- Ch 5

Siri and Elix had taken the small road that led to the main sect headquarters and immediately after a short ride it came into view. In front of them rose a palace complex. All enclosed by a high wall of white marble.

So this is the Phoenix sect, thought Siri.

Many people went in and out of the big gate. It had no door but was richly decorated, and four guards stood at the gate. They did nothing more than stand there, looking disheveled.

It was clear that they were not cultivators. Probably hired soldiers.

'Why does the sect hire sleeping soldiers. Foolish!" thought Siri.

Siri looked at Elix as she bit her lower lip lightly. It would probably be a long time before she could see him again. Stupid sect rules.

"We won't be able to meet regularly so, how do we keep in touch?"

"Isn't it just that you come to me or I go to you. Rules have never stopped you before Siri."

"That's true," Siri laughed.

"But still, it's silly to always have to sneak around."

"Yes, I think we need permission from one of the elders. "

"Hm."

"Don't be angry, my little butterfly. We're adapting and, you're the one who wanted to get out into the world."

" I guess so, but I'm not a fucking butterfly."

Elix laughed out loud.

"You're my little butterfly."

"Shut up!"

They rode through the gate in silence. People around them looked at them curiously. It was clear that they were Cultivators but not from the phoenix sect. Siri, in particular, was the target of stares even though she was wearing black trousers and a tunic. But as her silver-violet hair moved slightly in the wind, no one could ignore her heart-shaped face, perfect complexion, and blue-purple shimmering eyes framed by long black eyelashes. Not to mention her red kissable full lips.

To their left was a lush green forest with sparkling water and lusty cherry trees. Opposite the forest was a large open area with several different houses. Stables, warehouses, and other economy buildings. There were even small shops.

The two areas were separated by a low white marble wall. Siri looked straight ahead with a grim expression. She was in a bad mood and annoyed. They continued riding along the straight road to arrive at a richly decorated gate in red and black. The motif of a phoenix rising from ashes was the central message. The inner wall was as high as the outer wall and this gate was guarded by several cultists.

They were no different from the cultivators belonging to the Wind sky sect. Young, ageless, fit men, which she didn't mind. Siri could bet they had Nascent realm cultivation. Perhaps they were about to break through to Sea-realm.

Once at the gate, one of the men would ask, "Who are you, and what is your business here?" But he swallowed almost the whole sentence and only got out "Who... business. ...have...you?" when Siri interrupted him with her honey-sweet voice.

"I'm Siri and, this is Elix. We have come from the Wind sky sect but we will be disciples here. At least for some time to come."

She muttered that last part quietly to herself.

And as usual, the cultists stood gaping and staring at Siri, then at Elix, then back at Siri.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, one of the guards said.

"You are expected."

Siri studied the man who spoke. Black-haired, blue-eyed, good-looking, but looked worried. It showed in his flickering gaze and there was something more that Siri couldn't put into words. The voice was deep and manly. If he hadn't been so insecure, he would have been quite sexy.

All the men were dressed in the same type of clothes. Black leather boots, dark red tight trousers, and a red-black tunic that reached down to mid-thigh. On the back, it had a red phoenix on a black background. A silver belt held the tunic in place at the waist. It was also possible to make out a white sweater with a drawstring at the neck.

"You can't bring any horses in here. Devon here will take care of them. They'll be in one of the stables over there."

The man dropped his gaze from Siri as he pointed in the direction of the stables and warehouses.

"Behind this gate is the outer courtyard. That's where the outer disciples are. They are not allowed to go to the inner courtyard."

Those are sect rules, Siri thought even more annoyed.

Elix, you will be placed in the inner courtyard. And you, Siri, being an outer disciple, will therefore be placed in the outer court... "

The man continued

"If you go straight to the next gate, you will come to the inner courtyard. Someone will meet you there Elix."

"What is your name?" Elix asked the blue-eyed man.

"Quinn" he replied uncertainly.

"You are an outer disciple Quinn?"

"Yes."

"I want you to look after Siri. Can I trust you?"

"I can take care of myself Elix, you're stupid!" said Siri.

"Yes I know... but you're new, so you need someone to help you. Quinn here doesn't stand and gape. He doesn't have tongue-tiedness, he can talk to you and help you."

The guards around them were petrified. The atmosphere was dripping with fear.

"What's wrong with them now?" said Siri loudly.

"They don't say an inner disciple is an idiot. Prestige and status are important in this sect."

"Hm, I guess I need to think about how I act around here... " Siri said thoughtfully.

"Yes, you are right my butterfly."

Siri didn't reply but smiled slightly.

"I need to get to the inner courtyard now. Make sure you don't kill anyone and think about what happened at the inn."

"Yes" Her voice was shaken.

"Quinn, will you take care of her?"

"Yes absolutely," he replied.

'Siri will eat him alive.' thought Elix.

Elix left Siri.