After his breakthrough to the middle First Realm, He Yu was disappointed to find that the sense of boundless energy he’d initially felt didn’t amount to all that much. If he were to guess, it managed to let him last half again as long during Ren Huang’s run around the mountain compared to before. When he finally collapsed, gasping for breath, Ren Huang appeared to haul him back to the training plaza. He Yu allowed himself an inward groan. He was pleased to find he recovered much more quickly than previously, so he took as much comfort in that as he could.
Elder Wen’s lecture that afternoon ended early. He had finished both his introductory lessons on the various aspects of qi and the basics of spiritual cultivation. Before releasing the disciples, he produced a small box of lacquered wood and held it before him.
“The sect rewards talent, ambition, and dedication,” he said. “Beyond that, we invest further resources in those disciples who will receive the most benefit from them. In this way, we strengthen those with the ability to best make use of that strength. This likewise strengthens the sect itself. Before releasing you for your day of rest and individual cultivation, I will announce the five of you who have distinguished themselves in this week’s competition.”
The first disciple Elder Wen called was an effeminate-looking young man by the name of Yan Shirong. He was about He Yu’s age, and almost as small. He didn’t look like a particularly impressive cultivator. According to the elder, Yan Shirong had broken through to the Foundation stage the night before. He was the only outer disciple to have advanced realms since the beginning of the week. He took the Five Phases Refinement Pill from Elder Wen with a polite salute before returning to his seat at the front.
The second name that the elder called made He Yu’s gut sink—Sha Xiang. He Yu grimaced as he faced the reality of what this meant. Whatever advantages she already possessed over him were now only compounded by the Five Phases Pill. Although he had expected to hear that she’d already advanced again, the real reason she’d been given the reward this week was the advancement she’d gained beforehand. Elder Wen declared that it wouldn’t be fair to exclude such a talented disciple who had managed to advance to Foundation on her own, before the formal instruction had even begun and without the benefit of sect resources. As she collected her pill and returned to her seat, she caught He Yu’s eye and gave him a smug grin.
Next, Elder Wen called the female disciple who had been with Sha Xiang on that first day. Her name was Qiao Xia, and she had not only gone from middle Qi Gathering to late, but she had also reached the peak. As Elder Wen handed over the Five Phases Refinement Pill, he fixed her with a direct look and said he expected a breakthrough into the Second Realm soon. Qiao Xia bowed, but her demeanor was nervous as she quickly returned to her seat.
The fourth disciple was a dangerous-looking young man called Cui Bao. He stalked up to the front, gave a too-slight bow, and took his pill without a word. Elder Wen’s eyebrows creased slightly, but he said nothing. As he did so, Li Heng leaned over and whispered into He Yu’s ear, “That’s one to watch. A tiger among wolves, if I’ve ever seen one.” Although he appreciated the warning, He Yu hadn’t needed it. He’d avoid that one as well as he could.
Finally, Elder Wen called He Yu’s name. The initial shock he’d felt at winning the competition—even if he’d come in last—was quickly outweighed by guilt. He and Li Heng were both supposed to have gotten a pill. He Yu tried not to let that show on his face as he accepted the Five Phases Refinement Pill from Elder Wen and bowed more than was strictly necessary.
“Outer Disciple He joined the sect with the lowest cultivation of you all,” said Elder Wen. He Yu wanted to curl in on himself when he heard that. Sha Xiang sneered at him from where she sat, but he caught encouraging smiles from both Li Heng and Chen Fei. As much as he wanted to return to his place in the gathered disciples, Elder Wen continued speaking. “Despite that, he broke through to the middle Qi Gathering stage in only three days. Evidence that with the right mind and proper dedication, anyone can excel, and aspire to the heights of cultivation.” Qi, whisper-quiet and like a gentle spring breeze wrapped around He Yu. The Elder’s voice spoke in his ear. “It seems Core Disciple Zhang was correct in her judgment. I for one, expect great things from you and will be watching closely.”
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He Yu resisted the urge to look at the Elder Wen as he was released from the older cultivator’s qi. That had clearly meant to be only between the two of them. As much as it swelled his pride to think that he’d already caught the attention of a sect elder, the comment had also contained a note of warning that made him feel more nervous than he’d care to admit. Truly, the attention of the powerful was a mixed blessing.
“You are all dismissed,” the elder said once He Yu had returned to his seat. “There is no training or instruction tomorrow, so use the day as you will. Those who aspired for a reward this week but failed, meditate on your performance. Perhaps the insights you gain will allow you to gain favor next week.” With barely a flicker of movement, Elder Wen Xi leaped into the mists above and was gone.
“Congratulations, little brother,” Li Heng said, clapping him on the shoulder. Over the week, He Yu had gotten well used to that gesture from him. “Put that somewhere safe. You’ll want to save it for when you’re ready to break through to the Foundation Stage.”
He smiled in return. “I feel a bit bad, though. We were supposed to both earn a pill.”
Li Heng waved the comment away. “I wasn’t aiming for one. I’m a long way from breaking through to late Foundation, and I don’t need it, anyway.”
“Are you sure?” He Yu asked. He’d learned over the week that Li Heng had his own advancement resources, provided by his family. Learning about Li Heng’s access to resources beyond what he could earn at the sect had sent pangs of envy through him. It must be nice to be rich. Despite those resources, he’d taken the noble at his word when Li Heng said they should both earn one.
Chen Fei bounded over to the two of them, cutting off Li Heng’s response. “Good Job!” she shouted, drawing the attention of several other disciples. “I hoped you’d get something since you really do need it, but still, that’s great!”
He Yu felt blood rush up his neck. “Thanks,” he said, scuffing at the ground with one foot.
Then, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial near-whisper, Chen Fei added “Anyway, what I wanted to say is that Tan Xiaoling found a great spot for cultivation. She wants to show us tomorrow.”
He Yu shot a glance at Li Heng. “Who exactly is ‘us’?” he asked.
“All of us,” she said. “You, me, and Li Heng, of course.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Li Heng said, “but you can tell Princess Tan that won’t be necessary, and send her my thanks regardless.”
Chen Fei made a humming noise and nodded. “Yeah, she said you might say something like that. I’m supposed to tell you that if you don’t come, she’ll drag you along herself.”
Li Heng paled but quickly regained his composure. “I see. Well then, please inform Princess Tan that I would be happy to accompany her.”
“Great,” she chirped. “Meet us in the plaza by the main sect gate tomorrow morning. Same time as Elder Brother Ren’s lessons. Tan Xiaoling said it’ll be a bit of a hike, so we need to leave early.”
As Chen Fei left, He Yu turned to his housemate. “If you’re already middle Foundation, could Tan Xiaoling really drag you anywhere?”
“More than that,” he said with a shake of his head. “She’s half a step into the Third Realm already. Which, by the way, is why she didn’t win anything this week. I’d bet a year’s worth of my allowance that she’ll wait until the last possible moment to advance to Body Refining. Unless something forces her to do it first.”
He Yu took a moment to process that. If she was already at late Foundation, that meant she could spend an entire year preparing herself for the advancement to Body Refining. Given what Li Heng had told him about how the trade-offs of advancement worked, he didn’t know if he would be able to hold off advancement like that. Especially in the early stages when he was already so far behind, and when from everything he’d heard, it was generally considered to go fast until you reached the Fourth Realm. He just supposed that was the benefit of being a princess.
“Well,” he said at length, “at least she seems to be on our side.”
Li Heng’s expression didn’t give He Yu much confidence that his housemate thought the same. “For the time being,” the noble muttered.
He Yu let the matter drop. Whatever it was between Li Heng and Tan Xiaoling, it was the affairs of the nobility. Li Heng had advised him to stay out of it, and He Yu was going to take his housemate’s advice for as long as he could.