The clouds floated over Yi Jian valley, covering the moonlight. A chilling darkness crept over the Gentle Sword Sect village.
The watchmen roamed the streets, urging everyone to seek shelter indoors. The night brought with it numerous threats, like foreign cultivators sneaking in and wild beasts on the prowl.
Nevertheless, the outer sect disciples refused to sleep, leaving the village aglow with lights.
In one of the many high-standing houses at the heart of the sect, Elder Jiang stayed in her basement, the candle flames flickering ominously. This old woman was the greater elder responsible for gathering information and assassinating enemies who posed danger to the village. Although the Gentle Sword sect was righteous, no righteous sect could survive without one of these shady departments.
The major difference between greater and lower elders was their cultivation realm. While lower elders were in the Core Formation realm, greater elders belonged to the elites of the sect in the Essence Condensation realm. Naturally, they had more responsibilities and assets as well.
"You know what you have to do, Ning Jing."
The old woman spoke with a strict tone, making it clear it was an order and not a request. A girl with beautiful hazelnut eyes and brown hair kneeled in front of her, clenching her fists with determination.
"Don't worry, master, I will get that first place for the sake of our grand plan."
Elder Jiang stared down at her with a cruel smirk. "It is best that you do... for your own good."
Ning Jing felt her whole body turn stiff. She wanted to say something reassuring, but Elder Jiang didn't let her.
"I have sacrificed too much in order to make this work. Although the probabilities of success are high, they would be even higher if you managed to achieve the position of young leader and join Jian Feng."
The girl on the ground kept silent, but her mind was working faster than ever. "Jian Feng? Isn't that the sect leader's personal disciple, who has grown up in the sect since birth? If they have spies infiltrated that deeply, then it is too terrifying!"
Her head instinctively lowered, causing the smile on Elder Jiang's lips to widen. She was not like the rest of the foolish elders in the Gentle Sword Sect, who enjoyed flaunting their righteousness and kindness. Although she had already left her past as a demonic cultivator behind, Elder Jiang knew how powerful fear was in controlling subordinates.
"I gave you five Spirit Pills and taught you the Nine Shadows martial arts, my most prized possession. If you still cannot win after having this much of an advantage, then you really are worse than garbage."
Ning Jing struggled to say something, and after a long while, she hesitatingly spoke. "How about You Rou? He has the backing of the Grand Elder, a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator."
Elder Jiang shook her head with contempt.
"What's so impressive about a Nascent Soul cultivator? He has already spent most of his saved money on Ye Hua, so he cannot afford too many Spirit Pills for You Rou. At best one or two, which is not enough to reach the sixth stage before the competition tomorrow."
She understood that the Grand Elder was not like them; he did not need to spend all of his assets for the sake of his students, and neither would he do it. After all, this was not a situation of life and death for him; it was just a small struggle for more benefits in the future.
As for the martial arts that both parties had, Elder Jiang knew they were both more or less at the same level. The fight for the top would be decided by combat technique and, most importantly, cultivation stage.
"Don't disappoint me, Ning Jing."
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
Around the same time, in a different location.
"The sect leader didn't say anything, but he implied that this competition is your chance to show your worth, You Rou. So please do your best to win." An elderly figure was sitting in a wide-back chair with his right hand on his chin and a small smile on his lips. He was the Grand Elder of the sect and the second strongest expert in the village.
"I will win." You Rou stood straight, his tone both respectful and confident.
Looking at the determined youth, the Grand elder had a gentle expression on his face. He had grown fond of this disciple of his. He was extraordinarily talented, more so than Ye Hua, and he had all the qualities of a righteous person. You Rou had a heart of iron, unmovable by the sweet demonic words of evil.
The Grand Elder could still remember the answer he received when he asked his disciple what he would do in case his entire sect turned over to the demonic side.
"You once told me walking the path of righteousness was a solemn vow we could not take back. If our sect turns to the demonic side, I swear upon my soul that I will hunt every single person down and end the corruption. I will traverse the darkest valleys, scale the highest peaks, and delve into the deepest abysses to find any deserter. I will not rest, I will not falter, until I have fulfilled this duty." He pledged.
There was no hatred or disgust in his gaze, only a sense of responsibility. It was the longest the Grand Elder had ever heard him talk.
The old man shook away these thoughts and glanced at his beloved student. "Ning Jing will be a tough match, but I am sure your combat talent is above hers, and you are both in the fifth stage of the Foundation realm."
You Rou's eyes shone, and he instantly appeared more lively.
"I am looking forward to it."
"Heh heh heh, I know you are, you crazy battle maniac. In the future, we have to train a bit on your self-control." Although the Grand Elder seemed to be reproaching him, the satisfied grin had not disappeared from his face.
"Show them all tomorrow the power of the Grand Elder's personal disciple."
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
The morning sun cast a pale, silvery light over the landscape, reflecting off the ice-crusted branches of the towering pine trees surrounding the village. Smoke curled lazily from the chimneys, and the sound of the occasional birdcall broke the otherwise silent dawn.
You Mei lay awake on her simple stone bed. Her eyes stared at the wooden beams of the ceiling, her breath visible in the chilly air. She sat up slowly, her hands trembling slightly as she pushed the blanket aside. The room was cold, but she barely noticed it; her mind was consumed with the thought of the upcoming outer sect competition.
"I must win. These twenty days were nothing short of hell. If I still cannot win, our dream will never be realized, and the disciples without talent will always be oppressed."
You Mei swung her legs over the edge of the bed, noticing the countless bruises and cuts on her skin. She paused, taking a deep breath, and then stood up, her posture rigid and tense. Her fingers flexed and unflexed at her sides as if trying to grasp an invisible thread of calm. She walked over to the small window and pushed it open, letting in the crisp winter air.
"It feels nice..." The cold breeze brushed against her face, bringing a slight flush to her cheeks. She closed her eyes for a moment, the cool air a welcome distraction from the swirling thoughts in her mind.
You Mei could hear Li An's voice even in her dreams.
Win, You Mei. Trample ruthlessly on whoever stands in our way. The moment you lose, the dream is over.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was steady, and her jaw set with determination. She had to succeed.
You Mei moved to the small table in the corner of the room where her training clothes were neatly folded. As she tied her sash, her fingers paused for a moment, gripping the fabric tightly before finishing the knot.
You Mei took one last look around the room, then straightened her shoulders and headed for the door. It was too late to go back now.
The paths to the outer sect pavilion were filled with silent disciples, a stark contrast to the assessment day. They all knew that this time it would be different; the competition determined their future achievements in the sect!
You Mei didn't live far from the destination, so she could see the pavilion looming ahead, its stone walls and high towers draped in a thin veil of frost.
Disciples converged from all directions, their footsteps crunching on the dew, creating a rhythm that echoed the beating of anxious hearts. Conversations were hushed, punctuated by the occasional burst of nervous laughter or the quiet murmur of last-minute strategies.
"Li An is not here."
You Mei remembered her saying before that she would not be attending the competition, but she was still sad about not having her present in the audience. "Is she really that confident about me winning this?"
"Well, if it isn't little You Mei."
Her path was suddenly blocked by two familiar figures—her cousins, You Bing and You Rou, the acknowledged genius of the sect.
"I didn't expect to see you here. Are you sure you're in the right place? The competition isn't for amateurs." You Bing drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.
You Mei's face remained impassive, but her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She met her cousin's gaze with a cold, unwavering stare, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Li An always taught her that controlling her emotions was the most basic quality of a good warrior.
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"We will let our fists do the talking later." You Mei sneered and continued walking.
You Bing's gaze turned from scorn to fury at being looked down on by an outcast.
"You..."
"Stop, You Bing." You Rou spoke with a calm voice. He didn't like this cousin of his, who only knew how to humiliate people. He also thought well of You Mei, who was calm and composed in front of provocations.
"But You Rou, she-"
"I thought I told you to stop."
"But-" You Bing glanced at his cousin only to find the latter staring at him with a calm, penetrating gaze. His smirk faltered, lips pressing into a thin line. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his shoulders tightening as if to ward off an invisible chill.
You Rou's head tilted slightly, just enough to catch the light and cast shadows over the left side of his face. There was no anger in his eyes, no obvious threat, but the very absence of expression was more terrifying than any display of rage.
You Bing swallowed hard, his throat bobbing visibly. He understood that he had made his cousin mad, so it was best to remain silent. "Don't worry, You Mei. I will make sure to step on your face during the competition. After all, everyone needs a chance to fail spectacularly at least once in their life."
You Rou's lips parted slightly, as if he were about to speak, but he remained silent. The corners of his mouth barely twitched. "That girl had quite the bold mouth. Let's hope she can back it up. This bloodsucker needs a harsh lesson."
He didn't even remember who she was since he did not care about family matters. The only person he respected in the sect was the Grand Elder, who taught him everything he knew.
"But it is strange. For some reason, I felt a sense of danger from her."
...
"Well, whatever."
He shook away these useless thoughts and moved towards the pavilion.
Meanwhile, You Mei was observing her competitors, and the other disciples were also watching. Countless gazes intersected with curiosity and alertness.
She stepped into the outer sect pavilion, her ears immediately assaulted by the roar of hundreds of spectators. The air buzzed with excitement as the anticipation of the battles to come electrified the atmosphere.
You Mei scanned the sea of faces in the audience. Some of the cultivators leaned forward, craning their necks for a better view, while others exchanged hushed conversations, their heads close together.
As You Mei and the other disciples ascended the steps to the stage, the crowd's noise seemed to amplify. "This is a bit stressful, but nothing compared to sparing with Li An in the northern forest." She thought casually.
The elders and the sect leader were also there, and they were not a small number. Sixty three lower elders, twenty one greater elders, and the two Nascent Soul experts of the sect! Only the ones shown here were already enough to annihilate one of the stronger sects around them.
However, You Mei had grown more perceptive under Li An's training. "The elders are divided into three factions. The sect leader faction is the strongest, and they support Jian Feng for the position of young leader. As for Grand Elder's and Elder Wen's factions, they are more or less matched since they both also have a contender for young leader."
It was important to learn this because You Mei knew she would not be able to survive alone in the inner sect. However, there were only two options on her mind. "Grand Elder... I will never forgive you, bastard." It took all of her self-control to not glare at the old man.
Suddenly, the sect leader stood up. His robes flowed around him like the wings of a great bird, and his bright eyes swept over the assembled disciples. He raised a hand, and the noise gradually subsided.
"Disciples and elders of the Gentle Sword Sect!" The sect leader's voice boomed, resonating through the pavilion. "Today, we gather to witness the strength and skill of our outer sect disciples. Show us your dedication, your resolve, and your unwavering spirit."
His gaze fell on the competitors assembled on the stage, his eyes lingering on each one as if weighing their potential. You Mei had to admit he was a very charismatic speaker; she could feel her blood boiling to fight and win.
"Remember, this is your opportunity to prove yourselves. Show us the fruits of your training, and let your actions speak of your commitment to the path of cultivation."
After him, another elder stepped forward, his face riddled with battle scars. He was the strongest cultivator below Nascent Soul, the battle elder.
"Strength," he began, his voice deep and resonant, "is the foundation of everything. Without strength, all your knowledge, all your skills, mean nothing. In this arena, you will face opponents who are determined to best you, to prove their superiority. Do not falter."
He scanned the faces of the competitors, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Show us your might. Prove that you have the will to overcome any obstacle. Only through strength can you carve your path in this world. Remember, every strike, every move, reflects your inner strength. Make them count."
Everyone could feel that these words came from his heart. The battle elder truly believed in what he was saying, and that was worthy of admiration.
The sect leader raised his hand once more.
"Let the battles commence!"
As the first pair of competitors were called forward, the audience erupted again into a frenzy of cheers and applause.
You Mei stood at the edge of the stage, her eyes fixed on the two disciples squaring off in the center. The first battle was between a Grade 4 talent and a Grade 3 talent, both of whom were visibly tense.
The Grade 4 disciple was a tall boy with a lanky frame. He took his stance, but his movements were awkward and stiff. You Mei didn't doubt that she could finish him in one move. Opposite him, the Grade 3 disciple, a stocky girl with a grin on her lips, was mirroring his stance with slightly more skill. "She is going to win."
The battle elder signaled the start of the fight with a sharp clap.
The two combatants circled each other warily at first, not having too much experience in fighting. When the audience was starting to become bored, the tall boy lunged forward with a telegraphed punch.
The girl easily sidestepped, her counterpunch landing with a dull thud against his ribs. There was a significant difference in strength and speed between them.
The boy staggered back and his face contorted as he tried to regain his balance. He tried to launch another attack, a series of poorly coordinated kicks, but the girl blocked them with relative ease. Each of her blocks was solid, but her movements were far from graceful, and her footwork was clumsy.
You Mei was a bit confused. "Why are they full of gaps? Is this girl really a Grade 3 talent?" She could only continue watching and waiting for her turn.
The girl pressed her advantage, stepping in close and delivering a flurry of punches that, though not particularly fast or powerful, managed to push the boy back towards the edge of the stage. He tried to retaliate with a wide, sweeping kick, but she ducked under it, her own leg sweeping out to catch his ankle. He toppled over, landing hard on the stone floor.
"This battle is over..." You Mei's eyes narrowed slightly. She knew she could do better.
After they left the arena, the battle elder called the next names, his voice booming over the crowd. "You Mei and Xu Ling, to the stage!"
You Mei stepped forward. Xu Ling was one of the contenders for the top 10 in the competition, the son of a greater elder. "This is going to be tough." As she approached the center of the stage, she caught sight of You Bing out of the corner of her eye. He was leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed and a sneer on his lips.
"Facing Xu Ling, are we? Looks like your luck has finally run out. Better make this quick so you can scurry back to your training room."
You Mei ignored him. Words were just that... words. They could not move her. Her eyes flicked over to Xu Ling, who stood across from her with his chin raised high. He didn't say anything, but You Mei knew he didn't think much of her.
Clap!
The battle had begun.
Xu Ling moved first, launching a quick jab aimed at You Mei's head. She reacted instinctively, raising her arms to block the blow. The force of the strike made her arms tremble slightly, but she maintained her stance, shifting her weight to stay balanced. "Uh?"
Xu Ling pressed forward, his attacks coming in a flurry, but You Mei just stayed on the defensive.
"Hey, you."
Xu Ling looked up and found a grin on the face of his opponent.
"Why are you so weak?"
That was a genuine question on You Mei's part. Sure, he was strong and fast, yet... there was no finesse to his martial arts. He could not give her even half the pressure of the 'spars' against Li An. The truth was that Xu Ling, this renowned Grade 3 genius in the sect, was pitifully weak.
Xu Ling flew into a rage out of humiliation and aimed a powerful roundhouse kick at her midsection. You Mei stepped back, her feet gliding over the stone surface. The kick sailed past her, missing by a hair. She noted the overextension in Xu Ling's stance, a clear opening that he left exposed.
"Well, there is no need to test the waters anymore." You Mei planted her feet firmly, her muscles tensing as she drew on her spiritual energy.
Her arms vibrated slightly, and her muscles rippled with the infused spiritual energy. Xu Ling swung at her with a wild punch, but she intercepted it, her hand slamming into his forearm with a bone-jarring impact. The vibration traveled through her arm and into his, causing him to wince and recoil.
"AARRGGHHH!" Xu Ling yelled in pain and anger at his broken arm.
You Mei was not playing around anymore. Her hand shot out in a claw-like strike, hitting him squarely in the chest. The impact made a dull thud, and Xu Ling staggered back, his eyes wide with shock.
Xu Ling's defenses crumbled under the onslaught. He tried to retaliate with a desperate punch, but You Mei caught his wrist, twisting it and driving her knee into his side.
The boy gasped, his body doubling over from the force of the knee strike. You Mei didn't relent. She pivoted on her heel, her other hand slamming into his back with a resounding smack. Xu Ling crumpled to the ground, struggling to breathe.
The battle was over, and from the moment You Mei had first attacked, not even twenty seconds had passed.
The crowd erupted in a mixture of gasps and cheers, their voices a distant roar in You Mei's ears. The shock of the other disciples, the surprise of the elders, the delight of the crowd... none of it was important to her.
There was only one thought in her mind.
"How strong are you, Li An?"
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
Meanwhile, Li An sat cross-legged on a woven mat. The air around her was still, and the only sound in the village was the servants running around to perform their tasks. The faint light of the morning sun filtered through the narrow window, casting gentle shadows on the stone floor.
"She should have realized it by now." Li An muttered with an eerie glow in her eyes.
You Mei was never untalented for martial arts, or she would not have been chosen as Li An's chess piece. However, the naive girl would have never achieved anything with that talent without her help.
Pain, hatred and a goal.
Pain was easy. A good beating would teach her how to overcome the feeling of pain.
Hatred was even easier since Li An only had to feed the fire that already existed.
Therefore, a goal was left. You Mei already had a goal when she met her the day after reincarnating. It would be hard to control a talented person with a firm goal.
Therefore, Li An made sure to humiliate her in a spar, showing her how weak she was. You Mei's conclusion was as expected: she was untalented and it would be impossible to reach her goal.
"If she has no goal anymore, I just have to give her one of my own." The art of manipulating hearts was already ingrained in Li An's soul. Fooling a 15-year-old girl was easier than breathing.
However, now that You Mei realized how strong she is, she will not think that she has always had talent, no. "She will believe that I was talented enough to make a no one like her into a martial arts genius."
In other words, Li An had her running around in the palm of her hands.
She straightened her back and lightly rested her hands on her knees. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slow and steady. "It is time."
Li An drew in the spiritual energy around her, guiding it through her meridians with ease. The energy flowed like a gentle stream throughout her body. She directed it calmly towards her primary meridian.
Minutes stretched into hours, but her body remained perfectly still. With each cycle of energy, she could feel the subtle shifts within her body. The spiritual energy grew denser, more refined, as it moved through her meridians. Her body began to emit a faint, almost imperceptible glow.
As she approached the critical point of her cultivation, Li An's breathing deepened. The energy within her reached a peak, swirling and coalescing in her primary meridian. She forced it inside, channeling it into a single, concentrated flow.
A soft hum filled the room. The spiritual energy within Li An surged, only to settle back down seconds later.
Li An opened her eyes.
She had successfully advanced to Foundation realm second stage!
A small achievement, insignificant in the eyes of other cultivators.
She stood up and smiled, a bit moved. Let the others gain all the reputation and wealth, Li An wanted none of it.
She would encourage them to bask in their own success, feed their vanity and ambition until they are drunk on their own achievements. She would let You Mei have everything, be it fame, honor or status.
As they revel in their triumphs, their senses dull. They become like rats, scurrying around in search of more crumbs of power and praise, oblivious to the predator's eye upon them. In this grand play, You Mei was the snake she had chosen.
You Mei, my chosen snake, you must remain focused on these rats. Trample them mercilessly, ensnaring them in their greed and folly. Keep your gaze fixed on the ground, on the petty struggles and conflicts below, so that you never look up.
For it is when you look up that you might see the truth—that you are not the mighty predator you believe yourself to be, but an ant in a grander scheme.