Elder Juhee, sitting directly across from Azreal, still had a slight blush on her face as the image of the young man's body flashed in her mind. ‘You need to stop blushing in front of your new disciple!’ Juhee screams internally. Noticing the rosiness of her cheeks, Azreal felt guilty for making it awkward, “I must apologise to you again, Elder Juhee. I am sorry for showing you such an indecent side of myself,” Azreal said while pouring tea into the Elder's glass, which she had prepared while he changed into his new robes.
“It’s fine…Let’s not focus on that anymore, we should talk about why I am here, but first let me enjoy this tea,” Elder Juhee responded, the blush on her face replaced with a serious expression. A few minutes pass in a nice silence, both Azreal and Elder Juhee enjoying their tea.
“Azreal, I am not sure if you are aware, but no one breaks through at your speed, especially this early in their cultivation journey! So, I need you to tell me exactly how you managed to break through twice in a single night, with no guidance and no cultivation ability. I clearly saw that you were an ordinary mortal at the beginning of the entrance examination. And don’t bother lying to me! At my level, I can tell if you’re being truthful,” Elder Juhee said while slowly extending her aura to envelop Azreal.
‘What is this pressure? Why can’t I talk or move, why is my entire body screaming at me to run?’ Azreal squirmed as he felt the gravity in the room had doubled and there was little to nothing he could do about it. ‘Is this the difference in power between us? I feel like I am an ant that could be crushed at any moment’ Azreal felt a small droplet of sweat run down his spine.
“Why are you not talking? Do you have something to hide?” said Elder Juhee.
Azreal didn’t understand the question, as in his mind it had only been a few seconds. Elder Juhee, seeing the confusion on his face had a sudden realisation, “You’ve been sitting there for over a minute now. I am actually quite impressed at your reaction to my divine sense and aura.” A small smile could be seen on her face. “All but one or two of my previous disciples have either passed out or run away when I released a small part of my aura, but you did not even move an inch. That is very interesting…”
Azreal felt another chill as Elder Juhee looked at him like a hungry viper ready to devour its lunch. “I don’t know what to tell you, Elder. I felt like the world was coming down on me, and my body was screaming at me, but I also felt that I couldn’t move as I would die if I moved even an inch,” said Azreal.
Elder Juhee nodded, “Good instincts… Now, I will ask again, how could you possibly have two breakthroughs on your first night in the cultivation world? Were you born with a special physique?”
Azreal shook his head, “Not that I am aware of, but I do not have any way to determine if I do. I have no memories of this world, as it is my first time here, inside the Heavens Universe” said Azreal. Elder Juhee’s eyes became glazed over, prompting Azreal to wave his hand in front of her face, startling her, “When did you get so close? Sorry I don’t know what happened there, I completely forgot what you just said.” replied Elder Juhee.
Shaking her head to clear the fog, Elder Juhee extended her perfect hand towards Azreal, “Pass me your hand. I am no expert in medicine, but I can at least tell if there is anything strange going on with you. But first, I want to ask for permission to inject some of my own energy into you so I can get a better understanding of your condition and cultivation.”
Azreal tries to gauge whether he should trust Elder Juhee or if this is going to expose his cultivation method that he believes should be kept secret.
Azreal, with caution, extends his hand towards Elder Juhee, deciding to trust her and the system's advice. The room's atmosphere shifts slightly as Elder Juhee places her hand gently over Azreal's, her eyes closing as she channels a sliver of her Qi into him. The air trembles with the power of her cultivation, yet her touch is as light as a feather.
After a moment, Elder Juhee opens her eyes, her expression thoughtful. "There is a unique power deep within you, Azreal. It's faint, but distinctly potent. You don't have a common physique, that much is certain, but for what your physique truly is, I cannot discern. As for your multiple breakthroughs, it seems that you have somehow found a cultivation method that is far beyond what we gave you at the entrance examination. But even if this method is divine rank or above, it does not explain the speed of your breakthroughs… I believe that we should keep the details of your body between us for now, as there have been many disciples who have died not being able to protect themselves from those who covet your talents.”
Azreal's heart races, his mind filled with questions. "Elder Juhee, if I may ask, what exactly is cultivation? And how does one choose their pathway in cultivation?”
Elder Juhee allowed a moment of silence, as if permitting the profound depths of cultivation knowledge to settle around them. She then continued, her voice a serene river of wisdom flowing towards Azreal. "The martial path is an ode to physical strength. It's about becoming the peak of your physical ability by harnessing raw power to fortify your body into an unparalleled vessel of destruction and protection. This journey transforms the cultivator into a living embodiment of nature's fury and tranquillity, capable of bending the very fabric of reality to their will."
She gently set her cup aside, her eyes capturing Azreal's with a clarity that seemed to pierce through to his very soul. "Contrastingly, the soul path is focused on your internal power and determination. It nurtures your inner essence, elevating your consciousness to realms beyond the physical. Here, the mysteries of life and the universe unfold, granting powers that can only be described as ethereal, allowing one to wield the essence of Qi and follow a path that is truly profound."
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A tender smile graced Elder Juhee's features, a reflection of the boundless possibilities that lay on both paths. "Each path offers its unique trials and triumphs. The martial path demands unwavering courage and physical transcendence, striving for perfection in every movement. The soul path, however, seeks the enlightenment of the spirit, a delicate balance of wisdom and power that transcends the seen and touches the unseen."
She leaned forward slightly, bridging the gap between mentor and disciple with her earnest gaze. "Though the paths may diverge, remember, they are not separate. The cosmos does not favour segregation but unity. There are those among us, rare and revered, who walk both paths in tandem, mastering the dual essence of existence. They are the true visionaries, and it's a path worth considering."
Elder Juhee's gaze then turned contemplative, as if she were gazing through the veils of time at the legacies of those who had tread these paths before. "Your elemental affinities could very well hint at your predisposition. Each element holds extreme benefits and power. It's not about which element is stronger, but about who wields it and how.” Azreal listens intently, his mind racing with the possibilities each path offers.
Elder Juhee adds, "Pursuing both paths is exceedingly difficult. It requires immense determination, a genius level of talent, and a tremendous amount of Qi. However, there are tales of cultivators who've mastered both paths, achieving unparalleled might and wisdom."
She leans in, her gaze piercing. "Azreal, this will be your choice. Your unique physique may allow you to walk both paths, so I believe you should spend the effort to focus on both. But first, we need to test your talent and potential."
Azreal's eyes go wide. Elder Juhee's offer is one that he should not dismiss lightly. Elder Juhee watches as Azreal's mind begins to process all the information she has given him, “Azreal, this decision does not need to be made at this very second. We will test your talent and latent abilities before you decide.”
Standing up and moving towards the front door, Elder Juhee looks back at Azreal, who was still sitting in the same spot, seemingly unmoving. “Are you coming with me? Or are you going to pass up this opportunity? You will be having your talent tested and latent abilities measured, at no cost, this is a benefit that only the inner or core disciples usually get. And even then, they still must pay most of their hard-earned contribution points!” Elder Juhee said while opening the door to Azreal’s house and making a gesture for him to follow.
Azreal snaps out of his daze, quickly makes his way out of the dorm, “I don’t have any contribution points… and won't all of the disciples be angry at me for getting benefits for free, while they have to pay?” Elder Juhee did not respond to Azreal’s remark immediately and simply smiled, which made Azreal’s heartbeat just a little faster. Once both Azreal and Elder Juhee began walking towards the inner disciple training area, Elder Juhee informed Azreal that it was only a fifteen-minute walk from his dorm.
As the pair made their way to the training area, Elder Juhee told Azreal about the branch of the Sect that he now belongs to. “The robes you are wearing identify you as a member of my branch. We are The Unbound Pavilion. Our focus is on nurturing those with unique talents and cultivators with little backing or cultivation lineage, much like yourself. We believe in the power of individual growth and the exploration of one's inherent capabilities without the constraints typically placed upon disciples. This makes The Unbound Pavilion quite distinct within the sect."
“This freedom is both a boon and a curse, Azreal. Many highly talented disciples have left the Unbound Pavilion due to the lack of specific guidance and the incredibly high self-discipline we demand from our disciples. Others have left due to how small the Unbound Pavilion is. We have a little over a thousand members, which makes us the smallest branch by far. With the Crimson Sword Pavilion led by Elder Nilxan having over fifty thousand disciples, this difference means that our weaker members are often bullied and find it hard to connect with disciples in other branches”.
Elder Juhee's stride was confident, her robes billowing slightly with each step, a physical testament to her status and power within the Sect. Noticing how many of the disciples and elders were glancing at himself, and how many admirers Elder Juhee had, Azreal, walking beside her, felt both nervous and excited, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him.
"As for the concerns you voiced about the disciples being angry at you," Elder Juhee continued, her voice calm and measured, "Know this: jealousy and envy are common among cultivators. It is the nature of those on the path to seek every advantage, to covet every opportunity for advancement. However, the true test of a cultivator's character lies in their ability to transcend these base emotions. Your presence in The Unbound Pavilion is not unearned; your potential, that I have personally verified during the trial, has merited this opportunity."
Azreal listened intently, absorbing every word. The idea of belonging to a branch that valued potential and talent over lineage was intriguing, and with his unknown background, it was a welcome concept.
"The Unbound Pavilion offers its members freedom in their cultivation journey, which is unparalleled in the Sect. Here, you will learn and grow from your Elders and senior brothers and sisters. Additionally, we allow our disciples to duel against each other at any time. This rule has been in place since I founded this branch of the Sect, and it stands for two reasons,” Elder Juhee’s smile begins to widen.
“Firstly, I and the other elders have a ranking list that is updated after every official duel. The higher on the list you become, the more benefits and resources become available to you. Secondly, if a disciple in the Unbound Pavilion has a problem or issue with another disciple, the Unbound Pavilion allows the disciples to duel, with the rules Set by each participant and a minimum one Elder must be present. Our goal is not just to cultivate powerful warriors or scholars but to nurture cultivators who can think, overcome, and perhaps, one day, redefine the very essence of cultivation."
Reaching the training area, Elder Juhee gestured towards the expansive grounds, filled with various training equipment, a tall building with ‘Martial & Soul Techniques’ written on a sign above the entrance, and areas designated for meditation and practice. "This is the Unbound Pavilion's training ground, where you'll begin to truly understand what it means to be a part of The Unbound Pavilion. Here, your talent will be tested, your abilities measured, and your potential unlocked. The journey will not be easy, Azreal. It will demand everything of you and more. But I believe you are ready to begin your journey with us."
Azreal's surprise was abundantly clear, his quickened steps and constantly darting eyes, an obvious sign that he couldn’t wait to begin his training. “Calm your mind, Azreal. You won’t be able to test your potential if your mind is so cluttered,” said Elder Juhee.
Azreal soon found himself standing on a raised platform, in the middle of the Unbound Pavilion's headquarters, which was located at the centre of the training grounds. An intricate and powerful-looking formation pulsates with power beneath his feet. In Azreal’s hand, a palm-sized stone, with eight smaller coloured crystals, was getting so hot that it started to burn the palm of his hand.