Yang woke at dawn. There was no light from the sun since he was deep in his cave residence, but his body was so accustomed to waking with the dawn that he rose naturally even in complete darkness.

  He stretched and sat up, then stood to relieve himself and wash his face in the side chamber. The water formation activated at his touch, filling the basin with clean, and cool water.

  Last night he'd spent hours meditating. Following the breathing techniques described in the manual. It had relaxed him immensely. He didn't believe he was able to take in Qi yet, but the exercise itself was beneficial. He could feel his lungs filling with air more completely than normal breathing. His mind settling into a peaceful state he rarely experienced.

  After meditation, Yang had simply relaxed on his kang bed and fallen asleep. Deep and dreamless.

  Now it was early morning. He doubted anyone else was awake yet. Yang decided to wait a bit and practice more meditation before going to the food hall. He also wanted to visit the outer sect hall. Learn the layout and understand what resources were available.

  And he needed to attend the classes for learning to read and write. He wouldn't want to be a cultivator who could barely read cultivation manuals or sect notices.

  Yang took a drink of water from a small pitcher. Wetting his throat. Then settled down on the stone platform for meditation.

  It was less comfortable than his kang bed. Harder and colder. But there had to be a reason this platform was added to the cultivation cave along with the bed. The sect wouldn't include it without purpose.

  Yang began the breathing exercises again. Trying to pull in Qi along with air. Going into a meditative state.

  It took a few minutes to find the rhythm. His mind kept wandering. Thinking about the sect. About Li San. About what came next. But gradually, those thoughts quieted. His breath deepened. His awareness narrowed.

  Once again, he entered that relaxed state. He might not be drawing in Qi yet, but the meditation was beneficial regardless. His body felt lighter. His mind clearer.

  Yang spent a couple of hours like this. Time passing without his awareness. Lost in the steady rhythm of breath and stillness.

  Finally, he exhaled a long breath. Opening his eyes. Leisurely getting off the stone platform.

  His body felt amazing. Loose and refreshed. He didn't even feel the need to stretch after spending hours in the same position without moving. Usually, staying still that long would leave him stiff and sore. But now he felt energized.

  Yang moved toward the storage niches carved into the wall. and pulled out one of the white robes given by the sect. Plain fabric with simple stitching.

  He put it on carefully. Tying the inner and outer layers properly. Making sure everything sat correctly.

  Then Yang felt a bit giddy. Excited at finally looking like a cultivator. Like he belonged in this world. He had a wide grin on his face as he made exaggerated poses. Watching the robes flow and glide around him with his movements.

  He sat down on the bench laughing at himself. "This was James, not Yang," he mumbled. "Chen Yang is dignified and serious."

  Yang wiped the wide smile off his face. But there was still a twinkle in his eyes. A lightness in his chest.

  His thoughts drifted to Li San. Wondering what his brother was doing. Was he also wearing his azure sect robes? Was he training with swords? Making friends? Yang hoped Li San was finding joy in his cultivation journey as well.

  Yang stood and gathered what he needed. His pouch with the five spirit stones. His identity token, which he tied at his waist. The cultivation manuals to study later. Then made his way out of the cave.

  The stone door faded at his approach. Recognizing his token automatically without him having to place it on the door again. Yang stepped out into the morning air.

  The sun was already up. Painting the peaks and floating mountains in shades of gold and white. The view was breathtaking. Yang took a moment to just take it in.

  Then he started walking toward the food hall. Taking his time. Enjoying the scenery. Other disciples were beginning to emerge from their caves. Most wore the same plain white robes. Making their way toward breakfast or training areas.

  It took Yang perhaps twenty minutes to reach the food hall. The building was wide. Kind of like a school cafeteria from his previous life, but it could apparently seat far more people. Rows of long tables with benches. High ceilings and window everywhere to let the light and fresh air in.

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  Yang went inside. The atmosphere was relaxed. Disciples chatting. Eating. Nobody seemed stressed or aggressive. Just people starting their day.

  He took a tray from a stack near the entrance. There were various stations giving out food. Rice porridge. Steamed buns. Pickled vegetables. Simple but plentiful.

  The cultivators serving food were using some kind of technique. Food automatically appeared on trays that passed by their stations. Yang barely had to slow down. His tray filled quickly with a balanced meal.

  He was looking for a seat when he heard someone call his name.

  "Chen Yang! Over here!"

  Ye Xuan was waving his arm in the air. Sitting at a table with a few empty spots.

  Yang quickly made his way over and took a seat next to him.

  "How are you, Chen Yang? Gotten used to the cave residence yet?" Ye Xuan asked cheerfully. "Where is your cave located?"

  "I'm fine. The cave residence is fine. I actually like it, its almost the opposite side of the outer sect hall," Yang said. He paused, then added, "I just wished there was a way to get light from the sun. Since there are no windows, it's solely lit by lamps."

  "I understand what you mean," Ye Xuan agreed sympathetically. "I'm used to living in open, airy courtyards with plenty of light from the sun in the day and the moon and stars at night. Living in a completely closed environment like that is jarring."

  He was about to continue when he was interrupted by another girl sitting at the same table.

  She was also an outer sect disciple but looked a bit older than them. Around twenty. She had a friendly face and confident bearing.

  She smiled at their curious expressions and told them that "The caves are intentionally designed so all external light and sound are blocked. This lets you concentrate on cultivation without distractions."

  She then introduced herself.

  "I'm Meng Yao," she introduced herself. "I'm at the third level of Qi Condensation. You can call me Senior Sister Meng Yao."

  Meng Yao leaned forward slightly. "Most new disciples are easily distracted by anything when trying to concentrate at first. So the sect ensures there are as few distractions as possible. This helps you get the hang of meditation to cultivate earlier than it would usually take."

  "Haven't you noticed the lamps use spirit stones to light up the caves instead of fire? Because they don't want the light to flicker. Even that small movement can break concentration for beginners."

  Yang and Ye Xuan were both shocked at how much thought the sect put into increasing disciples' chances of successful cultivation.

  "I have family members in sects," Ye Xuan said. "None of them mentioned anything like this."

  Meng Yao let out an amused chuckle at this. "Are they in any of the ten major sects?"

  Ye Xuan shook his head. "No. Minor sects."

  "There's your answer," Meng Yao said. "We have different standards here. The sect doesn't need outer sect disciples to do anything but learn and cultivate. There are powerful cultivators at our back. Elders, inner disciples, core disciples. All the elders hope for is that we cultivate well and become strong backers for the sect and future juniors."

  She picked up a steamed bun from her plate. "Even the point system is set to encourage you to improve yourself. As one of the major sects, we have the luxury of having access to the best teachers and techniques. But they can only be utilised if you're willing to make the effort to seek them out."

  Meng Yao stood, gathering her empty dishes. "You'll enjoy the White Cloud Sect. This is a good place for those who want to cultivate peacefully."

  She turned to her own companions at another table. Leaving Yang and Ye Xuan to process what they'd learned.

  Yang and Ye Xuan looked at each other. Then got back to eating their food. Both deep in thought.

  Yang realized that all sects might do things differently. Clearly, White Cloud Sect had its own approach. He wondered what Li San's sect was like. How Azure Sword Sect treated their disciples. Whether Li San was fitting in well there.

  Yang finished his food and soon Ye Xuan was done as well.

  They disposed of their trays in the designated section. Placing them in a cleaning area where they disappeared, presumably to be washed by formations or servants.

  They made their way out of the food hall together. Stepping into the morning sunlight.

  "Do you want to look around?" Ye Xuan asked. "Explore the outer sect peak? Maybe find the training grounds?"

  Yang shook his head. "I want to attend the classes where reading and writing are taught."

  Ye Xuan's face went a bit red. He sputtered, clearly embarrassed. "I... I apologize. I didn't know you couldn't read and write. I shouldn't have assumed—"

  Yang just smiled. Raising a hand to stop the apology. "I know only a little. I'm a peasant from a very small village. There's no need to apologize."

  He waved off Ye Xuan's continued attempts at apology. "Really. It's fine."

  Yang was a bit amused to realize Ye Xuan was so shocked at him being a peasant. It seemed the noble boy genuinely hadn't noticed or cared about Yang's background until now.

  Yang realized something else. At first, he'd been scared of being looked down on for his origins. But the White Cloud Sect put him at ease. Enough that he was willing to disclose his peasant roots openly. After all, where he came from had no bearing on his capabilities as a cultivator.

  Yang smiled and started walking toward the outer sect hall. "I'll see you later, Ye Xuan. Enjoy your exploration."

  "Right. Yes. Later then!" Ye Xuan called after him. Still looking a bit flustered.

  Yang walked through the morning. The sect was beautiful in the daylight. Disciples moving between buildings. Some flying on swords overhead. The whole place humming with quiet activity.

  He felt good. Hopeful. Like maybe, finally, he'd found where he belonged.

  The outer sect hall rose ahead, carved into the mountain side. Large and welcoming. Yang headed toward it with purpose.

  Already looking forward to seeing what it has to offer.

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