•••

The children stared in awe at the paroxysm of activity before them.

A sky-piercing mountain of epic proportions lay before them, the pressure the mountain was emanating created spacial fissures tearing the sky asunder. After the layer of erratic space, celestial clouds formed at the top of the primordial era built mountain; no matter how fastidiously one studied the mountain they would never be able to correctly calculate the height as the memory of what they have just seen would vanish, hence the name Mt. Evanescence.

Thousands upon thousands of airships proliferated the air-space around the lower part of the mountain, some kilometres large some even smaller than the Elysian. The one commonality between all of them was the juxtaposition of size between the ships and Mt. Evanescence.

An incalculable number of portable immortal palaces, tents and merchant markets sat upon the plains for thousands of kilometres around Mt. Evanescence; millions of people moved throughout the plains, geniuses of the empires, ancestors, commoners and just people who have come to broaden their horizons.

At the base of a mountain sat a reserved monastery, this monastery has been manned by monks since time immemorial commanding pious rituals of reverence towards the spirits within the mountain and the Primordial Way. This monastery is not to be overlooked; their strength would even make a Holy Land think twice about offending them.

All the children gazed bewildered upon this scene, all of them have not seen such a large gathering of people let alone leave the sect. So, to experience such a view when leaving the faction for the first time was an attack of monumental proportions on the senses.

“Children, we’ve brought you to see this scene to understand the epic proportions of the Augustin World. You may have also noticed how the more gaudy and magnificent of airships and palatial structures are centred closest towards the front of Mt. Evanescence; this is because people with high status and power control these creations," Patriarch Cestra lectured the youth around him.

"Only with strength can one forged a life-well-lived within the Augustin World as well as the entire realm, this is a dog eat dog world and only with the right strength can one be safe. Personal power is what matters most, as there will be moments you cannot rely on your background to succeed. That is why you must strive for the greatest strength possible so that you can forge your destiny.” Patriarch Cestra solemnly informed the dazed children.

Azalea, the pink pony-tailed adorable friend, moved her hand towards Astrillas’ hand firmly grasping it. Although not yet understanding the societal norms between man and woman, she understood that she cared deeply for Astrillas, and whenever he was within her presence she’d feel a sense of safety and comfort, even if that sense of security was unjustified.

Although Astrillas may be a leader of his generation and hold unmatched power, he was still young, and his realm was weak. It would take a mid – staged Foundational Realm cultivator, a simple smack to completely obliterate him.

“Alright, the children have seen enough. Let’s move towards our destination,” Cestra gently said to a three-metre golden-haired ape-man.

“Your son is the only one with a stern look on his face,” Boisterously laughed the ape-man.

“He is my son what do you expect,” smiled Cestra.

“Although really, he’s just hiding it. Inside I know his heart’s palpitations are just as large as the other kids, if not even more,”

“Although, I do see Bergen, that your child Wukong is gripping his staff even more severely than usual,” Cestra pointedly informed.

“That’s correct. I can feel Wukong's battle-intent rising. That is why my grandfather said, he is like the age-old deity Wukong, hence why we gave him the name; one staff for joint-union of the mind, one staff sweep to a pure the heavens,” Bergen, the Wukong’s father proudly stated.

“I feel that Azui, Astrallis, Baihu, Azalea and Wukong, these five children will perform excellently at this times Awakening Ceremony,” A beautiful red-haired woman, with fire in her hair, wilfully stated.

This woman was Azui’s mother, Azuielle - Astrallis’ little female phoenix friend.

Unlike the other Holy Lands, who are either solely human or solely beast; the Ethereal Grotto Sect holds no such prejudices, and all races are welcome within the sect. Of the beast races within the Sect, the phoenix, tiger and ape bloodlines are the most dominant and hold millions of years of history in the Sect. This does not mean that the phoenix, tiger and ape bloodline are the strongest as there may be many an occasion where a dragon elder can fight equally with a phoenix.

The most extended and most prosperous of human bloodlines are from Astrilla’s father Cestra’s side of the family, and lastly pink-haired Azalea’s family bloodline. Astrillas’ mother, Jasmine, is in fact not from this realm…

“I do too Junior-Sister Azuielle. Cestra, are you going to do something about your womanising son,” A pink - haired man, with an equally pink-haired woman in his arms, pointedly said to Cestra.

“Come off it, brother Nox. Your Rosea bloodline is known for their possessive nature.” The whole parental group joked.

Cestra, Azuielle, Bergen, Nox, Jormangund – Baihu, the little white tiger’s father; have all been life-and-death brothers and sisters since birth, and now their children are following that tradition.

“Let’s go.”

•••

Inside the sprawling markets of the plains beneath Mt. Evanescence.

An elder from a small sect was walking with his disciples.

“Look! Those three large ships are from the three of the four Holy Lands!” He informed his disciples.

“Wow! They are so large, they must be many kilometres in size.” Said a fat looking disciple with a red-face.

“They are indeed, but what is impressive; is that there are various artificially constructed realms inside them, each disciple of the Holy Lands have their own realm to practice and cultivate in. The essence just within those little realms in the airships are at a purity well beyond what our little sect will ever reach,” The elder continued to speak.

“Elder, I don’t understand. Aren’t there four holy lands, where is the last holy land?” The red-faced fatty enquired.

Pleased with the chance to further speak the elder continued, “There are four Holy Lands: The Elemental Infinitum Sect; The Divine Bestia Sect; The Ethereal Grotto Sect; and lastly The Quintessential Umbra Organisation often referred to as QUO. The three airships you see there belong to the Elemental Infinitum Sect, The Divine Bestia Sect and QUO, the sect not present is the Ethereal Grotto Sect. The Grotto is known for their reclusive and elusive nature; while the other sects have their specific schools of Way in which they cultivate, the Grotto has an unlimited amount of schools; they do not restrict themselves. Regardless of what type of cultivator wherever they by elemental, weapon, or life cultivator, you will find them all in the Grotto, humans and beast also live in union within the Grotto.”

“I’ve been told by the sect master that the people in the Ethereal Grotto Sect are the archetype of a perfect being,” A dreamy-eyed girl said beside them.

“Amazing,” Stuttered the fatty.

At this moment a commotion spread throughout the plains, “Look! An ethereal fog has just formed beside the three ships of the Holy Land!”

“It’s them, it’s the legendary Ethereal Grotto Sect.”

Gradually the celestial fog dispersed, and a silver-mirror coloured teardrop shaped airship materialised, light refracting off the walls of the ship, it radiated with incandescent light.

The five-hundred-metre ship looked dwarfed compared to the other three holy land ships, but they did not lose out in beauty, even topping the other vessels. The sleek design was only possible on a ship of Elysian’s size; something unattainable by multi-kilometre mega-ships.

All cultivators have advanced senses so they could see the materialised Elysian ship, and if they couldn’t, there were enough Vision-Arrays[1] all over the plains to show the boat.

•••

Inside the Elysian.

“Children, I have just been informed by the Quintessential Umbra Organisation; that there will be a Tea Party between the Holy Lands later today. You’ll be able to spar and compare yourself to your Holy Land contemporaries.” Cestra told the children.

A cheer arose from the children, their battle-intent reaching the heavens. This would be the first time they would experience the outside world and hopefully create a name for themselves.

•••