Chương 108: Chapter 107: The Reply

Yang was on the meditation platform after one completed round of the Heavenly Diversion and preparing to begin another as the headache somewhat subsided, when he felt something at the edge of the cave residence formation through his consciousness. It was a new sensation, one he could not immediately identify. A faint flutter at the boundary of the cave's formation, something touching the barrier and pulling back, touching it again. There was someone here. He got off the platform and went to the entrance.

There was no one outside. But at the formation's edge, a small bird was hovering, its wings moving in small rapid strokes, pressing against the invisible barrier and retreating each time it made contact. Yang watched it for a moment. Ordinary animals rarely approached sect cave formations and as for the magical ones, he had yet to encounter any. He stepped forward to take a closer look and realised what he was looking at. Not a bird. It was a paper origami crane. He extended his hand past the formation's edge.

The crane descended immediately and settled into his palm, and as it touched his skin it unfolded itself from the crane shape into a flat square of paper. He brought it closer to read.

Junior Brother Yang, I hope this note finds you well. There is a letter from the inner sect awaiting collection at the outer sect hall. Likely a reply from your inner sect senior brother. Please come at your earliest convenience. Outer Sect Hall Bo Yu Yang read it twice. He felt something sharp move through his chest that he realised was hope and immediately attempted to push it back down to a manageable level. He knew the situation. Senior Brother Lin Yi was not a core disciple.

The other senior brothers and sisters he had shared a table with at Senior Brother Jiang Zhen Hao's banquet were inner sect disciples but none of them were core disciples either. It was one thing for a senior to offer help freely to a junior they had taken a liking to.

It was entirely another to go out of your way to call in favors on that junior's behalf for something as specific as a competition sponsorship. He knew his chances. He knew all of this. He still could not entirely stop himself from feeling hope. He made his way to the outer sect hall considerably faster than his usual. Senior Brother Bo Yu and Senior Sister Wei Wei were both at the near end of the counter when he arrived. Senior Brother Bo Yu spotted him first.

"Junior Brother, you came quickly. We only just sent the paper crane note." Senior Sister Wei Wei glanced at Yang's expression and then at Senior Brother Bo Yu with a teasing expresion.

"Look how quickly he came running. Imagine what he must be feeling."

"I can imagine it quite well," Senior Brother Bo Yu said, producing the letter from under the counter.

"We were just discussing what it might say." He extended it toward Yang.

"Here." Yang took it. He looked at both of their expressions, which were deeply invested in the outcome, and decided he might as well open it here. He broke the seal. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

Junior Brother Chen Yang, Thank you for sending me news of your situation. I am glad you did so. I am well and my cultivation and alchemy have both been progressing smoothly. I have recently had the opportunity to work alongside Senior Brother Liu Te on an alchemy project making use of the advanced flame his master gifted him, and I am delighted to say the results exceeded our expectations. Working with a superior fire we were able to condense a pill that our current cultivation realms would not ordinarily permit.

The experience was invaluable for me and, more significantly, directly beneficial to Brother Liu Te's cultivation. It was a rewarding and rather interesting collaboration. I look forward to discussing alchemical principles with you properly once you have begun to delve into the craft yourself. It would be great to have another alchemist around. I am pleased to hear that the seedlings are doing well. I am glad you did not take on more than the manual advised and that you have kept to the watering routine.

If you encounter any difficulties with the Blue Jade, Spirit Grass, or the Spirit Spiral as they develop, do not hesitate to write. I would not call myself an expert in plant cultivation, but I know those three varieties well enough to be of some use. Your Senior Brother Liu Te also offers his expertise and is, as I write this, sitting across from me and nodding at the mention of his name. You need not thank me so much, Junior Brother.

Work hard at your cultivation, treat your sect brothers and sisters well, and learn from everyone you meet. That is all the thanks any senior needs from a junior they believe in. Now, to the matter of the competition. I was disappointed to learn that sponsorship slots had been committed so many years in advance. I was not deeply aware of how the system worked, having never been in a position to consider entering the inner sect competitions while I was still an outer sect disciple myself.

It took me a few days to understand the full picture, and the picture was not encouraging. The sect has no formal pathway for an outer sect disciple to enter without either an elder or a core disciple as sponsor. I am not a core disciple. Brother Liu Te is not quite one either, his master being one of the direct lineage but the distinction still holding. I had already begun composing a letter of apology for having given you false hope when fate intervened in your favour. I have found you a way in.

I will come to you in person three days from now and explain the details fully, as this is not something I wish to reduce to a letter. What I will tell you now is this: the opportunity is real, and the door is open if you are ready to walk thqrough it. Between now and till the competition ends, work on your talismans with everything you have. Winning is not the expectation and should not be.

But this competition will showcase your skills before the sect elders and more importantly, the peak masters, and at your age and as a recent recruit, every measure of skill you demonstrate will count for far more than it would from an older or more established disciple. We cultivators have long and enduring memories. The impression you make will matter long after the competition itself is over. Work hard, Junior Brother. One more thing: I will not be leaving without tea this time. See that you are prepared.

Regards, Lin Yi Yang looked up from the letter with a smile he did not try to contain.

"I got in," he said. Senior Sister Wei Wei made a sound that was very close to a delighted squeal before she controlled herself. Senior Brother Bo Yu, with somewhat less restraint than the occasion perhaps required, came around the counter and gave Yang a firm pat on the back and a half embrace.

"Junior Brother, I am proud of you," he said. Yang looked at both of their faces and felt warmth at the pride and happiness Senior Brother and Senior Sister were showing for him. It felt good to be looked at like that by people who had nothing to gain from caring whether he succeeded or not. Senior Sister Wei Wei noticed the curious looks coming from the other disciples and senior brothers and sisters working at the outer sect hall. She straightened.

"Junior Brother Yang has received a very good opportunity," she said to the room, sharing the god news but not elaborating further. The other occupants of the hall turned toward Yang with smiles and brief congratulations, and Yang bowed to each of them in turn. When the attention settled, Senior Sister Wei Wei leaned across the counter.

"Keep it quiet for now. When you participate others will naturally know. There is no need to announce it before then."

"I understand, Senior Sister. Thank you." She nodded, satisfied.

"Junior brother," Senior Brother Bo Yu said, still visibly pleased, "if there is anything you need before the competition, come to me. I mean that."

"And I have attended a couple of these competitions over the years," Senior Sister Wei Wei added, her expression turning thoughtful showing she was already thinking ahead.

"I will put together a list of what types of events are typically held in the talisman portion. It should help you prepare better." Yang looked at her gratefully.

"Thank you, Senior Sister. I will rely on you for that." Senior Sister Wei Wei smiled a bright quick smile.

"Leave it to me." Yang folded the letter carefully and put it in his sleeve. He bowed to both of them once more and made his way back out into the afternoon. Three days. He had three days before Senior Brother Lin Yi arrived, and Senior Brother Lin Yi had told him to work on his talismans with everything he had. He intended to do exactly that.