The ride through the Town was a new experience for both teenagers. It was crowded and busy, the streets were packed to the brim and the afternoon sun shined down on street bums and merchants alike.

"You Dare!" A Roar came from a nearby noodle shop shortly followed by a man crashing through the door. The man shot to his feet and shouted back into the shop.

"Xuan Hai you are courting death!" Yellow Qi Surged around him crackling with power and he shot forward, only to be met at the door by a Bear in robes. No not a bear, an exceptionally large and harry man.

The Man met the Qi infuse charge with a fist covered in his own dark Grey Qi. Dust and debris exploded as Grey met Yellow.

Senior Luo pulled the cart to a stop and told both the Teens to wait. Then, calmy approached the two wrestling Cultivators, Redish Orange Qi blasted out in a wave, the men groaned, collapsing on top of each other, sweat pouring down their faces.

"Brother Xuan, Brother Meng" Senior Luo said conversationally, greeting them as him he hadn't crushed them to the ground with his power. "It would be better, I think, if both of you found a quieter place to settle this matter."

The two men nodded, still stuck to the ground. Suddenly the Qi vanished, as if never there. Senior Luo helped both men to their feet, and they quickly bowed and made their escape. Soon they were on the road again and Yi found a whole new level of respect for the Senior.

"Heavenly Shit" Hong Cao whispered, and he just nodded.

After exiting the large town, it was a few hours before they made it to the Sect entrance. Two pillars of stone, intricately carved with storm clouds and lighting, supported an archway shaped like a Chinese Dragon. The Dragon was seemingly flying from one stormy pillar to the other and the detail was shockingly realistic. Yi almost felt like the Dragons eyes followed them through the entrance.

Senior Luo Stopped to talk to the gate guards and then they were on their way. It was a winding road up the mountain, they passed cultivators running, meditating on large rock formations, sparing in open clearings and even two having a picknick.

They eventually came to a cluster of homes where Senior Luo stopped the Wagon. He dropped it off with an older man who did not wear Cultivator Robes and the man drove it away.

Yi and Cao were left holding their bags and trudging even farther up the mountain behind Senior Luo. Almost an hour of hiking later and Yi felt his legs and calves ache fiercely.

Before them was the fruits of their labor, the final destination. It was another archway, this one much less fancy, simply two pillar and the words 'Outer Sect Disciples' written over it.

Senior Luo took them through the archway and into a bustling village filled with young Cultivators. They ranged in age from around Hong Cao's fifteen to the ridicules seeming four- and five-year-olds practicing high kicks in a group.

All three soon arrived at a building labeled 'Testing Hall' and they entered. There they were met by an elderly woman who Senior Luo bowed to followed by Yi and Cao after some delay.

"Little Chin, I remember when you first came to me in these halls like it were yesterday, and now look at you. Bringing in two new disciples yourself. Ah this old woman should retire, yes she should." The Elderly lady shook her head at herself.

"Elder Lin This One has brought these two to have their Spiritual Root tested." Senior Luo Said respectfully.

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"Yes yes" Replied the old woman who was apparently an Elder. She waved all three over to a circular platform. "You first girl" Elder Lin said and gestured for Hong Cao to stand on the platform.

The Elder infused her Qi, which was a deep metallic grey, into the platform. The Circle lit up, runes and script began to float in the air and after a minute, the Elder Cut the flow.

"Wind and Water Dual Root, Mortal Grade. None of her Meridian are damaged, Dantian is a little small but fine. Body is very impure, but that's normal for most peasants." She waved for Cao to leave the platform. Then it was Yi's turn, and the Elder did the same thing.

"Interesting, Mortal Grade Wood Root. Meridians in excellent condition, Dantian normal, body surprisingly pure. But... hmm." She gestured and with a surge of qi the runes rearranged themselves.

"The formation is detecting water Qi. Also, the Root seems abnormally strong, almost like an Earthly Root but not." It was fast, faster than Yi could react. The Elder pulled out a handful of small needles and they flew forward sticking Yi all over his body.

They Stung quite a bit, but the pain quickly subsided leaving only a weird heat. Elder Lin walked up to the platform and circled him, poking and prodding until she was satisfied. Then, with a flash of Grey Qi, pulled the needles out.

"You have some kind of Water Constitution, Mortal grade near as I can tell. It seems to be feeding your Wood Root, artificially raising its quality. Fascinating. Who are your parents Boy?" Yi Bowed respectfully, hiding his annoyance at being so suddenly stabbed.

"Elder Lin, This One does not know his parents. This One's mother died during childbirth, and none knew the father."

"A pity" The Elder said shaking her head. "Most likely a Dormant Bloodline. Constitutions are heavily valued; many will seek to marry their daughters to you Boy. In fact, this old woman has a Granddaughter, very beautiful, why don't I set up a meeting eh?" The Elder grinned slyly. Yi froze, she was joking, right?

"Respectfully Elder, This Lowly one would not dream of marrying the Esteemed Elders daughter. This One would need to work on his cultivations to be worthy of such an honor." She squinted at him, then waved her hand as if shooing a fly away.

"Very well, very well. I shall not keep you young people any longer. But keep my Granddaughter in your thought's boy. This Old lady would give you a Handsome Dowry for your Bloodline." The elder woman waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "To get a Constitution into the family, I could even allow a concubine or two." With that disturbing conversation done the three bowed and left.

Senior Luo gave them a long tour of the Outer Sect. he showed them the Food Hall, the bath house, the boys and girls Sleeping quarters, and much more.

Finally, they came to the last stop, the Technique Hall. You apparently needed a pass from an Elder to enter and the Techniques cost contribution points, but Yi still itched to go in and get some cool martial art stuff.

"Wait here for me." Senior Luo said and then went in. He came out a few minutes later with four books. He handed two to each of them.

"One is the basic book for the Qi Gathering Stage, which is the First stage of the Foundation Realm. As an outer Disciple you have until the age of Twenty to reach the Meridian Cleansing Stage and become an Inner Disciple. This is not hard; most can do it in five years. However, some are simply not Fated."

"If you have still not succeeded by the age of twenty, you can either leave as a wondering cultivator, or become a Servant to the sect. You would be paid well and granted housing within the Servant villages."

"Until then you have no real requirements on your time. If an Elder or Core Disciple gives you a task you do it. Otherwise, you eat, sleep and train on the Sects coin. All your need will be met, however if you want extra, a better room, nicer food, cultivation resources and techniques manuals, you'll need Points. You can earn Contribution Points by taking jobs from the mission hall."

"These" He gestured to the second set of books. "Are Basic technique manuals. 'Forest Guardians Fist' is a striking technique for Wood Root Cultivators. 'Shifting Waters Flowing Breeze' is a movement technique for Water and Wind Dual Root Cultivators."

"Your training is largely self-motivated in the Outer sect. If you need some instruction, go to either the Meditation Hall for Cultivation issues or the training hall for martial issues. Otherwise, my Juniors, this is where we part. I hope to see you in the Inner sect in a few years." Senior Luo gave them both a grin that could almost be called boyish. All three exchanged Bows, and then parted.

"This, well, I guess this is it?" Asked Cao, uncertain.

"I suppose... Why don't we get something to eat and go from there, yeah?" Yi said. Hong Cao smiled and nodded.

"Good a place to start as any." She replied.