Silver strolled down a scenic trail, nearing the entrance of Floating Cloud Sect. Distracted by his thoughts, close to the sect's gates, an old man stood there watching him at the center of the entrance.
Sensing someone intensely staring at him, Silver looked up and stared back at the old man standing in front of him.
"Inner disciple Silver, just in time. I just came out to find you," Old Yam spoke flatly.
He actually waited for a few hours after causing a ruckus in the sect. It was the main reasons why there were no gatekeepers around at this time. They ran away in fear after the old man began swearing loudly to turn the world upside down if he couldn't find his "son".
Thus, it strengthened the rumor about Silver being Old Yam's son throughout the sect. Waving his right hand, a rowboat flew out of his spatial ring, hovering above the ground between them.
"We must go. The faction leaders are getting a bit antsy and want to meet young disciple, Silver."
Silver nodded, unsure what to say and climbed onto the wooden rowboat. Old Yam took a glimpsed at the young man, noticing his troubled face. He decided to stay quiet until they reached the meeting place.
'Where can I find the rest of the materials I need to upgrade this into a void body to reach the fifth level of the [Chaotic Void Skill] body tempering stage. Based on the manual, I need to be tempered in flames that can burn in the void while surrounded by ice that can withstand such flames. I will also need the blood essence of a void creature and a Grey Spirit Lotus that can only be found in the underworld.
I already have the necessary items but I'm not sure if Blacky is willing to give up a blood essence. Not only that, where can I find such flames and ice? How am I going to find such a place to temper my body. It even says I have fuse the blood essence and Grey Spirit Lotus while being temper in one shot. . .' Silver pondered unceasingly.
This was truly something that stumped him for a long time. Maybe he should ask Old Yam once this meeting was over.
"We're here," Old Yam announced breaking Silver's train of thought.
Looking up, a majestic and ancient 9 story pagoda sat on a island surrounded by a huge body of water, mountains, and majestic trees. A mysterious fog hindering both vision and divine sense occupied the surrounding area.
This was truly a serene and magnificent place hidden deeply within the sect. Silver was so busy thinking, he didn't even notice how they both got here. What startled him further was this strong, mysterious power radiating from the pagoda!
As if an auspicious secret was hidden within awaiting to be unraveled by those it deemed worthy.
Soon, the rowboat slowly descended onto the water. It began drifting towards the island the ancient pagoda was built on. There was so many mysteries shrouding the Floating Cloud Sect. Why is it the weakest sect, yet, it held these hidden treasures.
There was many questions blooming within Silver's mind.
Old Yam, unaware of Silver's deep expression, brought out a white medallion with a gold dragon imbedded into it. Upon reaching the pagoda, the medallion shone brightly as a small entrance opened in the barrier surrounding the pagoda.
Looking at the arrays, Silver felt shocked! These arrays here were of the highest heaven grade, something that couldn't be possible since he's only seen low and mid tier arrays within the whole city.
From his guess, the Floating Cloud Sect founders must of been more than what meets the actual legend. Was it a true heaven-defying powerhouse who created it? Were they truly building a sect or was it to hide dark secret in White Lotus City?
Old Yam got of the small rowboat, Silver following the same action, as they enter through the small entrance. They walked a few meters and stop at the steps connected to the pagoda. Looking up, a dark green robed old man stood there in front of the doors with a menacing expression.
His white hair stood out wildly, as if they were trying to fly out of his head. **
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"Took you long enough, old bastard!" the old man huffed lightly when saw Old Yam walking up the steps. He then set his emerald green eyes onto Silver, walking beside Old Yam, with an odd glint in his eyes.
"We've waited hours for you, old bastard. Did you stumble upon Grandma Meng on your way here?"
"Oh shut it, you useless old fogey!" Old Yam snapped in annoyance.
"Can't I take my time for once? Our young disciple had matters to attend to! All you do is complain. What is waiting for a few measly hours? For an alchemist, you sure do complain a lot about waiting."
"YOU!" the old man angrily exclaimed pointing his finger at Old Yam.
"I, the great alchemist Mochi, can definitely wait a few measly hours! What do you know about the patience of alchemists!?"
"Patience, your dead mother!"
"Are you two done arguing?" interrupted a seemingly young man standing at a height of 2.1 meters coming out of the pagoda's entrance.
The young man wore a long black robe that had gold cloud tinged with red on his cuffs. His black pants had two red stripes sewn on both sides that compliment his black shoes. On the side of his shoes, an outline of a gold cloud can be seen at the side of his heels.
He had a fairly young face, sharp jawlines with sword-like eyebrows that fit well with his ruby red irises. His long jet black hair hung to his mid-back, slightly fluttering from the cool breeze.
"Yes, Patriarch Dimsum!" Both Old Yam and the old man in green responded. They gave a quick bow salute to Patriarch Dimsum.
"Good, let's hurry our meeting with young disciple Silver," Dimsum gently spoke taking a glimpse at Silver.
A hint of respect quickly flashed through his eyes as he turned around. The bickering duo and the young disciple followed behind as he ventured into the pagoda.
After walking up a couple flight of stairs, they reached the third floor.
Upon entering the floor, 5 other individuals could be seen sitting at a long conference table leisurely drinking tea and chatting. With the noises of shuffling steps entered their ears, all 5 stopped their idle chatter.
They took a quick look at the 4 standing at the entrance.
"Welcome back, patriarch," all 5 exclaimed after seeing it was Patriarch Dimsum at the front. All of them stood up and gave a salute.
"Why do all of you choose to act like this?" Dimsum spoke exasperated. He felt unconvinced by their deceitful ploy.
Every single one of them had a rowdy nature to best each other! How can he not notice the act they're putting up for Silver.
"I have never once seen any of you do this in perfect unison before me. You can't fool me nor inner disciple Silver either!"
Silver stood there feeling a ache in his head coming. He could clearly tell their intentions by the way they were staring at him like hungry ghosts. They didn't even shed a glimpse at the patriarch.
Even the patriarch was at a lost. They ignored his comment as if he was a worthless piece of dust on the ground.
These fiends were ready to nab Silver the moment the patriarch took his eyes off him. Like hungry vultures hovering over the sky, awaiting for the beast to die. Hungry for a piece of precious meat.
Sadly, he couldn't escape. It seem they were ready to strike out for any possibilities of escape.
"Disciple Silver greets the faction leaders," Silver announced respectfully.
He gave quick bow after seeing their faction leader tokens hanging from their sides.
Silver thought back to five years ago when he took first place. He finally understood what this meeting might be about. His small stunt to obtain the most resources backfired on him when he couldn't help solve all the problems on the exam.
'At least I know why the acceptance rate were extremely low for the sect. Seems the main reason the 108 were accepted must of been due to a good mood. If not, only a guaranteed of 12-15 individuals would of made it passed the exams.'
"Alright, let's begin the meeting. Silver you can rise up, after today, you're now equal to all of the faction leaders!" Patriarch Dimsum happily announced as he pointed to the closest person left of him.
"I'll introduce everyone here starting from the left. I'm sure you have previously met most of them already.
This is Divination Faction Leader Starfinder, Alchemy Faction Leader Mochi, Formation Faction Leader Qing, Inscription Faction Leader Velvet, Blacksmith Faction Leader Fang, Talisman Faction Leader Chen, and finally the Undecided Faction Leader and guardian of our sect, Old Yam.
They are all the current leaders of each faction and a master in their own unique rights in Floating Cloud Sect."
In his years after becoming the patriarch, he could only keep these old and unruly faction leaders at bay. The faction leaders, including him, all took a good read on Silver's exam papers. His theories and solutions had enlightened them, breaking through their personal field!
Every complexed and head aching problems they've come across had been solved. This breakthrough greatly allowed their Floating Cloud Sect to progress further causing every leader to feel uplifted and finally push through their stump!
Using Silver's exam papers as a based, they were able to enhance every single arrays in the sect.
Patriarch had been searching for a replacement for Old Yam for a very long time. This guardian of theirs caused many problems as a substitute. His temper nearly made the talented ones in the undecided faction to quit and cry to their father and mother.
Even then, he could only soothe Old Yam since he was weaker than him! The old patriarch must of been happy to rid himself of the title. The old master of his ran so quickly and left a message that he was going yo a hidden place to cultivate in seclusion.
Not only that, Lord Baruch from the Isle of Wisdom recommended Silver in high spirits. He wanted to put all his faith and hope for such a person.
Once everything was sorted out, everyone gave a quick nod and sat back down.
"Let's begin."
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** Think of Einstein's hair