At the foot of a majestic mountain, Elara and Alex stood before a long ascending staircase carved into the stone. The steps seemed to disappear into the clouds, creating an aura of mystique. Elara turned to Alex, a hint of excitement in her eyes.
"Welcome to the Azure Plum Blossom Sect, Alex. This is where I've trained for most of my life, and recently, I was promoted to an inner disciple." She gestured towards the staircase. "Our sect values inner strength, discipline, and the harmony of nature. It's a place where cultivators hone their skills and seek enlightenment."
As they began the ascent, Alex couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking surroundings. Azure plum blossoms adorned the mountain path, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze. The air carried a subtle fragrance, and the distant sound of flowing water added to the serene atmosphere.
"I need answers, Elara," Alex finally spoke, breaking the silence. "I've been thrown into this world without any explanation. What's cultivation, and how did I end up here?"
Elara glanced at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Cultivation is the practice of refining one's inner energy, aligning it with the natural forces of the world. It grants extraordinary abilities and allows cultivators to transcend the limitations of the physical body."
As they reached a platform that was partway up the mountain, Elara continued, "As for how you ended up here, it's a rare occurrence. Sometimes individuals from different realms find themselves transported to ours. There's a theory I've read about that states multiple worlds are floating in existence and sometimes they collide, destroying each other, which is rare, but even more rare. Instead of colliding head-on, they brush past each other, opening cracks that individuals can travel through."
Alex absorbed the information, feeling a mix of fascination and confusion. The world he knew seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a realm of magic, cultivation, and mythical beasts.
'So, what about the golden words I saw in my mind?' Alex thought to himself, remembering the moment when the words 'Immortals Simple Movement Skill' flashed before him.
As they continued their ascent, Alex decided to keep the golden words a secret, unsure of the implications and not wanting to reveal too much about himself, the weight of this newfound knowledge settled within him as he contemplated the mysteries that surrounded his existence.
The staircase seemed to stretch on endlessly, each step leading them closer to the summit where the heart of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect awaited. However, as they approached the top, a figure in blue robes, much like Elara's, adorned with a badge of authority, stepped forward.
A gatekeeper, stern-faced and imposing, raised a hand, halting Elara and Alex in their tracks. "Hold! Only disciples with proper authorization may enter beyond this point. State your purpose."
Elara, slightly taken aback, spoke with a respectful tone, "I am Elara, an inner disciple of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect. This is Alex. He is new to our realm and seeks guidance from the elders."
The gatekeeper's gaze shifted to Alex, scrutinizing him. "Newcomers need approval from the elders. Wait here."
While the gatekeeper went to check with the elders, Elara exchanged a worried glance with Alex. Moments later, an elderly figure, draped in azure robes, descended from the summit. His presence exuded wisdom and authority.
"Ah, Elara, my dear. What brings you here, and with a newcomer?" The elder smiled warmly.
Elara bowed respectfully. "Elder Ming, this is Alex. He has unexpectedly found himself lost in the forest and ended up in danger because of me. He now seeks guidance."
Elder Ming's eyes twinkled with curiosity as he studied Alex. "A rare occurrence indeed. Come, let us talk."
Elder Ming led them up the final steps to the summit, and suddenly the space around them shifted. They were now in a new place where a magnificent structure, adorned with intricate plum blossom patterns, stood tall. The elders gathered within, and a sense of tranquility filled the air. Alex felt sick from the feeling of reality bending around him, but was able to hold back his vomit.
Elara introduced Alex to the elders, and the gathering was met with both curiosity and anticipation. Among the elders, Elder Lian, known for her fondness for Elara, offered a welcoming smile.
However, not all the elders were as receptive. Elder Zheng, a stern and cautious figure, frowned at the newcomer. "Another outsider? How do we know he isn't a rogue evil cultivator, seeking to disrupt the harmony of our sect?"
Elder Ming, sensing the tension, stepped forward. "Elder Zheng, we cannot turn away someone who may have been guided here by fate. Let us hear his story and assess his intentions."
Elder Zheng remained unconvinced, eyeing Alex with suspicion. "I've seen too many cases of cultivators corrupted by darkness. We must be cautious, especially with the recent rise of malevolent forces."
Elder Lian, known for her compassionate nature, spoke up. "Fellow elders, let us not jump to conclusions. The plum blossoms of our sect are known for their resilience in the face of adversity. Perhaps Alex can be a testament to the strength of our teachings."
A heated debate ensued among the elders, with Elara standing by Alex's side. Amid the discussion, a voice rang out.
"Enough!"
All eyes turned to Elder Lin, a wise and venerable figure known for his impartial judgments. "We shall observe Alex's progress under Elara's guidance. If he proves himself to be a cultivator of virtue, then he shall be welcomed into our fold. We must not let fear cloud our judgment."
With Elder Lin's intervention, the debate settled. The elders dispersed, leaving a lingering tension in the air. Elara and Alex exchanged uncertain glances, realizing that his acceptance into the Azure Plum Blossom Sect was not guaranteed.
"Elara," Elder Ming addressed, "take Alex under your wing. Guide him through our ways, and let us observe how his cultivation unfolds. Call it the ramblings of an old man, but I think there's more to him than meets the eye."
"Yes, Elder Ming, I will do my best." Elara took a deep bow while cupping her hands together.
With that, the elders dispersed, leaving Elara and Alex standing in the heart of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect.
As they entered the heart of the Azure Plum Blossom Sect, Alex couldn't help but wonder how his life had transformed from a college student's routine to a realm of cultivation, magic, and the unknown. Little did he know that the answers he sought were hidden within the ancient teachings of the sect and the vast possibilities of his cultivation journey.
As Alex was standing there in thought, something floated down from the sky and landed in his hands. Taking a moment to inspect it, he saw that it was a wooden token similar to the ones that the guard and Elara hung from their robes. The difference was that his token was much simpler in design and had some characters written on it that he had never seen before, but knew what characters meant.
"Outer Disciple".