Hong slipped into the planning phase. Having a dream is the first step. But just dreaming never helped anybody. He needed a plan to work before he needed to work the plan.
He went into his hastily built hut and brought out a large parchment from his storage bag and sharpened his charcoal stick before writing down his needs.
He needed cultivation techniques. Cultivating after earthly fate is more than simply gathering soul force and comprehending laws. The path of spiritual cultivation in draconic realms is as mysterious as it is powerful. So he needed a teacher. And the best place for that is the divine feathers sect.
He needed demon spirits. Even though he had cultivated the body of unyielding bronze to the beginner's level, he wanted to have a demon spirit to absorb. Mainly because of the additional aid it allows in cultivation.
Then there was the need for deity lakes. No matter how talented a person is, they need spiritual stones to cultivate their soul because of the lack of Heaven and earth energy.
Hong scribbled furiously as he came up with more and more requirements.
Then he would need his own force. Then he looked outside from the window of his house before deciding to meet up with the leader the very night. Hong hoped that they would join him.
Then finally, he needed to rebuild himself. After consecutive breakthroughs at great speed, he could feel his power, foundation and his skill grow weak. Even though his path was supposed to be martial arts, his recent breakthroughs were all based purely on cultivation. Not his martial practice and enlightenment.
That meant he needed to return to his basics once more. And if possible increase the external power. He rolled up the parchment before putting it back into his spatial pouch.
First order of business, he thought as he opened the door . Time to meet the boss.
He walked towards the center of the collective residence. A somewhat large clay hut before taking a deep breath.
'Knock knock'
"Who is it" a gruff voice came from within immediately.
"It's Hong!"
"I don't know any Hong. Go away"
Hong gritted his teeth, but soon gave in. "It's Xiao Long"
The door broke open as a white bearded old man walked out. Hong couldn't feel his cultivation, unlike the old cultivators of orthodox style or even venerable skyflame, the man who rushed out was a muscle bound giant.
"Xiao Long! How are you! " He quickly fired off a string of questions. "Is there a problem? Are you hungry? Did the others pick on you? ....Did you meet a girl? "
"No no. Its nothing like that Elder Shizi" Hong said as he waved his hands."i just, have something to talk with you"
"I see, come on in then "
Hong followed the man from behind as he looked at the only dao of the dragon expert of the half beast clan. He was tall. Almost reaching ten feet. However he was filled with muscles to match his height. Which could be seen clearly from the lack of an upper garment. His beard and hair was short, not like old cultivators at all. However the hair he had was wide spread like a mane. Just like his sharp canines and claw like nails. A statement to his lion demon beast lineage. His body bore countless scars . Remnants of great wounds. However the smile in his face manages to take away all the attention from anyone.
The old man sat on the only chair in the house before looking Hong dead in the eye." What do you wanna talk about?"
"Well.. you know how the horns i had were just a side effect of my practice..." Hong began before explaining how he plans to go to the divine feathers sect to study. And how he hoped that they would become his force in the outside world.
Elder Shizi sat silently for a few minutes. Rubbing his beard as he thought , before announcing his decision.
"Fine, but on one condition."
"What is it?" Hong asked as countless guesses flashed in his mind. But elder Shizi's request was simple.
"Accept your name as Xiao Long"
"Fine" Hong agreed after a few moments. Hong was a name he had chosen for convenience anyway.
"HA HA!" The old man bellowed a hearty laugh."see that wasn't so hard. Was it?."
That night a small banquet was held in commemoration of naming Xiao Long, and forming of white Lion league named by Xiao Long himself to honor the crazy old man.