"Huh?" Star Boundary tilted her head confused. Then she looked back to me as if struggling to find the right words and wanted help. "What's going on?" She asked.
"Well, these two here came to ask my father for some guidance on becoming a titled great emperor. More specifically the one that's still silent with his jaw hanging open." I answered, rubbing her head.
"They aren't bad people right? I don't sense the same thing as the inky thing, or the demon stuff?" Star Boundary asked, trying to avoid doing the background check herself.
"I don't think they are bad guys. I'd have sensed that myself without any help from being a great emperor." I chuckled. "But, it isn't my place to make the decision. Because it is you who grants the gift in the end. Why don't you look back on the younger one's history, perhaps into his late father's actions during the demon war?" I suggested.
Star Boundary nodded, glowing as she went through her records. All the way back to Shi Da Zhuang's father. It took a few moments because there was anything but a small amount of information to say the very least. The glowing stopped and she looked at me, still with some confusion in her eyes, a confusion I sort of already knew about. "I don't think he is ready yet. I don't even think there is a spot open yet either?" She answered timidly.
"You're right. I took up the last remaining spot. And not enough time has gone by for you to support another one." I confirmed my original feelings too. "I also agree that Shi Da Zhuang isn't ready to advance to the next realm yet either. As it stands now, he'd be nothing more than a leaf in the wind, yet it's the middle of a fire storm. In other words, your foundation still needs tempering. That is, if you truly want to be successful in breaking through to the 7th rank." I added.
"Wait a moment, would you mind explaining what it is that is wrong? I've trained him since he was a baby. I couldn't have missed something, right?" Yu Chang Dao asked, curiously.
I looked at the confused Guest Elder with concern. "Elder Yu, don't tell me that you, of all people, don't see it? A foundation like that isn't going to survive against the Ink Clan. It's far too flimsy. And regardless of what you want, there will come a day where he will need to fight. I don't intend on sending anyone to their deaths due to a lack of specific training." I answered, narrowing my eyes.
Yu Chang Dao straightened up again once he heard that. And that's when he bothered to take a real good look. "Oh, I see now. He could handle being a 6th rank no issue. But that jump to 7th rank… It's nothing small. Though, I don't see how he is incapable of doing it right now? Usually one needs to form their seal before such things can be determined." He said, muttering along. "Young Master Yang, you wouldn't happen to have a method to see such things before forming a seal? One that you'd be willing to share?" He asked hopefully.
"I do have a way, though it's different from what others could do. I was born with eyes that see through quite a bit, past the facades to the truth. I have tried to develop a way to mimic the sight I have, at least in this particular case. My father and I thought it was rather important to know everyone's limitations." I said, pulling out a scroll. "It's not perfect yet, but I am willing to give it to you for some testing. Tell me what you think of it. It's impossible for me to use it since my innate ability might sway the results." I said, handing it out. "But, I'm going to tell you right now. This is not something that should be shared lightly. In fact I actually need something in return for it, other than a report." I said, holding the scroll back once again.
"What is it you need me to do, Young Master?" Yu Chang Dao asked, practically desperate for the scroll.
"You'll need to become a teacher. There are many Disciples of my High Heaven Palace that lack the guidance needed to truly blossom. You'll be helping with that, you won't be alone either, a few other elders will be involved. And there will be several other layers of instructors, posted under your supervision, each corresponding with a realm they've maxed out at." I explained.
"Young Master Yang… My disciple here is my closed door disciple… I can't accept another one." Yu Chang Dao said, losing a little interest, but not entirely.
"Oh, I know that. I made this request with full knowledge of that fact. You won't be accepting Disciples of your own. You'll simply provide guidance whenever needed. And to a large variety of cultivators." I explained. "Think of it like a group of cultivators seeking guidance from a passing master. The only difference is that you'll be available far more often." I continued. "No one can deny the benefits one gains when passing at random. And there's no doubt that somebody has to be that passing master. Are the ones they help along the way their disciples? Or are they just gaining benefits from a bit of guidance from a stranger?" I asked, leaving the room silent, waiting for the answer.
"If you put it that way, then I don't see an issue. I'll do it. It will also provide me some time to practice a few things myself. But… I have a question…" Yu Chang Dao started, then saw my hand empty and the scroll in his.
"Don't worry about your break through any more than normally. All of the Elders you'll be working with have the same issue. You just need to work it out amongst yourselves who is going to make an attempt and when." I said, having already suspected this question. "And as far as helpful resources for your breakthrough, you'll need to earn enough Elder Contribution points. You understand, yes?" I continued.
"I understand, thank you, Young Master Yang." Yu Chang Sao said saluting.
"May I ask something?" Shi Da Zhuang asked, timidly. "Is there really a need to fight this war?" He asked, silencing the whole room.