Lunch was just rice with some vegetables and a piece of fried chicken. A housekeeper helped to prepare the food, and she’s been in the family’s employ since forever. 

“Have you thought of which sect to join?” Mingjian asked. 

“Not the Green Insect Blade Sect.” 

“Is it because I’m there?”

“Yes.” 

“Good decision.” Mingjian nodded. 

“What stage are you at, brother?” Mingwei asked. He realised he didnt know which star his brother was.

“I am a three-star cultivator. I made my 2nd Qi-layer early this year, and was made an outer disciple.” Mingwei nodded. 

“Ah, congratulations brother. I don’t recall there was a celebration...”

“There was. Our parents took me out for dinner. You were out playing.”

Mingwei blushed. “Ah...”

“No matter. It is nice that mother recognised my efforts.” 

Mingwei nodded again. “Yes. She is only interested in cultivation.”

“Indeed. I still wonder how father managed to convince her to marry him.” Mingjian nodded, he finished the last spoonful of rice. 

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That question made Mingwei blush. “Ah...”

Mingjian obviously noticed. “Oh. I forgot you’re still a child. Never mind. Which Sect do you have in mind? Nearer to us, there’s the Sword of the Fallen Leaves Sect in Redfall Town, there’s also the Red Tiger Temple in West Tigerriver City, or perhaps the Spearmaster Sect in Bloodflower City?”

“Uh...” Mingwei had no idea. He had no idea which sect was any good at all. But, his memories, many of them were crafters, alchemists and brewers. He wanted a sect that could fit those roles, or at least, have a greater focus on facilities for them. “Any... uh... alchemy focused ones?”

“That’s a rather strange one. Perhaps a hunting-focused one?” 

Hunting? Mingwei was extremely curious what that meant. “What’s that, brother?”

“Oh, hunting sects focus more on hunting beasts for materials, either to sell, or to be made into items.” 

Mingwei's eyes lit up instantly. That sounded like a perfect fit for him! Back in his world, this hunting-sect concept didn’t exist because well, beasts that dropped cultivation resources were mostly extinct, or extremely rare, and the territorial nature of the world meant a sect normally ‘farmed’ any beast within it’s territory. “Ah... that sounds ideal, brother. Where do I find one?”

“You’ll probably have to travel a bit further, but... I think the nearest one is Longbow Sect in Redmaw Town.”

A small town. Mingwei thought about that for a moment, and wondered whether that’s a good idea. “Do you know more about them?”

“I can ask around.”

Mingwei nodded. “Thank you, brother.” 

Mingwei spent the next few days cultivating, and he had his Qi storage refilled.

Qi Cultivated

180/???

Qi Storage

100/100

“Hmm, Longbow Sect will be having their sect trials in three weeks.” Mingjian said one day over lunch. 

“Wow. What do you think, brother? Do you think I have a chance?” Mingwei wondered. 

“They’re considered a minor sect, so, yes. I think you do have a chance. Minor sects tend to place themselves in towns, not cities. I hear they only have 5 elders and about 200 disciples in total. Comparatively, the Green Insect Blade Sect has 60 elders and 3,000 disciples. Our Patriarch is a 7-star cultivator, theirs is just a 6-star.”

Mingwei nodded. 

“I’ve spoken to my elders about your interest in heading to Redmaw Town, and just so coincidentally, a few of my fellow disciples, our core disciples and two of our Elders will be headed to Northstar City, which is just a day away from Redmaw. So, I’ve asked whether I can go, and bring you along. They said yes.”

Mingwei paused, and he quickly realised where this was headed. “Then I must apologise for imposing on them.”

“It is fine. Father’s a good friend of the elders, and I’ll be paying for the costs.” Mingjian said. “I’ll just claim it back from our father.”  

Mingwei realised his father’s political connections are a lot more complicated than meets the eye. ‘Father, does he really sell just rice?’ 

“Don’t give me that look.” Mingjian said. “Father’s childhood friends with one of the elders. Don’t think too much of it. I’ve already sent a letter to mother and father.”

Mingwei could only nod. “Thank you, brother.”