Recognizing a Master

The following morning

The sun was rising slowly, lazily, over Viresta, spreading a golden mantle that kissed every street, every square, and, most of all, the anxious faces of the young disciples gathered in the Central Square. It was as if the very sky were preparing a symphony of light to announce the beginning of a day that, for many, promised to be the first chapter of a new era of cultivation.

Amid the nervous murmur and contained giggles, the crowd could hardly contain its excitement. The air vibrated with the distant clinking of bells, that sound which, for cultivators, was as familiar as the beating of their own hearts, but which today seemed to carry a special weight. It was in this effervescent setting that Xuan Bei, the venerable elder, entered the crowd. His steps were slow yet firm, and each movement exuded the confidence and experience of someone who had already walked through countless cycles of cultivation.

With a gaze that mixed serenity and authority, Xuan Bei swept over the sea of faces as he advanced with the dignity of a master with hundreds of years of cultivation. Upon reaching the center of the square, Xuan Bei slowly raised his hand, as if inviting not only the disciples but the entire universe to pay attention at that moment. And, as if nature itself obeyed that silent command, the disciples began to rise.

It was not an extravagant display, but a subtle manipulation of spiritual energy. The young ones, like delicate leaves carried by a gentle breeze, began to float. Gradually, the elevation carried them to about 20 meters above the ground, where, surprisingly, they found themselves aboard a floating ship, a vessel that seemed to have come straight out of legends.

When, finally, the disciples' feet found something firm again, a deck that anchored them to reality.

As the ship departed at an absurdly high speed, Xuan Bei spoke in a low, deep voice that cut through the murmur of the crowd with undeniable clarity.

  "Today, my dear disciples, you take the first step toward the destiny you have always dreamed of. Each one of you carries, within your heart, a unique spark capable of igniting the path of cultivation if it is well nurtured."

As the elder's words spread, like fire that ignites the flame of ambition, three young individuals silently stood out among the crowd.

Ermin, Jiang Kai, and Kaelen. Without the need for prolonged explanations, Xuan Bei already knew that these three young ones possessed a potential that set them apart from the rest of the disciples of that batch. Especially Kaelen and Ermin.

Next, the ship stopped. The journey lasted only a short time, about 30 seconds. But it must be known that if the disciples had decided to come by walking, it would probably have taken days to arrive.

Disembarking from the ship, Xuan Bei, with a subtle gesture, organized the paths of the disciples. The majority was directed to the area of the External Disciples.

While the mass headed for the initial areas, the elder turned to the remaining three. Jiang Kai, whose gaze now carried a silent determination, was led to the inner sect. There, the atmosphere was entirely different.

The austere walls and the measured lighting created an air of seriousness, as if every shadow there told stories of ancient successes and battles fought. A deacon with a firm voice waited to record Jiang Kai's entry into the circle of the Internal Disciples.

  "Oh, I see that elder Xuan Bei was lucky this time. It is rare for a disciple to have enough talent to enter the inner circle of the sect as soon as they join. Come, let me register you."

Said the deacon, while Jiang Kai remained silent. It should be noted that he had become strangely quiet since the events of the previous day.

After this separation, Xuan Bei called Kaelen and Ermin to a more private location.

  "Listen, from now on, do not speak absolutely anything unless someone speaks to you. Respond in a simple and direct manner."

Xuan Bei said lightly to the young men, who nodded in agreement with the elder's words.

Then, they followed through an ancient corridor, filled with lanterns that cast dancing shadows on the stone walls. The walk was silent, punctuated only by the echo of their steps and the distant sound of chants that seemed to emerge from the depths of time, as if each note held an ancient secret.

The corridor led them to a spacious hall, whose grandeur was breathtaking. Sturdy pillars, carved with details that narrated the epics of the sect's cultivators, rose majestically, while murals painted with colors that, even worn by time, still shone with vitality. Each stroke told stories of struggles, sacrifices, and achievements that inspired even the most hesitant hearts.

A few core elders already occupied strategic positions in the hall. Their discreet yet striking presences filled the space with a serene and powerful energy, as if each one of them were a guardian of the secrets of cultivation, witness to countless cycles of rise and fall.

Xuan Bei accompanied them, his eyes attentive to every detail, until they stopped before a massive carved wooden door. Before they could pass through it, the elder led Kaelen and Ermin to a small side courtyard, where the light filtered in softly, tinting the environment with a yellowish hue reminiscent of lazy autumn mornings.

Seated on polished stone benches, the two young ones, still recovering from the thrill of the flight, listened intently as Xuan Bei began to explain the mysteries of the sect's operation.

  "Young ones, listen well. The path of cultivation is like a long staircase, with steps that become increasingly challenging. Normally you should start as External Disciples—the starting point for most disciples. But due to your exceptional talents, you will begin directly as Direct Disciples, skipping the ranks of External, Internal, and Lineage Disciples."

Xuan Bei paused, allowing each word to settle in the minds of the two, whose eyes shone with a mix of anxiety and hope.

  "Above the Direct Disciples are the True Disciples, those who take a Peak Master as their master will become True Disciples. There are few within the sect. They are the future pillars of the sect."

Xuan Bei continued outlining the hierarchical structure of the sect in a simple yet deeply meaningful way:

  "In our sect, the External Elders are those who, even with a modest cultivation, or who are invited elders, possess a status elevated in relation to the External and Internal Disciples. The Internal Elders, in turn, are stronger, with an advanced cultivation. But the true pillars of our sect are the Core Elders, those who, even without reaching the title of Peak Master, should not be underestimated. And, finally, we have the Peak Masters, lineage leaders who need no introduction. Above all, the Sect Master, the supreme leader, who embodies the pinnacle of the sect."

As he spoke, Xuan Bei kept his gaze fixed on the faces of Kaelen and Ermin, as if he could see through them all the potential they might one day achieve.

After that dialogue, Xuan Bei rose and resumed leading the two through a corridor. Each step made the air denser with mystery, and the lanterns' lighting revealed secrets hidden in the wrinkles of the stone walls.

Finally, the two young ones arrived at the grand hall of the sect. The soft light accentuated the carvings on the imposing pillars, and the silence, heavy and reverent, made even time itself seem to slow down. A few core elders were there, each with a gaze that seemed to deeply evaluate the two young ones who now entered that sacred space.

As soon as Kaelen and Ermin positioned themselves in the center of the hall, Xuan Bei's voice resonated, firm and moving:

  "Esteemed elders, these young ones are Kaelen and Ermin. Both have tested 20 talent bells in the city of Viresta."

Xuan Bei clasped his hands together and said forcefully.

For a few moments, the hall fell into a silence bordering on the mystical. Kaelen felt sweat trickling down his forehead, while Ermin, who until then had seemed oblivious to the tension, began to show signs of drowsiness.

Only Xuan Bei knew what was truly happening.

At that moment, intense transmissions of voices circulated among the elders, as if each message carried the strike of a sword.

Then, a soft yet imposing voice resounded throughout the hall, coming from the first peak:

  "Ermin, are you willing to accept me as your master?"

The words hit Ermin like lightning. His eyes, previously half-closed in a slight doze, widened, and Ermin, on impulse, replied:

  "Disciple is willing."

The transmissions continued, resonating like thunder among the elders, but for Kaelen and Ermin, it seemed that everything was in an eerie silence. A few seconds later, a powerful voice, coming from the eighth peak, made itself heard:

  "Kaelen, are you willing to accept me as your master?"

The tone was unquestionable, and the aura emanating from that voice made it clear that it was, without a doubt, the new Peak Master of the newly inaugurated eighth peak.

Kaelen, knowing he had no choice regarding his master, responded quickly.

  "Disciple is willing."