Inside the territory of the Qi cultivator sect, situated on the eastern coast between the Ryu empire and the Dark empire, a young man could be seen walking the streets of a village situated at the foot of a rather tall mountain. He had slightly tanned skin, brown eyes and hair, while sporting a dirty and gray hanfu robe. He was walking towards a pair of gates leading towards the mountain guarded by a pair of middle-aged cultivators, sporting black hanfus and a sword at their hip.
"HALT! ONLY SECT MEMBERS ARE PERMITTED BEYOND THIS POINT!"
"Oh? Good sir, might you enlighten this poor fool on how I might join this great sect?" The young man asked politely.
Hearing the young mans question the two guards gave each other a look before one of them spoke up.
"Young man, you are in the body refinements stage, correct?"
"Yes, indeed! To ascertain my realm at a mere glance! I'd expect nothing less of someone from the greatest sect in the world!" The young man praised.
"Uh! Well, yes! You see most applicants in your age group are usually at the qi refinement, so I fear you might be too late. When becoming a cultivator, it is important to start at an early age, so I fear you might be disappointed!" The guard said with a sorry expression.
"Please! I'll do whatever it takes! I'll work all night and day if I must! I'll sleep in the outdoors and do any chores you ask of me! Just please! Give me a chance!" The young man said as he got down on all fours and started groveling at their feet.
"Ugh! FINE! Just get up! You're embarrassing yourself! The guard said, while the onlookers started staring at them.
"Yippy!" The young man said as he jumped back up on his feet in joy.
"There will be a group assessment for new applicants in 2 days, you can register yourself right over there." The guard said as he pointed at a small building with a long line stretching out into the street.
"Kay, Thanks!" And with those words of gratitude, the young man ran towards the back of the line.
"Poor guy! Hope he doesn't feel to dejected when he gets rejected!" one of the guards said.
"It is, what it is!"