Chapter 13 - Entering the Sect
Before leaving for the sect, Falven had received its items in a spatial ring, where he stored his bronze dagger too. Spatial rings were dimensional rings inside which an independent space was built. Items could be stored in this space and quickly retracted. The higher the grade of the spatial ring the more stable and vast the available space.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Dao Imprinter” the elder of the Devil Slaying Sect lightly bowed her head. “Please, elder, just treat me as a core disciple of your Devil Slaying Sect now, no need to be so formal”. Lady Devil Destroyer looked like an elegant mature woman with a temperament which was both understanding and proud.
Her long black hair fell straight down and her features were neither ugly nor beautiful, she couldn’t be defined as an absolute beauty, but her charismatic attitude gave her a peculiar charm. She was one of the six core elders of the sect, all and 6 at the early Commander stage, except for elder Evil Thunder who was at the middle Commander stage.
Once a cultivator reaches a certain age and its potential for growth is exhausted, he can only achieve progress in the cultivation journey through medicines and pills. The elders of the Devil Slaying Sect were experts who broke through the Commander stage when they were middle aged and their potential was already very dim. Their common decision was to spare the resources to groom the future generations. Of course, being a third rate sect, the sect master was an old man at the peak of the Commander stage.
On a side of Unbroken City a huge gate stood majestic and ancient, with a domineering crimson insignia: Devil Slaying Sect. High red walls acted as a border between the city and the sect, making it lool like a huge fortified citadel that covered anything in sight.
The gate opened and a large paved road was revealed. Many buildings, training grounds, cultivation areas, pavilions, water courses, forests and hills could be seen. Young disciples were as many as the stars in the sky, a true city in the city. Actually the territory of the sect would spread further and further away from the city, just overlapping with it partially.
As the most ancient sect of the Southern Region, its reputation as the strongest third rate sect was well deserved. Compared to other third rate sects its vast territory, resources and wide range of arts and laws made it a behemoth.
The sect had thousands of cultivators inside. The biggest category of people were outer sect disciples, disciples with limited access to cultivation resources and arts, with some duties to take care of. Besides them, there were inner disciples who had a more generous access to resources, manuals and cultivation grounds. Additionally the tasks they had to take care of were less menial than the ones outer sect disciples were in charge of.
The protectors were older cultivators who stayed in the sect, they worked as guards, caretakers and as any other occupation needed by the sect. In exchange for their services they received some resources and a limited access to art manuals and cultivation grounds. The protectors were deemed to be the main combat force of the sects, they were mid ranked experts, large in numbers, fairly experienced. Many of them were ex disciples of the sect, the same went for the teachers, trainers, hall masters and elders, they were mostly composed of disciples who were quite successful in their cultivation and made many contributions to the sect. The most prestigious character was the sectmaster, followed by the core elders.
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Two young cultivators, a boy and a girl, came to greet Elder Fate Destroyer, both of them were Knight experts with pretty solid foundations. “We sincerely greet honourable master” the two exclaimed, bowing their heads.
“Roaring Lion, Gentle Waters, this expert here is a Master Dao Imprinter, treat him with great courtesy. He’s joining our sect as a core disciple, please show him around and lead him to the Soaring Hill, it will be his property from now on. Master Dao Imprinter, welcome to the Devil Slaying Sect, you're a core disciple now. Feel free to ask for my advice or guidance anytime you want. How do you want to be called?”. “Thank you elder for you care, Fate Destroyer, Fate destroyer is my name!”.
Actually, from the moment he left the sealed grotto, he had never used his real name. Even if much time ad passed, it was better to avoid to spread any rumour relatable to his old self. He was once known as Falven, the Eye of the Tempest, in honour of his martial intent and the laws he practiced.
“Please, follow us senior martial brother, it’s our pleasure to guide you though the sect” Gentle Waters said. As the name suggested, she had a gentle appearance, with shorts weaving brown hair and a pair of caramel eyes, her figure was gentle and minute, but Falven didn’t doubt her fighting prowess.
“Senior brother, do you have any place you’d like to stop by first?” Roaring Lion asked. He had blonde air and was quite muscular, his proud figure indeed reminded a dashing lion. His tone was polite and respectful, not losing his proud demeanour. “I’ll have to impose on you, martial brothers, thank you for taking care of this new one. I’d be interested in visiting the Art Pavilion first”.
The two youngsters lead Falven to the Art Pavilion, showing him the sect during the way till there. Gentle Waters was very sociable and talkative, Roaring Lion kept his proud attitude, but diligently chimed in with details and showed to seriously take care of his task, as if showing Falven around was an important mission.
Falven perceived the adoration they had for their elder “What’s your relationship with elder Devil Destroyer?” “We’re her direct disciples!” Roaring Lion firmly affirmed with surging pride. “The most outstanding inner disciples are ranked in the 100 list. If you’re part of the top 100 disciples and are lucky enough you can become a direct disciple of an elder. Even if it doesn’t change the treatment the sect gives you, it’s a great opportunity. Being able to experience the teaching of an elder is very beneficial. The elder can even give you come additional resources from his reserves if he particularly likes you. We’re lucky to have been chosen by Fate Destroyer, she’s a wise master”.
“Well said Gentle Waters, she’s indeed a wise master, her judgement is notoriously keen. But you’re wrong to attribute this treatment to luck, this happened because of our resolve and talents and also because lady Devil Destroyer has noticed and valued our efforts and potential. Luck has no role here, it's about the merits of everyone involved”.
Falven started appreciating the two youngsters, their attitudes were not bad at all. “So you’re among the top 100 inner sect disciples of the sect, congratulations for your achievements”. “Thank you senior brother” The girl gently answered, while the boy continued striding forward, with a proud smile and slightly flushed look. Even if he was not new to being praised, because of the elder care towards the new disciple Falven already was a respected and high character in his mind.
Finally the three of them arrived at a huge circular pavilion, whose gate was adorned with a crimson banner “Art Pavilion”.