The sun shone brightly that day, and the village center was bustling. Xiao Chao and Ji Tianwei took a relaxed stroll, his father pointing out various shops and interesting spots.
The beautiful village was built over a series of rivers. The calming scent of aquatic plants filled the air, soothing both heart and mind. Everyone there seemed friendly. Most wore layers of light, colorful clothes, and the women, adorned with sparkling accessories, were particularly beautiful.
The village market was just as lively, with people selling everything from food and medicine to accessories. The currency here was a lotus-shaped tael, a symbol of the village's independence from the empire.
The village was vast, almost as large as an imperial city in Zhongyao. It even had a martial arts academy for children to train before being recruited by a sect.
Xiao Chao stopped at a restaurant and took Ji Tianwei inside. The building was huge and magnificent, and the owner provided both food and lodging. Painted in a striking sapphire blue, the building stood out, its name, Zhen Bai, proudly displayed on the front.
"What do you think of this place, son? Pretty nice, isn't it?" Xiao Chao asked, smiling at Ji Tianwei, who was mesmerized by the women entertaining guests with musical instruments.
"Yes, Father. The view of the pond in the center is beautiful. So many musicians are standing on those giant lotus leaves. Are they cultivators, too, Father?" Ji Tianwei asked, his small hand pointing toward the musicians.
"Yes, son. They cultivate through their music," Xiao Chao replied.
"Father, I've been wondering, how do you cultivate? Is it with music, too? I haven't seen you cultivate at all," Ji Tianwei asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Haha, Father cultivates using natural Qi at night. This world has many different ways to cultivate, but using natural Qi is the most common."
Ji Tianwei then asked, "Does Sister Xiao Qing use natural Qi as well?"
"No, son. Your sister uses sword cultivation, like her mother. So, I am the only one who is different," Xiao Chao answered.
"Hmm, if only I could cultivate, maybe I could join you, Father," Ji Tianwei said softly.
"Don't be discouraged, son. Life isn't about power, but about the story you live," Xiao Chao said, stroking Ji Tianwei's head with great affection.
Ji Tianwei smiled, his gaze returning to the musicians as they waited for their order. Once their food arrived, they ate with great joy, the beautiful music as their backdrop.
...
After their meal at Zhen Bai, they continued on to a clothing store to buy Ji Tianwei new clothes.
"Father, why are we going to a clothes store? My clothes are still fine," Ji Tianwei asked, pointing to his well-worn clothes that Yue Chan had painstakingly patched.
"This is a gift for you, my son," Xiao Chao said. "I'll pick out what suits you best. Just wait in the changing room."
Ji Tianwei nodded, and Xiao Chao escorted him to the changing room. As he waited, he sat and looked at his reflection in the gleaming bronze mirror, his charming young face staring back at him.
I'm so happy with this trip. So many beautiful and unique places. But I still feel that murderous aura following us. Is something about to happen? Damn, it's so annoying, Ji Tianwei thought. But I'm just a beginner. There are so many ways to cultivate and fight. Does Nirvana have fighting techniques too? I'll think about it later. If that stalker makes a move, the cultivators here won't just stand by. What is he thinking? So strange, he mused.
Soon after, Xiao Chao came to the changing room with new clothes. "My son, I think this will suit you perfectly," he said.
The clothes were dark blue with a traditional village lotus embroidery, paired with a black inner shirt and a matching pair of shoes.
Ji Tianwei put them on, his face lighting up with pure joy. The new clothes were a perfect fit.
"Looks great, doesn't it?" Xiao Chao asked, grinning.
"Father, thank you so much! They're a perfect fit, hehe," Ji Tianwei replied.
"Okay, let's keep going. I want to show you one more place," Xiao Chao suggested.
"What about my old clothes, Father? Should we take them home?" Ji Tianwei asked.
"Just bring them. We'll fix them up at home. They're a keepsake, so don't throw them away," Xiao Chao said.
"Alright, Father. But what place are we going to?" Ji Tianwei asked.
"The Blue Lotus Sect's new disciple recruitment. Your sister might be there. Today is the day they accept new disciples, which is why she hasn't come home yet," Xiao Chao explained.
"Really? Father, let's hurry! I want to see it!" Ji Tianwei said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
After paying—Ji Tianwei's new clothes cost about three silver taels—they left the store and continued their journey.
...
They walked for a while until they finally arrived. The Blue Lotus Sect's disciple recruitment was located on a hillside, just a few kilometers from the village center.
The place was packed with visitors from various cities. As one of the top sects in the region, their tests were strict, and many candidates left empty-handed.
"Father, it's so crowded here! What a huge event, and there are so many cultivators!" Ji Tianwei said, his eyes wide with awe.
"This is the Hundred Rivers Village. The candidates here seem to have great potential," Xiao Chao replied. "Come on, let's go to the seats on the third floor."
They walked through the gate to the best viewing spot. In the center was a huge black pillar and a wide concrete field floating on the water. Many candidates were on the field, with more women than men.
In front of the candidates stood the elders of the Blue Lotus Sect. Some looked young, and each had their own unique cultivation method. Beside them were the elite disciples. After Xiao Chao and Ji Tianwei sat down, they could see everything clearly from above.
This is so cool. I want to see how these candidates perform. Most of them are older than me, Ji Tianwei thought.
"My son, your sister is near Elder Lin Qingyu," Xiao Chao said, pointing toward Xiao Qing.
"Sister! Sister! I'm here!" Ji Tianwei shouted, waving his hand.
Xiao Qing, who felt a familiar voice calling, looked toward the source. Seeing her father and little brother, she smiled happily.
"Senior Sister, what are you looking at that's making you smile?" Bing Ying asked.
"My little brother and father are here," Xiao Qing replied.
"Huh? Senior Sister, is that the Ji Tianwei you adopted? Why does he look so different? He's more charming than when you first met him," Bing Ying said, surprised to see Ji Tianwei cheerfully waving.
"I didn't expect him to change and become more charming either," Xiao Qing chimed in.
Why is my little brother so handsome? Argh, I want to go home now, Xiao Qing thought, her cheeks flushing.
"Senior Sister, take me with you when you go home later," Bing Ying said, poking Xiao Qing's waist.
Xiao Qing flinched and scolded Bing Ying for poking her, then quickly composed herself.
A booming voice from one of the sect elders echoed, "WELCOME ALL CANDIDATES! MAY YOU ALL BE ACCEPTED TODAY! FIRST, PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THE BLACK STONE TO MEASURE YOUR SPIRITUAL ROOTS. SECOND, SPARRING PRACTICE. THIRD, SCORE EVALUATION. FOURTH, SELECTION BY OUR SECT ELDERS. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!"
The disciple candidates cheered, all of them confident in what they had.
Among them, a young man looked exceptionally relaxed. Ji Tianwei, watching from the third floor, frowned. He felt an unsettling aura from the young man, a familiar coldness from the night before.
Hmm... something interesting was brewing, Ji Tianwei thought, a faint smile gracing his face.