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An old woman once sat within the void, surrounded by stars that flickered like candles. In her palm were three small turtle shells for divination. On that day, they cracked and the heavens shuddered. Inscribed in the jade slip of "Prophecies of the Starwoven Grotto"
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The carts rolled slowly along the rugged dirt road, creaking with every turn of the wheels. The horses snorted, their breath forming faint clouds in the crisp mountain air. Behind them, the misty outline of their village had long disappeared, swallowed by forest.
The teenagers sat together in the two carts. A quiet melancholy settled over the group. For all of them, it was the first time they had truly left their home, and they didn't know when they would be back.
Wang Shuren leaned against the wooden frame, holding the reins of the horses, and looking foward at the winding path. "Two weeks," he said finally, breaking the silence. "That's how long it'll take us to reach Moondragon City. We'll have to camp out or find inns along the way. Luckily, our family has good relations in these regions. We shouldn't have too much trouble finding shelter. Me and Wang Lihua have also visited before, in worst case we can send up a few tents."
His words brought a faint comfort to the group.
Wang Mei sighed softly. "Two weeks… that's a long time."
Long Tianyu gave a small grin. "Long enough for you to miss your bed," he teased.
She rolled her eyes.
The cart jostled as they descended a small slope. The road ahead opened into a valley of green flanked, by distant peaks, their snowy crowns glinting faintly beneath the afternoon sun.
"Senior," Xiao Chi piped up after a while, curiosity sparkling in his eyes, "can you tell us about Moondragon City? You've been there before, haven't you?"
Wang Shuren looked back from the driver's seat "Mmm, yes, but also no. Lihua and I have never been there during the sect selection period. But we have been there a couple of times. Anything you want to know?"
"Everything!" Xiao Chie said with bright eyes.
Wang Shuren smiled faintly. "Well… Moondragon City is large. Much larger than our village or nearby towns. It sits in the valley between the Moonshadow Range and the Dragon's Spine Mountains, that's where it got its name. At night, the moonlight reflects on the river that cuts through the city, making it look like a dragon of silver light. That's what people say, at least."
His gaze sharped slightly with memory. "There are three main clans that govern much of the city and the region nearby: the Bai Clan, the Yu Clan, and the Xie Clan."
The mention of the clans drew everyone's attention.
Chen Jie frowned, his brows knitting together. "Wait… what exactly is a clan?"
Wang Shuren turned his gaze from the road for a moment, his eyes calm but sharp. He let out a slow breath, as if weighing how to explain it to someone who had never left home. "A clan," he began, "is far more than just a family. It is a lineage, a heritage, and a place where people train, live, and protect one another. Each clan has its own rules, its own specialties, and often its own territory."
He glanced at the teenagers, letting the words sink in. "Some clans focus on trade, like the Bai Clan. Others, like the Yu and Xie Clans, are devoted to cultivation. They teach techniques and pass on knowledge from one generation to the next. Every member carries the weight of the clan's reputation."
Long Tianyu tilted his head, curiosity lighting his eyes. "So… it's like a super family?"
Wang Shuren's lips twitched into a faint smile. "In a manner of speaking, yes. But a clan is also power. Its influence reaches into towns, cities, even sects. A word from a clan master can sway trade, settle disputes, or determine who lives and who falls. Meeting a member of a clan isn't the same as meeting a common traveler, their strength, their skills… they are not to be underestimated."
Chen Jie swallowed, suddenly aware of the weight behind Wang Shuren's words. "So even if we're strong, we can't just fight them?"
"Exactly," Shuren said sharply. "Some clans have power that far surpasses what you're used to. Underestimating a clan member, even a young one, can be fatal."
Lin Yue's eyes widened. "Wow… that's scary."
Wang Shuren nodded. "It is. And remember, each clan has its own way of identifying its members colors, emblems, even the way they carry themselves. Learn these signs. Respect them. And if you are lucky enough to form alliances, the right clan can also become a source of incredible support."
The cart creaked on, the sound of wheels over the uneven road filling the pause that followed. Long Tianyu leaned back, thoughtful, while the others digested the weight of Shuren's words.
"The world isn't just towns and villages," Wang Shuren continued after a moment, his voice softer but firm. "It is organized, in many ways, by clans. To survive and to grow stronger.
"The Bai Clan," he continued, "is mostly involved in trade. They move goods from nearby towns and villages to Moondragon City, ores, herbs, silks, spices, even rare beast materials. You've probably met one of them without realizing it. Merchant Bai, for instance, is from that clan."
The children nodded.
Wang Shuren continued "The Bai Clan doesn't restrict its members too much. Some go into business, some study, some cultivate. Their clan master is Bai Xuehai, an old man, I've heard, with a sharp mind for both trading and politics."
"What about the other clans?" Long Tianyu asked, adjusting his sword slightly.
"The Yu Clan," Wang Shuren said, "is different. They're fully focused on being a cultivation clan, proud, powerful, and devoted to the path of alchemy. It's said they produce some of the best alchemists in the region. Their master, Yu Qianhe, is a man known for his deep understanding of medicinal qi. If you ever smell fragrant smoke in Moondragon City, it's likely from the Yu clan."
"And the Xie Clan?" Chen Jie asked.
"The Xie Clan is older than both," Shuren replied. "They specialize in sword cultivation, they are said to be precise, elegant, and merciless. The current master, Xie Moran, is said to have cut down a heavenly beast with a single strike. Their clan is quiet, almost reclusive, but their reputation…" He trailed off, glancing back. "Let's just say, if you meet anyone from these clans, tread carefully. They have power and influence beyond what we can imagine."
Xiao Chi swallowed. "Noted, senior."
Wang Shuren smiled wryly. "Good. Also, you can usually tell which clan someone belongs to by their clothing. The Bai Clan wears green, embroidered with golden coin emblems. The Yu Clan favors wearing red, often with flame-like sleeves. The Xie Clan… they wear white and silver, decorated with drifting cloud patterns. Remember these."
"Green for Bai, red for Yu, white for Xie," Long Tianyu muttered, memorizing them.
"Exactly," said Shuren.
The cart rattled on. Outside, the landscape began to shift, the forests thinning, giving way to gentle hills dotted with wildflowers. The mountains in the distance gleamed brighter as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
"Oh, and," Shuren added after a pause, "Moondragon City is also home to the Golden Trading Merchants. They host grand auctions every season. Rare items, spiritual treasures, even captured spirit beasts. I've heard some sect members attend when something truly valuable appears."
Zang Liu's eyes gleamed. "An auction? That sounds amazing!" He elbowed Long Tianyu. "Hey, eldest brother, why don't you sell one of your swords so we can go?"
Long Tianyu gave him a flat stare. "Dream on."
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The road climbed gradually through the hills of wildflowers. Zang Liu decided to start drawing this scene, a memory to keep for the future to show his parents. Wooden bridges arched gracefully over the rivers, some sturdy and new, others ancient, worn by time and covered in green moss.
As evening approached, the setting sun bathed the world in a golden hue. The shadows of trees stretched long across the road.
Finally, they saw a lantern flickering ahead, a small wooden sign swinging gently beneath it.
Silent Willow Inn.
The words were painted in fading black. The inn itself sat nestled beside a lake, half-hidden by tall willows. A soft wind stirred the hanging branches, making them whisper against the eaves. Warm light spilled from the windows, and the faint aroma of cooked rice and meat drifted in the air.
Relief washed over them all.
"We'll stay here tonight," Wang Shuren announced, guiding the horses toward the stable. "Rest well, it's still a long way to Moondragon City."
As they walked toward the inn, Long Tianyu glanced back at the road they'd traveled.
"We'll come back," Hua Qingqing said softly beside him, almost as if reading his thoughts.
He smiled faintly. "Of course. One day."
The wooden door of the inn creaked open, and a woman's warm voice greeted them. "Travelers, welcome to Silent Willow Inn. Rooms or meals first?"
''Food!'' Long Tianyu shouted. Wang Shuren laughed and answered ''What the boy said.''
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End of chapter 1 - The clans of Moondragon City