The moment Sorin and Lei Yu entered the city, people immediately gathered towards them. Soldiers paid close attention, store owners abandoned their stalls, and the citizens ran to the streets so that they could see their Emperor.
"All hail the Emperor!" people cried out, and all the cheers brightened up the cloudy sky.
Sorin had almost forgotten that Lei Yu was the most important person in the region, which made him a little embarrassed since he was dressed like a beggar. He tried to hide behind the young man to hide his sorry appearance.
Nonetheless, whispers about the mysterious boy inevitably found their way into the air.
"Who is that homeless boy with the emperor?" a food merchant asked.
"The Emperor's kindness knows no bounds; he takes care of people no matter their status," said a woman holding her baby.
"Look at the poor kid, who knows where he'd be without Lord Lei Yu," a martial artist said while passing by.
Sorin gritted his teeth, trying not to show the disdain on his face at the words of the people.
'Give me a fucking break, I know I look like a beggar for crying out loud!'
Lei Yu glanced at Sorin with a smile on his face. "Is everything alright, Sorin Ren?"
Sorin sighed and looked away, "Nothing." Lei Yu chuckled, and they continued their journey to the main estate of the sect.
**
Hours later, the bustling city was far behind and the two of them finally reached the main estate of the sect.
The estate was a castle with several outer areas and a huge inner area. The scope was so vast that it seemed like this area alone was the size of a large town.
"Impressive, Lord Lei Yu." Sorin gave Lei Yu a thumbs-up.
The Emperor smiled. They approached the gates. After the gates were opened, the outer courts came into view. Hundreds of disciples wore white robes, performing strikes, under the watchful eyes of their masters.
When Lei Yu appeared, everyone stopped their drills and bowed to Lei Yu. But they quickly returned to their martial arts, their bodies striking the air with deadly precision.
Sorin tilted his head.
'Wow, this is just like one of those xianxia novels, hopefully the training part isn't too exhausting for me.'
The two of them passed the inner court area where the inner disciples trained. Unlike the outer disciples, when he saw the inner court disciples training, they seemed sharper and faster. Sorin could tell at a glance that they were different from the mundane martial artists.
Before they entered what seemed to be the main hall of the sect, Lei Yu paused.
"This is your new home from this moment on, Sorin, you will be a core disciple and study under me and other masters. I promised to give you the best training after all!"
Sorin smiled. He had just been brought back to life a few days ago, but he would soon be on the path to ascension. Lei Yu clapped, "But first, you must get out of those raggedy clothes, no offense, but you reek."
Lei Yu pinched his nose, but Sorin ignored his teasing.
Sorin was shown to his living quarters, and after a long and amazing bath, Sorin was stunning. He wore a black robe with a red collar, white belt, and the clan's emblem was embroidered on the back, which was proof of his status as a core disciple. His fit matched his long black hair and crimson eyes, so he was satisfied overall.
**
Heading out of his quarters, he found Lei Yu waiting for him by the door, which was a little creepy, but he paid no attention to it.
Lei Yu studied Sorin's appearance and smiled. "Much better, you look sharp."
Sorin couldn't help but smile at the praise. He followed Lei Yu to the main hall. Inside of the main hall, the air was heavy with so much presence. The Peak Masters radiated a power that was suffocating, only inferior to that of Lei Yu, the Ten Elders looked as if they possessed all of the wisdom in the world, and even the core disciples were nothing to scoff at.
He glanced at the three other core disciples with whom he now shared a rank. The first was a young woman who had the same beautiful azure eyes as Lei Yu and obsidian hair; the resemblance was uncanny. She was also wearing a beautiful blue dress over a white blouse.
The second was a tall young man with short amber hair and auburn eyes. He wore the same uniform as Sorin and he gazed at Sorin as if he looked down on him.
The last one was an aloof girl who tied her black hair into two buns behind her head. She was wearing the same uniform as Sorin, but she had some kind of insignia on her waist.
As Sorin and Lei Yu stood together, the masters, elders, and core disciples put their hands together and bowed.
"It is good to see you well, Lord Lei Yu." Spoke one of the elders. Lei Yu smiled, "I thank you kindly. I want to introduce you all to our new core disciple, his name is Sorin Ren, and he's an interesting fellow. To say the least"
Then the masters and elders studied Sorin from head to toe. One of them spoke, "I don't sense even the slightest of qi coming from him, but if you have chosen him, he must have something concealed."
All of them agreed and nodded their heads in unison which was a bit funny.
Sorin, who had been holding his breath the entire time from the sheer pressure everyone exerted, finally spoke. Sorin bowed, "I'm still new to all this, so please bear with me as we achieve new heights together."
Lei Yu, the several master, and other elders all chuckled, "Well spoken, young Sorin, we are all looking forward to your growth." One of the Elders said.
Suddenly, and out of nowhere, a loud voice erupted.
"Preposterous!"
The young man with amber hair and auburn eyes stood up, prompting everyone in the room to turn to him.
"I'm sorry, master, but how can you let such a mongrel into our sacred sect. Looking at him, it's clear he has no talent and never will, so why waste time on him?" The two young women looked at him with shock in their eyes.
Lei Yu scowled, "Chi Yan, you will stop speaking this instant, if you know what's good for you." The hall grew with even more pressure from the words of its Emperor.
However, the young man's arrogance surpassed even his fear for the transcendent sect leader. Chi Yan gritted his teeth and simply glared at Lei Yu and Sorin.
"Even if everyone here doesn't care, I do. I simply refuse to acknowledge a nobody like him as an equal. Does he even know how to gather qi energy, Lord Lei Yu?"
Lei Yu looked as if he was about to dish out a punishment to the young man, but at that moment, what looked to be a messenger dashed into the room, halting the tension.
"Lord Lei Yu, Zhao Chen of the Radiant Light sect, and Yan Jian of the Scorching Flame sect were seen near the ascension path by our scouts. This is a dire situation that needs your attention, sir!"
Lei Yu pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced back at Chi Yan one last time. "We'll discuss this when I get back." Lei Yu sighed and left the premises. He was gone just like that.
Sorin now had a puzzled look on his face after the sudden disappearance of the sect master.
'Ascension path? Radiant Sun sect and Scorching Flame sect? What does any of that even mean? I'll have to ask Lei Yu later I guess, if he even wants to reveal it.
With the sect leader gone, the rest had no reason to be there. The masters and elders returned to their duties, leaving only the four core disciples.
Sorin sighed.
'Martial arts training, and long hours meditating, this is such a drag. Maybe I should choose a type of sword martial arts.'
If he was able to overcome his slothfulness, he could achieve amazing things since he has potential according to Lei Yu, so he tried his hardest not to fall back into that mindset.
Sorin had also wanted to approach the three other disciples, but ultimately decided to postpone their introductions since he was a little nervous and had trouble talking to girls due to being a shut-in in his previous life.
Putting these worries behind him, he turned to look for the master who specialized in sword training.
However.
Before he could, a firm hand pressed his shoulder. Chi Yan stood behind him with hostility.
Chi Yan stopped him in his tracks and had an angry look on his face that was contorted into a smile.
"Meet me out back in the arena right now, I challenge you to a duel, you mongrel."
A cold bead of sweat ran down Sorin's back.
He had somehow managed to piss off a core disciple.
Sorin nodded and reluctantly followed the angry young man. Sorin knew what lay ahead for him in the future. An ass whooping.
'I'm so screwed.'