Opening theme song: "River Flows in You" by Yiruma
The roundball-like creatures, Wuba and Wufa, escorted Kimora out of her room to the great hall, just as Master Li, the stoic lady, had ordered. Kimora remained silent as they walked through the hallway leading to the great hall.
If she remembered correctly, it had been approximately 24 hours since she found herself in this strange universe.
She still hadn't understood where she was. The sound of her heartbeat resonated in her ears, filled with anxiety. As she hugged herself and followed Wuba and Wufa,
The roundball-like creatures hovered above the air, flapping their tiny wings in silence.
Wuba glanced back at the young lady following behind them in silence. The young lady looked stunning, with her dark skin glowing after the hot bath prepared by them, Wuba-Fa.
Her silky raven hair was styled in a neat bun, and the milk-colored knee-length garment she wore accentuated her beauty. However, the expression on her face told a different story.
Wuba didn't know what to feel for her at the moment.
She exchanged looks with Wufa, who shook his head silently as if telling her not to say a word. He knows her too well and recognizes the expression on her round pink face.
"Don't say anything. Even if you want to, but not now!" he told her through their mind link. Wuba let out a deep sigh as they continued heading to the great hall.
"We have arrived. Wuba-Fa, the spirit fairy guardian, and we brought with us Kimora," Wufa informed their arrival to the square-shaped intercom on the right side of the door, which glowed with beautiful round colors.
Kimora also stops on her track. She stares at the heavy brown door made of steel. The moment the round, ball-like creatures stopped flapping.
The door looked so imposing that one might feel locked outside of the world once inside. Her mind was occupied with floods of thoughts, and her body stiffened with tension for her to pay attention and take in her new surroundings.
A bright yellow light glowed from the door and shone on them, followed by a unique voice.
"Wuba-Fa and Miss Kimora, you may now come in." The door slowly opened wide for them to walk through. Wuba-Fa flapped in with their tiny wings.
Kimora hesitated for a second before she started to walk in with the duo.
As she got inside, Kimora's eyes blinked repeatedly at the sight before her. The great hall lived up to its name, measuring the size of a basketball court.
There are six heavy stone chairs situated in the front of the hall, ardon with silver colors. The decor speaks of Western and Chinese styles mixed.
Each of the Heavy Stone chairs was given a unique design. Especially on the armrest and headrest. Dragon head, lion head, Phoenix head with wings, and lotus flower.
The great hall was divided into two by the roles of neatly set huge chairs and desks made with shiny wood. On each side of the hall, leaving a wide space in the middle. On top of the desk facing each chair is a small glass orb bearing the name of the person who owns the seat.
Kimora let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding since she stepped her feet into the hall.
Her eyes scan the hall, filled with questions.
"Standing there won't get you the answers you seek, Miss Kimora." Her eyes flick and fall in the direction of the familiar yet stoic voice.
Master Li, the ever-stoic lady, was seated among the six heavy stone chairs. Her demeanor sparkled in sync with the blue suit she wore. Her physique was a mix of Japanese and Thai features.
"Don't scare the little girl, Master Li," another voice cut in, filled with deep masculinity.
"Do I look scary to you, Seventh Master?" Master Li asked with sarcasm. The Seventh Master only let out a stifled laugh and beckoned Kimora to come forward and take her seat at the front.
Kimora gently nodded her head, moved to the right side of the hall, and took her seat where her name was written. Looking around, she realized she wasn't the only one in the large hall. There were five other individuals around her age seated in the front row like her.
In front of them, Master Li and the Seventh Master occupied two of the six stone chairs, along with four other people, including another lady, a Chinese woman, and three men. One of them looked Italian, and the rest were Chinese. Kimora bit her lower lip gently, panic kicking in, as she took note of her observations quietly.
The hall remained cold and silent, except for the piercing gazes of Master Li and the others, who stared at them like they could see through their souls. Kimora glanced around, searching for the round creatures that brought her here. Her eyelashes fluttered in surprise the moment she spotted the duo. Wuba-Fa were hovering together in the back of the hall with other round, ball-like creatures like them.
"Are they complete?" another man with a white, long mustache tracing his jawline mumbled.
"I don't believe so," the Seventh Master replied.
"Neither do I," Master Li added.
"Then what's keeping the rest?" the man with the white long mustache retorted in a cold voice.
"Patience, Second Master. I believe the kids are finding their way here," Lady Green, the second lady sitting next to the Seventh Master, asserted in a soothing voice.
"Such a lame excuse for the ones who bear 'The Taoism Bloodline',"
The Second Master said with a scoff, hitting his right fist on the armrest of his chair.
Kimora's ears perked up at the words of the Second Master. What did he mean by that statement? she thought to herself.
A new voice cut in with a sarcastic remark. "Tsk... this room reeks of deception as usual." The sound of their boots resonated in the silent hall.
"Manners, Young Master Dylan," Lady Green scolded him.
Young Master Dylan made a slight bow with his head a bit lower. "Accept my unsaid apology, Master," he said with a teasing smile tugging his lip.
A glint flashed through Lady Green's eyes, understanding how the mind of her disciple worked.
"And by what do you mean by that statement?" she implored, her eyes sizing her disciple up for any clue.
Young Master Dylan didn't reply; instead, he glanced at the young people seated in the front below the stage facing the Head Masters.
His eyes suddenly caught the sight of Kimora, who was stealing a glance at him and looking away quickly.
He let out a loud scuff and glanced back at the Head Masters who were staring at him as well.
"I still detect madness in all of this! A Black Race too? For real?" He questioned with eyes filled with disgust.
The Second Master hit his fist on the armrest for the second time in anger.
"I dare you to make a discomposing remark again and face confinement. I will not bat an eye, given your status!" He reprimanded.
The young master gritted his teeth, lines stretching out from his forehead. His hands were folded tightly beside him.
"I should have just stayed with my gifted brother who saw madness in all this from the onset!" He spoke words like dirt that should be washed off.
"Dylan!"
Lady Green was forced to screen his name, her voice rising. "Accept my unsaid apology, Master." He made a turn to leave the great hall after saying that.
"He didn't just..." The Second Master pointed his finger at the young master's leaving silhouette. His expression is infuriating in anger.
Master Li took a sideways look at Lady Green. "What have you been teaching your students?"
"Master Li!"
Lady Green couldn't help but rebuke.
"What? The oldest Master's student is not worse than this!" Master Li retorted with raised eyebrows. Lady Green grabbed the armrest tightly, her temper breaking.
"Enough of the bickering in front of the kids,"
The Seventh Master reminded them. Kimora, who had been silent with the rest of the young individuals, contemplated the episode that played out in front of them. At that moment, Kimora realized that apart from being the only Black person seated in the hall, the young individuals were from mixed races as well.
One of the Head Masters who had not spoken since the beginning got up from his stone chair and cleared his throat loudly.
His red garment brushed against the floor. "You young folks must be tired and filled with complexity since your arrival. We apologize for the event before.
The answers and questions you seek will be given to you by tomorrow afternoon, at the hour of Wei.
Your spirit fairy guardians will lead you back to your quarters, as the reasons for today's meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon as well." He concluded and took his leave.
The other Head Masters got up and left the great hall one after the other.