The crisp morning air carried the scent of dew-kissed grass as a gentle breeze tousled Ji Wuye's hair. He sat cross-legged atop a broad, moss-covered rock, eyes closed in meditation.

The rising sun's warm rays danced across his face, drying the beads of morning mist that clung to his skin. A look of perfect serenity graced his features as his thoughts stilled and his breathing slowed to a hypnotic rhythm.

Ji Wuye could feel the familiar tingle of Qi flowing into his body, energizing his meridians. But this time, the restorative energy wasn't just pooling in his Lower and Middle Dantians - he could sense it spreading into his Upper Dantian as well.

The corners of his mouth curved ever so slightly into a satisfied smile for a brief moment. To finally have his Upper Dantian fully formed and aligning his inner energies was a milestone he hadn't achieved in the previous timeline.

'Things truly are progressing smoothly,' he mused, mentally reviewing their journey's fruitful results so far. Song Jia had mastered the Rising Gale technique, he had leveled up his skills rank, and he had unexpectedly acquired not just a Dungeon Core but a precious Dungeon Heart as well.

Once again, his expression remained calm and focused, betraying none of the thoughts flickering through his mind like pages of a book.

'Next is the gathering in four days, then the impending attack on Kunlun...and finally the Yearly Competition.' He sorted through each milestone, eyes still closed as he strategized their next moves. The gathering would allow enough time to finalize his plans upon arrival. As for the Kunlun attack, 'Let's just observe for a moment before deciding,' he thought.

A slight furrow creased his brow as his thoughts turned to the Yearly Competition. Several scenarios and potential power plays began calculating...

...

Ji Wuye's eyes opened slowly, brilliant crimson irises refracting the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. His gaze landed on the serene lake beside them, its glassy surface mirroring the few wispy clouds overhead.

But...

He noticed Song Jia stood at the water's edge, awaiting him patiently.

She made for a striking vision in her crisp white martial robe with aqua vine patterns embroidered along the hems while the fitted silhouette hugged her lithe form. Her warm maple tresses were arranged in soft curling waves that bounced ever so slightly as she faced him.

"The coachman has recovered. Shall we depart?" she inquired, gesturing towards the carriage.

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Ji Wuye's gaze followed to where the coachman sat atop the driver's bench, reins in hand as the horse pawed at the ground restlessly.

A small group of villagers had also gathered, likely coming to bid them farewell.

Only then did Ji Wuye lift his chin towards Song Jia, holding her bright brown eyes with an appraising look. She had proven obedient, just like her promise.

"Well done," he said simply, the faintest of approving smiles playing across his lips. Song Jia's face brightened with pride, a melodic giggle escaping her as she dipped into a grateful bow.

"Of course I have," Song Jia replied, her expression brightening like the morning sunburst. Her almond-shaped eyes crinkled into delighted crescents, the warm rays bathing her radiant smile and causing her rose-tinted lips to glisten.

She slowly recomposed herself, though the brilliant grin refused to wane as she gazed up at Ji Wuye. "This is all thanks to your excellent guidance, Brother Ji!"

An aura of pure, unfiltered joy seemed to emanate from her in that moment. Her innocent, heart-shaped face was the very picture of youthful beauty as the dappled light played across her features, lending an almost ethereal glow.

It was enough to give even the unflappable Ji Wuye pause, his brow arching ever so slightly before his customary composure reasserted itself.

"The credit is yours alone, Sister Song. I merely pointed the way," he replied evenly, the faintest of smiles tugging at the corners of his mouth. With a fluid motion, he rose to his feet and turned to greet the gathering villagers, offering nods of acknowledgment as they showered him with thanks.

...

Their journey from the now-cleared Dungeon proved remarkably smooth, just as Ji Wuye had predicted. The only unexpected development was the uncharacteristic silence that had settled over the carriage's interior.

Song Jia, still basking in the euphoria of mastering the Rising Gale technique, hummed a sweet, tuneless melody under her breath as the scenery rolled by outside.

Beside her sat the ever-stoic Li Rong, seemingly impervious to Song Jia's aura of blissful contentment. Li Rong's piercing gaze remained fixed on Ji Wuye, as if she could somehow unravel the secrets behind his every movement through sheer force of scrutiny alone.

Ji Wuye himself appeared utterly at ease, face angled towards the window as his eyes traced the ever-changing pastoral landscapes whipping past in a kaleidoscope of verdant blurs.

The silence stretched on until Li Rong could bear it no more. "How did you do it, Junior Brother?" she asked at last, her tone clipped and probing as her eyes continued their relentless study of his features.

Of course, what she meant was the speed and power he had displayed. How did he manage to slip past her senses and break her jian?

Ji Wuye offered no immediate response, his focus seemingly turned outward as the carriage emerged from the forest and out onto the main road, where vast grasslands shimmered and swayed in the breeze as far as the eye could see.

"Luck," he said at last, the single word cutting through the stillness like a blade. Li Rong's brow furrowed as Ji Wuye continued speaking without even turning to face her. "Of course, just sheer luck."

His tone remained light and offhanded, but there was an inscrutable undercurrent beneath the words that caused Li Rong's eyes to narrow incrementally before drifting shut in resignation.

...

The rhythmic clip-clop of horseshoes and rumble of carriage wheels provided the soundtrack as their journey continued through the rolling plains. Waving fields of emerald grass danced all around them, the blades bowing and swaying as if performing for the traveling young martial artists.

Before long, the quaint collection of bamboo rooftops and paved paths that made up Baiyun village emerged on the horizon. "We have arrived, Heroes," the coachman called out, rapping his knuckles against the wooden partition separating him from the passengers.

Li Rong's eyes fluttered open at the sound, her studious gaze immediately seeking out Ji Wuye.

He was already rising from his seat, back straight and expression inscrutable as always. "Are you coming along, Senior Sister? Sister Song?" His question hung unanswered for a beat before his eyes landed on Song Jia's slumbering form.

The girl's head lolled gently against Li Rong's shoulder, her chest rising and falling with the slow, even breaths of deep sleep. A few stray tendrils of maple hair had slipped free to curl across her porcelain cheek.

"Is it okay to leave her alone?" Ji Wuye asked as he noticed how Li Rong seemed unbothered as she deftly shifted Song Jia's head to rest against the carriage wall before rising in a single fluid motion.

"This is Kunlun territory," she replied easily, brushing invisible dust from her robes. "No one dares to act like a barbarian, especially in a village under our sect's management."

Her tone held no arrogance, merely stating a matter of fact.

As a response, Ji Wuye only shrugged his shoulders and raised and opened his palm. Taking the lead, he swept down the carriage steps.

But then...

The moment his white shoes met the paved path, a small cluster of disciples materialized, encircling Ji Wuye and Li Rong.