Ashes Of Heaven Book 1 : Solar Calamity

Han Xuhan fell into a daze. If the authorities of this sect were aware of what the title of this mountain peak meant, did that signify...

"So I have been categorized as a black sheep by the sect," Xuhan muttered finally.

"Indeed! I'm happy to see that you've figured it out by yourself. Spares me the effort," a cool voice affirmed his observation from behind.

"What the-"

Leaping a few feet away, Han Xuhan saw an older girl with a flat expression standing not far from him.

Was she here to escort him to the elder's residence? What was the point of sneaking up on him? To teach him the gulf between a cultivator and a mortal to intimidate him into submission?

Going by the generic xianxia logic, all females were waifu materials for the super horny male protagonists, unless the author was a practitioner of the dark arts of BL.

There were many types and subtypes of waifus as well, starting from the tsundere senior sister to peerless yandere beauty with epic cultivation level...

Which type is this lass?

Within seconds, countless bizarre and creepy thoughts flashed through Han Xuhan's mind, his experiences with this sort of tropes speaking volumes.

Seeing him speechless, the girl assumed that he had become a bit wary of her and nodded to herself.

Seems like this new junior brother of hers was good at accepting the harshness of reality.

"After assessing the situation, I assume you have an idea of your position in the sect. Now hold that thought and come with me to meet master. The master-disciple ceremony should be completed before you start off as an official disciple here."

Saying her part, she turned around with a flick of her sleeves and walked speedily toward the shabby palace without waiting for Xuhan.

"Yeah, definitely the icy beauty type who appears at the start of every cultivation novel to ridicule the main character before either falling for him by chapter 20 or getting killed by him by the end of the volume due to a conflict of interests," Han Xuhan muttered to himself and followed her from a distance.

After all, he was probably not the protagonist.

The chances of this senior sister picking a beef with him were very low as long as he kept his mouth shut and eyes controlled.

Han Xuhan would ensure that he maintained a healthy distance from every outstanding person he met unless he was desperate. Everything and everyone special in a xianxia world spelled trouble. For a powerless shrimp like him, the world of cultivation was too terrifying a place to poke his nose around in others' business.

While sorting out the strategies he had planned to let himself survive this world, Han Xuhan entered the shabby palace following his soon-to-be senior sister whose fate he could almost predict by now.

It was actually rather homely inside, seemingly cared for by its occupants. He noticed a few servants working inside every now and then, many of whom emitted the intimidating aura of low-level cultivators, making him gulp in nervousness.

Even the servants are stronger than me!

His senior sister seemed to have been greatly satisfied by his nervous response to this sight as she smiled faintly. Feeling even more awkward than before, Han Xuhan followed her to a large room devoid of any furniture, other than a comfortable-looking rug at the center, with a man sitting on top of it peacefully.

"Master, another black sheep has joined the herd," the girl said before retreating with a snicker.

Han Xuhan's face twitched, but he stopped himself from saying anything and opted to observe his soon-to-be master instead.

He was a middle-aged man, rather handsome with his grey sideburns and shoulder-length hair with irregular black and white streaks. But the biggest problem here was that his master's name was Daheng, which meant big giant. But this guy seemed to be on the scrawny side. Was this really the elder Daheng, master of the black sheep mountain peak?

"Yes, I'm elder Daheng, no need to keep wondering about my stature any longer. I didn't name myself," the man said rather incisively all of a sudden.

Coughing loudly to alleviate the stifling atmosphere, Han Xuhan put on a gratified smile and greeted the elder.

"No need to bother with the pleasantries. Let's get down to business. I was informed of your results in the bloodline test, so I'll skip the aptitude test and just accept you as a disciple of the outer court. Now let's commence the master-disciple ceremony. We shall keep it simple. Pour me the tea first. I'm thirsty. "

Elder Daheng waved his hand and a kettle and two teacups appeared in front of him. Xuhan was familiar with this as well. Immediately he did as he was told and earnestly handed the full teacup to the elder.

Taking a sip from the cup, the elder raised an eyebrow at him curiously.

"Have you forgotten? You need to bow three times as well. That'd be enough. "

Han Xuhan froze. Due to his memories of his previous life on earth, he felt a strong opposition in his heart when it came to bowing his head in front of someone. He hadn't been an atheist in his previous life. Other than a creator-level figure, he was extremely unwilling to bow in front of anyone.

Fuck, none of the xianxia novels he read in his previous life had any issues with the cultural differences...but not bowing would make me seem like a typical arrogant asshat. What do I do?

Seeing his hesitant look, the elder's brows furrowed.

"Do you not want to be a disciple here?"

With a complicated expression, Han Xuhan answered his query with full honesty.

It was best to explain his issues rather than lying through his teeth. Elder Daheng knew of Xuhan's 'specialty '. Trying to wriggle out of this would only result in a cliched disaster.

"In my previous life, bowing to someone was a taboo...so I, erm..."

Elder Daheng sighed.

"Fine, you reincarnated lot are always full of weird issues like that anyway. From now on, you are a black sheep of the sec-cough...a disciple of the black sheep mountain peak. Your senior sister over there will take you to the outer courtyard where others like you reside. Take your identity token and sincerely do your job and maybe one day, you'll become someone with significant capabilities.

Come to me only if you suffer a major setback in cultivation. I do not appreciate being interrupted between my cultivation sessions. Now off you go."

Xuhan was grateful that he hadn't been forced to bow at least. This master of his didn't seem half bad; in fact, going by xianxia logic, this was already a high-tier master who didn't seem to be the type to sell out or abuse his disciples for personal gain.

A good start, definitely a good start!

Xuhan obediently followed his senior sister who didn't look very pleased with his conduct, judging by the frosty demeanor on her face.

Leaving the palace, they entered a formation of small huts in the surroundings at various parts of the mountain peak. Taking him to one of the empty huts, his senior sister handed him a heavy pouch and finally spoke.

"Everything you need to know is inside. If you have any urgent problems in the future, find me or any other seniors around here. There aren't many of us here, and we're rarely available. So try to solve your own issues by yourself first. Remember to do your daily duties or you'll be punished. Don't slack off."

Then she turned around and before Han Xuhan had even opened his mouth to thank her for the guidance, she flitted off into the distance with extraordinary speed, making him gasp in shock inaudibly.

Cultivation really seemed so amazing from a real-life point of view instead of novels or cartoons!