The next morning found them all in the main hall, each disciple on their own prayer mat, Jiang Tao was seated among a row of fellow disciples near the back of the hall.

Zhou Yixing was situated further in front, they got separated somehow when the doors for the main lecture were opened and he found himself getting pushed back from claiming a spot in the front as they flooded the hall.

He looked around nervously, as the morning sun filtered through the high windows of the main hall.

The attendant who had opened the doors had instructed them to meditate before the elder in charge of their lesson arrived as such everyone was in the lotus position.

Some were genuinely meditating, others probably dozing like the red-headed guy on his left and some were just as nervous and on edge as he was waiting for the start of their first lecture.

The silence of the room was broken by the appearance, of a figure on the dais, no one had seen him arrive.

The elder in front was very youthful looking, Jiang Tao would have pegged him for someone in his 20s if he hadn't been aware of the longevity cultivators possessed, he was clad in robes of black, so black they appeared to suck in the light and his face was serene and joyous.

Wow, he looks young. Jiang Tao thought, surprised by the elder's appearance.

The Elder's presence commanded attention as he stood there, his gaze sweeping over the disciples with a serene smile. His aura exuded a profound calmness that settled in the room, easing Jiang Tao's nerves.

“Disciples praise thy good fortune, this one is Elder Yan Ming of the Iron Mountain” the elder began, his voice clear and melodious. “With my guidance, you will build a foundation, that few can boast to have,”

Jiang Tao listened intently as Elder Yan Ming began his lecture.

“In the beginning there existed absolute nothingness, From this emptiness emerged the Way of existence itself, formless and undifferentiated. Within the Way, there blossomed Infinity, giving rise to the limitless expanse that would encompass all realms and dimensions.”

“Within this infinite expanse, the primordial polarity manifested, giving birth to the fundamental duality that governs the balance of existence — the interplay of Yin and Yang.”

It was as if the world had gone silent, nothing mattered anymore. The words spoke to his spirit and mind, he found himself sinking into a trance.

His breathing slowed as he fell deeper into meditation the elder's words ringing in his mind and resonating deeply. He unknowingly started to cycle his qi as if guided by some unseen force.

Elder Yan Ming continued, weaving a tapestry of cosmic truths. “the five elements emerged—each a manifestation of the Way's unfolding: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. From them, the myriad forms and beings were born”

He cycled his qi even faster, he felt as if he was on the verge of something, realization? Or breakthrough of some kind. He concentrated even harder trying to grasp the meaning of the words.

With each breath, Jiang Tao felt a deeper resonance with the sermon. It was as if he was shedding layers of ignorance, embracing a profound truth that had always been known to him.

"The path of cultivation is one of inner refinement and outer manifestation," The Elder intoned. To cultivate is to align oneself with the Way, to harmonize with the order that underpins all of existence."

In that moment of clarity, he felt something give, like a dam bursting. He felt the blood rushing through his ears as he snapped out of the meditative state. His body felt energetic all of a sudden.

Jiang Tao blinked several times, trying to clear the fog from his mind. The hall was now filled with the warm, amber light of late afternoon.

Wait… what? He thought confused. It was still early morning last he checked had time gone by so quickly?

He turned his gaze back to the dais where Elder Yan Ming stood, smiling serenely without a care, watching them. There was something almost sinister about his smile.

“How auspicious six of you have managed to open your first meridian,” He said satisfied.

The Elder's words hung in the air, Jiang Tao's mind raced as he tried to process what had just occurred.

He glanced around, realizing that he and five others had achieved something significant during the Elder's lecture—opening their first meridian.

Pride welled up in his chest and he basked in the satisfaction of the success.

Among them, the prince with fiery red hair who sat at the front seemed unsurprised, his expression calm and collected. Beside him, a girl with striking brown hair and a boy with jet-black hair wore similar expressions of quiet satisfaction.

Closer to Jiang Tao, the girl with the peacock hairpin looked positively delighted, her eyes sparkling with newfound energy. Beside her, the blond boy seemed to share Jiang Tao's mix of surprise and disbelief, though he managed a tentative smile of accomplishment.

The Elder nodded appreciatively. “See that you continue like this,” Then he was not there anymore.

The rest of them broke out of their meditative states over the next half hour. The hall buzzed with subdued energy as others gradually emerged from their meditative states, rubbing their eyes and stretching their limbs.

----------------------------------------

He broke the news of his advancement to Zhou Yixing as they had their late lunch. "so I unlocked one meridian during the lecture" he said casually.

Zhou Yixing looked up from his bowl of rice, his chopsticks pausing mid-air. “Hmm… It seems I'm falling behind. Impressive brother Tao you're a natural , I'll have to redouble my efforts.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“I'm not the only one though, you see that girl over there?” He pointed to the girl who had sat in the front, the brunette.

She sat alone at her table a small book in front of her. She appeared to be deep in thought as she read.

“Li Hua?” Zhou Yixing asked knowingly. “No surprise there, the Li clan always produces exceptional cultivators. General Li rose with the Emperor last time the imperial sect was instated ”

“We might be once-in-a-thousand-years talents, but she's once-in-a-million. A beauty too,” Yixing said a note of appreciation in his voice.

Jiang Tao nodded thoughtfully as he took a moment to look at the girl once more.

“Don't get any ideas though brother, clan girls that are in the sect are usually angling for a place in the Imperial harem,”

Jiang Tao sighed, shaking his head slightly. “I wasn’t thinking of anything like that. I was just noting her talent.”

Zhou Yixing grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Just making sure you’re not getting distracted by beautiful faces. We need to stay focused if we want to make our mark.”

“I have no intentions of pursuing anyone right now. I'm focusing on my cultivation,"

His friend nodded understandingly at Jiang Tao's reaction, putting down his chopsticks for a moment.

“True, true. Cultivation should be our primary focus at this stage”

“Anway, him as well the prince with red hair,” he pointed to the crowded table, where the subject of their conversation sat surrounded by other disciples.

“Zhang Yue, the Empress' son judging by his hair, only the Chu clan boast hair that shade,” Zhou Yixing remarked. “He's the top contender for the throne,”

"How do you know everyone?" Jiang Tao asked curiously.

Zhou Yixing chuckled. “I forgive your ignorance brother, The Zhou clan is one of the oldest clans in the dominion, Great-grandfather has been preparing for the reinstatement of the imperial sect for close to two thousand years, it'd be remiss if I wasn't prepared for It.”

His brows rose in surprise. "Two thousand years?" Jiang Tao echoed, impressed. “Wow!”

These time scales will never not have me astonished.

Zhou Yixing leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “I guess It could be considered impressive for someone unfamiliar with the practices of nobility. Most clans have been preparing just as long and some even longer,”

“Anyway, I expect to unlock my first meridian by the day's end. if we are done here I'll be going to cultivate,” Zhou Yixing said before standing up and stretching. "It's been a pleasant meal, Jiang Tao. Let's reconvene after our evening practice."

"Good luck," Jiang Tao said with a smile. "I'll catch up with you later.” It seems he lit a fire within him.

As he rose to leave, he noticed Li Hua glancing up from her book, her sharp eyes meeting his for a brief moment. There was a spark of something, but neither of them acknowledged it beyond a brief nod. Jiang Tao exited the hall, heading towards the library.

He had only taken a few steps towards the library when the ground rose to meet him as he felt his foot get tripped, he stumbled forward catching himself before he fell completely.He landed on his knees in front of two pairs of feet. “On your knees, that's where common rabble like you ought to stay” the person on the left sneered.

The other figure, standing slightly behind and to the right, folded his arms across his chest, observing Jiang Tao with a look of disdain. He was sure that one was royalty.

He couldn't help but sigh. Great bullies just what I needed, wouldn't be a proper school experience without them…

Jiang Tao gritted his teeth, as he pushed himself upright, his eyes narrowing at the two figures before him.

“Apologies, but I think you have me mistaken for someone who kneels.” he retorted meeting their gaze squarely.

The boy on the left chuckled mirthlessly. “Cousin it seems we've stumbled upon trash that's unaware of its nature as trash, know your place dog,” The one who had spoken was a tall, muscular youth with a sneer etched permanently on his face, as if disdain for others was his default expression.

The other who he had pegged as a prince was slightly shorter, with a palpable arrogance to him. They looked pretty similar, cousins it seemed.

"Trash or not, I won't be kneeling," Jiang Tao replied evenly, his voice carrying a hint of defiance.

“You really can't help your arrogance, can you? You backwater dog,” The prince finally spoke, his tone dripping with condescension.

Jiang Tao remained composed, though his jaw clenched slightly. Shit, shit! Why me? Why now?

“Is there a point to this?” he asked trying to calmly, ignore the insult.

The taller boy scoffed and took a menacing step forward. “You dare-”

“What's this? Fourth Brother, you already found some lackeys and you suddenly feel like inflicting yourself upon fellow disciples" a new voice said.

"Sixth brother should learn to mind the business that pays you," the prince replied to the new figure.

He couldn't help the relief that flooded him at the interruption, he did not want this to escalate. The newcomer was clad in the same robes as the rest of them and was another of the emperors sons.

There's a lot of them. He mused humorously.

"Zhang Xiaohui, leave, or I'll get Third Sister involved," the new arrival stated firmly.

Zhang Xiaohui, the arrogant prince scoffed. “The peasant prince can't help intercede for his fellow peasant. Come Hongyi let's go the trash is congregating, ”

Jiang Tao watched with a mix of relief and curiosity as Zhang Xiaohui and his companion, Hongyi, reluctantly backed down. Zhang Xiaohui shot one last glare at Jiang Tao before turning sharply and storming off, Hongyi following suit with a disdainful glance back.

You’d think I pissed in their cornflakes. The sheer malice was strange.

The newcomer approached Jiang Tao with a reassuring smile. “Apologies for my brother's behavior, he’s quite insufferable,”

He nodded, grateful for the save “Thank you... I appreciate it."

The prince extended a hand outwards “Zhang Yuhan,”

"Jiang Tao," he replied, accepting the handshake. Recognition bloomed in the boy's eyes, and he nodded.

“Oh, you're one of the six that opened their meridian in the first lecture… that must be what set Fourth Brother off” he chuckled.

Jiang Tao nodded, a wry smile crossing his face. "Seems like it. Guess I made an impression."

“Indeed you did, only Second Brother managed it amongst my siblings,” Zhang Yuhan chuckled, a friendly glint in his eyes.

"Thanks," Jiang Tao replied, feeling a bit more at ease now that the tension had dissipated. "You mentioned your third sister. Is she someone to be wary of?"

Zhang Yuhan shook his head, his expression turning thoughtful. "Not in a dangerous sense. Third Sister, Zhang Xinyu, is… spirited, to say the least. She’s also his full sibling and has far less compunctions about getting physical with him,”

Jiang Tao snorted. Wouldn't I love to see that.

“So where are you heading, Jiang Tao?”

“To Library Pavilion,”

“Let me accompany you,” Yuhan said as he began walking alongside him without waiting for a response.

Another extra friendly guy, great… At least this one’s a Prince. He thought amused at Yuhan's friendly attitude.