When Zhen walked to the quiet meditation garden in the Inner Compound, dawn's first light had hardly grazed the eastern horizon. His new quarters—a roomy pavilion with its own little courtyard—stood in sharp contrast to the run-down woodshed that had been his home for years. The change had been sudden but revealing: in this society power decided everything from one's living situation to how others treated you.
Apart from Patriarch Lu, who sat cross-legged on a stone platform with eyes closed in concentration, the garden was deserted. Though he seemed to be resting, Zhen was aware the elderly man had felt his presence the instant he stepped into the garden.
"Punctual," the Patriarch said without opening his eyes. Discipline is the basis of any development.
Zhen bowed in deference. Patriarch, I'm ready to start.
The old guy opened his eyes and examined Zhen with a piercing look that appeared to cut through superficial layers. I have to know the degree of your present skills before we begin. Yesterday's performance was excellent but reveals little about your true level of cultivation.
Zhen closed his eyes and let his aura show without suppression. The energy around him was a strange mix—mostly the usual cultivation energy for this realm, but with little chaotic energy interwoven like dark threads in a tapestry.
The Patriarch's brows lifted a little. Interesting. You have overnight reached the third level of the Sea of Essence realm. Given the energy changes, I'd say you're almost at the fourth level limit.
Zhen said honestly, "The change has hastened my growth." What he didn't say was that much of the night had been spent performing the Chaos Body Refinement Technique, which had significantly improved his development.
"Yes," the Patriarch said, rubbing his beard pensively. You may reach the sixth level in a month, so equal or exceeding Hao Lu. But... Advancing quickly without appropriate foundation development is like building a tower on sand. It might rise fast, but it will finally fall.
Zhen agreed. Advancement without stability carries risks I grasp, Patriarch.
"Do you?" The elderly man glared. Then tell me, how do you intend to balance this remarkable expansion?
Zhen understood it was a test; the Patriarch intended to judge his knowledge as well as his strength.
Zhen said cautiously, "I plan to concentrate on three areas concurrently." First, meridian reinforcement to guarantee my channels can handle rising energy flow. Second, essence consolidation at each level before advancing to guarantee stability. And third...
The Patriarch's face softened in approval. "Well reasoned. Many young talents concentrate just on advancing levels, ignoring the basis that underpins actual mastery." Now, show me your present cultivation technique.
Zhen showed a slightly changed version of the fundamental Lu family cultivation technique to fit the chaos energy without exposing the Chaos Body Refinement Technique directly. The Patriarch watched intently, sometimes nodding or frowning at particular motions.
When Zhen was done, he said, "Adequate adaptations." "But not enough for best development of your particular energy. I'll show you the 'Celestial Foundation Method' a technique handed down through Patriarch centuries. It's meant to fortify one's foundation irrespective of cultivation route.
Over the following two hours, the Patriarch led Zhen through the complex energy circulation patterns and motions of the approach. Though he had learned many better skills in his past life, Zhen approached the learning process with real humility. Every technique, no matter how fundamental in comparison to what he once knew, can offer insights for his present journey.
Several family members walked by the garden trying to see quietly as the morning went on. Overnight, word of Zhen's rise had traveled across the property, sparking a range of responses from jealousy to curiosity to flat-out anger.
The Patriarch told Zhen to ignore them as he saw Zhen's knowledge of the spectators. Your way is no more tied to their views.
The Patriarch stopped, his face pensive, following the morning workout. You should also be aware of. I got a telegram last night stating the envoys of the Celestial Sword Sect will come in fifteen days—sooner than anticipated.
Zhen lifted an eyebrow. Has anything changed?
Yes. Apparently, word of yesterday's happenings has already spread outside our compound. News spreads faster than we expected. Someone in the family has ties to the outside.
This was troubling. News of his unexpected elevation could reach other, maybe more hazardous ears if it had gotten to the Celestial Sword Sect so fast.
Zhen inquired, "Who would gain from disseminating such knowledge?"
The Patriarch moaned, "Many." The Grand Elder, for one. He's long wanted to improve our family's links to important sects. Such relationships would also help many branch family leaders. Hao's maternal uncle, who is linked to the outer court of the Celestial Sword Sect, is another.
Zhen thought wryly about politics. Some things stayed consistent across all his lifetimes.
He inquired, "What does this mean for our plans?"
The Patriarch said, "It means we have to speed up." "You need to reach at least the sixth level of the Sea of Essence realm before they arrive. More importantly, you must master the concealment of your chaos energy. The Celestial Sword Sect's elders are not to be underestimated—some have existed since the ancient wars and possess insight that transcends normal cultivation."
Zhen agreed. The job of the system abruptly appeared more difficult than he had first believed. He not only had to wow the envoys but also had to do so while concealing his own character.
The Patriarch said, his voice dropping despite the garden's seclusion arrangements, "There's something else." Since last night, I've been looking through our family history. Our founder's writings mention chaotic energy in a short note: "the primordial force that devours all paths." He cautioned that people who use it become targets of "the watchers beyond the veil."
Zhen felt a shiver down his back. In his past incarnation, he had certainly met beings outside the usual domains—ancient ones who kept the cosmic balance and removed aberrations. Should such beings also exist in this world...
"Do the journals elaborate on these 'watchers'?" Zhen inquired.
The Patriarch declined. Sadly not. Centuries ago, the pertinent papers were destroyed. But the warning itself implies caution. Our founder recorded the warning regardless of the hazards of such knowledge as whatever these watchers are, he dreaded them.
Zhen went back to his tent to practice by himself when his training finished. Though simple, the Celestial Foundation Method gave great stabilizing for his fast progressing cultivation. When coupled with the Chaos Body Refinement Technique, his development quickened past even his hopeful projections.
By noon, he had formally crossed into the fourth level of the Sea of Essence domain.
By noon, he had formally advanced to the fourth level of the Sea of Essence domain.
Hao Lu sat in quiet concentration in a hidden courtyard set aside for the family's finest disciples on the other side of the complex. His face, usually attractive and assured, was suddenly tight with stress. Opposite him sat a middle-aged guy in the robes of a Lu family senior, his face harsh.
Elder Feng Lu remarked, shattering the quiet, "You let me down yesterday, nephew." Failures will not be accepted by the Celestial Sword Sect.
Hao's hands tightened without his control. Uncle, that was unanticipated. That waste—Zhen—someway got power overnight. that makes no sense.
Elder Feng shot back, "Nothing defies explanation." All we have are unsolved enigmas; this one especially has drawn interest outside our little household.
Hao shot up quickly. The Sect?
Elder Feng agreed. They're sending envoys sooner than expected. I've already reported on yesterday's happenings. They are... interested.
Hao could not hide the bitterness in his voice.
"By possible," his uncle said curtly. The Sect values power and possibility over family status or past honors. Zhen Lu has shown both at this time.
Hao's expression soured. Have I therefore lost my opportunity?
"Not really," Elder Feng said as he leaned forward. The envoys will decide by what they see. You have fifteen days to exceed your present level and recover your status as our family's top talent.
Fifteen days is insufficient to—
Elder Feng cut in with a tiny jade bottle from his sleeve, "It will be." Using this.
Hao's eyes grew wide as he identified the symbol on the bottle. Spirit Enhancement Elixir? But that's—
Elder Feng's face was unyielding. "But under the circumstances, exceptional actions are needed. This elixir might advance your development by at least one level, maybe two."
The drawbacks—
His uncle interjected once again, "Are manageable." The family doctor has ready therapies for the worst of them. And keep in mind, nephew, your future—and therefore, our branch family's future—depends on getting a position in the Celestial Sword Sect.
Hao looked at the bottle, his eyes showing strife. Though the dangers were great—meridian harm, spiritual instability, even cognitive impairment if his mind couldn't handle the abrupt energy influx—the elixir could surely drive his cultivation forward fast.
Watching Zhen Lu receive what had been offered to him, seeing his position collapse after years of being lauded as a genius, was unfathomable, though.
Taking the bottle, he eventually said, "I'll do it." And I'll ensure that upstart regrets ever daring to challenge me.
Elder Feng nodded in approval. Good call. We have to talk about our plan for the envoys' arrival now...
Now we have to talk about our plan for the envoys' arrival...
Unaware of the conspiracy against him, Zhen kept on his afternoon horticulture. He felt a presence approaching his pavilion as twilight drew near; not the Patriarch but someone with a tentative, almost hesitant energy signature.
A gentle knock verified his doubts. He opened the door to find a young woman in plain robes with her head down respectfully.
She welcomed him, "Young Master Zhen." The Patriarch ordered me to assist you during your training. I'm Mei Lin from the branch family.
Zhen looked at her for a while. About sixteen years old, with a first level Sea of Essence cultivation—modest but solid. Her energy was pure and disciplined, indicating rigorous training under constrained circumstances.
He said "Come in" and moved aside.
Once entering, Mei Lin looked down. The Patriarch told me to assist with anything you need: food preparation, message delivery, training material procurement, and basic upkeep of your quarters.
Zhen could feel her anxiety. You knew me before, right? When I was deemed the family's waste.
Her eyes momentarily widened before settling back to their polite downward look. Yes, Young Master. We all did.
Zhen noted without emotion, "And now you're assigned to serve the same person you once looked down upon." Such is the irony of life.
"I never—" she started, then stopped herself. Forgive me, Young Master. I shouldn't disagree.
Zhen lifted an eyebrow. You did, however, begin to. Complete your idea.
Mei Lin hesitated and then gently straightened. Young Master, I never looked down on you. My mother was a servant in the East Compound where you occasionally practiced. She always claimed you toiled more than anybody else, despite apparently having little to gain from it. I... I respected your tenacity.
Curious, Zhen considered. She was either a great liar or there had been others in the family who looked past the "waste" label.
After a time, he remarked, "Honesty is good." An assistant who is afraid to speak truth is not one I need.
Her face showed visible relief. Thank you, Young Master.
Zhen went on, "Now, tell me what people are saying about yesterday's events. Not the elders or main family members—the servants, the branch family members, those whose opinions are seldom sought but who see and hear everything."
Mei Lin's face became pensive. Young Master, there are three key points of view. Some say you found or were given a hidden technique or treasure that momentarily increased your power. They think you will shortly go back to your previous condition.
Zhen agreed. That's a fair assumption. Go on.
Some say you've been concealing your talents all along, maybe waiting for the appropriate time to expose yourself. A handful...
Continue.
Some say you might not even be the same individual; the genuine Zhen Lu was either taken or replaced.
Zhen couldn't help but grin a little at how near this final hypothesis came to the reality. Not exactly possession, but a resurrected consciousness was certainly not far off.
Those are fascinating ideas. The Patriarch's choice to accept me as his disciple, then?
Mei Lin acknowledged, "That has created a lot of misunderstanding." Decades have passed since the Patriarch personally taught a student. Many thought he would never do so again after... after what happened to the last one.
Zhen became interested. The final one, what happened to it?
Mei Lin looked around anxiously, as though the walls were listening in. Young Master, it's not often said. Fifty years ago, the Patriarch took a disciple called Jian Lu—a distant cousin from a minor branch family. Under the Patriarch's direction, Jian progressed quickly to the Transcendent level. He was sent to represent our family at the Celestial Gathering, but...
This was useful knowledge. The Patriarch had left off this information, which implied it could cause suffering or sorrow for the elderly man.
Zhen responded, "Thank you for your candor." Your duty today is one more: Discover all you can about the Celestial Sword Sect's forthcoming visit—especially who they are sending as envoys.
Mei Lin bowed once again and left.
Zhen went back to his cultivation alone once more. His chaos energy was harmonizing nicely with the Celestial Foundation Method, hence producing a more stable framework for progress. He figured by midnight that he would be definitely in the fourth level of the Sea of Essence domain.
Ding! Daily cultivation progress surpasses expectations. Bonus reward: Minor Insight into Chaos Properties. Chaos energy integration with standard cultivation methods boosted by 5%.
Zhen grinned at the alert. The system appeared to respond to his wants and efforts, offering useful bonuses instead of only fixed prizes. Once again rising through the ranks, this symbiotic relationship would benefit him greatly.
Outside his tent, night had totally fallen over the Lu property. But in the shadows beyond the family walls, a man in dark robes watched quietly, eyes shining with an unusual brightness as they focused on Zhen's position.
The figure said, "Interesting." The wheel revolves again, bringing havoc again. Let us see whether this ship is more deserving than the last.
The spectator disappeared into the gloom with that enigmatic remark, leaving no evidence of their presence save maybe a slight ripple in the cosmic fabric that the most sensitive could see.
Pieces were moving on a board far larger than the Lu family compound, or even the Celestial Sword Sect could conceive as the game had started.