Chapter 5: Day One, Two Peaks

Chapter 5: Day One, Two Peaks

The first rays of dawn shone through the crack in the door. Gentle golden light played over the wall, the barren bed, then the small form huddled beneath it, legs hugged to his chest, small head tipped against his knees, half-sagged down the wall.

Gold light struck Huis face. He shook his head and sat up, eyes half open. Where where am I?

He rubbed his eyes and yawned, stretching. Striking his head on the bottom of the bed, he jolted back, clutching his skull. Owww.

Hui crawled out from under the bed and stretched. His stomach grumbled. Sleepy, he looked around, hopeful, but the hut remained empty. No rice had materialized in the night.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Guess its time to go hiking.

There was no water bottle, waterskin, or any other receptacle around. Hui hauled at the rope in the well and retrieved a bucket of water. With no other recourse, he untied the bucket from the well rope, chubby little fingers struggling against the waterlogged rope, then tore off a piece of his shirt and tied it over the top as a makeshift lid. Leaving the bucket on the edge of the well, he hustled back inside and tore off a long strip of bedsheet. As he jogged back to the well, he twisted the bedsheet around itself, shortening the strip and increasing its durability. He tied the bedsheet around the bucket and hung it over his shoulder, across his body.

All my years making do with what little I had have paid off! I might be a city boy, but I know how to scrap something together better than anyone!

So thinking, he tottered off down the trail, sloshing a little water with every step.

By the time he reached the bottom of the mountain, the sun hung low in the sky, and his bucket hung empty against his body. He checked it again, but was rewarded only with the damp, empty bottom of the bucket. Hui frowned and stared up the next peak. How long will it take to climb that one?

Behind him, in the wild forest, something crashed through the woods.

Startled, Hui bolted up the path. Better to find out than stay here and end up a tasty snack!

Hours later, the sky well and truly dark, he staggered to a halt before a huge building. A placard over the door identified it as the cafeteria. Inside, older disciples joked and laughed over hearty meals. Huis stomach rumbled. Woozy and lightheaded with hunger, he staggered toward the door.

A hand descended, blocking his way. Halt.

Brows furrowed, Hui followed the arm up to find the swordsman from the stage standing over him, fierce brows furrowed. What is Weiheng Wus disciple doing here?

This small disciple greets peak lord, Hui mumbled. He cupped his hands and bowed, swayed, and nearly tumbled over backward. Respectfully, Master Wu told me to seek out food here, since his own peak is devoid of food

At the mention of Wus name, the swordsman flinched. His expression hardened. So you invited yourself to my Starbound Peak, to my cafeteria?

I M, master Wu, Hui stuttered.

He savored the congee, tasting the rice. The food warmed his gut and suffused his body with energy, more than from usual food. Is this spiritual rice?

The elder sister held a finger to her lips and smiled.

Understanding, Hui nodded and went back to eating. He glanced at the elder sister, a thought on his mind. Between spoonfuls, he asked, Does Lan Taijian not like Weiheng Wu?

She shook her head and sighed. Now, whered you hear that already? Its true, though. Theyre rivals. Or should I say, Lan Taijian treats Weiheng Wu as his rival, but hes never once been reflected in Weiheng Wus eyes.

Ah, Hui said, biting back a sounds about right.

She nodded. Lan Taijian was born a genius, a rare talent seen once in a generation. That, and hes the precious son of the sect master, showered with all the resources and love you can imagine. At two hundred and seven years old, he was the youngest to reach fifth stage in sect history, and thus the youngest to be granted a peak. In recognition of his incredible feat, the sect master granted him Starbound Peak and made himself lord of the mountain instead.

In recognition of his feat, or because hes the sect masters precious son? Hui thought to himself.

Weiheng Wu only arrived a hundred or so years ago. Despite being much younger, he quickly caught up to Lan Taijian. Less than a hundred years after Lan Taijian set the record for youngest peak lord, he smashed that record. Lately, his cultivation speed has slowed, but the smart money says hes simply biding his time, building up his strength to ensure he becomes the most powerful sixth stage cultivator imaginable. Rumor is, hes ready to progress to the sixth stage and surpass Lan Taijian any day now.

Lan Taijian cant stand it. Some little no-name outsider, sweeping into the sect and bursting past him in strength? Its enough to drive anyone into a rage, let alone someone as prideful as Lan Taijian. It doesnt help that Weiheng Wu formed a larger peak than Starbound Peak. And, well, his personality

Weiheng Wu formed his peak? Hui asked, startled. At fifth stage? Isnt that too early to move mountains?

So Ive heard. I wasnt around yet when he did it. They say he formed it out of his will and the power of his aura alone.

Hui stared at her, wide-eyed. For real?

She nodded. For real.

Theres no way thats true. That has to be exaggeration. That airheaded master? How could he accomplish something like that? Remaining silent, Hui turned back to his congee and scraped the bottom of the bowl, slurping up the last of the rice. Thanks for the meal! It was delicious!

She smiled and ruffled his hair again. Wait out here, and big sis will walk you home.

With that, she vanished back into the cafeteria.

Satisfied, his small stomach stuffed full of warm, delicious food, Hui leaned back against the stairs to wait. I knew it. Being a cultivator really is wonderful.