Let's call this place a school. It was a place made up of several wooden and stone pavilions, each decorated with dragon motifs and carvings. The glazed tile roofs rose in graceful curves, as if their purpose was to touch the sky. The people who lived here were young cultivators who had come here to continue their studies or had been sent by their relatives to straighten out those who had become unruly or lost. The great masters, those who didn't waste their time educating pupils, because their level obliged them to have other responsibilities, and the masters who headed groups of students sometimes met here to discuss the serious issues of the region. Far from the kingdom's capital, the place was the opposite of the great mountains that could be glimpsed thanks to the immense staircase that separated the residence from the rest. Here, the main landscapes were lakes, ponds, fields and forests as far as the eye could see. There was plenty of space for young people to practice fencing, archery, magic weapons or simple spells outdoors, without the need for a special training room, and a barrier protected every space from evil spirits or other demons.

There was a sudden commotion in one of the pavilions, and footsteps were heard, growing louder and louder.

"Hey, what are you doing?" shouted a young boy carrying scrolls for writing at arm's length at the young man who appeared to be running, crossing an outside corridor at full speed. The young man who was running had long, unkempt black hair that reached down to his back, and was dressed in a black ensemble a long tunic tied with a belt that outlined his slim waist, with long sleeves, well-fitting pants tucked into knee-high boots, contrasting with his rather pale complexion due to lack of sleep and sun, a dazzling smile, two proud dark eyes with long eyelashes perfected his face, he was the son of a well-known family, young Jiao Long. Without having time to reply, he made a slight gesture with his hand while continuing to run.

 "It's the first day of this new year and I'm late, the master's going to kill me," muttered the young man as he tried to comb his messy hair, unsuccessfully.

He soon arrived in the middle of a pavilion courtyard, next to an impeccably tended garden of plants. Further on were wooden bridges over clear streams with koi carp and exotic flowers, which then merged with the stone path linking the pavilions to the main temple like a snake. In this courtyard already stood two other people, including his master, whom he already knew well, and another young man his own age, a newcomer.

The two youngsters, each dressed in black, forced themselves to smile as they looked each other up and down. The newcomer had big blue eyes, while his black hair swayed in the wind. His face had fine features and a deep, cool gaze. He was a pleasure to look at. In this world, cultivators, continuing to do good around them, suppress evil and refute themselves in order to have the opportunity to one day become a God. That's what Jiao Long had learned from classes, but he didn't listen often, so his definition of a cultivator probably wasn't accurate. One thing was certain, they were different from mere humans.

"Is that all?" asked Jiao Long suddenly, turning to the middle-aged man watching them. The master had a beard, a very well-groomed, thick white beard, so thick that it could surely hide countless treasures. Legend has it that the master hid all the things that were forbidden to bring back to school in his beard, even his own magical weapons.

 "This year, I'll only have three students," replied the man, then added with a sigh, "That's enough..."

Jiao Long laughed inwardly What? Three students? When the students themselves were often sent on missions alone without their teachers! Ha! Surely the old man wants to stop teaching anything and prefers to lounge around...

 "Where's the third one? Is that the one I'm thinking of?" asked Jiao Long, suddenly curious before pointing to the boy in front of him. "And which clan is this one from? Because..."

He had taken a good look at his future comrade, someone a little shorter than him, with a firm body but thinner than his own, silky hair and a unique face. He knew faces, had seen hundreds, but this one he was sure would be unforgettable. There was something about it.

Probably his eyes... thought Jiao Long.

 "You'll see it later, well, we'll see the basics for now" cut in the master, not letting Jiao Long finish his sentence as the latter rolled his eyes in boredom, crossing his strong toned arms. There was no need to waste time telling stories.

"You know that monsters or demons are born and feed on spiritual energy and are in most cases harmful entities with only evil intentions and then spirits, those already possessing spiritual energy unlike monsters, they're usually rather peaceful or neutral in nature. To eliminate them and prevent as say..." the master explained, searching for the ideal word, paying no attention to the expressions of Jiao Long, who was now playing with his hands, comparing them, cracking his knuckles and stretching his fingers visibly uninterested in the conversation as Xu Wu gave him a cold, contemptuous look. 

 "I already know all that. My family tells me..."

He was at once interrupted by the master. "Jiao Long, not all cultivators are experienced and come from renowned clans or families. Xu Wu is a perfect example." 

The clear-eyed young man was caught off guard and finally looked embarrassed for a hundredth of a second before resuming his impassive look.

Ah...Why say it on the first day... Xu Wu thought through clenched teeth.

Unlike Jiao Long, who had a rich, powerful family and was a well-liked, strong man with a certain personality, Xu Wu had... nothing. What's more, Xu Wu didn't have Jiao Long's temperament; he was there to perfect himself, while the other was there because his parents couldn't stand his numerous outings and his lack of interest in his future role as clan leader.  Swallowing, he gave Jiao Long a quick sidelong glance. The latter widened his eyes, so large as a marble, letting out a faint, barely audible "Oh". So, this was 'that' someone from an unfamiliar cultivator family? He'd heard of cultivators from little-known families, but he'd never met this kind of specimen, someone from a family he didn't know at all, who came from a reputed, thousand-year-old clan, respected by all and having had his name on everyone's lips at least once since he was born, while the daughters of almost every clan dreamed of one day marrying him. Jiao Long was like a diamond among a heap of pebbles; of course, all that remained was to polish it to make it even more precious, unique, more beautiful, bigger, more imposing. All these words summed him up.  

"So how did he get accepted here? If he doesn't come from a big family, how did he get here directly?" asked Jiao Long directly to his master, again ignoring Xu Wu. 

"You guessed it, he's from nowhere so he's got to learn."  

The master didn't mention that it was a grandmaster, someone superior to him, who had asked to keep the young man here.

 "Hm." mumbled Jiao Long without really paying much attention, even though the answer seemed shaky. This kid must have been taken in and brought here because he's old enough to learn a little more, to socialize, to perfect his mastery of the sword and, above all, to go on a mission to prove his usefulness. Jiao Long then took a good look at his clothes: although both wore a black ensemble, Xu Wu's was of lesser quality and lighter, and he lingered on Xu Wu's hands, which were thinner and frailer than his own, but not comparable to the soft, light hands of a princess. There was no further explanation. Not for the moment. Jiao Long finally raised his gaze to Xu Wu's face, staring at it for a long moment with interest as the voice in his head began a monologue. 

He's hiding something, otherwise why put him in the same group as me? But he can't beat me. I must remain the best. I'm superior to the others.

"You'll have to improve before you leave on your mission, train together for a while..." These words made a bell-like sound in Jiao Long's ear, and he quickly exclaimed, "We're leaving already? What about the third student? Have the emperor or the grandmasters already assigned missions? But he doesn't have my level...does he?"

 "Of course not." Retorted the master, in a firm tone as he looked up at the sky, his hands behind his back "I'll go first, then follow and head inside. It's getting late. It's a new year, new rooms are available so don't delay too long and get as much sleep as you can."

 'Of course, not' these words echoed in Xu Wu's head. He had to improve to make a place for himself here; it wasn't even a need, but an obligation. He had to find a source of creation, a tap of knowledge and drink from it as much as possible. It was an obligation. A brief thought seemed to cross Jiao Long's mind, but he finally closed his mouth without uttering a word, before finally opening it again.

 "What's your main skill?" asked Jiao Long once the master had left, smiling, tilting his head slightly as he sat on the step of the staircase leading inside the main building "Spells? Weapons? Martial arts?"

Xu Wu squinted at him, feeling increasingly humiliated. He understood that it wasn't curiosity that motivated Jiao Long to speak to him, but rather a desire to boost his own ego by reminding the other that they were different. He suspected that Jiao Long didn't care what skill he had. "How do you go about eliminating an evil spirit if you come across one?" 

"Why should I tell you?" replied Xu Wu in a serious tone, running a hand through his magnificent hair, which continued to sway with every wisp of wind. Raising an eyebrow, Jiao Long found it funny that an upstart was trying to provoke him.

"Hm, I imagine you're a bit weak so I wouldn't like to have your death on my conscience if we're sent on a mission and you're not able to protect yourself...Even if you don't exterminate anything at all at least try not to die as soon as we leave these walls. It's for the best. It's better for my reputation..."

His word was broken by Xu Wu.

"HAHA! HAHA! HAHA! HAHA!  HAHA" the youngster laughed out loud, his face suddenly lighting up with a big smile "We'll see!" 

Jiao Long was surprised by this change in attitude but didn't let it show. He thought for a second, searching for the perfect answer.

This one is sick, thought the son of the Jiao family.

"Hm. We'll see, yes. If you're weak I'll ask to change teams or go it alone." he smiled, proudly raising his chin with a haughty air, returning his mocking smile to Xu Wu, not taking his eyes off him.

"We're going to team up with someone else so at least make an effort in front of him." continued Xu Wu, who was starting to get irritated by the 'hm's, Jiao Long's attitude and his unpleasant personality. 

"And you, at least make the effort to talk and take an interest in others, with your cold air!" retorted Jiao Long directly with an authoritative tone. He couldn't stand anyone telling him what to do, let alone someone weaker than him. Finally, the two of them were having a really hard time getting along. Jiao Long began to think about something else: how would his family react to him teaming up with someone so...lame? From an unknown family? It would imply that his own level had dropped! He frowned and clenched his jaw, horrified by the idea, while the other took offense and looked surprised.

"Me with the cold air? And you with your arrogant air?" exclaimed Xu Wu, who finally followed him, wanting to have the last word. A slight smile formed on Jiao Long's face, while Xu Wu could only see his back and broad shoulders. The black-haired one walked ahead and the blue-eyed one chased after him, trying to catch up. 

 "Why are you following me?" laughed Jiao Long as he walked like his master, hands behind his back, sensing that the other was gradually getting closer. Still intent on mocking Xu Wu, he continued to speak, "It's getting late, are you planning to sleep with me? Are you so weak you need to be with someone?" he tossed him without looking at him with a brief shrug, continuing to smile "Just so you know, I'm not interested in men."

WHAT AN ASSHOLE! Mouth agape, Xu Wu frowned for the first time "YOU'RE CRAZY?! Need to sleep with someone??? And then... And then... rather die than sleep with someone like you!!!! I'm also not interested in men! Least of all you!" 

WHAT AN ASSHOLE! Jiao Long felt insulted, what did he mean by 'even less'? Was he implying that he was worse than the others? When Xu Wu finally caught up with Jiao Long, the two young men entered the huge main building. The floor was pale marble, the walls adorned with wooden carvings, paintings and statues of deities. The room exuded a tranquil atmosphere, with incense wafting through the air. Walking on, they passed huge columns lining the main hall, where many young people were busy heading for their rooms, to the library with books under their arms, or to get something to eat. This same great hall was divided into several branches leading to different areas, including the bedrooms, where Xu Wu and Jiao Long were headed. At the far end of a corridor were two noble wooden doors facing each other. One faced east, the other west. From one, you could watch the sun rise, from the other, the sun set.

"THIS ONE!"

"That one!" exclaimed both at the same time, pointing to the door on the left leading into a medium-sized room with a window overlooking a small garden. If you listened carefully, you could hear what sounded like a waterfall a few meters away, or rather a fountain next to a small carp pond. You had to get close to find out. Nevertheless, at this point the noise was the least of the two boys' problems. 

"I was here first!" shouted Jiao Long, nudging the blue-eyed man beside him like a child about to lose the last cake on a table, throwing his dignity to the wind. 

"I'm the new arrival!" replied Xu Wu, losing his patience. He thought Jiao Long would have an ounce of compassion and let him have the room or at least make the effort. Wrong. Jiao Long left him nothing at all "No." he'd breathed, looking at him with haughty eyes and a hand on his hip "Take the other one or go back where you came from, I want to go and meet the third person who'll be with me during this year." 

Jiao Long had said "with me", meaning that, once again, he wasn't putting Xu Wu in the same position as himself. So, he opened the door to the room he was interested in and closed it again, leaving Xu Wu alone in the corridor, turning to the door opposite.