Li San came running into the courtyard. "I got it!" he shouted breathlessly. "Yang! I got it!"

  He showed Yang a green jade token. Two lines of words were written on it in elegant script. Unfortunately, due to not knowing the written form of the language, Yang was unable to read what it said. But he was aware what it must be.

  "So it's confirmed," Yang said. Looking at the token in Li San's hand. Feeling anticipation build in his chest.

  Li San smiled widely. "Yes! Tomorrow we'll both be leaving for Azure Point City. The earliest ship with available seats was from the fleet of Divine Qi Travel Company."

  His excitement dimmed slightly. "It was expensive. But we got two seats."

  Yang looked at the token. Processing the reality of it. "A pity we won't be able to enjoy the already paid remaining days here."

  Li San waved it off dismissively. "The senior left a small fortune in that bag. I believe his and our definition of funds needed for a year vastly differ. With the amount in that pouch, we can live a good life for a decade in this city. If you want, just book this place again when we have an opportunity to leave the sect."

  "Leave the sect?" Yang asked. Amused despite himself. "Are we already members of the sect?"

  Li San interrupted, scoffing in good humor. "Oh please. With your strength, Azure Sword Sect would be clamoring to get you to join. And I know I want to learn to be a sword cultivator. I know I'll get in and become a great sword cultivator."

  His confidence was absolute. The certainty of youth and ambition.

  Yang was happy to see Li San so joyful and confident. But a small worry gnawed at him. What would happen if Li San didn't get in? Or worse, what if Yang got in and Li San didn't?

  Li San wanted this more than anything. Yang could see it in his eyes. Feel it in every word.

  Yang didn't want to bring his happiness down. But he also wanted him prepared for any eventuality.

  "Li San," Yang said carefully. "If we don't get in, there are thousands of sects. If you're adamant about joining a sword sect only, we'll go to another one if Azure Sword Sect doesn't work out."

  Li San looked at him. Smiled as if he knew exactly what Yang was doing. What worry Yang was trying to gently voice.

  "I appreciate it," Li San said softly. "But I'm going to get in. We both are. I can feel it."

  Yang didn't have Li San's certainty. But he was glad to see his brother so excited. Glad that he hadn't brought Li San from his happy home in Yunxi Village only for him to be miserable or disappointed.

  "What time will we leave?" Yang asked. Shifting to practical matters.

  "Just before sundown," Li San said. "Apparently we came at the right time. Azure Sword Sect's entrance trial is to happen soon. Most transport businesses are running extra rides to Azure Point City. The usual flying ships leave after dawn, but this one is running for only a short duration and leaves in the late afternoon."

  He looked thoughtful. "It will reach the city by night."

  "So we must make some preparations," Yang said. Nodding to himself. Mentally cataloguing what they'd need to bring.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Li San and Yang decided to go out and enjoy the time they had in the city now that they'd decided on their path forward.

  Their previous ventures into the city had been specifically to search and ask about sects. Gathering information. Learning what they could. But this time they went solely to enjoy the city. To celebrate the fact that they would be able to take part in the Azure Sword Sect entrance trial.

  Yang was excited at the thought of being a cultivator. Since he'd gained supernatural strength by eating beast cores, he'd been hopeful that the world was a cultivation world. He'd actually been disappointed when it turned out to be just a martial world with techniques but no true cultivation power.

  But then Cheng Mo had come. And showed him that there was far more to this world than Yang had ever thought possible.

  Real cultivation. The ability to fly. To live for centuries. To transcend mortal limitations entirely.

  It was everything Yang had dreamed of. Everything he'd hoped for when he'd left Yunxi Village.

  Li San and Yang walked through the markets. Trying skewers of spirit beast meat that melted on their tongues. Sweets that had shapes defying gravity, floating in their containers. Fruits that sparkled. Drinks that fizzed and changed colors.

  There were also small merchants selling cultivation resources. Pills in jade bottles. Talismans on yellow paper. Spirit jades of various grades. But Yang and Li San decided to refrain from buying anythng.

  They didn't know what was worth what. Didn't want to be swindled. And they hoped everything would be provided by the sect. Wang Fu had implied that sects had access to better quality resources than what was found in markets anyway.

  They also decided to buy a couple of outfits. Neither wanted to be thought of as beneath their fellow prospective disciples of Azure Sword Sect.

  They went to a shop. Nothing luxurious but good enough that it wouldn't point them out as the poorest peasants in the group.

  The shopkeeper showed them robes. Simple but well-made. Dark blue with silver trim. The fabric was soft. Quality cotton

  "These are appropriate for disciples," the shopkeeper said. "Not too flashy. Not too plain. Perfect for entrance trials."

  Yang and Li San each bought two sets. Along with proper boots. Leather that would hold up to training and travel.

  When they left the shop, both wearing their new robes, Yang felt different. More confident. Like he'd shed the last of his village boy skin and stepped into someone new.

  Li San seemed to feel the same. He walked taller. Shoulders back. A smile playing at his lips.

  They enjoyed themselves. Trying all kinds of food delicacies. Expensive dishes they'd never have been able to afford before Cheng Mo's gift. Sweet pastries filled with spirit fruit. Savory dumplings made with spirit beast meat. Tea that cost more per cup than they'd earned in a week of labor.

  Once they were full, they walked back to their courtyard with their arms around each other's shoulders. Joking around. Laughing. Acting like the brothers they were.

  Yang felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the food. This was what mattered. Not power or cultivation or strength. But this. Having someone to share the journey with. Someone who understood. Who'd chosen to follow him despite the risks.

  They reached the courtyard. The evening was settling in. The sun painting the sky in oranges and purples.

  They separated at their rooms. Each heading to their own wing.

  "Get some rest," Yang called. "Tomorrow is important."

  "Tomorrow we go to our future sect," Li San corrected. His grin wide and unshakeable.

  Yang smiled. "Tomorrow we try."

  He entered his room. Closed the door behind him. Leaned against it and took a deep breath.

  Tomorrow. The Azure Point City. Everything he'd worked for. Everything he'd hoped for since leaving the forest. Since crossing that mountain. Since finding the painting.

  Yang walked to his bed. Sat down. Pulled out the wrapped painting from his pack. He unwrapped it carefully. The staircase into clouds stared back at him. As mysterious as ever.

  "Thank you," Yang whispered to it. To Cheng Mo. To whatever fate or fortune had led him here.

  Then he wrapped it carefully again. Placed it in his pack with his other belongings.

  Tomorrow.

  Yang lay down. Closed his eyes. Let sleep claim him.

  And dreamed of flying on swords through endless skies.