Yang didn't know how much time had passed. He'd become immersed in conversation with the same boy who'd encouraged him to eat. The drawing room had settled into a comfortable atmosphere. Small groups forming. People getting to know each other and sharing nervous excitement about what came next.

  The boy's name was Ye Xuan. He had an easy smile and an open manner that made conversation flow naturally between them.

  Ye Xuan wasn't from Canglong Kingdom, he'd explained. He was from a noble family that had produced a few cultivators here and there in other minor sects. Nothing prestigious but enough to understand the cultivation world better than most mortals.

  He was very proud of getting into a major sect. His excitement was infectious. He kept grinning as he talked about how his family would react when they found out. How his mother would cry happy tears and how his younger siblings would look at him with awe.

  Ye Xuan engaged Yang in casual conversation. Asking about his background with genuine interest rather than polite obligation.

  Yang explained he was an orphan. That he'd traveled here after his friend, whom he'd been traveling with, got into the Azure Sword Sect. He kept the details vague and simple. No need to get into the details of it.

  Ye Xuan was impressed hearing about Yang's connection to an Azure Sword Sect disciple. "Your friend must be incredibly talented. The sword path is notoriously difficult."

  Then he laughed. "Those sword cultivators are obsessed, though. I could never imagine myself joining such a sect. Not that they would accept me either."

  The honest admission made Yang let out a slight laugh. "At least you're aware of your limitations."

  "Better to know yourself than chase impossible dreams," Ye Xuan said with a philosophical air that didn't quite match his youthful face.

  "Did you want to be a sword cultivator?" Ye Xuan asked. Curious. "It's a very common aspiration among people. Everyone wants to be either a sword cultivator or an alchemist. Fame and fortune, you know."

  Yang shook his head. "I only took the Azure Sword Sect test because my brother and friend really wanted to join. I wanted to be together with him."

  Ye Xuan's expression shifted. Something knowing entered his eyes. He leaned forward slightly. "It's clear you don't know much about cultivation."

  Yang bristled slightly but Ye Xuan raised a placating hand. His tone wasn't condescending. Just matter-of-fact.

  "Third rate sects may take in anyone and everyone with the ability to cultivate just to beef up numbers," Ye Xuan explained. "But any sect worth its salt would only take those that are suitable for their sect and the path the sect follows."

  He gestured vaguely. "My clan elder who is a cultivator is also a sword cultivator. His sect is rather minor but all their disciples are chosen specifically because they suit the sword path and have fate with the sect. It's not about wanting it. It's about being suited to it."

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  Yang saw an opportunity. Ye Xuan was friendly and his inner instincts gave no warning about trusting him. Yang decided to ask something that had been bothering him.

  "What does it mean exactly? Fate with a sect?" Yang asked. "I've heard many people mentioning it but no one explains it in detail."

  Ye Xuan scratched his head. Thoughtful. "I don't know much. It's something powerful cultivators are more knowledgeable about. From what my elder tells me, you have to get there to understand fully."

  He paused. Then continued more seriously. "But he says if one has to succeed as a cultivator and go far, they have to follow the path most suited to them rather than the one they desire because of glory and wealth."

  Ye Xuan gestured around the room at their fellow disciples. "The mortals and people in cultivation families admire the sword or alchemist path the most because they're most well-known and glamorized. Many people embark on those paths because that's all they know. But my elder says finding your path is half the battle in cultivation. Once you've found your path, the rest comes easy."

  "How do we find our path?" Yang asked. The question felt important to ask.

  Ye Xuan shrugged. "Nobody says. Either it's a secret for when you start cultivating or something you just know once you're there. Cultivation is rather mysterious. Most families and sects guard their knowledge closely. Even within my clan, only cultivators are told certain things."

  He smiled. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."

  The conversation drifted and Ye Xuan talked about how his father, though a mortal, had always supported his dream to cultivate, wishing his son would be counted among the cultivators in their clan.

  "I traveled here from another nearby kingdom specially for this test," Ye Xuan explained. "Once I knew the sects were coming to this city on a recruitment drive, I convinced my parents to let me make the journey."

  He made a face. "The actual White Cloud Sect is too far for me to reach on my own. The ship fare would be too expensive. Taking so many connecting boats across different regions. My family has some wealth but not enough for that kind of journey."

  Yang understood. The cultivation world was vast. Continents were massive. Without guidance or resources, traveling to distant sects was nearly impossible for most mortal people.

  They continued speaking. The conversation flowing easily. Ye Xuan had a gift for putting people at ease. Making them feel heard. Yang found himself enjoying more than he had since parting with Li San.

  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe White Cloud Sect's mysterious reputation didn't mean danger. Maybe it just meant something different, something Yang didn't understand yet.

  Suddenly, Elder Zhou's voice cut through the various conversations happening throughout the drawing room.

  "Disciples, your attention."

  The room fell silent immediately. All eyes turning to the elder.

  Elder Zhou stood. Her white robes immaculate despite the journey

  "We are about to arrive," she announced. "Come to the deck so you may see your home from now on."

  A ripple of excitement went through the new disciples. As everyone stood and followed Elder Zhou as she led them out of the drawing room. Back through the corridor. Up stairs Yang hadn't noticed before.

  They emerged onto the deck.

  Yang's breath caught.

  The ship was descending through clouds. Breaking through a layer of mist that parted before them like a curtain being drawn back.

  And below, spreading out in all directions, was White Cloud Sect.

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