On a rainy afternoon, a girl of about ten years old sat on a street corner, huddled under an old awning. Her clothes, torn and dirty, barely protected her thin body from the cold. Her hair, tangled and wet, fell over her face, smeared with mud. In front of her, an empty pot swayed in the wind, a silent testimony to her attempt to beg. The few passersby who hurried past ignored her, as if she were part of the decaying landscape of the city.
Her name was Barbara. It had been only a month since a devastating fire had engulfed the slums in the lower parts of the city, taking the lives of many, including the girl’s family. With no relatives, no support, she wandered the streets, a beggar. A middle-aged man, also a beggar, had invited her to join the Beggars’ Guild—one of the Murim’s many guilds that specialized in trading information. Barbara still hesitated. In a world where dog eats dog, kindness was a dangerous rarity.
Something caught Barbara’s attention. Not far away, a crowd of children her age was beginning to gather. Curious, she approached, listening to fragments of conversation amidst the murmurs. Words like “cult,” “recruitment,” and “disciples” floated in the air. But what really caught her interest were the whispers of immortals and “spiritual roots.” Her heart raced. Could this be her chance to escape poverty and find a new destiny?
A line of children began to form around Barbara, all anxious and nervous. The Taoists, dressed in simple robes, placed a strange object in the palm of each child, announcing loudly whether or not they had spiritual roots and were worthy of being accepted into the sect. Barbara listened attentively to the judgments. Many were rejected for having ordinary spiritual roots of the five elements or for having none at all. She saw some children cry, defeated by the rejection.
With a sudden surge of courage, Barbara stood up and, without much thought, positioned herself at the end of the line. When it was her turn, the Taoist looked at her, puzzled, and asked her to hold out her hand. The cold, mysterious object was placed in her palm. Her breath caught as she waited for the verdict. Then the Taoist declared, “Unique spiritual wood root. You are approved for entry into the sect. Please proceed to the other line.”
The rain fell more lightly as Barbara moved to the second line, following the Taoist’s instructions. The line stretched for several meters, and she could feel the children around her still tense from waiting. What awaited them, beyond this seemingly random choice, was a mystery. And for Barbara, who had come from a life of uncertainty and loneliness, this was enough to keep her spirit alert, torn between the promise of a better future and the fear of the unknown.
Stories of immortal cultivators bubbled up in her mind. They had been almost legends to her until then, or horror stories that the elders whispered to frighten the young. In the slums where she had grown up, hearing about powerful cultivators who turned disobedient children into pills was a way to scare them into behaving. Now, faced with the possibility of joining a cult and perhaps following a similar path, Barbara wondered what mysteries she might one day unravel.
When she reached the end of the line, a disciple of the sect was waiting with a neutral expression, holding a small jade bottle filled with tiny brown pills. He handed one to each child, explaining that these pills would help them resist hunger during their intensive training days. “You will taste the earth in them,” the disciple warned, before handing Barbara a pill. She took the pill hesitantly, remembering the times when she had to eat dirt to survive the unbearable hunger when she was on the streets. Swallowing something that reminded her of that experience stirred a mixture of bitterness and determination in her heart.
In line, Barbara tried not to think about the horrible taste of the fasting pill that was still stuck in her mouth. It tasted like dirt, like when she was little and very hungry and almost ate a handful of mud, just to feel something in her stomach. Back then, she thought things could only get better, but life always seemed a little worse than before. Now, there she was, once again, holding back the urge to spit out the pill and wondering if this decision to join the cult was really a good idea.
She remembered the invitation from the strange man from the Beggars' Association. He said that she could gain some protection and even food if she knew how to listen well and stay quiet, without drawing attention to herself. He spoke in a way that made her imagine something big, a life full of secrets and spies, but at the same time, something there seemed... dark. Even without understanding much, she felt that that world was very dangerous. The man spoke of "things he heard" and "secrets he hides", and that made Barbara suspicious. He said that there, everyone had their place, from the "Sages" to the "Informants" and "Apprentices". It seemed cool, but... scary. What if she made a mistake? What if she failed? What if she was exchanged like a cheap coin?
Still, now that she was standing in line for the sect, her heart was pounding. The sect spoke of immortals, of spiritual roots, and Barbara liked the idea of becoming strong, of controlling something that was hers alone, of not needing anyone if she didn’t want to. She imagined what it would be like to train as a cultivator, to learn things that no one else knew, to have her own power. The Beggars’ Association was mysterious, but it was the sect that gave her the chance to be more than a lost girl, more than an orphan. In the sect, perhaps she could be someone important, someone who chose her own path.
Finally, the line moved a little further, and Barbara took another step forward, wiping her hands on her torn clothes and taking a deep breath.
As Barbara waited in line, distracted by the earthy taste of the fasting pill, she overheard a conversation ahead of her that immediately woke her up. Some of the students were talking about “spiritual roots,” and the concept sounded so magical that she found herself wondering what her own would be like. “Spiritual roots,” one of the students explained, were like a “magic seed” that each person had inside them, connecting them to the elements of nature and the universe. The more one took care of this root, practicing and meditating, the stronger it became—giving the person incredible and even unique powers!
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
What Barbara didn’t know yet was that her spiritual root, unlike most, was a pure wood root, something extremely rare. She would be able to connect directly with nature, almost as if she could feel the life of the plants around her. The wood root she had inside her was like a small forest, and its potential was vast. Those who possessed this root, an older disciple said, could make plants grow, manipulate them, and even heal themselves using the energy of the trees and flowers. It was as if Barbara had within her a living piece of nature itself, a gift that could guide her on many paths of cultivation.
As she learned more about spiritual roots, her heart began to pound with excitement. Now everything seemed to fall into place: her keen senses of life around her, her natural affinity for greenery, and, more than ever, her curiosity about the natural world. As she imagined the possibilities her unique wood root could offer, she felt the world of cultivation open up in a vibrant and magical way.
Full of expectations and still with the taste of earth in her mouth, Barbara decided that she would do everything in her power to make her roots grow strong and take advantage of every opportunity that arose in the sect.
As Barbara waited anxiously in line, one of the older members of the sect began to explain what it meant to belong to this special community. He spoke with enthusiasm, and with each word, Barbara’s mind filled with images and ideas.
“Let’s start from the beginning,” he said with a smile. “The sect is like a large family of cultivators, each with an important role. At the top of this hierarchy is the Patriarch, who is the supreme leader. He is the most powerful cultivator in the sect, like a great sage who has already reached the level of an Immortal. The Patriarch makes all the important decisions and is respected by everyone. He is the beacon that guides the sect in difficult times, always full of strength and wisdom.”
Barbara listened intently, wondering what it would be like to be so powerful. The sect member continued, “Right below the Patriarch, we have the Elders. These cultivators are experienced and possess incredible skills. They not only supervise the disciples, but also teach valuable techniques and help maintain order. Each Elder has their own focus, be it combat, alchemy, or strategy, and they are essential in molding the new disciples.”
She remembered what she had heard about the Elders during her first lessons and how she dreamed of one day becoming an inner disciple. The man continued, “Inner Disciples are the most talented and promising. They undergo intensive training and have access to better resources, such as spiritual pills and secret techniques. It is a great honor to be chosen by an Elder to become his disciple, but it is also a great responsibility!”
Barbara felt butterflies in her stomach as she thought about all the effort she would have to put in to become an inner disciple. He continued, “On the other hand, we have the Outer Disciples, who are the beginners or those who have yet to prove themselves. They have limited access and must undergo basic training. The competition is fierce among the Outer Disciples, as they all dream of becoming an inner disciple.”
She imagined the outer disciples all trying to prove themselves, and felt like she was on this journey with them. “Some sects, like ours, have a special group of Core or True Disciples, who are considered the future leaders. They have high cultivation potential and enjoy special privileges, such as important missions and advanced training.”
Barbara was fascinated. The life of a disciple was not only about power, but also about discipline and constant challenges. The sect member explained, “Disciples spend many hours in intense training, meditating and cultivating Qi, which is life energy. They learn martial techniques that can range from hand-to-hand combat to elemental magic.”
Eyes shining, she imagined herself fighting and practicing, developing her skills. “In addition, disciples receive missions from the sect, such as collecting rare herbs or fighting monsters. These missions help the sect grow and allow disciples to showcase their skills.”
He continued, “Life in the sect is filled with competition and rivalry. Disciples strive to stand out, gain the favor of the Elders, and secure access to better resources. This can lead to intense rivalries and even duels.” Barbara paused, thinking about how challenging the competition could be.
The man finished by saying, “Disciples have access to spiritual pills, magical artifacts, and other resources that aid in their cultivation. It is a vibrant world, full of rituals and ceremonies. When a new disciple is accepted, they undergo an initiation ceremony. And when someone is promoted, there is a celebration to recognize their new position.”
Barbara felt a surge of determination and excitement as she heard all this. Belonging to the sect was more than a dream; it was a path of challenges and adventures that she was ready to take on. With her unique wood root, she knew she had a special role to play in this magical journey.
As Barbara continued to listen to the explanations about life in the sect, a peculiar warmth began to rise within her. It was a mixture of anxiety and excitement. Then, in the middle of the conversation, she heard a name that made her shiver with excitement: “The Heavenly Flame Sect.”
That name echoed in her mind like a mesmerizing chant. The Heavenly Flame Sect! The place where she could learn to cultivate her unique spiritual wood root, where each day would bring new adventures and challenges. The sect member noticed Barbara’s expression and smiled. “Yes, the Heavenly Flame Sect is famous for its elite cultivators and the powerful techniques they teach. Here, you will not only learn to control your energy, but also discover the true potential that lies within you!”
The line began to move, and Barbara felt as if she were floating on air. In her mind, she already saw herself as an inner disciple, learning from the Elders and participating in exciting missions. With each step she took, her heart beat faster, until finally they reached a wide, brightly lit platform, where a magical boat was waiting for them.
It was a flying boat, elegant and sparkling, floating gently in the air. Its sails were made of a shimmering substance that seemed to dance with the sunlight. The boat looked enchanting, as if it had come straight out of a fairy tale. “This is our magical boat! It will take us to the sect headquarters, where the initiation ritual for all new disciples will take place!” said the sect member, gesturing for everyone to climb aboard.
Barbara was delighted as she climbed aboard, her eyes shining at the sight of the vast sky above her. The other children around her were also beaming with happiness and anticipation. The boat began to rise slowly, and soon they were floating in the clouds, the view of their city growing smaller by the second.
“The initiation ritual is very important,” the sect member continued as the boat flew smoothly through the clouds. “It will mark the beginning of your journey as a disciple of the Heavenly Flame Sect. During the ritual, you will receive blessings and the essential knowledge to begin cultivating your spiritual roots. It is a magical and unforgettable moment!”
Barbara looked over the edge of the boat, marveling at the beauty around her. The clouds parted like curtains, revealing majestic mountains and lush forests below. It was as if the entire world was preparing to welcome them. In her heart, she felt that she was about to embark on an adventure that would change her life forever.
Finally, the boat began to descend gently towards a large clearing surrounded by tall, imposing trees. As they landed, a sense of awe and excitement filled the air. This was the beginning of a new phase in her life, and Barbara was ready to embrace all that the Heavenly Flame Sect had to offer. The initiation ritual was about to begin, and she was more than ready to take this big step on her magical journey.