As the inky blackness of night surrendered to the golden rays of dawn, Tianmu Village came alive with a warm, radiant glow. The sleepy stillness was shattered by the familiar sounds of villagers emerging from their humble dwellings, exchanging cheerful greetings that danced on the crisp morning air.

"Good morning, Old Wang!" called out a middle-aged woman, balancing a basket of freshly picked vegetables on her hip. "How's that leg of yours today?"

The elderly man she addressed chuckled, leaning on his walking stick. "Ah, Zhang Mei, it creaks like an old tree, but it'll do. Your herbs have worked wonders!"

Yet, beneath the faint smiles etched upon their weathered faces lingered a shared sorrow, a silent acknowledgment of the losses they had endured.

A young boy tugged at his mother's sleeve, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ma, when is Pa coming back?"

The woman's eyes misted over as she gently stroked her son's hair. "Soon, little one. Soon."

Ji Wuye stepped out from the guest residence, his senses instantly enveloped by the lively tableau unfolding before him. Though the villagers lacked the luxury of private courtyards, and the roads were mere dirt paths devoid of the polished elegance found in Tianji or Kunlun Qiuxiu, the settlement exuded an aura of humble charm, thanks to the neatly aligned houses that stood as sentinels of order amid the rustic surroundings.

The crisp, invigorating air filled his lungs as Ji Wuye's gaze swept across the scene, watching in quiet admiration as the villagers displayed their mastery over the skills they got from the Tower.

Xu Li, the village chief's daughter, manipulated the elements with graceful poise, her slender fingers dancing through the air as crystalline streams of water materialized from thin air. The remnants of the previous day's battle were swept away by her effortless control, the faint blue aura of Qi enveloping her fingertips like ethereal flames.

"Xu Li, your control is improving!" called out a young man, clearly impressed.

Xu Li's lips curved into a smile at the compliment, but her concentration never wavered. "Thank you, Chen Wei. But there's still much to learn."

Her simple yet elegant hanfu, crafted from plain blue cotton, swayed gently with each fluid motion, while her raven tresses, usually bound in an intricate braided bun, now cascaded freely down her back, swaying in rhythm with her focused movements.

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Her eyes were alight with unwavering concentration.

"Wow! That's so cool, Big Sister!"

"Big Sister, how can I become like you?"

"Big Sister, what martial art is that? Can I do moves like that if I learn from you?"

Encircling her in a wide-eyed ring were the village children, their faces aglow with unabashed wonder and delight, unleashing peals of gleeful laughter that danced upon the breeze.

The remaining villagers, though preoccupied with their daily tasks, still found moments to nod and offer warm smiles of acknowledgment to Ji Wuye, their voices ringing out in a chorus of respectful greetings.

"Good morning, Master."

"Good morning," Ji Wuye replied, his own faint smile a fleeting shadow upon his features as the children's giggles washed over him. This idyllic scene, a tapestry of tranquility and joy, stirred memories of a bygone era, a time untainted before... 'The Tower's arrival.'

Though he could not lay the blame entirely on the Tower - for without its gift, its power, his own mindset and strength may have remained stagnant, trapped like his title, "flower boy" of Kunlun.

As he pondered, his feet carried him towards the nearby lake that kissed the village's outskirts. The mirror-like surface shimmered with crystalline perfection, a serene invitation to reflect and find solace in its timeless embrace.

Ji Wuye's gaze lingered on the tranquil waters, and a wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips as a familiar thought surfaced. 'How long has it truly been?' His mind traced back to the last time he had allowed himself the simple indulgence of bathing, cleansing away the grime and fatigue of travel.

From the moment he took this request, leaving Kunlun, their pace had been relentless, driven not by urgency but by the looming specter of an upcoming event.

Four days had already slipped by, a fleeting breath in the grand tapestry of time, yet their significance was undeniable – for in merely four days more, the Martial Alliance gathering would commence.

But...

'They tried to prevent me from participating,' Ji Wuye thought, a derisive sneer threatening to break free.

Then, his gaze fell upon the crisp, pristine white martial robe cradled in his hands, a stark contrast to the tattered, stained garment that adorned his form.

Gently, he laid the new robe atop a nearby rock, preparing to take off his clothes and embrace the rejuvenating caress of the lake's waters.

Yet, as he began to unveil his torso, a faint cry reached his ears, and Ji Wuye's head turned to find the village women openly staring, their gazes fixated upon his half-bared form.

A collective gasp rippled through the small gathering of women, followed by a flurry of whispers and giggles.

"Heavens above," one young woman murmured, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "I've never seen such... perfection."

"Look at those shoulders," another whispered breathlessly. "Like a statue carved by the gods themselves."

"Do you think he trains every day to look like that?" a shy voice piped up from the back.

"Shh! He'll hear us!" hissed another, though she made no move to look away.

A faint smile graced his lips as he cupped his hands, his voice carrying a gentle entreaty, "Please, young ladies, grant me some privacy."

His words sent another wave of flustered reactions through the group. Some women quickly averted their eyes, muttering apologies, while others lingered a moment longer, stealing final glances.

"Of course, Master Ji," one of the bolder women replied, her voice tinged with both embarrassment and disappointment. "We... we were just leaving."

Caught in the thrall of their unabashed admiration, the women blushed furiously, averting their eyes and retreating into the shadows with flustered steps.

But then...

"Brother Ji, your behavior is clearly inappropriate for one hailing from the noble ranks of Kunlun." The icy reprimand sliced through the air, and Ji Wuye turned to find Song Jia's curious gaze joined by Li Rong's indifferent stare.

Their damp tresses and freshly donned martial robes betrayed their recent indulgence in the lake's rejuvenating waters.

Even Song Jia's previously patched white robe had been replaced by a pristine new garment. The fragrant mingling of jasmine and rose wafted from their forms as they carried wooden baskets.

Yet, despite their outward appearance of composure, something lingered in their eyes. Ji Wuye raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then why do you keep staring at my body?"