The group discussions soon came to an end with Ren having learned quite a bit about heart cultivation, though there were still unclear points both Sister Gao and Brother Fei had no ideas on anything more specific.

"Alright children, gather 'round." Master Clearheart's voice carried across the clearing, yet she barely moved her lips, the words seemingly just riding on the wind.

Ren and the others got up and once again surrounded Master Clearheart in a semicircle Xin Jing and the rest of the prodigies joining Ren, sitting in the front.

"How did you like your groups, anything interesting?" Ren asked them, not hiding his curiosity, as they, excluding him, were quite famous in the sect.

Xin Jing sighed and leaned against him, her exhaustion hitting him as if it was a tangible thing, her eyes closed.

"It was dreadful, Brother Ren, none of them could even get a single coherent sentence out, not to speak of any meaningful discourse." She said, after isolating their voices, like Shen Junan had done in the illusion division previously. "But, from what little I could gleam from them and bits and pieces of the other groups, the ones gathered here have truly just joined the heart division and don't know all that much about what sets the heart division apart from all others nor how to effectively train in and reflect on our specific arts, they will not even join the next Novice trials."

Xin Jing sounded somewhat disheartened when she mentioned as how inadequate she perceived the other disciples, making Ren wonder how truly little the girl sitting next to him, and leaning on his shoulder with nought a care in the world, interacted with anyone who would be considered even average in the sect. He had no idea what she would say if she met an outer disciple or mortals with no cultivation.

Before Zhi Mu, Ren, or the other two could comment on their own experiences, Xin Jing continued. "At least Master Clearheart is going to give them a hand now, and I suppose that they can still become more knowledgable."

Zhi Mu rolled his eyes at her, and responded coldly, though without bite and a note of melancholy. "It is an unfortunate reality, but those who are accepted in this time frame generally are only regarded slightly higher than outer disciples, barely worthy of any serious instruction or attention to those who decide on the allocation of sect resources. Do not delude yourself into thinking that these people could ever stand on the same level as us. We are of different worlds, and that is the sad reality of it."

'He doesn't wish for it to be so, and yet reality is cruel.' Ren thought, being reminded of Chen crying as he left their tent, severing their destiny and dreams. The disciples around them were still hopeful, motivated to advance and thrive, to rise in the hierarchy of the sect, with no inkling of the fact that their worth was already evaluated, and they were found wanting.

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'How cruel.' Ren thought once again.

Master Clearheart stepped before them, drawing Ren's thoughts back to the present. The woman's face was inscrutable, her eyes boring into them, though she didn't look at anyone in particular.

"From what I have gathered seeing you flail around and try to explain what the heart even is, or how you cultivate it, if there is any truth to my legend, there are scarce few amongst you who have any prior knowledge." She said, without any bias, making many hang their heads low in shame, and others look at her defiantly, emotions blazing in indignation.

"But." She pronounced heavily, showing them a gentle smile. "That is what I am here for. We will be going over multiple aspects of your cultivation, not only of the heart, though it will be the major point of what I teach."

Multiple disciples were getting excited, their previous emotions forgotten, whispering to their fellow sect Sisters and Brothers in anticipation. Zhi Mu, Xin Jing, and Shen Junan looked as if her declaration was nothing more than empty words. Platitudes to bind them and win their loyalty.

Not so incredulously, Han Ting also cheered for Master Clearheart and addressed Xin Jing and Zhi Mu. "Look, Master Clearheart isn't like that at all, my grandfather had many a good thing to say about her. Even if I haven't met her, till now, I can see what he meant." He finished with an almost worshipful look, only souring Zhi Mu's expression further.

'Your grandfather, huh?' Zhi Mu thought, but he wasn't about to tell them his misgivings about the man just yet. Even though he had told them about part of his plans for the sect and the fact that multiple high ranking people were opposed to such changes. He didn't think that Han Ting could handle the revelation that his grandfather might not be the benevolent man he pictured him as.

"Settle down, everyone, settle down. I am sure that you are all very exited, almost bursting with zest for action, but please remain orderly." Master Clearheart gave them another smile, and the class quieted down, looking at her only expectantly instead.

With a flourish, she waved her left hand in front of her, briefly injecting a small amount of her spirit into a bag beneath her outer robe. Out of it flew multiple easels, each with a canvas and multiple painting utensils already attached. The Master directed them to stand behind the class with threads of her spirit.

She set them down in five equal semicircles of five easels, each with multiple meters separating one from the other. The easels themselves were made from different kinds of wood, some looking rough and intimidating almost with dark wood and artistic calligraphy painted on, while others were merely made out of plain birchwood, no adornments whatsoever.

"This lesson will teach you about yourself, and where your heart lies." Master Clearheart said, getting a few confused looks and some that pretended to know exactly what the old woman was talking about. Not wanting to make a secret out of it, she continued, and spread out her hands like it was a monumental revelation. "Each of you is going to paint your home, and don't worry about the exact look of it, take your time and pour yourself into it."