Securing an audience with an elder wasn't a privilege readily bestowed upon outer disciples. With only Elder Fan and Elder Wei overseeing the throngs of all the outer disciples, their time was a precious commodity. So, when Han Ye emerged from the Elder's quarters, surprise was written across his face. He had anticipated a long wait, perhaps even a rejection. But he had been granted entry almost too promptly.

Stepping inside, Han Ye found himself in a modestly furnished chamber. Scrolls adorned the walls, detailing intricate formations and half-written esoteric cultivation techniques. Elder Fan, a wizened man with a long, white beard that flowed down his chest, sat behind a simple wooden desk, eyes closed in meditation.

Han Ye waited patiently, his heart hammering a nervous rhythm against his ribs. The elders gave one open lecture about general cultivation every week. And he had attended all of them. But this was his first time meeting an elder so above his own cultivation privately.

Finally, a few minutes later, Elder Fan's eyes fluttered open, the deep black irises seemed to hold the weight of centuries. A gentle smile touched his lips as he gestured towards the chair across from him.

Elder Fan: "Han Ye,"

he greeted, his voice a low rumble that resonated with quiet authority.

Elder Fan: "To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

Taking a deep breath, Han Ye bowed respectfully. "Elder Fan," he began, his voice laced with a tremor of anxiety. "I seek your guidance on a matter that has left me deeply troubled."

He proceeded to narrate his tale, recounting the fragmented memories of the week that had vanished like smoke, the completely blank soul exploration from where it all began, and the inexplicable breakthrough to the Essence Realm threshold. He explained that according to his calculations, he was still two years away from reaching that stage.

Elder Fan listened intently, his expression unreadable. He scratched his beard thoughtfully when Han Ye finished, the silence stretching for what felt like an eternity. Just as Han Ye began to worry his explanation had fallen on deaf ears, the elder spoke.

"An intriguing predicament you find yourself in, Han Ye," Elder Fan remarked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement that sent shivers down Han Ye's spine. "Amnesia following a soul exploration… a sudden and unexpected advancement… these are indeed curious occurrences."

Han Ye leaned forward, his eyes pleading. "Elder, please," he implored, "any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated. What happened to me? Why did I lose those memories? And how can I explain the advancement?"

A weighty silence descended upon the room as Elder Fan stroked his beard, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. Minutes ticked by, each one stretching the taut string of Han Ye's anxiety. By now, Han Ye felt that the Elder was deliberately speaking slowly. Finally, the elder spoke, his voice a soothing balm against the storm of confusion within Han Ye.

"Han Ye," Elder Fan began, "while your situation is certainly unusual, I wouldn't advise succumbing to worry just yet. There might be a logical explanation for these seemingly disparate events." He paused, his gaze holding Han Ye's firmly. "The amnesia following your soul exploration, the lost week, and your unexpected advancement – these are actually not that abnormal."

A flicker of hope ignited in Han Ye's chest. "Not Abnormal Elder? How?"

Elder Fan leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with remembrance. "It's possible, my young friend, that during your exploration, you stumbled upon a very specific location within your own soul," he explained. "A hidden sanctum, perhaps, or a forgotten chamber. These places, when in soulscape, represent suppressed or forgotten memories that were once very important to you. Since the time of enlightenment depends upon your subconscious memories, those forgotten by your subconscious, when remembered, drastically change the time of advancement during the integration process. Your case of early advancement is not too rare."

Han Ye frowned. " But Respected Elder, that wouldn't explain the lost week, would it?"

"Indeed," the elder conceded. "That's where the theory gets a little… murkier. The integration process typically unfolds gradually, a conscious effort on the part of the cultivator. However, in rare instances, like yours perhaps, stumbling upon such a potent location within the soul could trigger an unconscious completion."

Elder Fan tapped his finger thoughtfully on the desk. "This would explain the rapid advancement. You've reached the threshold of the Essence Realm, a stage you were indeed aiming for, albeit on a different timeline. However, there's a potential downside to such an abrupt transformation."

"A downside?" Han Ye echoed, his apprehension returning.

"The integration process," Elder Fan continued, his voice even, "acts as a bridge between your conscious mind, unconscious, and your soul. It allows you to reconcile with your inner self, to face your deepest fears and desires. That should have been your last challenge at the end of your Insight Realm. But when done prematurely, this crucial step can leave… scars."

"Scars?"

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"It's not uncommon for cultivators who experience such rapid advancement to suffer from memory lapses," Elder Fan explained. "The sheer influx of information and emotional processing can overload the consciousness, causing temporary amnesia. The lost week could be a manifestation of this overload, a period during which your mind was processing the changes wrought by the unexpected integration."

Relief washed over Han Ye. An explanation, however improbable, was infinitely better than the terrifying alternative – a malevolent entity invading his soul. "So, the duel and everything else that happened during that lost week…?"

Elder Fan nodded. "Those could all be a result of your subconscious processing the information it received. Perhaps a repressed memory surfaced, leading you to behave differently than normal and challenge someone. Or maybe a surge of newfound power manifested itself in an unexpected way."

While the explanation wasn't perfect, it offered a sense of control. It wasn't some sinister force manipulating him; it was his own being reacting to the sudden change. "Thank you, Elder Fan," Han Ye said, bowing deeply. "Your insight has eased my troubled mind."

A smile played on Elder Fan's lips. "However," he added, a glint of concern in his eyes, "while the amnesia might be a temporary side effect, it's still wise to err on the side of caution. I will arrange for Healer Lin to examine you. He can confirm the state of your consciousness and ensure there's no lingering damage."

Han Ye nodded readily. The prospect of a thorough examination was a welcome addition to Elder Fan's explanation.

"Now," Elder Fan continued, his gaze sharpening. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Han Ye? Perhaps… the 'duel' you might have forgotten about?"

A wave of color flooded Han Ye's cheeks. "About that," he stammered, suddenly hesitant. He wasn't sure if he should reveal what little he remembered about the duel – a blur of confusion and a warmth in his chest. But Elder Fan's unwavering gaze held a quiet insistence.

Taking a deep breath, Han Ye recounted the fragmented memories –at least of what he remembered. Elder Fan listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Intriguing," he murmured when Han Ye finished. "A duel so significant it caused a stir, and you, the participant with now no clear recollection of it. Amusing, so amusing. It has been some time since something so interesting has occurred."

Why did it look as if Elder Fan was enjoying the situation?

Han Ye shook his head. "I don't remember who I dueled or why."

Elder Fan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should tell you of what I do know. And I only know of the duel since it caused quite a commotion. Listen carefully."

Surprise and shame crossed Han Ye's face as Elder Fan recounted the details of the duel. The story unfolded piece by piece, a puzzle slowly coming together from fragmented memories. He had dueled a girl, someone about the same age as him. They'd met in the sect hall, the very place where his memories went dark. What was the reason for the duel? Even Elder Fan didn't know.

"A young woman," Elder Fan elaborated, "returning from a mission outside the sect. You two crossed paths in the hall, and…" he trailed off, his brow furrowed. "The specifics remain unclear, but it seems you issued a challenge."

Elder Fan's words sent a jolt through Han Ye. Challenging someone, especially an inner sect disciple, went against his very nature. He was known for his reserved demeanor, rarely seeking conflict. What could have possessed him to do such a thing?

"And the opponent?" he ventured, voice laced with curiosity. "What is her name, honored elder?"

Elder Fan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Her name is Lan Feng. She is also your senior sister and is in a much higher realm than you."

Dismay tightened Han Ye's throat. There was no one among the ten highest-ranked disciples named Lan Feng. That means she must be a common inner sect disciple. But still, He, a mere outer sect disciple, challenging someone from the inner sect, and someone of a higher realm to boot? It defied logic.

"However," the elder continued, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes, " she offered you a chance. Three moves, she said. Withstand her attacks for three moves without stepping out of the duel ring or losing consciousness, and you would be declared the victor."

Han Ye's jaw clenched. So that was how he won. But this bizarre arrangement seemed even more confusing than the challenge itself. Why would a higher-ranked disciple accept such a lopsided bet? What compelled her to accept or even suggest it?

Elder Fan chuckled, a low rumble that echoed through the room. "And wouldn't you know it, you not only withstood the attacks, but somehow managed to injure your opponent as well. Quite a feat, considering the disparity in your realms."

The elder's words painted a picture that Han Ye couldn't quite grasp. He, an outer sect disciple on the cusp of the Essence Realm, injuring someone from the inner sect who was presumably at a higher level? It felt impossible, a fantastical story from a bookish legend.

"But how?" Han Ye stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't remember the duel. I don't remember the moves, or how I… defended myself. Or attacked, against someone of the inner sect at that."

Elder Fan's smile turned enigmatic. "Ah, that," he said, a twinkle in his eye, "is a mystery you'll have to unravel yourself. Perhaps Healer Lin can shed some light on it. He might be able to detect any residual traces of whatever happened to you. I would not recommend betting on it though. The chances are very low, and most likely, you are just someone capable of that."

A knot of anxiety tightened in Han Ye's stomach. This duel, this lost week, it was all a tangled mess. He had inadvertently strained relations with an inner sect disciple, someone whose name and identity remained unknown. And the circumstances of the duel were shrouded in an unsettling mystery.

"Was this disciple… an important person?" he asked tentatively, a tremor of apprehension lacing his voice. "Someone from a prominent elder's lineage, perhaps?"

Elder Fan's smile deepened, turning almost mischievous. "That, my young apprentice," he said, "is a secret you'll have to learn for yourself. Now, fret not about the duel. It was a fair challenge, and you emerged victorious. That's all that matters."

Han Ye bowed deeply, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and apprehension. He thanked Elder Fan for his guidance and the reassurance, even though it felt hollow. Leaving the elder's quarters, he stepped out into the crisp morning air, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of unraveling the enigma of his lost week and the extraordinary duel. He returned to his room, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort. The once peaceful solitude now felt tainted by the mystery that clung to him like a shroud. He knew he wouldn't be able to rest until he unearthed the truth, until he understood the events that had transpired during his lost week and the reason behind the inexplicable duel. As he sat on his bed, lost in thought, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He wouldn't let the amnesia or the uncertainty hold him back. He would face these challenges head-on, and in the process, discover what had really happened.