The Journey of Flower

She was sleeping soundly when she felt something slapping her face.

“Tang Bao, stop playing……” She randomly flung her arms, thinking that Tang Bao was crawling on her face.

However, the slapping did not stop.

“Qian Gu, Qian Gu. Are you alright?”

An anxious voice sounded from close by.

Recently, Hua Qian Gu had been tired out by all the travelling, and struggled to wake up.

She got a shock when she saw a paper crane on her face.

“Qian Gu? Is everything alright? Answer me!”

Hua Qian Gu focused and listened. This was clearly Luo Shi Yi’s voice. However, it was coming from this paper crane on her face. This paper crane looked alive. It had two red eyes drawn on with a red brush, its flapping wings incessantly hitting Hua Qian Gu’s face. Even though it did not hurt, this scene was somewhat strange.

“I, I am alright!” She flusteredly picked the paper crane from her face and placed it on the white jade step beside her. She calmed herself down. Seeing that she had not gone out after such a long time, Shi Xiong must have been worried. However, he could not barge in directly, hence he had no choice but to send in the small paper crane to look at her.

She looked around for Tang Bao and found it sleeping lazily and comfortably on on a floating leaf. She picked it up and quickly shook it awake. Tang Bao wiped itself with a flower petal and hugged on to another petal while chewing up it. She chewed it into a weird shape, then used a silk like substance to glue the flower petal up, and fashioned it into the likeness of a small top and skirt! Twirling around in her pink outfit that was fitted over her glisteningly clear body, Tang Bao was really too cute.

Hua Qian Gu could not help but wear the clothes that had been prepared and were lying at the side. The clothes were largely similar to what the majority of the disciples outside were wearing. It was simple yet elegant, but it was very light and soft with wonderful texture.  It was made of an expensive and unique material that she had never worn before. While it was slight too large when she first wore it, it quickly shrunk to fit her body, and quickly became comfortable and fitting.

Hua Qian Gu could not help but exclaim in wonder.

Tang Qian Gu pouted indignantly,”How can it compare to my peach blossom robe!”

When they went out, the normally calm Luo Shi Yi, was already restless from all the waiting.

“This should be yours?” Hua Qian Gu returned the paper crane to him.

Luo Shi Yi took the crane from her. “It’s already wet.” As he said this, he took out a small white handkerchief from his bosom and carefully wrapped the paper crane before tucking it in his bosom. When he saw Tang Bao wearing her tiny robe, he looked shocked for a moment. Then he quickly turned around and took another white handkerchief to wipe his face before quickly stuffing it into his sleeve.

*Coughs “Why were you so slow? I thought something happened to you.”

“Sorry Shi Xiong. I accidentally fell asleep.”

“You fell asleep? Are you serious! To most people, the Pool of Three Lives is a terrifying place. You actually fell asleep inside?”

“What’s wrong? I felt very comfortable washing it in, and I don’t find it scary at all.” Hua Qian Gu sniffed her body. She smelled nice and clean all over.

“The pool’s water is used to filter disciples who are entering the sect. It is considered to be a ritual as well as a test. Typically those with evil thoughts or those who bear desires and grudges that are too deep and hence are not suitable for cultivating into immortals are unable to touch the water of the Pool of Three Lives. Hence it is used to test whether one is a demon and whether one has what it takes to become an immortal. However as long as you are human, you should more or less have some greed, lust and infatuation. As long as it is not very serious, you can pass the test if you can bear with a little pain.”

“Ah? The water is so powerful?”

“Those who are righteous naturally have nothing to fear. However a majority of disciples feel as if they lost half a layer of skin after washing.”

“But nothing happened to me!”

“Very few people can go into the pool’s water yet feel nothing at all. Even immortals always have some desires. This water can help to clear the thoughts of the righteous and is very effective for treating injuries. However for demons, monsters and evil people, it is no different from lethal poison or the strongest acid.”

“It’s so scary?”

“One of the most serious punishment in the sect is to have water from the Pool of Three Lives poured over you. For punishing people with very strong desires, the pain is a many times worse than hitting them. It is no different from skinning them alive. I personally saw how a disciple who had raped many women was thrown into the Xiao Hun Pool (Pool of Lust). He literally dissolved into the pool until not even a bone was left.”

Beads of perspiration were forming profusely on Hua Qian Gu’s forehead as she realised that she just had a close shave with death. As she followed behind Luo Shi Yi and continued walking forward, she felt her whole body feel much lighter as if she was floating amongst the clouds. However she famished.

When she arrived, they were in too much of a hurry for her to take a close look. As she walked outside the main hall now, she had time to look around and finally take in her surroundings.

They were now at main hall, Chang Liu Dian, which was situated at the heart of Mt Chang Liu. It was more than two times bigger than the The Jiu Xiao Wan Fu Palace on Mt Mao. The crimson, dark grey and gold juxtaposed against each other, making the Chang Liu Dian seems so imposing and grand that one had the urge to kneel over when they saw it. Chang Liu Mountain floated on the sea and produced jade stone. Almost all the flooring and even the steps on the main square were laid using white jade of varying quality. The three halls/palaces that were floating above head glistened like crystal palaces, against the blood red sky, they seemed even more spectacular with a life of their own.

Luo Shi Yi pointed out to her, “Mt Chang Liu had one main hall and three sacred halls, with nine different courts and 12 side quarters. The main hall is mainly used for ceremonies or to handle big matters within the mountain. The three sacred halls above you are where Zun Shang, Shi Zun and Ru Zun live and each of them respectively governs the hall they live in. The nine courts are managed by the nine respected immortal elders. They are respectively the Court of Rules, Court of Hidden Books, Court of Demon Sealing, Court of Medicine, Court of Rituals and Music, Court of Books and so on. The Zun Shang does not have not have an absolute say in big matters on the mountain. They require discussion from the three halls and nine courts. I have already sent someone to find Qing Liu. he will come over in a while. He is the immortal instructor for the Gui class you are in and he will bring you the Court of Books to register and get your immortal number before bringing you back to the Hai Quarters to rest. Tomorrow you can start lessons with the Gui class. If there is anything else you don’t know, you can ask him.”

Hua Qian Gu indeed saw a man walk over from the far end of the corridor. He was long and willowy, however he was slouching and swaying from side to side and was lack lustre as though he was drunk. A dagger was tucked at his waist. There was a few strands of white in his messy hair as though he had dyed it. His clothes were also loose and messy and he even had one arm sticking out of his robe. There were weird tattoos all over his exposed arm. His stubbly face looked totally unkempt. As he walked before the two of them, his eye lids were dropping and he shrugged up his shoulders.

“Why did you call me here?” He scratched his head and listlessly yawned.

Luo Shi Yi shake his head helplessly. “If Zun Shang sees you like this its fine. But if my teacher sees you, he will definitely punish you heavily. This is the disciple who Zun Shang just brought up the mountain and she will be assigned to your class. She doesn’t know anything yet, so you must take better care of her.”

It was only then that Qiao Mu Qing Liu fully opened his eyes and sized Hua Qian Gu up before sighing, ” You came to give me trouble again. Throwing a child of such physique to me.”

“I will try my best! I will not cause trouble for you!” Hua Qian Gu suddenly promised.

Qiao Mu Qing Liu, laughed and bent over to pinch the small face that was looking at him.

“Alright alright. You little bastard. You know that don’t have any resistance against cute little girls. Let’s go. I will take you to register yourself.”

Luo Shi Yi waved at her and let her follow. Hua Qian Gu looked back at him and nodded him before waving good bye to him and leaving with Qiao Mu Qing Liu.

The remaining matters very simple. Qiao Mu Qing Liu had basically helped her settle her registration. Hua Qian Gu collected most of the items and her Xian Hao- it was a black piece of wood that was used to ward off demons engraved with many words that Hua Qian Gu did not recognise, this was now the proof of her identity. She carefully hung it on her waist as she was afraid to lose it.

When she reached the Hai Quarters, Hua Qian Gu raised up her head and saw that it was nine levels high. Most of those staying here were disciples who had just entered Chang Liu like her. Those who had masters stayed in other places with their masters or were travelling outside.

She stayed on the top floor. Just climbing the stairs was going to kill her. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a girl who was around her age reading a book at the desk. She was dressed in a jade green robe with a few small plaits on her hair. When the girl turned around, Hua Qian Gu saw that she had bright eyes and sparking white teeth with a snow white complexion. She was extremely beautiful.

Qiao Mu Qing Liu stepped in first and called out to the girl: ” Qing Shui (Qing = light, Shui = water), this is your Xiao Shi Mei (Little Junior) who has just entered the sect. She is also from the Gui class. She will stay with you all from now on.”

Qing Shui nodded her head and gave a small smile as she walked over to take the luggage that Hua Qian Gu was carrying. While she was placing the luggage on the bed, she said “I am called Qing Shui.”

“I am called Hua Qian Gu.”

Qiao Mu Qing Liu said, ” Hua Qin Gu has a lot of things that she doesn’t know yet. You help her slowly familiarise herself. Tomorrow bring her to class with you. I shall go first. My alcohol addiction is acting up again.” As he said that, he yawned and dragged his body away.

Hua Qian Gu felt a little uneasy, as this was her first time staying with a girl of the same age and did not know what to say. Luckily Qing Shui was more lively and kept chattering non stop. Hence the two quickly got to know each other. Tang Bao having slept her fill lazily climbed out of Hua Qian Gu’s ear and surveyed her surroundings. She looked very satisfied as she saw the clean little room.  Even though Qing Shui was very of bugs and worms, seeing how cute Tang Bao was, she plucked up her courage to touch and tickle Tang Bao.

Hearing the rumbling of Hua Qian Gu’s hungry tummy, Qing Shui brought her to the kitchen on every floor to find some food. Because she was simply too hungry, she could not help but stuff herself. She then drowsily fell asleep.

The next day, before the sun had barely risen, she was awoken by Qing Shui. Looking at how Tang Bao was sleeping soundly on the pillow, Hua Qian Gu did not wake it. She quickly grabbed a few books that she had collected yesterday and followed Qing Shui to class.

The classes were held at Wu Quarters. It was also nine levels high. However, the style and design was different from the Hai Quarters.

From Qing Shui, she roughly knew what homework they had to complete. The most basic was a physical education to build up their fitness and a theoretical lesson about the immortal arts and magic, as well as a history lesson about the history of the six realms. There was also a lesson on the five elements- metal, wood, water, fire and earth. There were also lessons on riding and shooting, Yu Jian (riding on swords and flying), defense, flying and various other hands on lessons.

The lessons at each stage were different and the teachers of the various classes were also different. They attended most of the other lessons with those from other classes. Hua Qian Gu had arrived late by one month, hence her progress was lagging far behind. Hence, she needed to work hard to catch up on her own. There was left than a year left before graduation, thus, every disciple was working very hard so that they could perform well and get a good master at the Xian Jian Da Hui.

They were now going to attend the morning history lesson. As they were early, there were still very few people in the classroom. Hua Qian Gu sat on the seat and rested her head on the table. She was still as sleepy as ever. She had yet to adapt to waking so early

Qing Shui had clear potential to be Gossip Queen. She excited introduced to Hua Qian Gu every person who entered the classroom, whether they were from their own class or not. Hua Qian Gu weakly opened her eyes and saw that there were people of every age and gender. However the majority were around ten to twenty years old. The youngest was only six years old.

There were three classes seated in the classroom. Those from the Jia class were seated in the centre. Thos from the Ding class on the right and those form he Gui class on the left. Those from the Jia class were very energetic and rowdy and it was clear that they had a sense of superiority, as though they were very unhappy to be attending lessons with the last class.

“It’s very hard to get into Jia class. All of them have some immortal foundation. They all have high levels of powers before entering Chang Liu. Furthermore, most of them are actually the children of various sect leaders or respected elders and hence they have immortal bodies. They were specially sent to Chang Liu to train. Hence all of them are arrogant and spoilt and shouldn’t be trifled with.”

“Why dont they train in their own sect. Why must they be sent to Chang Liu? Also, immortals can give birth?” Hua Qian Gu mouth was hanging open in surprise. ”

” Stupid. There is something called Shuang Xiu (means that they train and cultivate to be immortals as a couple) in certain sects! Furthermore, beside some special rules set by the Heavenly Court, most immortals are free to love and marry. Actually, besides their powers, immortals are not very different from humans. Those who are cultivating to be immortals now, only care about increasing their own powers. Their character and hearts are even more filthy than mortals.”

“That’s not true. Zun Shang is very good.” Hua Qian Gu thought of the otherworldly figure and could not help but let her thoughts drift away.

“You can’t compare them with Zun Shang. The whole immortal realm respects him deeply. Oh yes, have you seen the girl who was dressed in red, who was surrounded by fans the moment she entered?”

“I saw her.” Hua Qian Gu was stunned in that moment. To think that there was someone so glamorous and strikingly beautiful in this world. At such a young age she was already an unparalleled beauty. Even though she was still slightly less elegant and beautiful than the seven immortal goddess and Chang E which Hua Qian Gu had seen at the feast, however as she grew up, she would be even more beautiful than them.

“That is Ni Man Tian. She is the daughter of the leader of the Peng Lai Immortal Island. She has one of the greatest potential amongst this intake of disciples. A lot of guys treat her like  a goddess, like how the stars surround the moon. However, she is very condescending and likes to stir up trouble. The girls from the other classes hate her, but don’t dare to offend. She has been training from young, hence her powers are very powerful.”

As Qing Shui said this, she turned around and introduced Hua Qian Gu to their classmates around them. As most of them were mortals from a humble background, they were all very friendly and they quickly became familiar with each other.

In a while, the teacher, an ill-tempered old man with a white beard that almost touched the ground entered. He punished all the late comers by making them stand outside the door.

“I think I saw him yesterday.” Hua Qian Gu remembered seeing him coming out from the Court of Books. Luo Shi Yi even bowed other. He saw that there was a yellow object hanging on his was it. He probably was a metal user. However she could not tell what that object was and asked Qing Shui.

“That is a Gong Mu ( Mu= Wood). During the ritual and music class, we learnt about this. Typically, you can judge one’s immortal class according to the token they carry. The sect leader carries a Gong Yu (Yu = feather). The feather ranges from that of a phoenix to a sparrow, and they come in different colours. On Mt Chang Liu, only Zun Shang carried it. They next would be a Gong Shi (Shi = Stone). However, that is no ordinary stone. It is usually something like a crystal or amethyst.  Only Shi Zun, Run Zun and the Elders of the Nine Courts carry it. Next would be Gong Mu, which can be made of different wood like Willow, Sandalwood or Boxwood. The one that Teacher Tao Weng is carry is peach wood. His status is very high and he is one of the elders in the Nine Courts. Next, it will be the Gong Yu (Yu=Jade), Gong Hua (Hua=Flower), Gong Dai (Dai= Belt) and Gong Ling (Ling = Bell). Strictly speaking there are seven classes. However there are very few people in some sects and they may be missing a few ranks.”

“Gong Yu, Gong Shu, Gong Mu, Gong Yu, Gong Hua, Gong Dai, Gong Ling… So Lang Ge Ge missed out a few.” Hua Qian Gu muttered to herself and quietly memorised it.

She skimmed through the book in her head. It wrote about the rough history of the six realms. However, it was significantly more brief that the book that Elder Qing Xu had given her and there were many differences. There were a lot of mistakes and twisted facts, especially in the parts about the immortals realms. Furthermore, there was almost nothing about the Realm of the Gods. Even though it was the History of the Six Realms, it only talked about five. In addition, it was very critical of the Demon and Monster realms and made it out such that demons, monsters and ghosts were all evil creatures that needed to be subdued by immortals.

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As Tao Weng happily babbled on, Hua Qian Gu was getting a headache listening to him. It was all useless. She might as well read the book that Priest Qing Xu had written. Combined with her lack of sleep, she fell asleep without realising.

She suddenly felt someone pinch her under the table and flusteredly look up only to see Tao Weng standing before her. Qing Shui tried to gesture to her with her eyes.

” You are new here? I have never seen you before. What is your name?”

“Hua, Hua Qian Gu……” She was dead this time. She fell asleep on her first day of class. If this news reaches Zun Shang……

“As the saying goes. Stupid birds are the first to go. Despite being in the last class, you still have no sense of self awareness. Even people from the first class are listening attentively. Yet you are here dreaming away. It looks like you know everything that I was talking about. Then I shall test you. If you can’t answer me, then you shall stay back and copy the book twenty times.”