Under the radiant glow of the silver moon, Ji Wuye's silhouette stood atop a towering tree in the dark forest.
His black hanfu robe billowed in the powerful gusts carried from the intense battle raging nearby, the silk-like fabric rustling like the hiss of a viper.
The veil draped across the lower half of his face fluttered wildly, occasionally parting just enough to reveal the faint outline of a mysterious smirk.
His crimson eyes, glimmering with a faint ethereal light beneath the curved bamboo hat, reflected the kaleidoscope of colors that dominated the chaotic scene before him. Streaks of elemental power - searing flames, crackling lightning, slashing wind blades - illuminated the forest in psychedelic flashes and bursts.
The deafening roar of the nearby waterfall was punctuated by explosive splashes that intermittently transformed the cascading liquid into a torrent of razor-sharp spears, indiscriminately drenching both friend and foe in its wake.
At other moments, the waters swelled into a raging tidal wave that mercilessly flooded the flowing creek below, sweeping everything in its path into the maelstrom. Even the very air itself seemed to bend to the combatants' will, whipped into miniature cyclones that scattered leaves and bamboo debris like shrapnel.
Yet amidst this storm of devastation, the most astonishing sight was the seven Kunlun Inner Disciples, their martial stances firm and unwavering as they deflected and retaliated against the onslaught.
In stark contrast, the five opposing martial artists of the unorthodox faction seemed entirely overwhelmed - bloodied, their once elegant robes torn to shreds, eyes vacant and hollow. Four of them lay crumpled and motionless atop the earth-soaked ground in eerie stillness.
Only one remained feebly upright, arms trembling as he white-knuckle gripped the hilts of his now shattered twin jians in a desperate, futile last stand.
The blades' reddish qi flickered and sputtered like fading flames as the scarred martial art's labored wheezing and ragged coughs filled the brief lulls between clashing attacks.
'Excellent...' Ji Wuye's thought inwardly like a satisfied purr, the faintest of smirks visible beneath his veil as he observed the spectacle unfolding from his lofty vantage point.
He was simultaneously impressed by the sheer devastating power displayed - a true battle between apex martial artists of the 5th and 6th realms - and stunned by the vast array of skills clearly acquired from the Tower of God
But his greatest satisfaction stemmed not merely from bearing witness to such a rare and formidable confrontation.
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No, Ji Wuye's eyes were locked onto the translucent screen hovering before him, seemingly comprised of the very same ethereal light that smoldered behind his crimson irises.
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/YPpGPLk/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/YPpGPLk/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/YPpGPLk/Notif-1.webp]
He never would have imagined that simply observing an intense battle between high-level martial artists could so drastically accelerate the progress of the Heavenly Dragon Fusion Gongfa.
A faint tsk escaped from behind his veil as he shook his head in self-rebuke. 'I've been careless and short-sighted,' he admonished himself.
Upon deeper reflection, he realized why this obvious opportunity had never previously occurred to him - there were already countless threads to juggle simultaneously.
From advancing the Unbreakable Vajra, to the never-ending task of carefully monitoring and course-correcting the original storyline's trajectory, and even safeguarding the lives of his Senior Sisters, Ji Wuye's focus was constantly divided.
Additionally, in the previous timeline before, the original onwer or the one who bragged aboyt Quick Adaptation skill had never disclosed that its powers extended beyond mere technique replication to actually influence one's core martial realm itself.
Its fame rested solely on its peerless ability to copy the martial arts of others.
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/MCGy1Ty/Notif-2.webp]
As Ji Wuye's crimson gaze drifted back to the ethereal screen still hovering before him, taking in the remarkable 19% increase to his understanding of the Sword Aura stage, the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly in a fleeting smile of satisfaction.
Unconsciously, his fingers began kneading his temples as he patiently awaited the climactic battle's conclusion.
A brief moment later, he exhaled a quiet sigh, sensing the imminent upheaval. 'Never mind, there's still another attack incoming,' he thought with a resigned grimace.
Swiftly dismissing the Heavenly Dragon Fusion Gongfa's information panel, his focus shifted to the streams of messages flooding his awareness:
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
...
Flicking those notifications away with a perfunctory mental command, Ji Wuye's eyes narrowed as a new series of transparent screens seized his full attention:
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/xqY9p82/Notif-3.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/cNFkQfZ/Notif-4.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/J55wTYG/Notif-5.webp]
Ohh,’ Ji Wuye's crimson eyes scanned the series of transparent screens with undisguised excitement, until a familiar name immediately caught his focus - Kunlun.
But the next instant, that sharp, agonizing sensation, akin to having his very brain sliced into a thousand anguished slivers, viciously assailed him as the new martial knowledge flooded his consciousness.
The base of the towering tree shuddered and trembled beneath his feet, the leaves around him quivering as if in sympathetic spasms. Fortunately, the Kunlun disciples had already taken their leave along with the battered remnants of the unorthodox faction, oblivious to Ji Wuye's presence high above.
...
Several agonizing moments passed before he managed to fully assimilate the profound insights, finally allowing his eyes to unclench as he let out a shuddering exhale. A deep frown creased his brow beneath the black veil as lingering tendrils of searing pain lanced through his mind.
Sliding down from his lofty perch with effortless, fluid grace, Ji Wuye's crimson gaze briefly surveyed the battle-scorched scene around him before setting off at a measured pace, leaving the dark bamboo forest behind.
Once back to the Kunlun Qiuxiu Village, he made his way to the rear of a nondescript two-story residential row, rapping his knuckles against one of the plain wooden back doors. Not waiting for a response, he casually pushed it open, stooping slightly to clear the frame.
"M-Master?" The lanky young shopkeeper's assistant jumped in surprise at the imposing figure's unannounced entrance.
His voice caught in his throat as Ji Wuye's bamboo hat fell away, exposing his striking features - long lustrous white hair cascading past his shoulders.