Within the opulent palace atop Black Tortoise Peak, Xuan Yi sat cross-legged, his presence exuding an air of quiet mastery, as calm and deep as an endless abyss. His aura was still, yet beneath it lay the unshakable power of a seasoned cultivator who had seen and understood much of the world.
By the time the doors opened, Gui Yiyi was guided inside by two disciples of the Profound Sword Sect. Xuan Yi had already opened his eyes, and his gaze, deep and unfathomable, fell upon her with a quiet intensity.
"Elder Xuan," the two disciples greeted, cupping their fists in respect as they bowed.
Once their task was completed, the disciples silently withdrew, leaving Xuan Yi and Gui Yiyi alone in the expansive hall. As the door clicked shut behind them, the atmosphere shifted, becoming noticeably heavier, charged with a quiet tension.
Gui Yiyi's heart pounded in her chest, a flurry of emotions swirling within her. She took a deep breath, gathering what little courage she had, and stepped forward. With a slight bow, she murmured, "Xuan… Elder Xuan."
"Elder?" Xuan Yi's eyebrow quirked in amusement, and there was a playful edge to his voice. "That's not quite right."
"Master." Gui Yiyi's cheeks flushed pink as she hastily corrected herself. Her small hands clutched the hem of her robes, betraying her nervousness as she fumbled for composure.
Xuan Yi's lips curled into a smile, pleased by her response. "That's right," he said approvingly, his voice light with satisfaction.
However, as the playful smile faded, his expression turned serious, and his gaze grew more intense. "Do you know why I chose you to be my disciple?"
Gui Yiyi's eyes widened, and she hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Her voice trembled slightly as she answered, "I… I don't know. I'm… I'm not smart."
She bit her lip, guilt and uncertainty filling her chest. Yet, her honesty was met with a patient silence from Xuan Yi.
He paused for a moment, his gaze softening as he began to explain, his tone thoughtful. "There are many different types of spirit bodies in this world. Some resonate naturally with certain elements—Fire Spirit Bodies, for example, are naturally attuned to fire, while Sword Spirit Bodies are made for sword cultivation. There are even rarer Overlord Spirit Bodies, born to rule and dominate. These spirit bodies are all blessings from the heavens, powerful and coveted."
Xuan Yi's eyes grew distant as he continued, his voice taking on a deeper resonance. "From what I know, there is only one person in the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom who possesses a spirit body— the Third Prince of the Imperial Family. His is the Astral Spirit Body, a remarkable gift. But, beyond him, no others are known to exist."
He gave her a searching look. "Some spirit bodies are born awakened, while others require specific conditions to be activated. Yours, Gui Yiyi, is one of those that requires awakening."
Gui Yiyi's heart skipped a beat as the pieces began to fall into place.
Xuan Yi's gaze lingered on her as he spoke with quiet certainty. "Do you understand now why I chose you as my disciple?"
Gui Yiyi blinked, her mind racing. She took a step back, her voice catching as she asked in a tremulous whisper, "Master… do you mean… that I have a spirit body?"
The words hung in the air between them, almost too incredible to believe. Yet, when spoken by Xuan Yi, someone she trusted implicitly, they seemed impossible to deny.
"I…" Her mind spun. I actually have a spirit body?
Xuan Yi nodded, his tone calm but resolute. "Yes. You possess a Cold Ice Spirit Body. Right now, it remains dormant, but it's there, within you. To awaken it, you'll need a rare herb called Ice Spirit Grass. While it's not a high-grade spirit herb, it is incredibly hard to find."
Gui Yiyi's heart clenched with a mix of disbelief and hope. She was still trying to process the revelation when she glanced at Xuan Yi, only to see his face softened with a reassuring smile.
Seeing the worry in her eyes, he waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. Since I've accepted you as my disciple, I'll see to it that you get the Ice Spirit Grass. It's my responsibility now."
"Master…" Gui Yiyi felt a sudden surge of emotion, her throat tightening. She clenched her fists, her heart brimming with gratitude, yet she struggled to find the words to express it.
Xuan Yi's voice turned more serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't be so quick to be moved. You have a rare spirit body—your talent is exceptional, not just in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, but across the entire Qing Region. I have high expectations for you. Do not disappoint me."
Gui Yiyi stood straighter, her expression shifting to one of fierce determination. "Master, don't worry. I will not disappoint you!"
Xuan Yi's gaze softened for a brief moment, his lips curving into a small but satisfied smile. "Good. I expect nothing less."
After a pause, Xuan Yi spoke again, his tone shifting to a more matter-of-fact quality. "In addition to you, I have two other disciples—Wang Hu, your senior brother, and Lin Zhiyin, your senior sister. However, both are currently away on training assignments outside the sect. Once they return, I'll introduce you to them."
Gui Yiyi nodded, her mind racing as she processed everything. Xuan Yi continued, his voice carrying a sense of finality. "For now, you'll remain here at Black Tortoise Peak to cultivate. I will leave soon to search for the Ice Spirit Grass."
Gui Yiyi hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. She glanced down at the floor, suddenly uneasy. "Master… I… I need to return to my clan first."
Xuan Yi's brow furrowed slightly at her words. "What is it, Gui Yiyi?"
Gui Yiyi's voice wavered slightly as she recounted everything that had happened—the threats from the Witherwood Gate, the danger her family was facing, and the precarious situation her clan found itself in.
When she mentioned the Witherwood Gate, Xuan Yi's expression darkened noticeably. He had heard of the Witherwood Gate before. Its reputation was one of cruelty and lawlessness, a dark stain on the Zhennan Province. Unlike the Profound Sword Sect, whose name was known for its strength and honor, the Witherwood Gate was feared for its unprincipled actions and the ruthless nature of its Sect Master—a man whose power alone had kept him alive, despite the many who wished for his fall.
Xuan Yi's face grew cold as the details sank in. He stood up slowly, his white robe fluttering with a sudden movement, the air around him thickening with a palpable, invisible pressure.
"Is that so?" he murmured, his voice soft but laced with a deep, dangerous calm.
Xuan Yi's gaze hardened, and his next words held a chilling edge. "Then I'll accompany you to Half Moon City. I'll see if the Witherwood Gate dares to lay a hand on my disciple."
"If they do," he continued, the faintest flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes, "then they will no longer exist."
His voice remained soft, yet every word carried the weight of finality, a promise of retribution that could not be ignored.
Gui Yiyi's eyes widened in shock. "Master, you're coming with me?" Her voice wavered in disbelief. She had expected to explain why she needed to leave, but she had never imagined her master would come along personally.
"Yes," Xuan Yi answered, his gaze unwavering. "I will also inquire about the Ice Spirit Grass while we're there."
Though the search for the Ice Spirit Grass was part of the reason, the primary motive behind his decision was far simpler: Gui Yiyi's safety.
Xuan Yi's eyes softened ever so slightly as he regarded her. "I've only just found such a talented disciple. I will not let you face danger alone."
Though the Witherwood Gate might not pose an immediate threat to the Profound Sword Sect, Xuan Yi was not one to underestimate such forces. They were unpredictable and driven by madness, and he was unwilling to take any chances when it came to his disciple's life.
The Witherwood Gate's lawlessness was something Xuan Yi was all too familiar with, and it was far safer to be overly cautious than to regret inaction later.