Yang stood at the ship's railing, staring at the sight before him. His breath caught in his throat.

  The White Cloud Sect was located impossibly high in a massive mountain range. Far above normal cloud level. From the ground, Yang realized, the sect wouldn't be seen at all. All the peaks and floating mountains remained permanently above the clouds, hidden from mortal eyes. It only became visible to those traveling by flying ship, flying swords, or other aerial methods.

  The sect itself consisted of several main mountain peaks. But what made Yang's eyes widen were the floating mountains suspended in the air around them. Actual mountains. Floating. Defying gravity and logic and everything Yang thought he understood about the world.

  These floating mountains were large enough to hold buildings. Gardens. Lakes. Entire cultivation areas suspended in the sky. Some drifted slowly, rotating with glacial patience. But most remained fixed in stable positions, maintained by magics Yang couldn't begin to comprehend.

  Senior Sister appeared beside the new disciples at the railing. Her voice was warm as she began explaining.

  "Those peaks and floating mountains you see are connected by walkways," she said, gesturing. "The bridges are for cultivators below Foundation Establishment. The rest of us prefer flying to and from our destinations."

  She smiled at their awed expressions. "The sect is so far above the sky that mortals can't breathe naturally here. The reason you're able to breathe is due to the sect formation. It maintains the air pressure and temperature. Makes this place habitable for those without cultivation."

  Senior Sister pointed to various locations as the ship descended. "That large hall on the central peak is the Sect Master's Hall. The building to its left is the main library where you'll find cultivation manuals and technique scrolls. That cluster of buildings is the alchemy division. And over there, the refining rooms where tool crafters work."

  Yang tried to absorb it all. His eyes darting from one wonder to the next.

  All the structures followed traditional architecture. Large halls with curved tiled roofs. Wooden pillars painted red and gold. Pagodas rising in elegant tiers. Pavilions overlooking scenic views. Long covered walkways connecting different areas.

  The main sect halls were built on the largest central peaks. Imposing and grand. But smaller peaks contained what looked like disciple residences, training grounds, and more specialized buildings.

  What struck Yang most was how natural areas were integrated into the sect rather than separated from it. Each mountain peak had gardens. Spirit fields where plants thrived with cultivation energy. Forests. Lakes. Pools of water that seemed to shimmer with power. Some floating mountains functioned almost entirely as herb gardens. Living ecosystems suspended in the sky.

  Large bridge-like walkways connected many of the peaks and floating mountains. Most were covered bridges with roofs to protect from weather. Some ended in pagodas or what looked like guard stations. Others led directly to different peaks or to central halls.

  The airspace around the sect was constantly active. Yang saw disciples traveling by flying swords. Small flying vessels darting between peaks. Spirit beasts with riders on their backs. The disciples wore white robes, making the movement across the sky look like clouds drifting. Constant but somehow organized.

  The whole layout gave a feeling of ethereal serenity and peace. Everything was beautiful and refined. Harmonious in a way that made Yang's eyes feel a soothing sensation.

  This was a sect. A real cultivation sect. Not just a school or organization but an entire world unto itself. Suspended in the heavens above.

  The ship made its way toward the largest hall nearby. The Sect Master's Hall that Senior Sister had pointed out. As they approached, Senior Sister called for attention.

  "Everyone, please form a line. We'll be disembarking in an organized pattern."

  The new disciples rushed to comply. Yang found himself standing between Ye Xuan and a quiet girl who hadn't spoken much during the journey.

  The ship docked near the edge of the mountain peak. A gentle landing despite its size. Elder Zhou was the first to step off. Her movements graceful and unhurried.

  Before leaving, she turned to Senior Sister. "Tell Wei Lin and the others that I'm entering seclusion. I will be unavailable for the time being."

  Senior Sister and Senior Brother both bowed deeply. "Yes, Elder Zhou."

  Yang and the other new disciples quickly bowed as well. Following the example. Not wanting to show disrespect through ignorance.

  Elder Zhou shot off like a streak of light. One moment standing there. The next, gone. Vanished toward some distant peak.

  Yang blinked. That was speed beyond anything he'd seen. Beyond anything he could imagine achieving. Elder Zhou must have incredible cultivation to be able to travel without a flying tool.

  Senior Sister and Senior Brother led them off the ship. Across a landing platform of white stone. Toward an open area in front of a grand hall.

  The hall was built in the same style as the rest of the sect but with white used instead of any other colors. The white color made the building seem to merge with the clouds surrounding it, making it almost appear ethereal.

  Senior Brother and Sister helped arrange them in organized rows. Making sure everyone was properly positioned. Once they were satisfied, Senior Brother Shen Yu rushed inside the hall.

  A few minutes later, he returned. But he wasn't alone.

  Many elders in sect robes followed him out. Yang could see immediately that these weren't ordinary disciples. Their robes had distinct embroideries. Patterns and symbols that differed from the plain white robes of Senior Sister and Senior Brother. These marked rank. Position. Authority.

  Yang could feel their importance not because they looked old. In fact, almost all of them appeared rather young. Good-looking and could be considered under forty in the mortal world. But Yang understood by now that appearances meant nothing with cultivators. They could be hundreds of years old and still look youthful.

  The man in the middle stepped forward. His voice rang out with natural authority that needed no amplification.

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  The other elders flanked him on either side. Each with a serene and dignified expression. Radiating power and accomplishment.

  "Welcome to the White Cloud Sect," the man said.

  His gaze swept across all of them. Taking measure of each of them. "This will be your home from now on. You will serve and, if necessary, die as disciples of this sect. Its glory is your glory. It's fall, your fall."

  The words should have been ominous. But they rather felt reassuring. Like a promise of belonging.

  "The path to cultivation is filled with hardships and struggles," he continued. "May fate aid us all as we seek our paths."

  He gestured to an elder in slightly less elaborate white robes. "This is Elder Yu Shan. He is the elder in charge of outer sect disciples. He will guide you in your time spent as outer sect disciples."

  A pause. Then dismissal. "Now go and settle into your residences."

  Elder Yu Shan quickly stepped forward as the sect leader and other elders turned and made their way back inside the grand hall. The doors closing behind them quietly.

  Elder Yu Shan was an older man. Actually looked his age, unlike the other elders. Perhaps sixty or seventy. With kind eyes and patient bearing. Someone who'd spent decades teaching young disciples.

  "Follow me," he said simply.

  He led them toward a covered walkway. As they walked, he pointed out various locations.

  "This peak belongs to the Sect Master," he explained. "That was the Sect Master's Hall. It has walkways so even the least powerful cultivators in our sect have a way to access the Sect Master and elders if needed."

  They crossed the bridge. Elder Yu Shan continued his explanations. Pointing to various places accessible to them.

  "That building is the main library. The complex over there houses the alchemy and refining rooms. All that you as Qi Cultivators and outer sect disciples will need is within your reach."

  He also pointed to peaks and floating mountains without walkways. "Those belong to elders and inner disciples. They are not public spaces and you must never go there without explicit permission."

  They walked for perhaps twenty minutes. Elder Yu Shan showing them the walkways to important locations. The library. The alchemy division. Training grounds. The outer sect administrative hall.

  Finally, they arrived at a mountain peak. Smaller than the sect leaders peak but still substantial. Dotted with cave entrances.

  "This is the outer sect peak," Elder Yu Shan announced. "You will all reside here for the foreseeable future. We will be allotting you cave residences so you may have privacy while you cultivate."

  A disciple in the back raised his hand. "How do we become inner sect disciples?"

  Elder Yu Shan nodded approvingly at the question. "Two ways. Reach Foundation Establishment, as that is the true beginning of becoming a cultivator. Or be taken as a personal disciple by one of the elders or inner sect disciples."

  He led them to a hall built into the mountainside. "This is the outer sect hall. Here you can purchase items, receive your monthly allowance, and exchange sect points for resources."

  He gestured to the right. "That building is the food hall. You may come here for three meals daily."

  Another disciple spoke up. "Won't that take time away from cultivation? What about fasting pills?"

  Elder Yu Shan turned to address the question. "You are welcome to buy fasting pills at the outer sect hall. But White Cloud Sect discourages the use of pills needlessly. Eating properly is part of maintaining your body and spirit. Rushing through everything with pills creates weak foundations."

  A few outer sect disciples emerged from the hall. They greeted Elder Yu Shan respectfully before waving their hands as objects floated through the air, distributing themselves to each new disciple.

  Yang caught what came to him. A bundle that seemed to contain several items.

  Two sets of plain white robes. All of them had matching shoes, simple but well-made. A small normal pouch. An identity token that began glowing softly the moment Yang touched it. And five spirit stones.

  "The five spirit stones are your monthly allowance," Elder Yu Shan explained. "As you increase each level of Qi Cultivation, you can earn an extra one. Making up to fifteen spirit stones per month before you achieve Foundation Establishment and become the responsibility of the inner sect."

  There were also a couple of books in the bundle. Slim volumes bound in simple cloth.

  "These are the basic cultivation manuals," Elder Yu Shan said. "I strongly suggest you use them to cultivate. They will help you form the strongest foundation. Everyone in this sect has used this technique first. It's a simple Qi cultivation method but proven over centuries."

  He paused. "If you want to buy other techniques, you need to earn sect points by working for the sect."

  Another student questioned, "Can we use spirit stones to buy techniques?"

  "No," Elder Yu Shan said firmly. "Your personal wealth has nothing to do with the sect. Here, only your contributions matter. You can exchange sect points for spirit stones, but not the other way around."

  His expression softened. "The sect will provide you access and every opportunity to improve yourselves. But you must work for it. Nothing is simply given beyond the basics."

  He continued with more information. "There are lectures held almost every day of the week, given by elders and inner disciples. They are free to attend. Before a lecture, the outer sect hall will post a notification. Keep watch for them as they will greatly aid your cultivation."

  Elder Yu Shan gestured broadly. "There are many types of lectures. Basic alchemy. Sword arts. Beast mastery. Tool refining. Talismans. Formations. Whatever your interest, there are likely lectures on it."

  He added, "There are also daily reading and writing classes for those who don't know how to read and write. So you can learn and have an easier time reading cultivation manuals."

  A few people in peasant clothing looked embarrassed. Ducking their heads.

  Elder Yu Shan's voice grew kind. "There is no need to be ashamed of not knowing. There is only shame in not striving to learn. You have an opportunity here to become literate. Take it. There are many in this sect who were like you. Today they hold great positions of power and have reached great heights in their cultivation journey."

  The embarrassed disciples straightened slightly. Hope flickering on their faces.

  "Your tokens have been allotted access to cultivation caves," Elder Yu Shan continued. "These will be your homes until you move to the inner sect. You are expected to keep your caves clean and maintain them yourselves. The sect won't be providing servants. Neither are you allowed to bring your own."

  He paused. Making sure everyone understood. "You are not allowed to leave the sect until you reach Foundation Establishment. The farthest you may go is White Cloud City at the base of the mountains, which is ruled by the sect. If you can afford the transport to and from the mountain to the city."

  Elder Yu Shan looked around at all of them. "If you have any questions, you may ask me or any elder or senior brother or sister. We are here to guide you."

  He then walked them to a path and showed them various caves dotting the mountainside. Entrances carved into the rock. Some small. Others larger.

  "These are for new disciples," he said. "Take out your tokens and think of directions to your caves."

  Yang pulled out his token. Focused on it, asking it to guide him.

  An arrow of light appeared. Pointing farther up the mountain. Indicating a path.

  Yang looked around. A few other disciples had also managed to get guidance from their tokens. Following their own light arrows.

  Elder Yu Shan waved them off. "Go. Find your caves. Place the token on the cave wall and it will open itself."

  The new disciples dispersed. Each following their guiding light. Some excited. Others nervous. All stepping into their new lives as cultivators.

  Yang followed his arrow. Walking up a narrow path carved into the mountainside. His heart pounding with anticipation and uncertainty.

  This was his new home.

  Whatever came next, Yang would face it here. In the White Cloud Sect. Suspended in the heavens above the mortal world.

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