The sheet circled around and descended, not toward any of the peaks, but beneath them. Lower than the peaks, the main body of the mountain descended toward the valley. Barely visible in the distance even from this height, a river wound around the valley. Squinting down, Hui tried to make out his hometown, but none of the tiny settlements looked familiar from above.

The first cultivator pointed at the river. “That’s the border of the sect’s territory. Outside of that, there are wildlands and other sects. We leave them alone, for the most part.”

Hui nodded dutifully.

The peaks vanished into the clouds above. The sheet grew lower and lower, aiming for an open field amid the lower mountain’s rolling sides. Children about their age milled about in the field, maybe twenty or so of them. At the far end of the field, four cultivators stood on a white platform, waiting.

As they descended, the first cultivator flew ahead on his sword. Dismounting, he walked up to the platform and clasped his hands in greeting to a middle-aged man with white at his temples and a stern demeanor. “Disciple Lao greets Master Liang! Apologies for arriving late.”

The man waved his hand vaguely. “Is this the last of them?”

To his left, a voluptuous woman in a pink butterfly-patterned robe nodded. “We sent out five groups, one for each peak. All five have returned.”

Master Liang nodded and stroked his trim beard. He cleared his throat.

Hopping off the sheet, Hui joined the other children as they lined up in front of the stage. The other children stood tall, straightening their backs and puffing their chests, daring glances at the cultivators on stage. Ducking his head respectfully, Hui took a peek himself. Are these the peak lords?

Aside from Liang and the butterfly-robed woman, a fierce young man with a long ponytail and a sword at his hip, and a slender woman with wild red hair and matching eyes stood onstage. Soot stains streaked the woman's green robes at their narrow sleeves, and the hems sported scorch marks.

Weren’t there five peaks? Hui wondered, counting the peak lords again.

“Is he coming?” the redheaded woman asked quietly.

The swordsman scoffed. “As if the great him would descend for this.”

Liang cleared his throat again. The other peak lords fell silent. He turned a fatherly smile to the children gathered below. “Welcome to Starbound Sect. I am Peak Lord Liang, lord of the Jade Garden Peak. From here on out, diligently cultivate to become powerful pillars of our sect. Who knows, perhaps one day you could found the sixth peak of our Starbound Sect.

“For now, you shall start as outer sect disciples, under no particular master. As outer sect disciples, you are unable to leave the mountain, and you are expected to complete chores for the inner sect disciples. However, work hard! If you show potential and catch the eye of one of the higher-ranked cultivators, you can leap to the inner sect and join one of our peaks. We, and the other senior cultivators, will be eagerly watching your progress, young disciples!

“Nor is that your only hope for advancement. Every three years or so, we hold a selection process where you can attempt to prove your worth on the field of battle, or catch a senior’s eye competing at alchemy, plant cultivation, or many other techniques. Those who score in the top three are guaranteed to move on to the inner sect, and many others use the opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes of finding a master!

“Our glorious sect has many rules…”

Hui tuned the man out, eyes glazing. These scenes always drag, and this man seems like a windbag. Are we going to stand here until our knees give out?

He couldn’t say how long later, but motion caught his eye. A cultivator in fluttering, pristine white robes flew by overhead, standing delicately on a sword. Waist-length black hair billowed after him, a few strands pulled back at his temples and pinned into a half-crown of white jade. A noble, distant expression on his handsome face, he swept his eyes over the crowd below.

At first, Hui thought the man would fly by, but instead, he turned and descended. As he approached the stage, he leaped off his sword and dropped down immediately behind Peak Lord Liang. His sword swooped around and sheathed itself.

Peak Lord Liang pressed his lips together. “Ah, Peak Lord Wu. So glad you could join us.”

The newcomer nodded shortly.

Peak Lord Liang cleared his throat and turned back to his small audience, his smile reappearing. “Now then. You should—”

Peak Lord Wu stepped forward. “I’ve made my selection.”

“I’m glad that someone has finally caught your eye, but now is not yet the time, Peak Lord Wu. I haven’t finished giving the opening speech,” Peak Lord Liang explained gently.

Wu gave him an uncomprehending look. “Yes?”

“Well, then. Young prospects like yourselves—”

“I’ve made my selection,” Wu repeated.

Peak Lord Liang took a deep breath and pressed a hand to his temple. “Could it wait?”

Wu furrowed his brows. “Why should my disciple have to listen to your speech? He isn’t your disciple.”

What’s wrong with this guy? Hui wondered. A second later, he shrugged. At least I have little talent, if that crystal orb was any indication. I shouldn’t have caught any peak lord’s eye.

Peak Lord Liang sighed deeply. He bowed to Wu. With more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice, he said, “Then, if the unparalleled Peak Lord Wu would go ahead.”

The swordsman scoffed and rolled his eyes. The butterfly-robed woman chuckled into her sleeve. Bored, the redhead rubbed her cheek with her sleeve and looked startled when it came away sooty.

Serious, Wu nodded to Liang, then stepped forward. He cast his gaze across the line of children, then pointed directly at Hui. “You.”

Hui startled. He looked to his left and right, only to find the children scooting away. He ducked to the side, but Wu’s finger followed him. He pointed at himself. Me?

Wu hopped off the stage and drew to a halt before Hui. “What is your name, child?”

“H—Hui. Xiao Hui,” he stuttered. Is that my surname? Or… was that woman calling me ‘little Hui?’ I don’t know. I don’t have any of this kid’s memories.

Wu nodded. His face showed no trace of expression. “I am Weiheng Wu. From this day forth, you are my disciple. I bestow upon you the name Weiheng Hui.”

Hui nodded, then hurriedly bowed into the proper expression of respect. “Disciple greets master.”

Nodding again, Wu picked him up in one hand. His sword flew from its sheath, and he mounted it elegantly. Turning to Peak Lord Liang, he said, “You may continue.”

A vein throbbed in Peak Lord Liang’s forehead. With effort, Liang maintained his composure. He forced a smile. “Thank you, Peak Lord Wu.”

Hui suddenly felt as if he knew the source of many of the white hairs on Liang’s temples.

“It’s nothing,” Wu replied, without a drop of sarcasm. With that, he turned his gaze from the platform and hurtled away on his sword.