' Well, how did I do ?'
' Can't say kid, even though this is the first time seeing something like this, without a proper way of reading the soul map that was nothing more than a very unusual light show. '
' Enough with this useless talking, junior Da, take Ichigo to the sect groups, you should help him pick a cultivation technique as well . '
' Yes senior Fang. Kid, follow me '
' Where are we going teacher Da ? '
' We are going to an teleportation pedestal kid, that thing will take us directly to the sect. '
Scene Break
' This is it kid, our sect ' said Da Lan pointing towards a mountain where several buildings could be seen. ' It may not look impressive, but this is only on the outside, the true sect's groups are inside the mountain. What you see now is only the Haven Searching School '
' So the sect part is inside that mountain, but why ?'
' Mainly defensive purposes, you'll learn more if you join the sect after you finish your schooling program. For now the only thing you need to know is this mountain is more than it seems '
' So where are we going teacher Da ? '
' We are going to the school library, there you can pick four techniques to start your practice, one of those techniques must be a cultivation technique, but the other three can be anything you like '
" This kid is very strange, I can tell that his cultivation is merely mortal first stage just because he doesn't have an method of cultivation, but anything else is hidden somehow from divination. "
' Here we are kid, unfortunately I cannot come with you inside so good luck '
" It's huge" thought Ichigo watching the countless books and scrolls on the shelves.
" Immortal Golden body , low level body tempering mortal techniques, the user can direct their reiatsu towards their skin in order to strengthen it, condition of use mortal stage three" read Ichigo from the first scroll's explanation, explanation clearly made for kids.
' Dad would probably want me to pick an body refining technique, but this one doesn't sound all that strong.'
" Fire Compressing Beam, an anttack that can be used by any stage of the mortal level, the user accumulates reiatsu in his hand without releasing his spirit then slowly compresses said reiatsu above his hand, this attack can only be fired in a straight line, condition of use mortal stage two"
'This sounds useful, I guess this is my first pick '
" It's that feeling again " thought Ichigo breaking his attention from the scroll
"It's coming from that book "
" Four Elements Tribulations manual, medium level mortal cultivation technique, Note no cultivator that practiced this technique managed to pass into the the spirit level, cultivate at your own risk "
' This isn't very good, but I feel that strange power calling for me, so I guess I'll just change it later if it's just a trashy technique '
' Supreme Cauldron Fire, low level mortal spirit strengthening technique, one of the first specialised technique that were developed in the history, this technique was developed by an alchemist and is used as a mean of learning how to control the temperature of the flame their spirit produces '
" Old Ling said that spirit strengthening techniques are quite rare so I guess I'll take this. '
" Spirit Pulse, medium level mortal spirit sensing technique, the user releases a small wave of reiatsu, this wave upon meeting another reiatsu source will rebound and the user can feel the general direction of the source, condition of use mortal level third stage
' Oh, you took your time kid, now let me take you to your future home for the next four years. You'll find there your first allowance and several spirit stones so you can begin your cultivation. Oh, I almost forgot, you must be present at that building over there five days later as for food, you should not worry to must about it, given that we only have so many disciples we can afford to bring the food at your room. Good luck kid ' said Da Lan leaving Ichigo at an small brick house with his name written on a wall.
' I should start cultivating now ' said Ichigo opening the cultivation manual as he sat down in a meditative position.
' Hmm, someone actually picked the Four Elements Tribulations manual, so interesting .' A voice sounded from inside the mountain
' How can you tell master ? '
' You see my disciple, this cultivation technique would have been one of the strongest techniques for anyone below the Immortal level if not for the soul strength required for it. This technique produced some spirit level beings at one point so it shouldn't be accessible to someone from the school '
' Should I retrieve it master ? '
' No, if he can cultivate using that method it means that it was meant for him to use it '
Scene Break
' Alchemist Lao, or should I cal you Imoyama, please repeat that again . ' said Alchemist Su clearly amused
' Sigh, please don't call me that Alchemist Su, anyway the boy joined the Heaven Searching Sect without using the recommendation letter '
' Hmmm, that may be troublesome, it's true that we didn't managed to directly enter a sect, but that doesn't mean that we failed at making our intention clear. The boy will probably be safe within te borders of the Haven Searching Sect for the next year or so, but the competition between schools will reveal some of his secrets. '
' Yes those were my concerns as well, but after I talked with cultivator Fang about the boy and I've learned that he picked the Supreme Cauldron Fire and I suggested that he came to us one of these days so we can see if he has destiny with the alchemist profession. '
' An interesting idea, but if he doesn't manage to concoct a single pill in a day then we won't be able to contact him as long as he is in that sect, also don't forget that there are many mysteries related to the Heaven Searching Sect.'
' I understa...'
' No you don't, the Heaven Searching Sect is old, very old , but even so from the very beginning of the sect it constantly managed to get the twentieth spot on each competition it participated in despite the fact that their overall power isn't all that great '
' This.. I didn't know '
' What I just said you isn't a secret, sigh, everyone seems to forget about the Haven Searching Sect because it barely recruits ten disciples each month, but that in itself is suspicious so don't be careful '
' Yes, but what will we do when the boy arrices ? '
' You will be the one that take careover of him once he is here since he knows you mister Imoyama '
Scene Break
' Hello miss, I'm Da Lan from the Heaven Searching Sect and this here Is my student Kurosaki Ichigo, we came here to see if he is destined to become an alchemist . '
' I see, I will go inform someone of your arrival '
' I heard that you want to become an alchemist kid '
' Oh, its mister Imoyama '
' Ichigo, was your name right? I see that you want to become something more than a simple cultivator, but the alchemist profession is more than it seems, are you sure you want to take this job ? '
' Ohhh ? Alchemist Lao it appears that you know my disciple here, may I know where you two met before ? '
' I met mister Imoyama on the day I joined the school '
' Look kid, I know that making you actually remember my name is a lost cause but try to find a name other than this Imoyama. Anyway no point in making this longer thanthan it should be so let's get going '
Ichigo and Alchemist Lao walked in a room were five other middle aged alchemists were talking about some strange occurrences around a pill furnace.
' Alchemists Su, this is the boy that will be tested now. Ichigo this here is Alchemist Su, he is ... '
' A alchemist assigned as today supervisor ' said Su before Alchemist Lao got tointerrupted finish the sentence
'Now Ichigo, you are to be tested for the position of alchemy apprentice, the test isn't very hard, by sending your spirit flame towards this furnace we will be able to judge your talent in thi sublime art. There will be no direct pill concocting in this test, but someone will use the properties of your spirit to see just how good it is. Now let us begin, I will be thethe one to do the concocting and the others alchemists here are just to serve as witnesses.'
' You don't have to be so tense kid, even if no pill will result in this test no one will fail you, but if a pill is actually produced you will jump straight to a level three disciple.'
' Yes, thank you mister Imoyama ' said Ichigo starting to truly wish to make an pill and prove thatthat his spirit is useful
' Summon your spirit Ichigo and send some fire in the furnace '
" I will make a pill, I MUST MAKE A PILL " thought Ichigo as he summoned his spirit, a blood red flame that flashed purple occasionally
" Interesting, this purple tinge that his spirit is showing is definitively new. Maybe hiswe spirit is slowly evolving "
Ichigo used his spirit to conjure some flames and sent them in the pill furnace where several herbs were mixed. Alchemist Su slowly gestured towards the center of the furnace and a herbal aroma filled up the room. Everybody except Alchemist Su and Ichigo ,who was concentrated on the fire inside the furnace, showed shocked expressions, severalbut minutes later Alchemist Su took his hand away from the furnace.
' Very well Ichigo you actually managed to create a pill. Now follow this gentleman here and allow me and Alchemist Lao to judge your work.' Said Alchemist Su as he watched one of the other five alchemists take Ichigo away ' You should leave as well, only I and Lao Mao will judge the quality of his pill '
The others alchemists were obviously displeased by this but no one said anything and left.
' Watching over the pill concocting myself was the right decision after all . Muttered Alchemist Su
' Why is that, Alchemist Su ? It is true that he managed to form a pill with your help, but that isn't something surprising. '
' Indeed it wouldn't be surprising at all if I helped him, but I didn't. '
' WHAT ? '
' Sigh, this is also the reason I sent the others away, his pill formed all by itself '
' Impossible'
' I would probably agree with you on thisthis, but after witnessing the concocting myself I happened to change my mind. During the crystallization process of the pill each component of thea pill tends to separate and form individual crystals based on the properties it haswas, this is what happens during the final process of the pill forming. I trust youyou with my life Brother Lao but after I tell you what happened you must make an oath to never share what transpired here.'
' Yes brother Su I will '
' Sigh, during the crystallization process his pill didn't even tried to separate, it was constantly surrounded by a purple glow and it appeared to fuse all by itself. This isn't the only problem though, whatever happened it only affected one singular pill and created a much stronger pill than usual.'
[ AN- I must apologize for the delay but unfortunately being a third year mechanical engineering student is harder thanto it looks ( who would've thought), and after I received this semester curriculum and attending several classes I simply didn't found the inspiration to write anything remotely good.
The story won't be dropped but chapters won't appear everyday, as for how often I will update, I can't really tell
Sorry again- End AN ]
