Exploring the Gurukul

After completing their enrollment, Arjun, Zhao Yufeng, and Zhao Yufei were officially students of the Gurukul of Vindhya. Their first class wouldn't begin for another three days, giving them some buffer time to explore. The Gurukul was vast—far larger than anything they had ever seen in their small village of Gokul—and they were eager to familiarize themselves with their new home.

"Since we have three days before training starts," Zhao Yufeng said, stretching his arms behind his head, "we might as well explore the place. No point sitting around in the dorms."

Zhao Yufei nodded. "I agree. It's better to understand the layout of the Gurukul now rather than get lost later."

Arjun, holding the Gurukul guide map they had received upon enrollment, traced his finger over the different regions marked on the parchment. The Gurukul was divided into three main areas:

Outer Discipline Region – where most new students, like them, lived and trained.Inner Discipline Region – where stronger students, those with higher cultivation, resided.Core Discipline Region – the most exclusive part of the Gurukul, home to its strongest disciples and the elders who rarely appeared in public.

As Arjun's eyes moved over the map, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was a cultivation academy, a place where warriors and scholars trained to become stronger, to ascend beyond their mortal limits.

"Alright," he said, rolling up the map. "Let's go."

As they stepped out of their dormitories and walked through the stone-paved pathways, the scale of the Gurukul of Vindhya became even clearer.

Tall stone buildings, some reaching four or five stories high, stood in neat rows, their surfaces covered in intricate carvings of mythical beasts and warriors. Cultivation training grounds, large sparring fields, meditation halls, and libraries could be seen in different parts of the Outer Region. The sheer size of the place made it clear—this was no ordinary academy.

There were thousands of students, all wearing different shades of grey robes, the standard attire for Outer Disciples. Some moved in groups, others walked alone, their expressions serious as they carried books or sparring weapons.

Suddenly, as they turned a corner, they stumbled upon an open training ground where several disciples were engaged in fierce combat.

A young man with a muscular build and short-cropped black hair stood in the center, his aura strong. He moved with precision, his fists glowing faintly as he struck his opponent, sending him skidding backward.

"Damn…" Zhao Yufeng muttered under his breath. "They're really going all out."

"Of course," Zhao Yufei said. "This is a cultivation academy. It's expected that fights happen often."

Arjun watched carefully, observing the techniques being used. The defeated disciple, though bruised, didn't look disheartened. Instead, he simply nodded at his opponent, accepted his loss, and walked away.

"Even though they fight seriously, no one seems to take it personally," Arjun noted.

Zhao Yufei nodded. "That's because here, competition is encouraged. Unlike our village, strength means everything in a place like this."

They continued walking, passing by meditation halls, where disciples sat in complete silence, surrounded by faint spiritual energy, and lecture halls, where senior students gave teachings on martial arts techniques and energy control.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, a deep rumbling sound suddenly came from Zhao Yufeng's stomach.

Zhao Yufei raised an eyebrow. "Hungry already?"

Zhao Yufeng scratched the back of his head. "What do you mean 'already'? We've been walking all day!"

Arjun chuckled. "He's not wrong. Let's find the canteen."

Following the guide map, they navigated through the stone pathways until they reached a large open hall with rows of wooden tables and benches. The scent of food—roasted meat, fragrant rice, and freshly baked bread—filled the air, making Zhao Yufeng's stomach grumble even louder.

"Finally!" Zhao Yufeng said, rushing forward.

They each took a tray and lined up at the serving counter. The food, while simple, looked fresh and nourishing. The Gurukul provided free meals to all students, though those with money could purchase higher-grade spirit meals meant to enhance cultivation.

As they sat at an empty table and began eating, Arjun couldn't help but notice something strange. Every student around them had a cultivation level within a specific range.

Even though they were in a cultivation academy, no one seemed to be above a certain realm.

"Strange…" Arjun muttered.

"What is?" Zhao Yufei asked.

"The cultivation levels of the students here. I can sense that everyone in the Outer Discipline region is within the Body Refining Realm. No one seems to be higher than sixth stage."

Zhao Yufeng frowned. "Now that you mention it… that is weird. Shouldn't there be stronger students walking around?"

Curious, Arjun turned to a nearby student who seemed approachable—a thin, sharp-eyed boy eating quietly at the next table.

"Excuse me," Arjun said. "Can I ask you something?"

The boy glanced up and nodded. "Sure."

"We've noticed that everyone here seems to be within the first six stages of Body Refining. Is there a reason for that?"

The boy set down his chopsticks and smirked slightly. "New here, huh?"

Arjun nodded.

The boy stretched his arms and leaned back. "Alright, listen up. The Gurukul of Vindhya is divided into three regions—Outer, Inner, and Core. You probably already know that, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, here's how it works." He held up three fingers.

"Outer Discipline consists of anyone between Body Refining Stage 1 to Stage 5. Once someone reaches Stage 6, they qualify for promotion to Inner Discipline."

Zhao Yufei frowned. "So, anyone above Stage 5 isn't allowed to stay in the Outer Region?"

"Exactly," the boy said. "Those who reach Stage 6 and show talent get a chance to take the Inner Discipline Examination. If they pass, they move into the Inner Region."

Zhao Yufeng raised an eyebrow. "And what about the Core Discipline?"

The boy let out a small laugh. "Core Disciples are on a whole different level. You won't find them in the Outer Region. The only ones allowed into the Core Discipline Region are those who have reached at least the Energy Condensation Realm."

Arjun's eyes widened.

"Wait," he said, "so you're saying that anyone we see here is still only at the beginning stages of cultivation?"

"Exactly," the boy said, taking another bite of his food. "True elites—those in the Core Region—barely ever show themselves in the Outer Discipline Region. You won't see them walking around unless they have a specific reason to be here."

Zhao Yufei's expression turned serious. "That means… to truly stand out, we have to surpass Body Refining and reach Energy Condensation as soon as possible."

The boy nodded. "If you stay stuck in the Outer Region for too long, you'll always be at the bottom. The strong climb up, and the weak stay behind."

Arjun clenched his fists. This place truly was a battlefield for cultivators.

To rise, he would have to train harder than ever before.

Zhao Yufeng exhaled. "Well… that just means we need to push forward, right?"

Arjun smiled slightly. Indeed. This was only the beginning.