A Flower Of Youth

Chapter 2

Note: I've decided to change Sizhui's age to seven (editing from prev. chapter)

The next few days at class, Lan Yuan and his new friend progressed quickly through the extra lessons after Lan Yuan helped Lan Hao unlock his qi through the technique that Hanguang-Jun had taught him. Lan Yuan was even able to surpass the classmate that he had once fallen behind. Although he was always a few steps ahead of Lan Hao, his friend soon caught up as well. Despite the three thousand Disciplines keeping them under control, the two young disciples still found a way to laugh and have fun. Hanguang-jun was willing to watch quietly while the two played with bunnies. However, Master Lan was a lot stricter when discovering the two, scolding them harshly and sending them to the Library Pavilion to copy down the sect Disciplines. When A-Yuan reaches the age of ten, he finally moves into the boys' dorm and becomes roommates with Jingyi.

Over the months in class, A-yuan soon realized that Master Lan was often a lot harsher on him than the other children, often scolding him for little things such as putting his elbow on the table or forgetting to bring extra brushes. When he asks Hanguang-jun about it, he simply tells the young boy to endure it as it will make his will to prove himself stronger. Lan Yuan listens and studies hard. He tries his best to impress Master Lan by getting as many full marks as possible on exams. He tries his best to shut out the jeers and insults from the other disciples that they whisper behind his back. Often Lan Hao would want to yell back at them, but Lan Yuan calms him down, warning him about the punishment Hanguang-Jun and Master Lan would inflict on him. Although Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun praise him silently for his hard work, he had yet to get the impression for Lan Qiren

"You got a full score again, Lan Yuan! Great job! I got the question on imps, demons, ghosts, monsters wrong again," Lan Hao sighs. "I always get imps and monsters mixed up!"

"You'll get it next time, don't worry. We all make mistakes!"

"You don't," Lan Hao grumbles. Lan Yuan laughs.

"I didn't do so well on these tests two months ago, remember?"

"But that was then!" Lan Hao protests. "I studied so hard this time!"

"Don't worry about it," Lan Yuan says again. "Nobody is perfect in everything. That's what makes us human. Hanguang-Jun taught us that, remember?"

"Hanguang-Jun seems very perfect to me."
"Oh stop it!" Lan Yuan swats at his friend lightly.

"It's true though!"

"Hey you two! Making noise is forbidden. Get to your next classes!" One of the senior disciples calls over to them sternly. The two of them quickly scatter.

~

"Lan Hao, where are you going?" Lan Yuan follows his friend with curiosity as they creep away from the caretaker center as usual.

"Shh, follow me! I know we usually play with bunnies, but I've found something cooler!" Lan Yuan blinks. What could possibly be funner to play with than adorable soft bunnies?

"We're going to try and sneak into the guest disciples' quarters. I want to see what people from other sects look like!" Lan Yuan cocks his head.

"Are they going to be different from us?"

"I bet we look cooler!" Lan Hao laughs. "Lan Sect is definitely the best sect and Hanguang-Jun is the best cultivator."

Lan Yuan laughs back at him.

"Of course you'd say that! Why are we sneaking there in broad daylight?"