Bab 3: Arrival
Moss was seriously starting to feel cramped when they arrived. He had fallen asleep at some point, unlike scholar Wei who had not changed posture during the whole trip. The wagon landed on soft soil in a green and wet land, on top of a small hill. The sun had just begun to rise and the sky was a purplish white. They both got out. Moss breathed the fresh air with delight. The wind made trees brush against each other, resulting in a light and omnipresent sound. Birds were loud, as well as other animals. Scholar Wei took the lead and had them stop at the edge of the flattish landform topping the wooded hill. In front of them stood wildlands followed by a mountain chain that thrust into the clouds in a large area.
Not so far, a worn-out shrine could be seen. It was fairly large, counting several buildings surrounding an elevated plaza. The architecture was sophisticated with massive gable roofs that showcased curved shapes intertwining with each other. Moss's sight was not acute any more so he could not discern anything more from this distance.
-'There we are.' Scholar Wei said.
He pulled a small golden plate from his sleeve and handed it to Moss. It was heavy in the hand and engraved with delicate inscriptions.
-'This token qualifies you as a participant of the trial that will soon be held by the sect.'
A trial. Things were getting serious.
-'Let me tell you something before we part ways.' He continued. 'The one hundred sects mountain range lives in the shadow of its former glory. This place once shined brightly in the world of cultivation but time and decline made it an almost forgotten place. Still, countless generations of cultivators have bloomed there, including great experts. You ought to search for secrets and lost legacies as this place has many. Learn from your teachers as well, from their successes as much as from their failures.'
Silence lasted for a few seconds.
-'One last thing. The shuttle we used will stay stationed here for five hours. Should you climb inside it, you would be taken back to your place. After it leaves, however, you will be on your own. You can consider that your basic objective here is to break through the third transcendence stage.'
Moss had no idea what this stage was. However, he refrained from asking as his interlocutor had already mentioned teachers that could clarify things up in his stead. Was it not the reason why he had been brought here? The old peasant was no genius, but he could tell that this scholar Wei was on a high level somehow. They had exchanged few words together, but this few coupled with what the man had demonstrated led Moss to think that those mountains and its cultivators were not much compared to him. Indeed, had he not said that the true heart soul water fish was only observed every ten millennia? And yet he had had the skill to find it. If this creature appeared that rarely, it seemed a reasonable guess that the young master was an outstanding cultivator. The peasant could still not see why he could have been deceiving to him. He bowed his head.
-'Thank you for your guidance. I shall try my best.'
-'Head towards this shrine then. Until we meet again, friend Moss.'
-'Until we meet again, scholar Wei.'
Let us hope it will not be in the grave, the old peasant added inwardly.
The scholar disappeared just like the last time they parted. Truly, cultivation did not cease to amaze him. How long till I can do that too? He thought. A passable answer could be: longer if I stay here. And so he went. The way was pretty rough from there to the construction but he managed it. At some point, he encountered a small road that seemed seldom used although there were traces of recent passage. It was approximatively going in the right direction so he followed it. It turned out to be a direct path to the shrine. There were people here, more that he had expected. A lot of them were armored soldiers bearing different emblems and colors. The place was busy. Two buildings served as stable. Close to a hundred horses were stacked here, but there was room for more. Men were even more numerous. Of the structures surrounding the plaza, one was a huge hall with no walls but pillars that left it open to the winds. There were stone benches and tables inside. Most men sat there, scattered in groups, bursting in laughter from time to time, speaking loud here and whispering there. Some others went to their business, transporting things in and out of carriages. Moss had never seen an army. He wondered if it was one.
No one paid attention to him as he made his way to the center, although he collected some disdainful or interrogative looks. He stopped before the steps leading to the elevated ground. Four richly garbed youths were there, plainly waiting. Their proud appearance made Moss hesitate for a moment. How could someone as low as himself dare to join them? Whether they were cadres or participants he did not allow himself to presume. That uncertainty allowed him to regain a little bit of determination. What if those were in fact teachers waiting for him? That hope was soon taken from him, as a soldier brushed past and kneeled one the last step. He faced one of the most richly dressed lad of the party, clad in red clothes lined with gold, a pale blond and handsome teenager evenly stuck between child and man.
-'Reporting to the young master! The princess of Feyhan and her escort will soon arrive! She has fifty swords and tree cart with her !'
-'Very well', the young man responded. 'Make sure to welcome her and make room for hers, sergeant. And please keep the men under control. No fighting.'
The sergeant nodded and turned back.
-'Friends, I believe you hea...' He resumed towards his peers, only to be interrupted by the vision of shabby old Moss climbing up the steps.
Why did he do it then? Because the peasant knew that any seconds more and he would have run away. 'Damn it, I am dead.' he thought.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone