In front of the Kunlun Thousand Pavilion, two disciples guarding the entrance watched him with narrowed eyes. However, Ji Wuye caught the glimmer of the dark blue stripes adorning their robes - the mark of an Official Disciple, rare to be tasked with such a menial duty.
With a respectful cup of his hands, Ji Wuye presented the ornate token that granted him entry.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers," his voice was smooth yet carried an undercurrent of steel.
One disciple squinted, openly appraising Ji Wuye's striking features as if seeking any flaw to seize upon. "You're that famous Junior Brother Ji?" He practically spat the words, disdain wrinkling his brow.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be off impressing the Elders and your 'Senior Sisters' somewhere?" A mocking laugh punctuated the jibe.
The second disciple shot a warning glance at his partner. "Mind your tongue," he hissed under his breath. "Remember our duty."
"Our duty?" The first disciple scoffed derisively. "To bow and scrape before every arrogant-"
"-Approved!" The terse declaration from the second disciple brooked no argument, his expression one of stony indifference even as he cut off his partner's disrespectful tirade.
Ji Wuye thanked them again, the barest hint of a smile playing across his lips though his eyes remained carefully impassive in the face of such overt disdain. As he entered the pavilion, the slights continued behind his back.
"There he goes, swanning in like he owns the place," the combative disciple grumbled loud enough to carry.
"Enough." The warning in his partner's tone was palpable now. "We have a job to do."
...
Once inside, the warm smile slipped from Ji Wuye's features, replaced by a cool, composed mask. His lithe steps made no sound on the polished floors as he ascended the narrow staircase. 'Their disrespect grows more brazen by the day,' he mused.
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The top landing opened into a vast chamber, towering bookshelves standing in orderly rows. The space was hushed, devoid of other disciples for the moment. Ji Wuye's gaze was immediately drawn to the polished oak counter at the side, where the familiar Elder sat, engrossed in an ancient tome.
Cupping his hands in a deferential gesture, Ji Wuye spoke in respectful tones, "Greetings, Elder. I'm sorry for disturbing you." When the Elder made no move to acknowledge him, absorbed in the pages before him, Ji Wuye continued undeterred.
"This humble disciple hopes the Elder could grant the request for knowledge about how to manifest Sword Aura."
He retrieved an intricately carved jade token from his robes, the characters for "Inner Disciple" glimmering in the filtered sunlight spilling through the open gap above.
The Elder's eyes flickered up from the ancient tome at Ji Wuye's request, sweeping over the jade token as a knowing smile curled his lips. "4th realm, how interesting," he remarked, a glint of intrigue in his gaze.
With a casual wave of his hand, the Elder replied simply, "Granted!"
His attention was already returning to the book's well-worn pages, though beside Ji Wuye's proffered token, he left a tightly rolled parchment secured with a crimson ribbon.
Ji Wuye bowed deeply, cupping his hands in a reverent gesture of thanks before retrieving both the scroll and his token.
As he turned away, his mind whirled with the revelation. 'So, this Elder knows...he can detect my martial art realms.'
The notion that this unknown Elder could so easily peer into his martial art realm would normally invite trepidation. Yet Ji Wuye felt no panic, no displeasure - for he had never intended to conceal his prowess.
Settling onto a nearby bench, he methodically untied the crimson ribbon binding the scroll. The parchment crackled faintly as he unfurled it, weathered paper whispering against fingertips.
...
Time slipped away, the hot brilliance of midday melting into the honeyed glow of late afternoon before Ji Wuye finally emerged from the pavilion. His brow was furrowed in contemplation, chin cradled in one hand while crimson eyes studied the shimmering projection before him.
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A faint sigh escaped his lips. 'This will take a long time.' But a flicker in his periphery drew his attention to a second translucent window, one he had been unconsciously dismissing since leaving his courtyard...
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/BN6K0G4/Notif-2.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
The messages repeated in quick succession, the strange metaphysical windows flickering as his passive ability, Quick Adaptation, steadily accumulated proficiency.
'As expected, it's really the Thunder Dragon Dance,' he mused, fingers stroking his chin. Unraveling the mystery of why Lin Fang had only demonstrated the initial form, Ji Wuye's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. 'Probably because his position is too low...which means there's a high chance the other Ye clan members learned the complete martial art.'
However...
'Even after copying the move, it still didn't upgrade to the next rank,' Ji Wuye noted, shaking his head.
...
Descending the pavilion's high ground, Ji Wuye's crimson eyes alighted upon a familiar figure standing in the Central Courtyard.
At just over five chi in height with two endearing ponytails framing her face, "Senior Sister Shen Bi," Ji Wuye called out, rousing her from her daze with the clear timbre of his voice.