Chapter 33 - Wandering Sect (1)

Standing on the gate of this Wandering sect, Tang Ling could see no one standing on the gate. On the front, there was wooden plaque which was majestically written : Wandering. And besides it, laid a beautiful written poem.

'Wandering through the world, I dream of freedom.

Be it warm or cold, what I experience is wisdom.

The world has countless treasures, some hidden, some shown.

Seeking the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e of life, I explore the unknown.

I am not interested in glory or fame, I only wish to travel.

The world is large, with great humility, I d.e.s.i.r.e to see everything the world has to offer !'

Tang Ling was really impressed by the poem. Sects mostly showed bold and hot-blooded words and 'elegant' or 'scholarly' sect put well-constructed, celestial poems but this one... It didn't talk about power nor did it talk about elegance. The poem here was rather crude if compared against the other elegant sects but in it laid something deep, something that Tang Ling could resonate with.

If there was one or two words to express the state of mind of the writer, it would be 'Free' and 'Pure' ! These subjects somehow resonated with his heart and his conviction to join this sect strengthened.

Freedom. It was almost an unfamiliar term to Tang Ling. All his life he followed the rules, officials enforcing new rules and he kept following them. He kept thinking that it was natural to follow orders, that it was for his own good.

It was only after he got to know Ducke that he slowly started understand the world. The Brokang Empire is corrupt, the citizens lived a robotic life and he d.e.s.i.r.ed to break away from this rigid system.

Yes ! To break free from these chains of regulations ! To have the choice of choosing his destiny ! But to be free, one must be powerful and this Wandering Sect could solve this problem !

While he thought about that, the plaque started to shine. It shined softly like the first radiance of the sun. Golden words appeared in front of him, scaring him a lot.

'Great affinity with sect's values. Great talent'

"Great character, excellent potential and common d.e.s.i.r.e ! You are made to be a member of our Wandering Sect." an old elder came from nowhere (but probably from a side pillar).

The old man could see the suspicion in his eyes and coughed an explaination : "This old man is the supervisor of these trials."

Tang Ling nodded as he understood what he meant and could easily guess that he somehow managed to pass the test in a special way which wasn't common. Uncommon enough for this unfathomable elder to come out from his hiding spot.

"Follow me."

Tang Ling nodded and followed him, curious about what he would encounter. He followed the old man in the building.

Tang Ling only traversed two hundred meters inside but could see the atmosphere of the hall : elegant and carefree. Multiple small rivers inside were relaxing and Tang Ling could hear some chirps of birds inside a small garden. It was as though it was a small world, an utopia !

"This is an arrangement of Landscape Master Huxian, this is his masterpiece. This arrangement purifies the spirit and aid recovery as a whole. Stay here with the other disciples until the selection finishes. Until then, interact with your brothers and sisters disciples. It's good to have some connections when travelling."

To be free and unbound in Jianghu, you need either great backing or power. Possessing neither of those would only result to being bullied and killed. It was simple as that, just like you need power to survive in the slums. You need enough strength to make the other party feel they will lose out if they ever fought if stealing your house posed no consequences, well, these ruffians would gladly do that.

[Player has reached Sword City and joined a faction ! Activating the Faction Expansion...]

[Faction joined : Wandering Sect

Other names : Freedom Sect, Traveller's Hub, Transcendance Dao Admiration Sect (...)

Noteworthy Personages : Travelling the Earth in One Step, Li Shang, the Imperial Worldly Elder and the Treasure Seeker (...)

Signature Move(s) : Clear Minded Characters and Steady Wind Qigong.

Alignment : Righteous (Neutral)

Description : Wandering Sect has a rich history and it is shown from the many name it got through. While it has the name 'sect' in it, it is a very loose organisation. There's only three ranks : Disciples, Masters and Elders. Of which, there's no sect master as elders are the 'masters' of the branch. They're old retirees, staying in one area and tending care to hot-blooded youngsters who wish to explore. They aren't well-known in attacking moves but in the exceptional defense techniques and qigong they possess. As long a disciple is able to reach the required level, the sect would allow the disciple to browse the relevant skills and books in his level but services are to paid. No fee and regular payment, the sect only provide free lodging (Psst ! The Sect only survive with donations so make your part too !)]

The sect's description started very good but at the end of it... He really wish to have never seen that. Which organisation rely on charity to function ?! Probably nobody with the right mind would create such an sect. Although freedom was in the sect's values, he expected to at least pay some taxes or something...

Tang Ling could see beside the artificial landscape, a couple disciple chatting and meditating. By a couple, he meant ten. Ten seemed okay but judging from the last day participants who were around a thousand, it was little and this doesn't include the other days. Third-rate sects, although not popular, would have slightly more than this number of disciples.

'Probably of low-key and difficult tests' Tang Ling thought as he greeted his fellow brothers and sisters. While others only nodded at his greetings, two brothers came to him and greeted him too.