Chapter 14 : The Call of Competition, A Watchfull Gaze From Above
The moonlit encounter with Ji Qing Yan was a memory Ye Tian couldn't shake. As dawn broke, sunlight streamed through the broken roof of his modest home, and the world around him stirred back to life. He sat on his mat, his mind replaying the serene image of her sleeping figure bathed in moonlight. It felt unreal, like a fleeting dream caught in the tangles of reality.
But Ye Tian was no stranger to shaking off distractions. "No use dwelling on things I can't grasp," he muttered to himself, straightening his back. He went about his daily tasks with newfound energy, determined not to let such thoughts cloud his focus.
Under the dazzling morning sun, Ye Tian headed toward the waterfall—a place that had become his sanctuary for training and reflection. In his hands, he carried the pitch-black fruit core he had acquired from the market. The rhythmic beating it once emitted hadn't been quieted yet, Ye Tian knew treasures of this world often hid their potential.
He scouted the area carefully, searching for the most suitable spot to plant the core. His gaze settled on a patch of soft, fertile soil near the waterfall’s edge, where sunlight poured unhindered, and the sound of cascading water provided a tranquil background.
Kneeling down, Ye Tian dug a shallow hole with his hands and gently placed the core inside. Covering it with soil, he patted the ground firmly and leaned back to inspect his work.
As he observed, a faint swirl of purple qi seemed to gather around the spot, almost imperceptible unless one had sharp senses. Ye Tian's eyes narrowed. "This isn't ordinary," he murmured, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Settling down beside the planted core, Ye Tian assumed a meditative posture and began cultivating. He channeled the Sun's True Qi through his fire elemental sphere, feeling the energy course through his meridians and into his knowledge sea. The sphere, though small, seemed to radiate a stable and potent energy.
"Others might absorb spiritual qi to build their foundation, but this sphere what's this theres no mention of this kind of thing in lesson..." He smirked, recalling the cultivation novels of his past life. "I have a feeling that that this thing has huge potential just you wait until I discover it, huhu! ."
---
For seven days, Ye Tian repeated his routine—tending to the fruit core, practicing by the waterfall, and watching the sapling's slow but steady growth. Its transformation amazed him. The fruit core sprouted into a vibrant sapling with leaves resembling those of a peach tree but tinged red, as if kissed by flames.
Sitting cross-legged near the tree, Ye Tian inspected his progress. His fire qi sphere had grown denser, its fiery glow pulsating within his knowledge sea. Yet the other elemental spheres eluded him. No matter how hard he tried, the elements of water, earth, wood, and metal refused to take shape.
"One cannot feast in haste, nor harvest before the seedling takes root," Ye Tian reminded himself. Patience had always been a virtue he admired, though rarely practiced.
---
It was noon on the seventh day when Ye Tian heard a loud voice echoing through the sect grounds.
"All disciples, gather at the main courtyard! An important announcement is to be made!"
He opened his eyes, his meditation interrupted, and let out a sigh. "What's this about?" he wondered aloud. His curiosity piqued, and feeling a bit bored after days of solitude, he decided to join the gathering.
The sect’s courtyard was bustling with life. Outer disciples murmured amongst themselves, their faces painted with speculation.
“What do you think it’s about?” asked a thin, nervous-looking boy.
“Probably another lecture,” groaned a tall disciple with broad shoulders. “They love reminding us how weak we are.”
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Ye Tian smirked at the exchange, choosing to remain silent as he slipped into the crowd. His sharp ears caught snippets of conversations.
“Did you hear? It might be about the sect trials.”
“Trials? Already? But it’s too soon!”
“If you fear the trials, you’re better off being a servant,” a cocky voice chimed in, drawing a few chuckles.
---
Moments later, a hush fell over the crowd as an elder stepped onto the elevated platform. His robes fluttered slightly in the breeze, and his sharp eyes scanned the gathered disciples. His presence was commanding, yet his face bore a faint smile that betrayed a hint of satisfaction.
“Disciples of the White Cloud Sect,” the elder began, his voice deep and resonant, carrying easily across the courtyard. “The sect has decided to hold the Sect Trials in two months. This is your opportunity to prove your worth, your dedication, and your strength.”
The crowd erupted into murmurs, excitement and anxiety rippling through the disciples like a wave.
Ye Tian crossed his arms, observing the reactions around him. He could see the ambitious glint in some eyes, the nervous twitch in others.
The elder raised his hand, silencing the chatter. “The top ten disciples will be rewarded generously. The rewards will not only include cultivation resources but also the opportunity to train under a core elder . Furthermore, your performance will determine your ranking within the sect.”
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“What did I tell you?” the tall disciple from earlier whispered to his friend. “Sect trials! This is our chance to climb the ranks.”
“Yeah, if you don’t embarrass yourself first,” the nervous boy retorted, earning a snort of laughter.
Ye Tian listened but remained expressionless. Trials, rewards, rankings—these things didn’t excite him as much as they seemed to excite others. But he knew one thing: participating was inevitable.
“This trial might be the perfect stage to test my abilities and make a break through,” Ye Tian thought, his eyes narrowing with determination.
Beside him, two other disciples whispered excitedly.
“Prepare yourselves well,” the elder concluded. “The trials will test not only your strength but your intelligence and adaptability. Remember, in the world of cultivation, there is no room for the weak. Only those who persevere can carve their names into the annals of history.”
As the elder stepped down, the crowd began dispersing, the air buzzing with excitement and tension.
---
Walking back to his residence, Ye Tian’s thoughts were a storm of possibilities. The sect trials were a stepping stone—an opportunity to gauge his progress and measure himself against his peers.
Looking toward the horizon, where the sun began its slow descent,
He clenched his fists, a faint smile on his lips. For Ye Tian, the trials weren’t just about proving his worth—they were about laying the foundation for his ascent in this vast, boundless world. His goal was much grand than this for it he can do anything.
---
Ye Tian returned to his cultivation spot by the waterfall, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming sect trials. The sound of cascading water drowned out the noise of the world, leaving only the rhythmic pulse of nature and the faint crackle of fire qi within his body.
Settling into his usual spot near the young sapling, Ye Tian closed his eyes, his breathing steady and deliberate. The warmth of the midday sun kissed his skin as he began drawing in the surrounding qi.
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High Above, a Silent Observer
Perched gracefully on a tree branch above him was Ji Qing Yan. Her slender frame was cloaked in a soft, flowing robe that shimmered faintly in the light. The leaves swayed gently around her as if bowing to her presence. Her eyes, deep and filled with unspoken thoughts, were fixed on Ye Tian below.
She rested a delicate hand against the bark, her fingers tracing absent patterns as she whispered to herself, "Why do I keep doing this?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile, tinged with both fondness and confusion. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze never leaving Ye Tian.
---
Her voice was barely audible, carried away by the breeze. “Five years…” she murmured. “For five years, I’ve been watching him. At first, it was out of curiosity. The weakest disciple, ridiculed and overlooked, yet he never gave up.”
Her eyes softened, reflecting a rare vulnerability. “Day after day, he’d train, even when it seemed hopeless. I told myself it didn’t matter. I told myself I didn’t care. But…”
Ji Qing Yan pressed her lips together, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her hand moved to her chest, where she felt the faint stirrings of something unfamiliar. “Why does it feel like his progress is my progress? His triumphs, my triumphs?”
She shook her head lightly, trying to dispel the thought. But her gaze betrayed her. “It’s foolish,” she murmured, a hint of reproach in her tone. “I have nothing to do with him.”
Ji Qing Yan’s usually composed expression faltered as she let out a quiet sigh. “Even now, when I see him sitting there, cultivating like his life depends on it, I can’t help but feel…” She hesitated, searching for the right words.
She blushed deeper, the pink spreading across her porcelain-like cheeks. “...proud? What nonsense is this?”
Leaning back against the trunk of the tree, she allowed herself a rare moment of honesty. “Perhaps I’m a fool, standing here like this. Watching him as though I’m part of his journey. As if his accomplishment is also mine…”
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