That was weird.

Nearly as soon as Elder Jin’s figure disappeared, speculative discussion broke out as one wild theory after the other was suggested. Some said the boy was the bastard child of an elder and others suggested that Edward was yet another victim of the soul attack. But no, Edward was really the scion of a fallen noble family from the north.

Felix felt a migraine growing with each new theory he heard.

Mmmm, how can they just gossip like this? We really don’t know why Edward tried to kill himself. Though something was definitely weird about that kid, I have to admit. He kept looking off into space and something about the name Edward seems…

“Senior Felix,” said a voice to his left. He turned to find Chu and the rest of the trio at his side. “Why do you think he did it?”

“Not sure Chu. Could have been a lot of things. Maybe his parents abused him. Maybe it was a cultivation issue. It could be anything.”

“I think it was guilt.” Said Chu. Felix blinked and focused on the smaller boy.

“What makes you say that? Obviously, he wasn’t in his right mind, but his vacant look could have meant a lot of things.”

“Well, I am not sure about cultivation issues,” said Chu. “Can’t say I really know much about that. I have just seen… such expressions before. You start to be able to see the small differences.”

Felix stared at the unusually chatty Chu until the boy started to fidget. Realizing that he had made the small boy nervous, Felix snorted.

“Well I didn’t pick up on any of that Chu. That’s some really impressive observational skills” Said Felix. He watched the smaller boy’s posture straighten out a little. “Now… have you guys picked a cultivation manual yet?”

The trio shook their heads.

“We were told we didn’t have to pick right away,” said Chu. “Senior Everglade told us that we should attend some lessons and ask questions before we rush into things.”

Maybe I can help all of us at once. They all have some talent with earth techniques apparently and I can figure out more about how my ability works. However am I being selfish by doing so? ... No, I am helping them as well.

Felix brought back that easy smile he had used to coax Mei. In fact, he noticed that she had started to walk over to join them.

“Well, how about you guys come with me to the Hall of Knowledge? I can give you some tips and even see if Xue will help you guys pick out the right manual” Said Felix. He paused, “and I might even have some personal advice I can give you.”

The three opened their eyes wide.

“Really?” Said Chu. “I thought we would have to figure that out on our own? That’s what all the stories say at least. Well, unless you have a master to teach you.”

Felix frowned.

“Well, I don’t know about what happens in other sects but shouldn’t we help each other? I suppose learning to make your own way is important…” Said Felix. He shook his head and turned to face Mei. “Do you want to come as well Sister Mei? I figure you can pick a Dantian type cultivation method as well or do you already have one in mind?”

Mei gave him a grin. “I had some ideas, but nothing decided yet.”

Felix clapped his hands together.

“Perfect. Then let’s get going.”

---

Thank goodness Mei knew where she was going. Thought Felix. Their group finally reached the chasm holding the Hall of Knowledge. It would have been embarrassing to admit I didn’t know where I was going. I mean, it might be a hard sell to convince them to follow my cultivation advice if I can’t even find my way around the Sect.

The three new disciples remained silent as they walked through the crevice. They had been rather reserved throughout the whole walk for some reason Felix couldn’t fathom. Yet when they came upon the hall of knowledge, they stopped in near unity with looks of awe upon their faces.

Mei gave a boisterous laugh, slapping Chu on the back and nearly sending the poor boy to his knees. “Ah, I remember the first time I saw the Hall of Knowledge. We really do have some beautiful buildings in the Sect. No shame in being awed. Nearly every disciple who sees it goes through the same thing.”

Felix nodded to himself. Makes sense. If you come from a town like Greenwood, then this would definitely be shocking. Though I don’t know how this level of opulence and grandeur scales on the rest of the world. Maybe compared to some placed out there, this is nothing.

Mei’s eyes focused on Felix. “Felix, you are spacing out again.” She reached out and grabbed him by the arm. Before he knew it, he was being dragged toward the Hall of Knowledge. Mei turned her head back toward the still stunned disciples. “Come on you three, let’s not tarry at the door.”

With a start, the three hurried after them. They found Elder Shen sitting outside the hall, eyes closed in quiet contemplation. As they neared, Elder Shen opened both eyes and looked them over.

“Well, it is good to see you again disciple Felix.” Said Elder Shen. Shen’s gaze fell on the three young recruits. “And you three must be the new recruits who came with Disciple Xue. Shouldn’t you three be with disciple Everglade?”

Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.

“Were they supposed to be with her?” Asked Felix tentatively.

Elder Shen raised an eyebrow in Felix’s direction.

“Why yes, they were. I would assume she would’ve picked them up after class.

Felix winced.

“I’m afraid that I may have done her a disservice, Elder Shen. I thought I could offer them some help in picking out their cultivation technique.”

Elder Shen steepled his fingers, his corpulent face turned to one of fatherly disappointment. It was ruined however by Shen’s roaming eyes. Felix felt a streak of annoyance as Mei seemed ignorant of the Elder’s naughty eye.

Why aren’t you breaking out into tears now? Not that I want Mei to cry but come on! He is a thousand times creepier than me.

Then the Elder Shen’s dark eye shifted to Felix’s forearm that was encapsulated by Mei’s hand. The elder’s golden eye focused on Felix and his scowl transformed into a conspiratorial grin. He gave Felix a wink.

“Well, I suppose that’s alright. You do seem to have some skill in that area and if you can convince disciple Xue to help them, then it only benefits our Sect. I will just send a voice transmission to disciple Everglade.”

Felix tried to wrench his arm out of Mei’s grasp. After a moment, she finally seemed to notice his efforts and giving him a nonplussed look, she let go. Felix coughed and then brought his hands together, giving Elder Shen a bow.

“Thank you, Elder Shen. Your aid is much appreciated.”

“Enough of that boy, now go in and meet up with disciple Xue. She is on the fourth floor looking at the martial techniques.”

After another bow, Felix ushered the three confused recruits and a bemused Mei into the building. They reached the fourth floor in short order, revealing Xue to be quietly reading. She glanced up at their arrival.

“Oh, Felix. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t your class still be going on?”

A little unsure of how to explain, Felix scratched the back of his head. Then remembering how brutal Xue was when fighting, he realized he should just be blunt.

“Some poor kid named Edward tried to kill himself. Elder Jin took the kid away, ending the class early.”

“Really?” said Xue. She was now giving Felix her full attention. “Why did he want to kill himself?”

Felix shrugged.

“I don’t really know. I think it took everyone by surprise.” Said Felix. He then coughed into his hand. Also, I wanted to ask your help in picking out a manual for Mei and the recruits here.”

Xue raised her eyebrows and silently looked over the three kids. She returned her gaze to Felix.

“And why would I do that?”

Felix looked between Xue and the other four a few times. Finally he stepped up to her and spoke in a low voice. “Actually, I thought they would be a good opportunity to test my gift. I already know something about the three disciples and Mei is another opportunity to learn more. You were also so much help in my own personal studies, I was sort of hoping you could share a bit of your knowledge with them.”

Xue rolled her eyes but Felix noted the slight curl at the corner of her lips.

“mmm, that is not the worse idea…” She murmured in a quiet voice. “Still, we should talk to the elders about your gift first. In fact, we should not delay it any longer.

Xue then focused on the four.

“So, I need to consider some things before I can tell you what cultivation manual you four should be using.” Xue pulled out a piece of paper, penning a few words on it. Then she handed it to Chu. “I want you three to read those five books. Their location in the Hall of Knowledge is listed down next to the title. There are many gaps in your education since you grew up in Greenwood.” One of the two in the back balked at her statement and Xue sent him a contemptuous look. “It does not matter if you came from a wealthy family. That just means you had a better education than Chu here but are still ignorant by the Sects standards.”

Dismissing the trio with a wave, Xue focused on Mei. Felix was amused to note that Mei was exhibiting the same reverent look for Xue as when she had been facing Disciple Everglade.

“As for you Mei,” Said Xue. “How much do you know about Dantian cultivation?”

Mei lost her reverent expression and looked down at her feet in embarrassment.

“I am sorry to say that I am rather ignorant in that respect. Elder Jackie had me focus only on texts pertaining to body cultivation. Though I did learn some things about it from the lessons.”

Xue massaged her forehead. “Whatever, we can work on that. I want you to read all the books on the list I gave to Disciple Chu. Also, I want you to read this book.” Xue pulled out a thin tome from her ring, handing it to Mei. “I actually wrote it myself a few years ago.”

Mei’s face lit up in excitement at those words and enthusiastically took the book. Felix was confused however when her face quickly flushed in embarrassment. Curious, Felix leaned forward to read the title.

‘Dantian Cultivation for Muscle Heads’. Wow, Senior Sister Xue is brutal. What is with her and suggesting books with such harsh titles?

Felix suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, and he was soon being dragged around by a girl for the second time that day. He watched the confused look of the other four and turned to give Xue a reproachful look. Once they had gone down one flight and began making their way through the third floor, she spoke.

“I did say that we should go talk to an Elder immediately. Before we do though, I want to make sure you are ready to do so?

Felix felt a warm feeling in his chest. Tapping his chin in thought, Felix considered her question

I mean, I suppose the sooner we talk to an elder the better. I can figure out a bunch of things with just Xue and I help but… surely, I could get so much more with an elder’s help.

He made eye contact with Xue and then spoke in a quiet voice

“Is there an elder that you trust?”

Xue laughed. “I don’t think any of the elders here would betray you. Though I am happy to see that you are cautious without needing a lesson in it. From what the elders have said, having trustworthy elders isn’t normal. However, there are definitely Thousand Season Elders who will be more supportive than others.”

“Well, I suppose that makes sense,” Said Felix thoughtfully. “Even if they won’t act in bad faith, some will surely be a better advocate. Different points of view and all that. Then who would you suggest?

“Well, not Elder Akeno. That’s for sure.”

“Um, why? He certainly seemed to have the most sway from what I saw last night.”

“Well, he will probably be pissed that you didn’t hole up somewhere until you become powerful. My understanding is that he only agreed to our current arrangement because the other elders insisted. He is a much more old school than the other elders. Though all the elders are pretty weird in their own way. Mmmm… this is more annoying than I thought.”

“Won’t they all know about it if I tell one,” Said Felix. “They seem really close.”

“Oh, they will all know,” said Xue. They paused on the second floor as a book caught her eye. With a grin, she tossed it in her ring and then they continued. “It isn’t always talked about, but apparently they are all sworn brothers and sisters.”

“Um, so they are really close?” Said Felix.

“Well, ya. It is way more intense than that but sure, that’s sort of the gist of it. Though it also means they literally swear to be one another’s brothers and sisters. Sort of obvious from the name.”

Felix nodded as he thought it over and then couldn’t hold back a light chuckle. “I suppose you are right. I am just so used to asking about everything now.’

Xue flashed him a grin. “Keep that up. We are told you should always stay inquisitive. Learning both by yourself and from others. Now, back to the elders. The first elder you talk to has a chance of insisting to be your main teacher. Not that you can’t learn from the others. It isn’t like you are asking for a master-disciple relationship. However, the other elders would feel obligated to not infringe on their sworn siblings. So, let’s see… oh, by the way, make sure you do NOT talk to Zhenzhen first.”

Felix thought back to yesterday and felt he understood what Xue meant.

Though wouldn’t it be nice to be by someone like that. She was cute. I mean that is a really shallow reason to base this decision on but all other things being equal…

A hard poke to a cheek stopped that thought.

“Now Felix,” Said Xue with an evil grin. “Don’t let your thoughts go down that road. Elder Zhenzhen cannot help it but I fear you would be wrapped around her finger whether you wanted to or not. No, the reason I say don’t confer with her first is that she is… well…” Xue seemed to search for an appropriate word but struggled as if she was trying to grasp something elusive. “Well let’s just say she is whimsical.”

Felix blinked “I noticed. Wouldn’t the other elders reign her in?”

Xue sighed “You would think. However, they all seem to have a soft spot for her. She isn’t cruel or even mean. In fact, she can be quite kind and thoughtful. However, she is exhausting. No, I fear if you end up around her, you will never have a chance to read again.”

Felix felt a chill.

“Okay, okay, so which elders SHOULD we talk to?”

“Well, Elder Rong wouldn’t be bad and though I hate to admit it, Elder Shen would be a decent choice. Elder Jin would be good but he unfortunately wouldn’t be as helpful to you or me.”

“Um, why? He seemed pretty knowledgeable from what I saw at today’s lesson.”

“Oh, well he is a spirit beast. He is knowledgeable but his experience cultivating doesn't line up with our own.”

Xue kept walking but Felix stopped. She turned to give him a confused look, the entrance to the building just across the room.

“He… he’s a what?” said Felix.

She looked at him bewildered. “A spirit beast? Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you don’t remember what spirit beasts are?” She paused, seeming to think on that, and then mumbled “Wait, why would that be what you remembered? Well either way. Spirit beast are animals that begin cultivating. At a certain stage, normally core cultivation for most, they gain the ability to turn into humans. Simple enough. Now, let's see… What other elders would be good?

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You cannot just gloss over that? I feel like animals turning into people is a big deal and you are saying one of our elders is one? I don’t even know where to begin questioning that.”

Xue rolled her eyes. “Then don’t. Just accept it for now and wait till you have a class about it or read up on it in the library. No other Elders you could choose…”

“Well why wait any longer.” Said a familiar voice. Felix turned from Xue’s now annoyed scowl to find Elder Shen standing in the doorway, palms together as if in prayer. “Lay your burden at this humble monk’s feet so you may continue your pursuit of the Dao with a lighter heart and a renewed will."