Ch1

AKITO

There was an excited buzz around the people of Moya Lake Town. The usual town with the population of hundred was now filled with visitors from various places.

The innkeeper Kento Yamazaki-san had a full house. His establishment was filled with customers. He was running around organising rooms, making sure the food was cooked and delivered to various masters visiting. All the comforts were top class in his establishment.

The inn was very famous in the town and also one of the biggest. They were known for their food and services, with clean rooms and fine quality sake. There were around four stories in the building with the upper three completely dedicated to rooms for staying. The lower most floor included a reception area and the famous restaurant.

This was the busiest time they have ever had. The restaurant was filled with cultivators from different lands. The lively buzz of the chattering patrons filled Kento's heart thinking about how much he was going to earn this season.

In one of the smallest tables in a corner most nook, a young man with dark ebony hair, half tied up with a jade pin, half of it following down his back almost touching his waist was calmly sitting and enjoying his meal.

Akito was the young prodigy who didn't belong to any sect or clan. He and his sensei(teacher) has spent the better part of his teenage years travelling to different places and cultivating. He was the only customer who was sitting alone eating a bowl of cold noodles and sake. He was not particularly interested in gossiping or talking with anyone but his ears were open to everything happening around him.

The table right by his side was occupied by four middle aged men. They were eating, drinking heavily and talking very loudly.

"Ahhh..... The town is filled with cultivators everywhere. I didn't think that this year the turn-out would be this huge." One of them with a katana lamented.

"Well, what did you expect, they opened the competition after 50 years. Many young cultivators from different sects are waiting for this opportunity. I even heard this year few of the heirs of some noble families are also participating." The man who had a fang earring spoke now.

"But this will decrease our chances. I don't know how we will get into any sect. I am still stuck in Foundation stage."

This time it was a man who was younger than these guys and looked like a mouse spoke. And he had dirt on his nose, Akito wondered why had none of his companion pointed that out.

"Now whose fault is that, didn't I to tell you to increase the cultivation soon. The astrologist from Danga village predicted that this year would be the most favourable for me, I can already feel the end of my Foundation stage."

The man with the katana boasted as he took a huge gulp of his drink.

"Not everyone has access to family arena for cultivation." One of his companions sneered at him.

"No need to fight we have good chances to be selected this time we are already at average levels of recruitment. And non-sect members rarely show up with high level of cultivation."

The fourth guy calmly spoke trying to lessen the tension which was building in the table.

"You are right but honestly these sect members are the luckiest, the speed with which they increase their level is terrifying."

"That is why we need to get into any of the sect otherwise we are done for."

"Yeah, you are right, we should try to get inside Mount Haven sect (Mount Hinansho), they are the oldest cultivation sect."

"Huh.... Who cares, I am going to the Flame sect; they have the greatest number of cultivators in the land. Haven cultivators might be the oldest but Flame sect has the quantity, the chances to get in will be more."

"Well, we can see that after competition, eat fast then we can go and register."

Akito had already finished up his food so he stood up, arranged his clothes, tied his katana back and soon left the restaurant. This was the era of cultivators, where the strong survives while the weak are trampled down.

Akito was among the rare cultivators who didn't belong to any sect or clan. He was lucky enough that he was found by his sensei when he was just two years old. Since then, for the last 20 years, they have travelled together.

Everything he knows has been taught by his sensei, now he was applying in the competition to enter a sect was also behest of his sensei. He himself personally has no interest in joining a sect. But it was his sensei's request and he couldn't say no.

Usually in Qi cultivation or Soul cultivation first stage of cultivation- Qi Gathering- is the basic stage for any cultivator. This is achieved at early ages of 11-15 years itself. Any mortal man who wishes to be a cultivator has to pass this before the end of their 15th birthday. As the beginning of 15th year, marks the complete formation of meridians and this is also the first step towards immortality.

The absorption of Qi, condensing it and storing it, are the important steps in the first stage. To achieve this, places are found which have high density of Qi which helps in speeding the process.

Most families have their own sources it may be a Qi River, lake or forest anything natural, this benefits their students to level up without much scavenging as compared to the wandering cultivators who have to search for these sources.

It's not easy for others who are not accepted inside a sect because finding a good source of Qi for meditation is very rare and also very dangerous because spiritual creatures often gravitate to these sources of Qi and make their home. So, cultivators who did not belong to any sects usually have low level of cultivation.

Akito walked through the streets which were filled with small shops selling various food items. As he walked by, he found a lamb skewer shop. He couldn't resist the temptation and he immediately bought himself some.

He was excited to savour the lamb when he was suddenly stopped by a small child falling on his feet. He looked down to find a very thin fray looking child with tear streaks blotching his cheeks.

"I am sorry, oji-san (uncle)." The child mumbled as he slowly tried to get up hissing at the scratches that he now bore on his arms.

"Yaaahhh….. kusogaki(brat), come back here right now; I am not done with you."

An angry voice yelled from behind the child as a disgustingly fat man trudged towards them. Akito noticed that the child flinched violently and started trembling as the fat man neared them.

He kneeled in front of the kid and slowly lifted his face. He observed the worried face of the kid.

"Do you like lamb?"

"Huh."

to be continued ---------