“I can’t leave the city,” Taylor lets out, unhindered. “I refuse.”

The other cultivator puts down Taylor’s book and gives its owner a long look. “There’s no other way, kid. If you want to continue cultivating, you’ll have to leave the city. Think it over carefully; I’d rather this didn’t get ugly.” He says, fully prepared to take care of the matter, one way or the other.

“Then I won’t cultivate,” Taylor says with a blank face. He was also prepared to do what it takes to lead his life on his own terms. If Taylor was being honest, cultivation was not high on his list of priorities. He had no dreams of power and no urgent curiosity for what could be; he was a kid. He was a kid who was content with his life, and he didn’t want it to change.

A look of bewilderment appeared on the other cultivator’s face. “Kid, are you dumb? Is there no romance in you? Do you not want to see what the world of cultivation offers you?” He asks in disbelief.

A brief contemplation ran across Taylor’s mind before speaking his thoughts. “I’m a simple guy, Mr. Cultivator. When things become complicated, I settle somewhere safe and take it slow. If this question came a couple years later, it’s possible I’d be willing; hell if it came a couple years earlier, I’d definitely be willing. I just don’t want to complicate my life.” He says with a bitter smile, because he felt that the situation was indeed very bitter.

Taylor didn’t want to, but he understood; this was a plea, and he had little control of the situation. If Taylor had it his way, he’d be a kid forever. He’d be happy with his girlfriend, drinking with his friends, and if he had a few more chores to do each day, it would still be a bargain to him. But life is fucking happening, Taylor thought with a sigh.

The man looks at Taylor for a moment, still unsure if this kid was being genuine, before dismissing his thoughts. He picks up the book and throws it back to Taylor, causing Taylor to instinctively catch the book in his hands. The man smiles; he almost thought the kid would drop it.

“Kid; some advice. This world doesn’t revolve around you. There’s a whole ocean of people out there, and the waves are always pushing and pulling. You, my little friend, are like a seed, floating aimlessly in the ocean; you’ll either follow the waves to find somewhere where you can take root, or you will float aimlessly in the ocean for a while till you get the balls to play the game. Unfortunately kid, you have no ground to stand on. You will take lessons from my disciples for two weeks, after which, you’ll have three months to get the hell out of my city. And don’t let me find you after the due date, because kid, and trust me on this, I will drag you under the water where you’ll suffocate on the ocean floor.” The man says with a wide smile, amusement clearly displayed on his face.

Taylor looks at the man and his shoulders dropped. “Fuck,” he exclaims with helplessness.

...

...

As the situation slowly sank in for Taylor, life still continued to progress. Taylor continued to work, and during the evenings he would receive basic lessons on general cultivation knowledge. It was mostly lessons on the general cultivator law or the political structure of the cultivation world, such as the ruling sects and families in which countries, but he did learn a few useful things. He learned a few things on how trade worked with cultivators. General items that cultivators need to continue cultivation and where to get them. And one particularly interesting thing he was told, was of cultivator professions, or how a cultivator earned resources. Taylor’s tutors didn’t go into detail, but they were generous enough to point Taylor in the right direction.

Before Taylor knew it, two weeks had passed. Taylor lies down on his bed, lost in random thoughts about the future. Where he would go, what he would do, and the things he would experience. After being forced to accept the situation, Taylor began to get a little excited, if nothing but for the possibilities. This will be good, this will be good, Taylor thought to himself. A little adventure never hurt anyone. My family will be okay. Pretty sure Daryl’s going to keep doing Daryl. And Sylvie... Taylor thinks before stopping. He really didn’t want to think about that.