I am the Magus Immortal Book 1: Divine Lotus Sect

Chapter 9

As the caravan left, little Xi took out the ruler his mother gave him and a gleam appeared in his eyes. It was a magic artifact! Although it was crude and simple he can sense that it was made of top quality spirit wood. He studied the carvings a bit before putting it back. He would have to wait until he was in a safe place before he can thoroughly check the ruler.

The distance of their town to the capital city would take one week at most to travel with the caravans current speed. They would also be stopping by a few towns to deliver a few goods. It would only give little Xi one or two days extra before the deadline of three months that the divine lotus sect disciples gave.

As he travelled with the servants the clan members didn't seem to notice his existence as usual. Hence he only talked with the servants and the soldiers whom he would ask questions to from time to time. His questions are mostly about the empire and the sects in general.

Although he had read books about the world, first hand information is more updated especially regarding current practices and changes in the political weather.

His questions were a pleasant past time for the soldiers and servants as they had no other things to do other than talk to each other and tell stories. It also made them like the little boy more who asked questions like an adult. At times he would encounter herbs and plants that are unfamiliar to him and he would bring them to the servants and soldiers to identify. He seemed to have an insatiable curiosity about the world.

In exchange for their answers, he would often help in the chores of cooking and preparing the campsite. Aside from when they reach towns, the caravan would often camp in the open with the guards checking the perimeter. Aside from bandits the open wild is often home to wandering beasts. If they were normal beasts the soldiers would easily hunt them for meat. However if they were spirit beasts then the caravan would only have the option to escape, as spirit beasts are highly dangerous.

But ever since the empires power was solidified a few centuries ago with the help of the sects, spirit beasts seemed to have retreated deep into the  wild. Although from time to time news of a spirit beast attack is spread, the sects would often send people to take care of them as they are a source of precious materials.

While travelling little Xi did not dare to continue his experiments as he could easily be spotted. Thus he focused on information gathering instead. Although the soldiers only know rumors about the sects it was more information than those books in his uncles library that he read.

They say that these sects are established by immortals who have ascended to a higher realm. And those who cultivate in the sects also have the chance to become an immortal. Whether its true or false only those within the sects truly know. And even those within the sects, only a select people would be 100% sure of the answer.

What is sure is that disciples of these sects have abilities greater than even soldiers trained by the empire. In the battle for the empire years ago the sect disciples displayed powerful techniques using flying swords and different magical weapons. Although he is unsure if this information was accurate it must have a bit of truth to it little Xi thought.

Magic practitioners according to his memory usually only use wands, orbs, scepters, and staffs as an aide in performing magic. Although there are some magical artifacts in his memory that are weapons, they aren't the norm.

Aside from this little Xi also learned of rumors that disciples of sects specialize in martial techniques. This is presumably the reason why the town lord had his grandson train in the royal martial arts.

Interesting, little Xi thought. I'll have to see for myself after I enter I guess, he mused.

It was the third day of them travelling as they were preparing for camp when his two cousins suddenly appeared among the servants area where they were preparing food.

Little Xi just came back from gathering wood when he was noticed by a girl. Her name was Moshu Yue. She was the cousin who had a better talent than Moshu Tian.

I didn't know there was another kid here. I would've come earlier to play, she giggled. She came closer and inspected little Xi who continued carrying the firewood into the cooking area.

What's your name, Yue finally asked.

Little Xi, he said dully as he continued his chores.

My name is Yue and I'm older than you. So you should call me big sis Yue.

Little Xi looked at her then proceeded to ignore her. He generally doesn't have good feelings towards the Moshu clan members aside from his uncle.

You're boring she told him, but instead of going away she continued to pester him with questions about random things. He would sometimes nod in answer but most of the time he would ignore her. She didn't seem to care as she chattered away.

Want to know a secret, she murmured before looking around to make sure that no one else can hear.

Little Xi was about to continue ignoring her but his attention immediately focused when he saw what she brought out from her sleeves. It was a small red stone that appeared ordinary to most people. But to people who can sense magic it appears as a stone emitting a reddish fog.

A flame stone little Xi thought surprised but he didn't show it. Spirit stones are one of the rarer types of naturally occurring items with magical properties. Unlike the spirit water or the burning coal it cannot be easily obtained or found in the market.

And if found it is usually priced extravagantly as they are most of the time sold to people from sects, this is the reason why he never asked his uncle to get one for him. He didn't know the clan is able to obtain them. And what's surprising is that a young girl is actually able to obtain it.

As he wanted to learn what this little girl us up to, he only looked at the stone and acted uninterested.

Seeing his reaction Yue smirked as she made a few hand signs before pointing it on the fire wood little Xi arranged for cooking which immediately blazed to life with fire.

Although it was only a minor charm little Xi acted surprised and looked at Yue who appeared proud of herself. What made him more curious is not the fire as he expected it because of the flame spirit stone, it was actually how Yue casted the charm. She first performed hand signs that absorbed the fire elements from the flamespirit stone before directing it on the wood which created the fire. There was no chant to trigger the spell, or a magical item to guide the elemental particles. It was a very different way to cast a spell than that which is in his memory.

Before he could ask her anything, a stern voice was heard behind them yelling Yue'er.

It was Moshu Tian. He apparently saw what Yue did and did not approve of it.

Yue only laughed before she ran saying, I'll come play next time.

Moshu Tian glared at the young girl before leaving ignoring everything else.

Little Xi watched the two thinking about this new development.

So the Moshu clan already have magic charms they train their members to. As he had never seen or heard about it before maybe they keep it as a very well kept secret. If other clans would learn about it they would surely be in trouble. Maybe they even have a similar item that they use to test magical talent that is why the patriarch had been so confident that two of his grand kids would pass the test, as they were the only ones who tried out even when there are other members of the clan who haven't reached the age of twenty.

Thinking about his mother who didn't seemed surprised at all that her son had magical talents. This made him conclude that all the clan members had been exposed to a type of magical item or experience it at least once.

He then tried to recall the different hand signs Yue made. They appeared to be symbols. He made a conjecture that these symbols are similar to the runes or spell diagrams in his memory that is used to facilitate magic. He felt excited about confirming all these things and looked forward to finally entering the sect.