A step away from the dream

...Then a deep voice said, "We're here."

Xie lifted his head and checked the surroundings...Then he saw his destination, the Jade sword pavilion.

The azure sky seemed to be happy with the sun as she spread her golden veil on him. So it looked clear and bright. The simping sky didn't let a single cloud appear near the sun. However, this silent serenade gave a grand background image to Xie Ra's future sect.

The marble-colored tall buildings proudly stood as they knew they were very famous among the cultivation world. The reddish-brown roofs created a majestic view by contrasting against those milky white walls.

However, Xie Ra could only see the upper half of the sect. A huge wall hid rest from his visual field as to tease him, saying, "You puny mortal can not enter this palace."

True. Xie Ra could join the sect but he wouldn't get permission to pass through the sect gates until he became a *forged body realm-outer disciple.

Huh, what?

To explain what that was, we need to have a small idea about how usually a cultivation sect operates.

If you wish to become a cultivator, first you should join as an outer disciple of the sect. Outer disciples cannot enter into the main sect. The only inner disciple can live in the main sect buildings and use sect facilities freely. However to become an inner disciple you have to pass the outer disciple stage.

As soon as you prove you are eligible to be a cultivator, you will get registered as an outer disciple. You have to stay in the outer disciple quarters which are located in a separate place from the sect. Then your training period will start. However, the kids under the age of fourteen will directly learn under a sect master from the beginning.

Let's move back and see what happened to Xie Ra and Huang Fu.

Xie Ra turned back to face senior Huang who was busy preparing Ruoxi for the return journey. This whole incident felt like a dream. He never thought his hero would take him to the Jade sword pavilion.

How admirable was this character?

A pang of sadness engulfed Xie Ra's heart, as he remembered that his idol was about to leave. Therefore he put his hand into his bag and took out something.

He walked towards senior Huang.

"Senior."

Huang Fu turned his head with a questioning look on his face.

"I used to admire senior Huang a lot back then. I still do. Yet, I never knew you are this kind. I'm so grateful that senior Huang kindly took me here.

I'm poor, but I want to give you a small present to express my gratitude. I hope senior will accept this as a small souvenir."

Xie Ra handed him over the small dagger he got from his Bàba. It has small flower cravings on its handle. Xie Ra continued talking as he offered it to Huang Fu politely.

"I got this from my late Bàba. This means a lot to me. So, Please accept this humble gift." Xie Ra said in a sad voice.

Huang Fu first wanted to reject this. He didn't help Xie Ra expecting anything. But, when he heard the sad voice of the other, he took the small dagger.

"Thank you. Then I will go. Good luck with your cultivation. I hope we will meet in future inter-sect fights." He patted the small male on the shoulder. Then he jumped on his bird and began his return trip.

Evening sky made only their silhouette appeared in black. Xie Ra watched two of them fly far away. Their shadowy image became smaller and smaller until they looked like a dot and then disappeared.

Xie Ra sighed and turned towards the sect to become its future disciple.