Xu Qi awoke to the clamor and bustle of the outer court, the sound of disciples training outside his window blending into the chorus of distant bells.
He stretched lazily, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the previous day's rigorous training. Alas, he still hadn't made any progress.
It was another day in the Azure Phoenix Realm and with the Test of Competence looming closer, every moment for him was crucial.
As Xu Qi swung his legs over the side of his bed, a soft knock echoed through the wooden door, interrupting his thoughts.
"Enter," He called out with his voice still a little thick with his drowsiness.
It had been three days since he found himself in the body of a young man with a similar name as him. However, this world was far from similar to the modern Earth he knew. It was a place where cultivation was the be-all and end-all, where power was the currency that could elevate or cast one down.
Unfortunately, he immediately discovered that he wasn't one of the blessed protagonists who transmigrated with a golden finger or a cheat-like system to help him navigate this mystical world.
Instead, Xu Qi found himself equipped with nothing but his silver tongue and a knack for words that he carried over from his past life thanks to his previous job of being a telemarketer.
That seemed to resonate deeply with the female disciples of the Wandering Palace. He didn't know how but the few he managed to talk with had all shown him positive responses.
He had yet to truly test if he could sway someone with his charms but the opportunity wasn't lost on him.
The Wandering Palace was an orthodox sect in this world, nestled high in the mountains with height breaking past the clouds serving as its foundation. Each mountain was dedicated to a different aspect of cultivation, with the outer court being the most accessible yet the most competitive. Disciples from noble backgrounds or those with talent looked down upon the likes of Xu Qi who had to rely on his own wits to survive while having no talent at all.
The air was thick with ambition and the scent of sweat, as everyone was eager to prove their worth and ascend within the sect's hierarchy.
And after three days, Xu Qi still had no idea how he should progress.
Soon, the door to his small, sparsely furnished room creaked open, revealing the figure of a young woman dressed in the azure robes of the Wandering Palace's inner court.
She stepped in with a grace that belied the urgency of her mission. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Xu Qi's still form.
He recognized her as Xiao Yue, a senior sister from the inner court who had taken an interest in him. But not because of his silver tongue. This was a senior sister that the old Xu Qi somehow managed to get acquainted with.
Her beauty was undeniable, with skin as pale as the moon and hair as dark as the night sky. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy that radiated from her deep blue eyes.
"Ah, Senior Sister, I apologize. I didn't know it was you." He said, his eyes lighting up as he took in her radiant appearance. "Your beauty outshines the very sun itself."
Xu Qi smirked, showing the whites of his teeth.
His new body and identity were more handsome than his original body on Earth. However, in this world, if you don't possess any talent in cultivation, you're nothing but a stepping stone for others. He knew flattery could open many doors, especially here.
"I see you've come to bestow upon me your heavenly presence, what can I do to be worthy of such an honor?"
Xiao Yue's cheeks tinted with a hint of pink, she was used to the flattery from her peers but Xu Qi's words had a certain charm to them that was hard to ignore. "Enough with the flattery, you are to come with me to the inner court," She said with a voice like a gentle command that didn't allow for his refusal. "Elder He, my master, has summoned you for an audience."
Xu Qi's heart raced. An audience with an Elder was no small matter, especially for an outer court disciple like himself. What's more, it was someone from the inner court! His mind raced as to the reason but Xiao Yue didn't give an explanation. She simply turned around and waited for him outside his quarters.
Without any choice, Xu Qi quickly donned his own set of Wandering Palace robes, the fabric a duller shade of blue compared to Xiao Yue, and followed her through the winding corridors of the sect.
As they ascended, the air grew thicker with the energy in the surroundings, hinting at the profound cultivation levels of those who dwelled in the higher echelons of the Wandering Palace.
"Am I... in trouble?" He cautiously asked as they walked, trying to gauge the seriousness of the situation.
Xiao Yue's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Not at all," She assured him. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. You see, I noticed how diligently you've been training despite your... limitations. It's quite admirable. And, well, I may have put in a good word for you with Elder He."
Jackpot? He thought.
"Wow. How lucky I am to have such a magnanimous senior sister." Xu QI said with a touch of sarcasm that made Xiao Yue laugh lightly. "But really, I'm curious. What did I do to earn your favor?"
Her smile grew a bit wider and she playfully tapped his arm with her fan. "Let's just say your... unique charm hasn't gone unnoticed."
She winked at him, her beautiful eyelashes fluttered enchantingly.
"My unique charm... Ah. You flatter me, senior sister. Can I convert that charm into talent?" Xu Qi jokingly asked as they strolled through the bustling corridors.
The disciples they passed by cast curious glances at the unusual pair: an inner court beauty with an outer court nobody. Particularly, those who knew him and were currently stronger than him. They all looked on with envy but they couldn't approach because of Xiao Yue.
Xiao Yue's eyes sparkled with amusement, ignoring the commotion caused by her graceful appearance to the poor outer sect disciples, "Perhaps not directly, but your way with words could be quite an asset if used wisely."
Xu Qi was more than surprised by Xiao Yue's revelation. He had always known that his way with words was his greatest weapon in this cultivation-centered world, but to think that it had already caught the attention of an Elder was beyond his wildest dreams.
'Is this actually my chance at getting something to help me?' He thought inwardly as different possibilities flashed in his head.