NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Sect Master
Li walked alongside Huang Wei, still clutching the small pouch he had received from Elder Cheng. His heart was racing with excitement, a mixture of gratitude and nerves. Everything in the Xiang Sect was both new and interesting and filled him with excitement.
The new pouch in his hand, with its spirit stones, healing pills, and cultivation scroll, gave him a comforting feeling of belonging. But he knew that he was only scratching the surface of what lay ahead. It all seemed like a dream come true to be experiencing everything he had only imagined in his village from stories told by rouge cultivators.
"Don't worry, Li," Huang Wei said, noticing the hesitation in his steps. "Everything comes in time. The sect doesn't expect you to jump right into battle. We all start somewhere, and you'll have the chance to grow at your own pace."
Li nodded quietly, though a part of him still felt out of place. How could someone so small and inexperienced ever hope to stand among these giants of the sect? His hands gripped the pouch Elder Cheng had given him tightly. He was ready to protect it with his life if need be.
"Here we are," Huang Wei's voice interrupted his thoughts. He pushed open the doors to the Medicine Pavilion, and Li stepped inside, feeling the coolness and herbal scents of the inside wash over him.
The pavilion smelled of herbs, a mix of earthy scents. Elder Han was seated at a long wooden table, sorting through various herbs and vials, his sharp gaze flicking up when they entered. About five inner disciples as shown by their green sect robes were also in the large room performing various tasks.
"Ah, Huang Wei, you brought him back," Elder Han said, a soft smile playing at his lips. "Li, I trust you've been settling in well?"
Li bowed deeply, his hands clasped in front of him. "Yes, Elder Han. I'm... I'm doing my best." His voice was small, yet determined.
Elder Han's smile widened, and he motioned for him to sit. "Good. It's always good to see eagerness, even from someone so young. But now, we have an important matter to discuss."
Li straightened up, his heart skipping a beat. What could be so urgent?
"Li," Elder Han continued, his tone turning serious. "The Sect Master has requested to see you. He wishes to train you personally."
Li wasn't too surprised to hear this because Elder Han had already told him earlier. He was however baffled as to why the Sect Master, whom he assumes to be the overall head of such a big and obviously immortal sect would want to personally train a young boy with no background like him. But it was not his place to decide.
Huang Wei was however, surprised to hear that the sect master would personally train Li. Who was this boy? What is so special about him that even the Sect master, who hardly ever accepts disciples, has personally asked that Li be his disciple? This is someone I need to get close to, for the sect elders to have such a positive view of him, he must have great potentials' Huang Wei silently thought.
'Yes elder' he replied respectfully
'Gu An, make sure to supervise the others properly while I take young Li to the Sect master's quarters' Elder Han instructed one of the inner disciples. 'Huang Wei, you may go back to your quarters'
'Yes elder Han' Haung Wei bowed and left after giving Li a small wave
Li followed the frail looking elder outside the Medicine Pavillion which was a very big building in the middle of a very big expanse of land. As the walked, elder Han talked, showing Li the various buildings that make up the Medicine Pavillion.
'The herb garden that services the Medicine Hall is at the back. One of the medicine hall elders is in charge of it and several disciples work on it daily' he explained, pointing to the back. Li could not see anything despite straining his neck to look.
'don't worry, you'll get to work in it one of these days and you might finally end up here if you choose alchemy as your path' the elder reassured him.
They walked in companionable silence with the silence being broken once in a while as Elder Han showed him the Martial hall, the Sword hall, Discipline hall and sect gathering hall. These buildings were so big that Li could only see a glance of it as he listened to the elder.
After what seemed like hours but was only about twenty five minutes, they arrived at a simple building that exuded much power.
A powerful force pressed down on Li that made him unable to breath and was pushing down on him to go on his knees. Just when it felt like the pressure was too much to bear and Li was about to collapse, something pushed forth from within him and he grunted and spat out blood.
'Argggggg' Li grunted in obvious pain
The pressure suddenly disappeared and Li looked around with fright, afraid of what had just happened and wondering at what he felt within him that pushed back at the pressure.
'whaaaaaaat' elder Han shouted in disbelief having felt the pressure himself although to a lesser degree. He also felt the force that pushed back from Li.
'what did you just do? He demanded
'Nnnnnothing elder' Li stammered
'Let the boy be' a gentle voice floated across to them causing Li to look round in astonishment trying to locate the source of the sound
'Come in Li. We will talk later Elder Han' the voice came again
'Yes Sect Master' replied Elder Han respectfully as he pushed the door open and shoved Li forward
Li stumbled into a well-lit room filled with beautiful tapestry and Calligraphy on the wall. The room he was in looked both old and new. It was beautiful and yet ancient. There was a palpable pulse of power in the room and one couldn't help but feel awed.
Sitting in a chair behind a massive desk was a very good looking man of about twenty-two although Li could sense that this was just an illusion, this being could not be twenty, more like a thousand years old. His robes were pure white, and his long silver hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall of light. His face was calm, yet his eyes seemed to pierce through Li, as if he could see into the very depths of his soul.
'Are you ok? A kindly voice asked Li as he stared in wonder first at the room and then at the man sitting behind the desk. He had never seen such beauty in his short life, even among women.
'Disciple Li sees sect master' Li replied with a bow as he had been instructed by elder Han.
'hahahahahahaha' laughed the man as he got up and walked from behind the chair to where Li was standing, rubbed his head and looked him all over.
'I can see that elder Han has taken good care of you. The sect robes also look good on you. Hope it was not too difficult to get your size as we've never had a six year old become a direct disciple before' he chuckled, ruffling Li's hair
'No Sect master' Li replied respectfully.
'And you feel no pain anywhere? He asked again
'No sect Master. Elder Han gave me a pill some days ago and since I took it, I've not felt any pain' Li replied
'Good, good. How would you feel being my direct disciple? He asked
'Li greets master' Li said, going on one knee as he saluted
'Very good. Henceforth you will reside here with me. I will personally instruct you as we try to unlock your potential to see what fate has in stock for you.'
'Tell me how you felt when you went with Elder Han to check your potential earlier today' the Sect master commanded.
'I can't explain sect master. Just that I felt something heavy inside me trying to force itself out. I felt heat then I felt something like a force. I really cant explain sect master' Li replied in confusion
'Ok, we will discover it together. Sit over there' he instructed 'someone will soon come and show you to your quarters. I will still talk with you but make sure you cultivate diligently as your seniors show you what to do. Come to me when you have any questions.
'Yes master' li replied
The sect master then went back to his desk and pressed a bell. Before Li could sit down, a disciple wearing an inner sect uniform came in.
'BoFeng greets sect master' he kowtowed
'Good, take Li to an empty room on the left wing. You are responsible for his training from now henceforth. Also make sure to show and tell him all he needs to know about the sect' the Sect master instructed.
'Yes sect master' Bo Feng replied, motioning for Li to follow him
Immediately Li left with Bo Feng, the expression on the sect master's face changed. 'How was a boy of six able to withstand my pressure and even pushed back? He wondered, stroking the long beard that suddenly appeared on his chin as he stared thoughtfully into the distance and then he sighed as he disappeared.