There was nothing more satisfying than the feeling of seeing yourself nearing the finish line of your dreams.
Lord Guanjun saw his wishes being actualized just by looking at the unusually remarkable youth.
He saw immense potential in Zhao Wei even more than when he had first tested Bei Moi.
He valued both of them as they were akin to millenial geniuses but they would always be a matter of inclination if a choice was given.
Lord Guanjun didn't want to reach such a point. He didn't want to exercise favoritism.
Through both Zhao Wei and Bei Moi, Lord Guanjun saw hope since the two, apparently, shared the same level of talent.
But it was already quite evident that Zhao Wei was unanimously superior, combat-wise.
"There is no need for such excessive formalities between us from now on, Zhao Wei. Stand up." Lord Guanjun smiled as he motioned for Zhao Wei to raise his head.
"Teacher." Zhao Wei showed a toothy smile in response.
'There goes my initial haughtiness toward taking someone as my teacher.'
'Hmm, I have become more devious and accommodating toward changes.'
Zhao Wei engaged in introspection about himself and his growing adaptability.
'Those that have a hunger towards knowledge shouldn't be stiff and embrace dynamicism.'
After Zhao Wei was taken in as Lord Guanjun's second core disciple under the envious eyes of others, he was given a seat at the 'high table'. His status was no longer the same as before, with his future progress shining brighter than ever.
That was how the both remaining nine Sky Guards and Lord Guanjun's outer disciples envisioned Zhao Wei. Undoubtedly, he was secretly the object of admiration to some.
Bei Moi just felt grumpy and more competitive. His space was being invaded and just like a kid, he wanted more attention to lean toward himself. Zhao Wei was justifiably stealing his spotlight and would eventually overshadow him in Master's heart.
Bei Moi clenched his hand and after a second of thinking carefully, he discarded all that jealousy nonsense from his system. It was only then that he coolly unclenched his hand.
'If I became obsessed with such worthless feelings like a kid, I might as well be just playing deep into what he wants to see.' Bei Moi kept himself at sub-zero and it was just then he caught a glimpse of a faint playful smile on Zhao Wei's face.
'What an unsavory bastard!' Bei Moi gestured a sneaky effing finger to send his own message to the new golden child.
Zhao Wei arched his brows in response before totally ignoring him.
Bei Moi felt the sting but swallowed his frustration down his gut after failing to elicit any noteworthy reaction from Zhao Wei.
Meanwhile, the potential-measuring occasion continued and it was Zhao Yufei's turn.
She was the only being exhibiting feminine energy in the room - the only talented woman among the ten Sky Guards.
As a transmigrator, Zhao Wei found the issue too damn noticeable. Disturbingly so.
Women in power were in the minority in most cultivation verses. Even if the woman was extremely powerful, for example, if she was the Celestial Empress, she would always be surpassed if she wasn't the main character and would fall prey to the protagonist's unlimited charm.
That was the sad fate of female cultivators. It was the norm and it wasn't damned surprising to Zhao Wei. Women weren't equal to men and it wasn't going to change anytime soon from the perspective of such a misogynistic society. But to Zhao Wei, all living beings were equal before him and had the potential to overcome their predetermined fates. As Johann Lierbert once again, "All living beings were equal in death." His spear couldn't distinguish between women and men. It pierced everything - All of creation.
Anyway, Zhao Wei couldn't wait to see what kind of surprises the young maiden who was somehow besotted with him would show the world. He wanted to see her new convictions come to fruition. Weirdly, he considered her a friend and his closest person to some degree. The mere thought of that, made him frown but truthfully, Zhao Wei felt that it wasn't that bad.
If there was something that Zhao Yufei had helped in his existence was making him less cold and making him feel that there was more to life than just chasing after lofty goals beyond heaven and earth. A journey was made enjoyable by far too many factors. Emotional severance was a one-way ticket to a forever dull life and that was a route that didn't conform to his new ideals.
Fang Yuan had his own outlook, Li Qi Ye had his and he, Zhao Wei, also had his. It was just a matter of difference in individuality that shaped a person's perspective.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yufei looked at the crystal ball in rapt attention.
'So this is the thing that would determine my own talent compared to Zhao Wei's.'
'What would happen if I lag behind him? Wouldn't he just discard me if I have inferior potential?'
'Please don't be a bad talent! Please don't be a bad talent!'
'I don't want Wei'er to abandon me!'
'No, I have to be better!'
'I am Zhao Yufei, the woman who promised herself to conquer her own future.'
Zhao Yufei steeled her determination and smiled beautifully. Her smile was calm and indescribably attractive. It was a smile that could turn winter into summer.
While in deep concentration, she put her mind and inner strength into the oh-so-mysterious crystal ball.
Everyone in the room was first greeted by a blinding light before it died down.
This was a phenomenon that had never happened before in Lord Guanjun's experience and it made him closely examine the only beautiful flower in the room.
The circle of light in the crystal ball started off weak before the first circle fully formed.
The people in the room watched in awe as the number of circles increased in the same way. It was as if her innate talent was subject to an unknown rule.
She easily passed the fifth mark and only stopped between the sixth and seventh circle which was better than Feng Hanyue's result.
"Middle to top tier spiritual body. Hmm, not bad." Lord Guanjun commented.
"Without further ado, I will just take you as my outer disciple."
Both Ye Lingyun and Third Guard were extremely surprised by the Lord's decisions considering that he rarely took in even outer disciples.
Ye Lingyun even wondered what type of monsters he had picked from Sun Feather City.
But after seeing Zhao Yufei's raw talent, there was no further discussion needed.
While everyone was taken aback and excited over Zhao Yufei's potential, the same couldn't be applied to herself as she listlessly dug her nails into her palm. She was at the risk of puncturing her palm.
'No. No. Noooo!!' Zhao Yufei cut her palm's skin with her nails to cope with her frustration.
Fate was to blame for wanting to ruin her chance with Zhao Wei.
That audacity of that bitch named Fate for wanting to take control of her mind!
'I am being shitty now. I am not supposed to be stopped by a mere crystal ball, right?' Zhao Yufei exhaled lightly and relaxed her hands while making sure to hide her blood.
She had to be stable.
'That's gonna leave a scar or not?' Zhao Yufei wore a forced smile.
Bei Moi after taking the crystal ball off her hands wondered what was wrong with her. Shouldn't be happy for being taken in as a disciple by the master?
Wasn't that more than she could ever wish for? Why look so disappointed?
Bei Moi couldn't understand her, no, no one could understand her better than herself!
'She's frustrated.' Zhao Wei was the only one at the moment who understood her.
But he was unaware of her hidden change - a completely hidden side of Zhao Yufei!
****