"Come on Julong! You're taking too long!"
The voice came from none other than Su Youwei herself. It was obvious that she was excited and in turn rather restless waiting for the boy with gold hair tips. He had promised her that she could go with him to meet Mushin Yuan in the centre of the Zixiao Region. It's not like he was regretting his decision. She was just far too hyper about it.
It had been a month or so since she had moved into the Saint Domain, and he had heard that her master had just found her a new residence, meaning she would be leaving in a few days. Being rather upset by this, having become good friends over the short time they had known each other, he decided to invite her to hang out. Or at least he'd like to believe that it was all his idea. In reality, Zi Xiao had come up with the idea as a way for him to not only build connections but to create some rivalry between them so they would all progress faster. What better motivation was there than others?
"I'm coming! Just give me a second!"
She was already at the teleportation array in the Saint Domain waiting. He wasn't very far behind, but she had wasted no time in giving it her all to get there.
When he finally got there he gave a small huff.
"Just how much energy do you have?"
"Hmm~? I'm just excited is all. I finally get to leave this place and meet people!"
"Just what did they do to you in that empire you came from?"
She only gave him a small giggle.
"Anyway, can you remind me why Supreme Sovereign couldn't have gotten us there? I sort of forgot already."
Pursing his lips in slight disbelief, they slowly formed a grin. He couldn't help but like her for moments like the current.
"Master said something about letting us find our own way in the world and letting our relationship blossom. Or something like that."
"Right! I still don't really know what she meant by that since she told us about this array right afterwards, but I'm sure we'll find out as we get older."
"Yeah... right."
While she didn't know, Julong certainly did. Those small smirks she had been giving him whenever Youwei and himself were alone together was enough to get her message across. She was such a weird person, especially for her age. Besides both his and her eyes already seemed to be set on someone else. Hers had been caught someone back in the empire she had come from, and his were undoubtedly on Yao Yao. Just thinking about her gave him a desirable feeling.
"Well I'm sure we both know how a teleportation array works, so let's go. I'm sure Mushin Yuan is waiting for us. He has an unorthodox tendency for being at least ten minutes early."
Su Youwei nodded with a small hum. She had been the one waiting after all.
Both of them went right up next to the totem inside of the array and channelled Genesis Qi into the array. It lit up and a few seconds later they appeared in the middle of the town centre of the Zixiao Region.
Immediately upon his arrival, he could feel stares hover over his figure. It was still something that he was coming to terms with, but the stares were different from usual. They had a very assuming undertone about them. Most of the time it was just one of acknowledgement, but the glints in the onlookers' eyes were very apparent.
Just like his Master, they were having strange thoughts about him and Su Youwei.
That was until another figure ran toward them. Another recognisable face, one none-other-than Mushin Yuan.
"Hey, Julong!"
His voice only just made it to their ears thanks to the bustling square around them.
"Hey, Yuan."
They both gave a small hand signal and a bow. Despite it not being a formal setting, it was still a show of respect nonetheless.
"How have you been?"
"I've been well, I'm getting close to my perfect breakthrough into the Heaven Gate Realm."
Excitement was clear in Mushin Yuans' voice. It was understandable as it was a great amount of progress to break through to such a stage. Less than half of all cultivators could make it through to the Heaven Gate Stage. That was the harsh reality of Cultivation.
"Anyhow, I'd like to introduce you to Su Youwei. She is Elder Lu Xuangang's new disciple from the Cangxuan Heaven. She was rather excited about meeting new people."
Mushin Yuan looked toward the mentioned girl. He was instantly taken by her beauty. He let his eyes wander before he fixed himself. If he was correct she was close to his age, maybe a year younger.
In reality, he was correct, she was 13, nearly 14. A near-exact two years older than Julong, who was nearly 12. Though despite that, he was not only more mature but also more powerful in his Cultivation. The world sure was an interesting place.
"Nice to meet you, Su Youwei. I'm sure you heard, but I'm Mushin Yuan, the previous number rank holder of the Qi Nourishing Stage."
"Nice to meet you too, Mushin Yuan. Though it feels a bit awkward that I don't have to say my name. I hope we can be friends!"
She poked her two index fingers together momentarily before speaking once more, not allowing Mushin Yuan to reply.
"If I may, what do you mean by previous. Surely you don't just become less powerful, nor does a super genius just appear."
Mushin Yuan's face just went blank. It wasn't exactly a stupid question, but the answer was quite obvious.
"I was defeated by Julong here."
She looked over at him with an eyebrow raised.
"I mean I knew he was a super genius, I just didn't expect him to have taken over the rankings so quickly. From what I've been told he was only anointed publicly a few months ago."
"About that...
"I was actually the one who challenged him... I don't think he cared for the title much."
Julong snickered a little.
"It's not that I didn't care for it, because it helped my reputation, something vital when the Saint's Disciple. It just wasn't at the forefront of my mind."
"Well, that makes me feel better about myself either way. Master told me about how prestigious this Heaven was. I didn't quite believe him when he told me how talented I am, but seeing that I can go against Julong for at least a little while should mean I'm highly ranked in our generation."
Mushin Yuan nodded.
"I can feel your power just by looking at you. I have no doubt you are at least top 5. I have fought all of them after all."
"Hehe, thanks."
Julong could only roll his eyes. While it was most likely true, he could tell Mushin Yuan's intentions. He was obviously trying to flatter her for whatever reason. He was sure it was because he was attracted to her, if his unlingering gaze from earlier was anything to go by.
With that he walked off, making them both quickly scurry behind him.
"What are we going to do first?"