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The white owl hurried up to its feet while hooting fiercely. After this instance, it left space between itself and Owl. It stopped hooting and glared silently at the figure. Only it knew what it had been trying to convey and how it wasn't anything that warranted such a treatment. Hell, she had been ignored and then slapped. It was obvious that she would be angry. Beast or not, it was uncouth for.

Owl stopped caring about that beast after slapping it away. He never had any interest in it from the start. If not for this irritating thing hooting in his ears, nothing would have happened. What infuriated him even more was how he had some moments where he was unable to keep a lid on his feelings and acted on impulse.

He needed control.

After waiting for some more time, they saw the First Elder fly from behind the plaza and landing on the elevated platform. He wore the usual sect robe but he had some fur over it. It was a beautiful dark and grey fur that gave him a noble air. It was only a small accessory but it changed his countenance completely.

Owl noticed how the second and third elders snickered next to them. It seemed like they didn't like that their colleague was showing off.

The First Elder waited for a few moments as he gazed at the overall crowd before he began his speech: "We are here today to witness a disciple induction ceremony. I will now be calling the future disciples on stage. If Jung-Su and Sun-Mi could come"

The Second Elder used her spiritual energy to grab onto everyone and flew to the elevated platform. As they landed, all the disciples present watched them, making them anxious. They were being scrutinized for all their worth. It was as if the gazes were trying to penetrate their souls and uncover their secrets. Hundreds of eyes were upon them for the first time and it was scary. The white owl was fidgeting too. It was likely not used to so many humans watching it. Its survival instincts must have been warning it. As for Owl, he remained calm as he looked at all the humans. He recalled how he was once part of this kind of crowd back in his previous life. In his sect, he had never received recognition from a higher-tiered master and was forced to admire those disciples. At the time, he envied them. Right now… He still did. But he was the one being admired.

How ironic that he had to become a beast in order to be treated better than other humans.

As he delighted himself in the feelings, the ceremony went on. The First Elder called for the Senior Elder who arrived grandiosely through the air along with special effects made from his mastery over the elements. With every step he took, it was as if the space under his feet rippled like water and flower petals seemed to drop all over the place. As they collided with the disciples, they disappeared as if they had never been there.

As he landed, he waved a hand towards the crowd who cheered. A Senior Elder was a grand figure in the minds of the average disciples. Owl snickered inside. He wondered how they would react if they knew the true face of this elder that they idolized. Would they be angry? Would they feel betrayed? The truth was that he was someone capable of sacrificing his fellow sect mates out of greed and without hesitation. Yet, he appeared noble in the eyes of the younger disciples. He was a hero and a powerful protector.

The ceremony in itself was very simple and unrefined. It was the same ceremony anyone took in such cases. The disciples kowtowed three times to the master then both sides would make an oath to the heavens. The Master would swear to teach the disciples while they, in return, swore to respect their Master and cherish the knowledge he would provide.

Obviously, there were many loopholes in such an oath. What was a teaching? What was respect? Everything was up for debate. And, in the end, the answer to those questions belonged to the oath takers. Unless the disciple himself felt that he no longer respected the teachings of the Master, the oath wouldn't be broken and the relationship would remain. As long as a Master believed he was teaching his disciples, even if they never spoke with each other, it wouldn't break either.

Regardless, this was a shackle in the eyes of the Senior Elder. One that he put around the collar of Owl through Jung-Su. How hilarious it was to Owl! He wasn't shackled at all.

The ceremony went on for a bit longer before the Senior Elder took the whole group away with him.

The Serene Summer Pavilion did not just own one mountain but a few dozens. The first one was the outer court. The next two were for the inner court and everything else belonged to the Senior Elders and Grand Elders. Each of them owned a peak, as reward for being founding members of the sect.

The Senior Elder had his own and took the group there.

It was a beautiful mountain that was carefully maintained. It had many pavilions and gardens all over it. Owl liked it at a glance. It gave a refreshing and lively vibe.

The Senior Elder took them down halfway through the mountain and told the elders under him that they were dismissed. They didn't need to be told twice. Since the moment he killed their colleague, they had been rather prone to staying far away whenever they could. The trauma from that event would remain for a long time. Since it was obvious to Owl, it should be the same to the Senior Elder. And considering he didn't act in any ways, it showed that he didn't give a fuck.

Senior Elder Sun Yong-Hik had a dashing smile as he welcomed the disciples on his mountain and began to lead them through the different paths, introducing the different locations of the mountain. Herbal plantation, serenity garden, smithy, alchemy lab… There was everything one could ever hope for. It was as if there was a sect within a sect except it all belonged to a single being. Owl marveled at the sheer display of wealth. To think that disciples like Jung-Su and him back in the days trimmed for days for just a few pills… And here, this guy, just by being an elder, had so much to himself.

It was true that with strength came great wealth.

He had heard that after reaching a certain stage, money itself would jump into your pockets. He never believed it but, after witnessing this mountain, he had to think back on this. Because it was clear that this Senior Elder didn't do shit himself in the sect. He was always ordering others to do work but never did one yet he savored the fruits of the labor.

Some would have felt anger, or even despair, at such a realization. Owl felt envy. He was greedily eyeing everything there was on this mountain. He was going to milk this fat cow till there was nothing left before leaving. He made up his mind right then and there once again.

After walking for a long time, they reached three houses. Or rather, palaces, considering their sizes. It was easily twice the size of a dormitory from the outer sect and those could hold around fifty disciples.

The two kids wondered who lived there. Owl had an idea. And it was as he expected. Those were the houses recently built specifically for Jung-Su, Sun-Mi and him. Well, he apparently would need to share his with the white owl… But that was fine. He could always slap it again if it came down to it.

The Senior Elder decided to leave them here after telling them that he would come tomorrow to start teaching them. He wanted them to discover their new homes themselves.

Jung-Su and Sun-Mi didn't go to their own houses first but instead went on to check on Owl's. As they entered, they marveled at the luxurious decorations and furniture. Owl had to agree with them. This was truly overbearing for an accommodation provided to spiritual beasts. Even if the Senior Elder knew he was potentially going to be a sentient…This felt a bit too much. That's what he thought until he saw the bed and laid on it.

After he sprawled himself on it, he didn't move further. Even as the trio left to explore the other houses, he stayed on his new bed. It felt just too damn good to lay upon it. The quality of the mattress and brown drapes was beyond godly.

Fuck the holes in trees, this kind of bed was where one should sleep.

Unfortunately, he was brought back to reality by a chuckling Senior Elder that appeared casually, taking him by surprise. The Senior Elder said: "You seem to appreciate your new bed, Owl"

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