21 Day 20: The Scum Is Playing By Ear (1/2)

Chen Sheng nodded. He already accessed the host's memories. The host is named 'Chen Shen'. Since the host's name is just near Sheng's name, he just gave his real name.

Chen Shen is the second young master of the Chen family. Since he's the second, and the youngest child, his family dotes too much on him. That's why as soon as he turned 14, he packed up his things and ran from home, with words 'standing on my own two feet' on his mind.

Chen Sheng doesn't hate this. In fact, he'll do just this. Even if he wants to live his life in convenience, and staying in a very doting family is very convenient, but that's also the problem.

Since the Chen family is very doting, to the point that even his breathing is monitored, Chen Sheng doesn't want that. He has his own business, and staying on that family won't let him do his business, after all. And so Chen Sheng is relieved the host left his family to carve his way in life.

Chen Sheng looked at the flyer where the direction to the Newfound Sect is drawn.

”We're here.” he heard Li Tian said and they stopped in front of a house.

Since Chen Sheng already saw Chen Shen's memories, he also learned that this world is a cultivation world. It's a world where one should nurture his soul and the greater you nurture your soul the higher your cultivation level.

Chen Shen's cultivation level is still low, since he's just in his early teens. But, since Chen Sheng already replaced Chen Shen's soul, the level of the cultivation of the body will depend on Chen Sheng's soul.

But, Chen Sheng doesn't have any idea on how to nurture his soul, and so he'll sign up to this sect that's nearby to learn. And as he heard, this sect is just new and is just starting to recruit disciples, much to his convenience.

He doesn't have to compete with other people to get a spot on the sect.

”This feels homey. I like it.” Li Tian said and smiled as he opened the fence and entered.

Chen Sheng looked at him and followed. As they're on their way here, Li Tian told him about his life.

Li Tian is an orphan and he lived in the slums. He went from town to town just to survive life. And this is the nth town he'd been to.

When Li Tian heard there's a sect in the area he's currently in, which is this, he gladly wanted to apply.

Well, entering a sect and the sect will take care of you as long as you study in their sect. Chen Sheng thought, having a gist of the sects.

The house is neither too small nor too big. Just enough for 20 or so people to live in.

'house'? More like a small mansion. Chen Sheng thought. They saw that the door is open and so they came in.

They went inside a wide hall.

”Hello?” Li Tian called when they saw the hall is empty. ”Seems like it's just us first here.” Li Tian muttered, then sat cross – legged on the floor. He then closed his eyes.

Chen Sheng looked at him, then followed suit, though hesitating. He looked at Li Tian again, then finally closed his eyes.

What the hell am I doing? Chen Sheng thought after a few seconds. I really look stupid right now, right? He thought, holding himself back not to frown. But still, he continued since that was Li Tian is doing.

Chen Sheng doesn't know Li Tian is meditating.

He didn't know how long they have been sitting when his ears popped after he heard footsteps. He opened his eyes and turned. He saw two people approaching at the other end of the hall.

One of them is wearing a mask.

The one that's not wearing a mask exclaimed. ”Ai! First day and we have recruits!” he said and smiled, his face bright as he looked at Li Tian and Chen Sheng sitting.

Chen Sheng, his legs almost numb, immediately stood up. He then respectfully bowed. ”Hello.” He greeted, then looked at Li Tian who's still sitting and his eyes closed.

But, the man didn't mind Li Tian and instead just smiled. He knew that the other is meditating, and that made him happy. Seems like the new recruits are studious and hardworking.

He and the masked man finally stopped near them. ”Hello. My name is Fang Wen. I am the elder of the Newfound Sect.” the man said and smiled, his face and smile soft and gentle.

Chen Sheng didn't know what to do and so he bowed. ”I am Chen Sheng. I want to be a disciple of this sect.” he said and looked at Fang Wen.

Fang Wen's face lit up and he smiled brightly. ”Of course! Of course! You're very welcome!” he said and nodded. ”This is Xie Lan.” He said and motioned the masked man that's standing beside him. ”He is the founder of the sect.” he explained.

Chen Sheng respectfully bowed, then looked at Xie Lan. ”Greetings...” he said, don't know how to address the man.

”You can call him 'founder' or 'Elder Xie'.” Fang Wen told him, smiling very friendly.

Chen Sheng immediately nodded. ”Founder...” he called the masked man, then bowed.

Xie Lan, who's standing motionless beside Fang Wen, finally moved. His face turned to Chen Sheng. ”He...” he told Fang Wen, didn't continue. His expression can't be seen since he's wearing a mask.

”What's wrong?” Fang Wen asked, puzzled. Xie Lan didn't answer and just looked at Chen Sheng.

At this time, Li Tian finally opened his eyes and looked around. His eyes went wide, surprised, when he saw the two men.

He immediately stood up and bowed. ”Greetings, elders.” He said and looked at Fang Wen and Xie Lan. ”My name is Li Tian, wishing to be one of your disciples!” he said and looked at the two.

Fang Wen smiled while Xie Lan didn't answer. ”Of course! You are welcome, too!” Fang Wen said happily. He looked at the two. ”We'll be having the official acceptance ceremony for the disciples in three days' time.” He said. ”Since you two showed up first, I'll tell you about the sect.” he said and smiled. ”This sect is just formed a week ago.” He started. ”Although the sect is just formed, the training soul and skill manuals and other stuffs are already there, so no need to worry about your stay in the sect.” he assured them.

The two nodded.

Fang Wen sighed, relieved. He motioned the man standing silently beside him. ”This man here is the founder of the sect. His name is Xie Lan. He's in Immortal Stage.” He introduced him.

Li Tian's eyes went wide, shocked. Even though he already heard that to create a sect, one must be at Immortal Stage. But, it's still a shock but also a great privilege to meet with an Immortal stage cultivator.

”Greetings, Elder Xie.” Li Tian said and bowed to Xie Lan respectfully.

Xie Lan just nodded at him. Li Tian sighed, relieved.

Is it that awesome? Chen Sheng thought, referring to the Immortal Stage level. (He's ignorant, like the author.)

Fang Wen continued. ”My name is Fang Wen. I'm in Nascent Soul stage. For now, I am the only elder of the sect. So... I'll be your shifu!” he said and laughed.

The two were surprised, didn't expect that the first person they met will be their teacher for life.

”Greetings, shifu!” the two said and bowed.

Xie Lan just sighed. Finally, the introductions that makes him feel stuffy now ended.

A day passed and only two were recruited by the Newfound Sect on their first day – Chen Sheng and Li Tian. But, it was a good start for the starting sect. Although the ceremony to officially accept them as disciples is still two days away, Chen Sheng and Li Tian are already dressed in orange robes with the sect's logo embroidered on the robe's chest.

It was a leaning blooming flower with a leaf on its stem, the leaf opposite to where the flower is leaning.

The second day, Li Tian and Chen Sheng helped looking recruits for the sect. But, they were more discreet than the man that's waving flyers.

He and Li Tian are walking quietly, looking around.

”Seems like we won't find recruits today.” Li Tian said and sighed. The sun is already setting.

Chen Sheng nodded. ”Although the people here doesn't seem to be angry the sect is here... they're not happy about it, though.” He said, looking at the people staring at them blankly.

”What do you mean, Brother Chen?” Li Tian asked, surprised. Even though he's been into many towns, he doesn't know other people's feelings since he, as an orphan trying to survive life on his own, doesn't have the time and care to mind others aside from himself.

Chen Sheng ignored he's calling him and answered to him patiently. ”The people here, before the founder and shifu arrived, are living freely.” He said.

Fang Wen already told them that the land has no name at first and the people just settled there suddenly. So when Fang Wen and Xie Lan arrived, Xie Lan bestowed name to the land, and it's the name of the sect.

”If someone powerful arrived... won't you feel wary of them?” he asked.

”Why should I be wary?” Li Tian asked, puzzled.

Chen Sheng tried not to sigh. He already found out Li Tian is an airhead after staying with him for a day.

I'm just that great on reading people. He thought. Having been to different worlds for so long... it'll be insulting if he doesn't know how to judge people. ”When you meet someone above you, of course you'll feel intimidated, as well as scared.” He said. ”They're more powerful than you. Any time they can lift a hand against you.” He explained. ”That's why the people here are wary of the sect. More so, the sect is just new so they are dubious of it.” He added.

Li Tian nodded. ”Now I understand...” he said. ”Brother Chen sure is insightful! I'll follow you for the rest of my life!” he said, then smiled brightly.

One more thing Chen Sheng knew of Li Tian: he is naïve.