9 Fortunate (2)
GongCi Sect is protected by a barrier that only allows those with authority to enter. A disciple with the Sect's core imprint is allowed to pass the barrier and access the outer grounds freely. To go into the inner grounds, a black jade piece given to inner sect disciples during the welcome ceremony is required. The last level of restriction would be access to the various peak's quarters.
Each Peak Master will allow access to these areas in the form of a jade token or a jade bead. Jade tokens are only given to direct disciples and jade beads are given to others who need access to the peak for purposes such as patrol and chores, or long term visitors. Different peaks have different colours representing them.
Heaven Peak: Orange jade piece with cloud emblem.
Earth Peak: Blue jade piece with mountain emblem.
Sea Peak: Purple jade piece with waves emblem.
Direct disciples will no longer need their inner disciple black jade pieces and will have to return it back to the Sect.
Visitors from other Sects have to acquire a one-time access pass from the entrance before entering. Depending on the person they are visiting, their pass access would differ too. However, these passes are only valid for one time use. The next time they visit, they have to re-acquire for entry and it takes about an hour to process. Ye Chen felt like it was a waste of precious time so they have always been meeting directly at one of the north or east towns instead.
Ever since Ye Chen was Elder Ming's direct disciple, he requested his Master to give the twins easier access to the peak. For the past two years, Ye Chen has never asked for anything from Elder Ming, so without hesitation, Elder Ming issued a purple bead to each of the twins. For convenience, the twins added the bead to the Mu Family's piece hanging onto their waist.
--
"Goodbye, remember to miss me!" Ye Chen thanked the twins and walked into his room.
After walking Ye Chen to his doorstep, the Mu brothers hastily made their way to their Sect. Two hours into the night can be dangerous if one is not careful.
A familiar fruity smell of osmanthus drifted towards Ye Chen as soon as he closed the door. Looking at the large empty room, he recalls the complicated feelings the first time he came here when he was twelve. Ye Chen was an outer sect disciple for six years before he became an inner sect disciple. And on the same day he became an inner sect disciple, he became a direct disciple.
During the welcome ceremony, newly appointed inner sect disciples are required to showcase their martial arts talent in front of the elders. This way, if an elder were to see potential in a candidate, they would accept them as their direct disciple. If not chosen, the disciple will just continue to be an inner sect disciple - which is also considered a great deal for most people.
--
The welcome ceremony that Ye Chen attended when he was twelve was held on the inner grounds on a large platform. Just as the peak master finished his speech and opened the buffet, everyone was in their mini cliques except for Ye Chen, who was isolated by the crowd.
"Did you see him? He's only twelve! I heard he beat his own outer sect Shixiong until he almost died! How can someone like that still be here, and even qualify for the inner sect?" Someone from the crowd whispered while another added, "I heard of the worst news! He also tried to steal that Shixiong's contract beast by kidnapping it and locking it behind his dormitory."
The crowd soon emerged into a loud chatting ground and countless disgusted stares were directed to the child with bright amber eyes.
"So what if he's talented at a young age? Disrespecting a Shixiong is unforgivable." another shook their head and gave a disappointed glance to the child. Ye Chen just continued to stuff himself with buns from the table on the side, not looking bothered at all.
Just as the ceremony was preparing for its first performance, a middle-aged cultivator walked towards the youth and spoke with a loud articulated voice, "I accept you as my direct disciple"
--
The sounds and chatters from the ceremony became silent.
"HUH? What on earth are you talking about?" Ye Chen frowned and spoke while chewing the lotus paste bun in his mouth.
"I accept you as my direct disciple." The middle-aged man firmly repeated.
"Who are you? And since when did I apply for anything?" Ye Chen scratched his head and asked in a confusing tone. Some may think he was arrogant and rude, but the reality is that Ye Chen is just ignorant and clueless about who this man was.
"Since now." The man said before ignoring the confused teenager's incoming replies and walking towards the peaks, leaving the crowd even more silent than it already was.
The ceremony soon resumed its activities with everyone whispering in shock and disbelief. A disciple in the organizing team of the ceremony informed Ye Chen that there was no longer a need for him to perform as he had already been chosen. He only then found out the person earlier was Sea Peak's master, Elder Ming...and he has been forcefully appointed as his direct disciple.
