Cultivating a Failure

Gathered at the steps of the registration office were several news teams. These news teams were some of those present at the conference earlier in the day. Among them were the two power houses from Immortal News and Cultivator Weekly. These news outlets received several anonymous tips that Falling Star had picked up her disciple and was currently on her way to the registration office. They gathered here in an attempt to be the first to discover who her disciple was. "Falling Star's Disciple Revealed!" This is the headline that all the reporters hoped to write. Unfortunately for them, Falling Star was very adept at avoiding the media. It only took her a moment to notice the reporters gathered around the front entrance, so while she was falling, she wove an illusion around herself and Yu Chang.

"Just follow along with whatever I say Little Yu unless you want these reporters to hound us all the time." Falling Star took Yu Chang's hand and started skipping like a little girl. "Granpa," she called out in a loud voice, "when are you gonna teach me to fight like that Falling Star you always talk about?"

The reporters turned and saw a middle-aged man and a little girl holding hands walking towards the registration office.

"Play along!" Falling Star hissed under her breath.

"Eh, you want to be like Falling Star? Maybe when you grow up a bit," Yu Chang chuckled. Then he grimaced because Falling Star squeezed his hand rather hard. 'What does she want?' he thought, 'all she said was play along…' "Right, when we're done here how about I treat you to some ice cream?"

Falling Star smiled sweetly at Yu Chang, "Okay!" With that the two passed by the reporters unharrassed.

As they stepped inside, Falling Star let go of Yu Chang's hand. "Go stand in line; I'll remove the illusion in a bit."

"Ah?" Yu Chang looked towards Falling Star and saw a little girl standing beside him instead. "Master Star?"

"I'm right here you idiot; you're just seeing the illusion now that I'm not holding your hand, go stand in line."

"Okay," Yu Chang replied.

Falling Star turned around and looked at the reporters through the glass doors; then she started taunting them with obscene faces. After making several faces, she skipped over to Yu Chang happily.

"Why did you taunt the reporters?"

"Why not? They follow me around wherever I go; it makes going outside a bit annoying. By the way, I prefer vanilla."

"Huh?"

"You promised me ice cream, have you already forgotten?"

"Eh? I was just going along with the scenario…"

"But but you promised!" Falling Star cried out. Countless people turned around and frowned at Yu Chang.

Realizing they were still shrouded in the illusion, Yu Chang acted fast. "All right all right, we'll get ice cream, let's just get this over with first." Under his breath, he added, "you're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Enjoying what?" Falling Star asked with an innocent look on her face.

"Nevermind…"

While they were waiting in line, Yu Chang glanced around at the "normal" groups.A father and mother were holding their daughter's hand while talking with a scholarly older woman. A young man stood in line with a Buddhist monk. Two children happily held the hands of a Daoist priest, probably a father or grandfather. There were many ordinary groups like this either standing in line or milling about. Yu Chang sighed, envious of those normal groups.While lost in his own thoughts, the line moved along. Soon enough it was their turn.

"Next," the receptionist at the desk called.

Yu Chang and Falling Star stepped up. "I wish to register this young man as my disciple, someone should be expecting me," Falling Star said.

"Oh! How cute," the receptionist praised looking down at the still disguised Falling Star."Would you like a piece of candy little girl?"

The corners of Yu Chang's mouth twitched as he tried to suppress his laughter. Beside him, Falling Star groaned and pinched him in the side. "Ouch!" Yu Chang cried. Then Falling Star un did the illusion around herself.

"Oh, my apologies Senior Star," the receptionist hastily blurted out. "I didn't realize you were in disguise; please forgive me."

"Don't worry about it, after all, I forgot I was still disguised myself. Anyways, about the matter at hand?"

"About that, do you know who is expecting you? I don't see it here in the system, but due to your fame, it's understandable that they wouldn't put it out openly. If I could just get the name of the person who is waiting for you, I can phone them over."

"Let me call my father; I forgot to ask," Falling Star replied.

"That won't be necessary," a gruff voice called out.

"Uncle Yang," Falling Star exclaimed. "I didn't know it was you that worked here!"

"Hahaha, it's been a long time hasn't it Little Star?" The man Falling Star called Uncle Yang came over and hugged her. "Come, let's go to my office and get your paperwork squared away."