The descent down the mountain was quite leisurely, Ren thought. They simply continued talking about the advantages of the different divisions while they meandered through paths made of dirt or cobbled stone, pines lined the way and only rarely did they meet another member of the sect.
When they did, though, their group was greeted with low bows and opulent praises, making Ren quite uncomfortable. These people were his seniors in every way of the word, yet they bowed with such zeal, making him shiver. The other four didn't even really pause their conversation, or acknowledge the passing disciple, as if such greetings were a regular every day occurrence.
Han Ting, obviously, was fervently defending the superiority of the body division, citing their comradery, valour and discipline, while still feeling homely and welcoming to those who studied the ways of cultivation in its hallowed halls. He talked about wooden terraces majestically clinging to the cliffs of their mountain, hundreds of cultivators performing their morning routine on granite floors, while his elders looked on in approval. He expounded on the advantages of body cultivation, a slightly longer lifespan, good health all around and the visceral feeling of clashing with your body instead of only with arts over long distances. Apparently his sister was not actually one of the most elite members of the body division even though she was an Adept and not yet twenty, as she was not very suited to fighting, Han Ting said, but the division members still cared for her nonetheless and she was still able to carry out simple missions and was one of the cultivators who kept the influence of the sect in the mortal world intact. To Ren's surprise, Zhi Mu had a sneer on his face as Han Ting talked about his division caring for his sister, but as he looked again, the young Adept already favoured a more neutral expression.
Shen Junan advocated for the illusion division, as it was the most sophisticated of all, as well as the oldest division, he said, though the heart division was founded almost simultaneously, Xin Jing threw in, with a huff. The glasses wearing boy was not deterred, though, and kept mentioning what he thought were the most positive aspects of his division. Some he even painted in great detail. The expansive library, chiselled into the mountain, and covered in both picturesque illusions, bathing it in a soft green light, as well as meticulously kept artworks, frescos and stone statues both lining the walls, only adding to its appeal.
The mirror grotto, apparently a revered training ground, only a special few gain the permission to enter. Shen Junan described it as a still pond, that would help you reflect, making it easier to view flaws in arts and cleansing the mind of all distractions. The aura of the grotto was pervading the area and had to be kept from spreading by multiple formations layered on top of each other.
The boy kept talking about multiple cultivation spots, as well as the fact that the first elder and the sect master were part of the illusion division, making Ren feel almost like they would be visiting the illusion division now instead of the body division.
Xin Jing kept her explanation of the heart division very short. "It is cold, and not very welcoming at all." She said. As they looked at her expecting something more, she relented with a sigh. "It is generally fine, I think, but like you all know, the methods of the heart division need you to master your own heart of cultivation, which leads most people into isolation as they try to master their arts. My grandma says that it is not really required to master your heart, but it certainly makes it easier if you just sever all contact, even though it could lead to the eventual fragility of your inner world." She made a funny face and talked like an old lady, getting a giggle out of Han Ting and Ren. "There are also quite a few cultivation chambers lined with ice, and I have also used the mirror grotto once." She shrugged with her palms raised. "It wasn't all that impressive, though."
Not wanting to further explain herself, the girl waved for Ren to continue. Ren thought that she would give further explanations when they toured it, and thought about his own answer.
In the end he just settled on saying that he enjoyed his stay so far, mentioned the marketplace, library and pagoda, and talked a little about his training with Darkhaven, though he didn't mention his friends, neither new nor old ones.
Next, Adept Zhi took the word and contrary to Ren's expectations, he did not praise his division or expounded on the different cultivation spots and attractions that the puppet division held.
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What he instead started with was. "The puppet division is a snake pit, infested with people who don't know their own bounds and have no regard for even our own. On the surface it might look nice and playful, making fireworks and putting on little shows, planning festivities and so on, but of all divisions it is by far the cruellest, though maybe the alchemy division comes close. As parts for new puppets have to be constantly made, the hierarchy of the division is even further enforced and divided, not only through strength but wealth as well, leading to those who join the puppet division with low talent and nothing but dreams of a nice life and glorious arts to nothing but an abyss of despair, working hours upon hours to lift themselves out of the dirt, breaking their bodies and minds in the process. There is neither salvation nor a shining hero to come forth. It is not a nice place, but the worst part is that nobody will do anything against it, 'It is just the way of the world', the elders say, and those who see the wrong in it and could do something just turn a blind eye, as a conflict might weaken the sect. Even my own parents only said that it has always been that way and I should not worry about it." Zhi Mu shook his head in disgust, looking like he wanted to spit to the side.
"And honestly? The other divisions are not very different in this regard, you were only too blinded by their splendour to see the truth."
This revelation shocked not only Ren, whose thoughts were tumbling over each other. What about Ning, did Ai know about this, why did Zhi Mu even tell them? All those questions, and more, were flying around in his head. Han Ting, Shen Junan and Xin Jing were shocked as well, not having heard about any of this, though the latter two's reaction was far more subdued than Han Ting's.
Han Ting abruptly stopped walking, and glared fiercely at Zhi Mu. "Take it back." He whispered at first. "Take it back! Our elders would NEVER support anything like this, we are all disciples of this very sect, one family, one clan! We support and care for each other!" He had tears in his eyes, his hands balling into fists, his muscles and spirit coiling, ready to attack Zhi Mu at any time.
Zhi Mu also came to a stop, and turned to face the larger boy, his posture relaxed, and nothing but pity in his eyes as he looked upon Han Ting. "Why did you think I would tell you any of this? Huh, Han Ting? You have only been coddled up by your family, but the ugly truth is that not everyone has such a nice time of it. You know this to be true. Were you really so naive to believe that this very sect was a paradise of friendship and compassion, everyone lifting each other up? Don't make me laugh." Zhi Mu walked closer to the other boy as he talked, Han Ting already shaking in rage and shame. "And the point I want to make is that we will be able to change this, all of this, when we lead this sect. Those decrepit old fossils running this world might not be able to change their ways, or see through any of the disgusting veneer clouding their judgement, and we ourselves will likely succumb to hypocrisy in time, but at least on our mountain, while we can still see true, we might be able to inspire change." He put his right hand on Han Ting's shoulder. "Don't you want to join me, my Brothers and Sisters?" He said, never once raising his voice while addressing all of them.
Not knowing how to respond at first, but hearing the conviction and boundless confidence in Zhi Mu's voice, Han Ting did what his body was prepared to do, he released a punch, putting all of his emotions into it, yet Ren noticed that there was no focus to it, no power or drive. The flailing of a child.
Zhi Mu neither avoided it, nor did he flinch in the face of Han Ting's emotional outburst.
His fist flying over Zhi Mu's left shoulder, tears still in his eyes, Han Ting nodded while standing on shaky legs. "I still don't want to believe that all the elders know about this, but I will definitely change any injustice in the sect." Though he said this, in his heart he was already convinced, thinking of them as the heroes who will lead the sect and change the old ways, Han Ting sounded determined once again, and Zhi Mu smiled at him, patted his shoulder and turned to the three of them, who only looked on passively till now.
After hesitating for a few tense moments, Xin Jing broke the deafening silence. "Well, I guess we could. It is not like we can do anything right now though, and even if we lead the sect, I don't think just changing systems that are in place for hundreds of years is going to be easy, right?" She looked directly into Zhi Mu's yellow eyes, and he could only shake his head, it truly was a great undertaking. "I think we all want our sect to be a nice place, but do you have any plans at all, Brother Zhi?"
Zhi Mu once again shook his head. "I have no concrete plans yet, and I don't even truly know where to begin, but as long as the brightest and strongest of our generation can come together, I am sure that in time we can achieve great change in this sect."
Shortly after, they continued their descent, and though an argument had been let loose by Zhi Mu, Ren felt that the five of them were somehow closer than ever.