muttered under his breath.

Arjun followed his gaze. It was clear who the noble students were. Their posture, their confidence—it was as if they believed they owned the Gurukul.

One group in particular stood out. A tall boy with silver hair led a group of three others, their expressions arrogant as they walked past a group of commoner students. The noble boy sneered, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Civilian insects should know their place."

The commoner students lowered their heads, saying nothing.

Zhao Yufei clenched her fists. "They're just openly insulting people?"

Zhao Yufeng scowled. "That's the reality of the world we live in."

Arjun remained silent. He had already decided. He would not bow to anyone, noble or not. But this was not the time to start trouble.

After several minutes, they finally reached the Administrative Building. It was massive, built from dark stone, with pillars engraved with ancient symbols. The entrance was guarded by two statues of warriors, their weapons drawn as if warning newcomers to respect the rules of the Gurukul.

Stepping inside, they found themselves in a large hall lined with wooden desks where several staff members were assisting new students. The room smelled of aged parchment and incense, a strange yet calming combination.

A stern-looking man in dark robes sat at the front desk, his eyes scanning over them as they approached.

"Name?" he asked, his tone flat.

"Arjun," Arjun said.

"Zhao Yufeng."

"Zhao Yufei."

The man nodded, flipping through a large leather-bound book. After a moment, he pulled out three wooden tokens, each with an engraved inscription.

"These are your student identification tokens," he explained, handing one to each of them. "Keep them with you at all times. Losing them means losing your identity in the Gurukul."

They took their tokens carefully. The moment Arjun touched his, he felt a faint pulse of spiritual energy run through his fingers.

"Your dormitory assignments are listed here," the man continued, pointing to a large board beside the desk. "You have until sunset to find your rooms. After that, all students are expected to follow the Gurukul schedule strictly. Understood?"

They all nodded.

The man waved them off. "Next!"

Stepping away from the desk, Arjun looked at the board, scanning the names. After a moment, he found their assignments.

Arjun – Dormitory 3, Room 14Zhao Yufeng – Dormitory 3, Room 15Zhao Yufei – Dormitory 4, Room 10

Zhao Yufeng groaned. "We're already being separated?"

Zhao Yufei shrugged. "We'll see each other in classes."

Arjun clenched his token. This was it. The start of their journey in Gurukul.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to his friends. "Let's go find our rooms. A new life begins now."