“This little MIng greets Senior Elder Kang and Elder Peng!”
Identity :
Kang ???
61 yrs old
Male
???
Character type :
neutral good
Mortality :
Sura (Mortal)
Job :
NA
Titles :
Senior Elder - True Sky Immortal Sect
Cultivation Talent
Qi Cultivation : Low
Body : Low
Constitution : Yang
Cultivation :
(Spiritual)
Foundation establishment level - 7
“Well met little guy, you may raise.”
Finlay raised from his bow. He couldn't help but gulp at being stared at by someone who could probably kill him with a finger or two. He still wasn’t sure what exactly Peng An had told him and planned for him.
“Why don’t you come here and let me take a good look at you?”
Senior Elder Kang beckoned him with a gentle smile and held his wrist as he briefly concentrated. Soon, his eyes couldn’t help but light up.
“Good! Very good! Elder Peng truly conveyed the truth. You have a very good cultivation talent. It seems there might be some talent for Body cultivation as well.”
Hearing the words, Elder Peng An instantly brightened up at the praise and was very glad that he got lucky with this opportunity.
“Senior is too kind. I’m merely performing the due service to my sect.”
Meanwhile, Finlay was a bit confused. He expected his five-element body type to be considered more than ‘some’ talent. A foundation establishment cultivator should easily be able to deduce that much information through a simple test by touch, unlike Peng An who missed it back then.
‘No point in thinking over things too much. Maybe he has a reason to hide it from Peng An, ultimately, isn’t that a good thing for me?’
After that, he asked some simple questions like how Finlay is accustomed to the conditions in the valley and what he had been doing recently. Finlay didn’t want to reveal too many things before Peng An and tried to stick to the story already told by Lu Bao. He especially made sure to act in a way that would portray him as somewhat stupid to keep the act going. After a few minutes, Senior Elder Kang turned to Elder Peng An.
“Elder Peng, your contribution will be noted down and the sect will pay your fair reward. Retire, for now, I wish to speak to the boy for a bit longer.”
“I thank the kindness of the senior…I uh...”
Seeing him hesitate about saying something, Senior Elder Kang asked him to speak his mind.
“It’s nothing big, senior. You have already spoken to the boy and what I said earlier, you too have seen. I was wondering if the boy would be allowed to join my External hall upon graduating from the valley.”
Hearing that, Finlay’s heart dropped. Sure enough, there was a scheme behind his brother’s recent questioning.
Senior Eder Kang frowned but still did not decline the request.
“If it’s just for his early levels of cultivation, it can be arranged but for such a prospective disciple with potential, it would be inappropriate to remain in the external halls too long after the late stage of Qi condensation.”
“Of course senior! It is just as you say. I merely wish to provide some guidance while I still can at the lower cultivation levels.”
Finlay finally understood his plans somewhat. As expected, Elder Peng still hadn’t given up on him. He was a bit confused as to why he would go to such lengths to scheme to get Finlay to be his subordinate. He didn't have time to think about it though and shelved the train of thought for later as he frantically searched for any ideas to solve the situation.
“Alright, no need to worry about it too much for now. There is still time and when the time is appropriate, we will discuss the details.”
Elder Peng was overjoyed at the positive reply. Finlay was increasingly growing frantic as Elder Peng was about to leave. He quickly realised that the only opportunity to do something is now and it is quickly slipping. He decided that he would take a shot while he still had a chance.
“Senior Elder Kang, little Ming has a question for Elder Peng and you if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Oh, what kind of question? Do ask, little guy.”
“It’s nothing big. Elder Peng once asked me to take him as a master, but at that time, I didn’t understand what that meant, upsetting him. Now that I have experienced many things in the past month, I have come to realise somewhat of what a master and disciple relationship entails. I just wish to know the details properly so that I can fix my error from back then.”
Upon hearing Finlay’s words, Elder Peng was first shocked as his head snapped to look at Finlay. In but a moment, his shock turned into mounting horror as he faced the sharp gaze of Senior Elder Kang.
“Senior, you mustn’t take his words seriously, he's spouting nonsense. You know what I said about him earlier. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It was just a test, a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, is that so? Sounds like a very interesting test. I very much would like to hear the details.”
“Boy, why don’t you tell Senior the truth? Don’t you dare twist the words!”
“Peng An! What do you think you’re trying to do before me? I’m very much interested in discussing this ‘nonsense’ test in detail later on. Why don’t you wait in the next room till I call for you?”
Seeing that the situation is not looking good, Elder Peng An took his leave to try and come up with a way to fix the situation.
* Sigh*
Senior Elder Kang couldn’t help but sigh as Peng An left them.
“Senior, little ming is confused. Did he say something wrong?” Finlay channelled as much of the actor within himself as possible to keep up the act.
Looking at the deeply confused eyes of Finlay, Senior Elder Kang said in a flat tone, “Little fellow, drop the act. He has already left. You don’t need to try and fool me as well.”
Finlay let out a chuckle in embarrassment.
“I wasn’t trying to fool anybody, Senior Elder Kang. What I said were indeed the facts.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Hmm…Why don’t you truthfully tell me what happened?”
Finlay narrated the events truthfully after that. He even took the initiative to reiterate his first month with the missing details.
“To think he would disregard sect rules to such an extent, he clearly thinks he is above them. *tsk* I even spoke out in favour of him when others bought up his lack of candidate numbers. I will deal with him later on, you don’t need to worry about him for now.”
“Leaving that aside, let’s talk about you. Your cultivation speed is very impressive and my decision to not reveal it before him was absolutely correct, given his attitude. Well done little guy. You have thoroughly impressed me.”
Senior Elder Kang couldn’t help but nod and cast an approving gaze toward Finlay.
“Given your potential, you have no further need to continue this ‘Test’. What do you say to some private teachings and guidance and all the resources you would need to cultivate.”
Finlay appreciated the offer but he wasn’t going to accept it. His goals were far beyond the scope of this sect and this small corner of the world. The more he entangles with the sect and the people, the harder it will be for him in the future.
“I have a request Senior Elder Kang.”
“You can simply address me as Senior. Tell me, what is it? You do not seem very enthused at my offer.”
“I’m very grateful for Senior Kang’s offer but I wish to temper myself further and remain in the valley till I graduate. I hope senior can grant my wish.”
“*sigh* Alright. If that is what you wish for. Take this elixir. It should help you with the cultivation of one of the elements. Also, take this token to the library. It will grant you access to the upper floor. You may choose any two books on Cultivation techniques, combat arts or cultivation guidance books or even some other informative books on Alchemy, smithing.”
Finlay did not decline the precious gift and accepted the small vial of golden yellow liquid along with the token. He couldn’t help but perk up at the mention of the Alchemy books.
“From your story, it seems those groups of rejects are harassing the newbies too much. It is true that we let them roam free with only a little suppression to temper and filter the new candidates. It serves as a microcosm of the true outside world for when you eventually interact with it, but clearly, they are running rampant, suppressing the new candidates too much, defeating their intended purpose. I will send people to show them their place.”
“Let’s discuss your cultivation. Do you have any issues?”
Finlay didn’t waste such a precious opportunity. His total knowledge of cultivation is very high but it’s only worth a mortal's memory and details and specific problems can still be solved better by asking a senior. He also didn’t forget to ask about the elemental Qi he felt in the beast cores in the hunting zone forest.
After another hour of his questions being answered, he was finally allowed to take his leave.
“You may leave now. Don’t disappoint me, kid. Stay diligent with your cultivation.”
Finlay left the place just as Elder Peng was entering without any prompt from Senior Kang. Finlay was momentarily surprised before realising the communication happened via the Senior cultivator’s divine sense.
----------------------------------------
Peng An’s morning started very well when he inquired about the true mental state of his future golden goose. He never thought he would be overjoyed when he found out his speculations were wrong and the kid was indeed a little slow in the head.
He had already laid out an entire plan for his eventual rise in the sect. He would first use the goodwill he garnered from the sect, especially the Teachings Hall’s Senior Elder Kang to recruit the kid into his faction upon graduation.
He would then take him on as his disciple and keep him as his subordinate. He would then pump the kid full of medicines to get him to reach the Foundation establishment realm within 10 years. At which point, he could easily procure a Foundation establishment pill and spiritual elixir from the sect as a reward. If he could finally cross that threshold, wouldn’t his status instantly change in the sect and his life would be prolonged as well?
As for the possibility of the kid suffering future cultivation setbacks due to abuse of medicine, who cares at that point? He could still easily become a peak stage Foundation establishment cultivator and even have a decent chance of reaching the Zifu realm.
Unfortunately, Peng An’s plans were crumbling right before his eyes just when he thought everything was going perfect. He was so angry that he wanted to pull out and burn off the kid’s loose tongue right there. He tried his best to come up with explanations in the next hour of his torturous waiting but unfortunately, he wasn’t even given time to use his schemes.
A furious Senior Elder Kang cut him off, “Save your words for those gullible enough to believe you. I already know all that I need to. You will stay away from the boy till he graduates from the valley. At that time, we will discuss your punishment. I’m very tempted to cancel the rewards you were already promised, but I still follow the principles of my sect that embrace virtue and justice. You may keep the rewards. You have still contributed all the same, even with your crooked ideas and schemes.”
“But you will answer to your violation of the laws of the sect. You may leave now and don’t you dare take your anger out on the two candidates you bought this time. I will be keeping an eye on you for now. You may leave.”
Elder Peng’s facial expressions couldn’t help but change many times throughout the conversation, but in the end, he was still relieved.
‘This is very bad but not the end. I still have a chance if I implement that contingency plan. I hate to work with my cocky brother but I’m left with no choice.’
It wasn’t the worst-case scenario and he still had a chance to redeem the situation, so he accepted the reprimanding words and silently left.
Once Peng An left the room, Senior Kang couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “I have done my best to keep him away for now, kid, but I’m sure you will face obstacles from him in the future. Consider it another obstacle to temper you on your path. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
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After the stressful day, Finlay just purchased some good food from the central zone on his way back and took a break from his cultivation. He told his brother, Lu Bao the general gist of the event and assured him that he need not worry about Elder Peng’s revenge.
Thinking back over the day, Finlay couldn’t help but notice the jarring difference between the two seniors. He could only lament his bad luck at not meeting someone principled like Senior Kang.
For the rest of the day, they casually sipped on some good tea bought out by Lu Bao and enjoyed fine dishes made by the same brother. Finlay was liking this loyal brother more and more. Tomorrow, Finlay would go explore the deeper regions of the forest to find the stone plaques.
To be continued.
Preview - System Status
Identity :
Finlay
Male
14 yrs old
–
Mortality :
Sura (Mortal)
Job :
None
Titles :
None
Cultivation :
Body Transformation stage level 9 (Water attribute cultivation) (🠕)
Stats :
→open←
Skills :
The All seeing eye (Analyse) :
(Grade - E+) (🠕)
Authority granted by the first god of the world, Dinn. You can peer into the secrets of things and beings of this world as long as you know what you’re looking for. (Requires activation conditions)
Inventory space :
(Locked until Foundation Establishment)
Universal Language comprehension (Grade A+);
Mana Blast (Grade F+)
Spiritual :
Cultivation Talent :
S+ Grade (Appears as C-)
Divine Sense :
None
Law Comprehension :
S Grade
Physical :
Body Type :
Five Element body (Grade : B+(Aggregate)) (Appears as C-)
Elemental Attunements :
Metal
S- Grade
Five Element Body Type
(Dominant trait)
Earth
A Grade
Wind
C+ Grade
Fire
C- Grade
Water
D Grade
Light/Darkness(Yin/Yang)
D- Grade
Lightning
F+ Grade
Other Talents :
Weapon Talents :
Sword/Bladed type
A+ Grade
Ranged
C+ Grade
Hand to Hand
C Grade
Polearms/Spear
D Grade
Soul based/Mental type
D- Grade
Qi Circuits :
(Arrays, Formations, Magical Restrictions)
B- Grade
Crafting Talent :
C+ Grade
Alchemy Talent :
D+ Grade
Miscellaneous stats :
Health : 125/125 (🠕)
Stamina : 69/69 (🠕)
Mental Energy: 73/73(🠕)
Qi : 2/2 (prev. mana)(-)
Status Ailments : None; Very Healthy