Xin Ma had taken his first personal disciple, someone he had never thought he would mentor.
Becoming a personal disciple was restricting. Especially since he rarely had any time to teach Liu Feng personally.
Looking toward the library's entrance, Xin Ma observed the dimming light outside. It was already night and time to close down.
By now, no one else was in the library except his dedicated disciple, Liu Feng.
Usually, this would be the time for Xin Ma to cultivate until morning. However, today was different. Seeing Liu Feng engrossed in studying on the second floor made Xin Ma feel compelled to fulfill his duties as a teacher.
"Liu Feng, meet me at the entrance," he called out, sliding his hand under his desk to activate the night arrays. It was a precautionary measure, although theft was unlikely in the library.
"Did you need me for something?" Liu Feng asked, balancing a towering pile of books effortlessly.
"I'm going to personally teach you some arrays today," Xin Ma declared, observing Liu Feng's enthusiastic reaction.
"Cool," the youngster replied, setting down the books and dusting his hands. "When are we going to tangle?"
Xin Ma sometimes found Liu Feng's metaphor-laden speech amusing. He typically spoke this way only around those he trusted, as far as the librarian had observed.
As they left the library, Shan Sha didn't pop up out of nowhere to interfere. This was either a miracle or the old goat simply sleeping. The latter seemed more likely, given Shan Sha's age.
Entering the forest, Xin Ma stopped once they were deep enough. "This is far enough," he said, as the moonlight bathed them.
Thinking of how to teach Liu Feng, who lacked a mentor like himself, Xin Ma shrugged and proceeded with what felt right.
"I will show you how to cast some basic arrays. Memorize the process, and you can train on your own later," he advised. "Except for one of those arrays... it's dangerous to activate it alone unless you use your own Qi to erect the array."
As primarily a defense-oriented Array Conjurer, Xin Ma showcased half a dozen Level 1 arrays for defense. Throughout the demonstration, Liu Feng nodded attentively.
"Good, show me the Blinding Array," Xin Ma instructed.
Liu Feng nodded and promptly began, "White Eyes, Evil Mist, Declaration of Madness! Blind Darkness!"
Feeling the array taking effect, Xin Ma allowed the dark mist to form, suppressing his Qi's natural inclination to resist foreign influences. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, such arrays would never affect him, but he allowed the process to proceed.
Not long after, the dark mist covered Xin Ma's eyes. The activation process seemed a bit slow, understandable since it was Liu Feng's first time using the Blinding Array. He had likely only seen it moments before.
Was this an indication of monstrous talent for arrays, or something else entirely? Liu Feng's learning speed was already unnatural, resembling someone who had trained since youth to become a scholar of some sort.
Perhaps the disciple Xin Ma had been in front of his eyes all along...
No, it still made little sense how Liu Feng was advancing so rapidly. Becoming an Array Conjurer required being good with numbers and a good memory, but this surpassed mere aptitude.
Xin Ma narrowed his eyes as he observed Liu Feng. The youngster was still at Body Tempering.
"Can you sense Qi?" the librarian suddenly inquired. That was the only thing that made sense.
"Yeah," Liu Feng shrugged. "I wasn't keeping it a secret from you. There just wasn't a good time to mention it."
Xin Ma cared little about such secrets; everyone harbored their own. However, this revelation sent his mind reeling.
So Liu Feng was one of those special cases, born with unusual abilities. Some possessed unnaturally strong bodies or could perceive things others couldn't. While Liu Feng's Qi sensing wasn't akin to Extreme Physiques, it was still a good headstart in cultivation and explained his ease at learning Level 1 Arrays.
"Except for the Lightning Dome Array, which is used for imprisonment, you can practice with the others on your own," Xin Ma explained. "The Lightning Dome Array is highly volatile, requiring the user to be nearby to activate. One wrong chant could result in lightning shooting everywhere as the array collapses."
Liu Feng nodded, though his thoughts appeared elsewhere as he rubbed his chin, a slow smile forming on his face.
What was this brat scheming? Xin Ma wondered.
"That's a good array," Liu Feng remarked.
"What do you mean by that?" the librarian frowned.
He hadn't anticipated Liu Feng would be the type to experiment with dangerous techniques independently.
Perhaps some discipline was in order? No, he would rather leave such things to Shan Sha.
*******
Days passed and the forest slowly transitioned from deep green to brown, with the ground littered with fallen leaves. My feet shuffled through the foliage as I made my way toward the training grounds.
If anyone were to spot me now, they would undoubtedly think I was some weird guy. Especially with the turtle perched on my head.
Speedy was no longer small enough to fit comfortably in my pocket; he had grown to the size of my head, his weight belying his deceptively small appearance. Without my cultivation, carrying him on my head would have left me looking like a hunchback with all this weight.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing the brown leaves carpeting the forest floor to swirl like a tidal wave.
"There should be an array to assist with leaf cleaning, don't you think, Speedy? For such a prestigious sect like the Blazing Sun Sect, it's surprising they don't have something like that," I mused as the approaching leaf deluge resembled a sandstorm, albeit less dangerous.
I extended my hand toward the leaf storm, mimicking a tiger swiping at its prey.
Falling Moon Claw!
Initially, nothing occurred until a sudden screech pierced the air, and the leaf storm parted before me, akin to Moses parting the sea, leaving my clothes untouched as a deep gash cleaved through the foliage.
Employing an Earth Grade Technique felt as awkward as ever; at times, I could sense the intricacies of its workings, while at others, it was akin to a blind person trying to describe a painting.
Having a semblance of Qi sensitivity granted me an advantage over many others at the Body Tempering Stage. With an Earth Grade Technique like this, I manipulated the Qi around me for attack, albeit without complete control, relying on the technique to guide the Qi toward my target.
It was not the same as projecting my own Qi. Using a technique like this still posed a threat to a Qi Gathering Cultivator. Unlike before, where I could barely inflict any damage.
As the wind subsided, I located the boulder that marked my training ground. Brushing aside some leaves, I settled onto it, placing Speedy beside me as I retrieved a notebook and a thin brush.
Inhaling deeply, the earthy scent of the forest filled my senses as I began recording my stats.
Name: Liu Feng
Age: 16
Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)
Cultivation: Body Tempering (eight-star)
Strength – 8.2 → 8.9
Agility – 8.2 → 8.9
Endurance – 8.9
Qi – 0
Techniques:
-Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)
-Sonic Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)
-Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)
-Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)
-Falling Moon Claw (Earth Grade)
Skills:
-Array Conjurer - Lvl 1 (Practitioner)
During this period, I had maximized my stats and made slight adjustments. Through practice using a cultivator's enhanced senses, I understood my body's condition, including muscle density and skin texture.
My stats hovered at 8.9, teetering on the brink of breaking into the nine-star Body Tempering realm. I had pushed my agility to 8.9 just the previous week. This was my first bottleneck. While tempted to change my movement technique, none of the techniques on the library's second floor seemed as compatible with the upgraded form of the Piercing Fang Fist, known as the Sonic Fang Fist.
The sun began its ascent. While I could have lingered in bed, I had grown accustomed to my training ground and felt more at ease there.
Today wasn't designated for training. Neither was the previous day nor the one before that. I'd had three days of rest.
Rising to my feet, I stretched and placed the turtle back on my head before strolling toward a tree sporting a small square backpack. Crafted from leather, the backpack contained the essentials, including a spot for Speedy. Placing the turtle inside, I walked away at a leisurely pace.
"If you need to look outside and do something other than sleep. There is a small pocket where you can pop your head out."
Rather than heading directly to the library, as was customary, I veered toward the daunting exit gates. However, I felt a bit hesitant. My apprehension stemmed from a prior unpleasant experience associated with passing through those gates.
A crowd of a few hundred people congregated at the gate's entrance. Most conversed spiritedly and didn't seem to have started creating any blood feuds... yet.
I couldn't fault their enthusiasm. While my motivations differed, outer disciples assisting with the entrance exam received five spirit stones each—a lucrative opportunity equivalent to almost half a year's worth of resources for outer disciples.
"Listen, everyone," called out an elderly man from atop the towering wall. With hands clasped behind his back, he appeared older than time itself, sporting a bald head and a long, white mustache. Rubbing his mustache, he began speaking in a raspy voice that surprisingly carried despite the distance. "I am Elder Yu Zhu, and I will now outline what you will be doing from now on outside of these walls."
He wore the dark green robe of an Outer Sect Elder, yet each word he uttered made it increasingly challenging to listen. He was like a drone, babbling a textbook's worth of information with a monotone voice.
Turning my attention away from him, I scanned the area, noting some extra disciples in the distance—some gazing on with envy at those with this job opportunity. While others appeared bored and like they were here to see a show. Among them stood a handful of Outer Elders, their expressions unreadable as they observed specific participating disciples, likely either to offer encouragement to their personal disciples or ensure others followed orders.
Amidst the crowd, leaning against a tree, stood the old goat, his gaze fixed on me with an enigmatic expression. When our eyes met, he offered a brief nod, which I reciprocated.
Despite the absence of the librarian, who was likely occupied with duties in the library, the old Shan Sha had made the effort to show his support.
With a fleeting glance, he turned and walked away. Whether his presence was solely to offer encouragement or to subtly remind me of the librarian's mission was unclear. Nevertheless, I appreciated the gesture, acknowledging the effort it must have taken for someone his age to travel to this location.
The mission now dominated my thoughts, prompting me to keep a vigilant eye on talented individuals and attempt to recruit them for the librarian's cause.
"Ah, Liu Feng, you're here too!" exclaimed a familiar voice, interrupting my thoughts as I turned to see the fatso approaching. His face resembled a ripe tomato, flushed with nervous energy.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" I greeted him with a smile.
Having a familiar face amidst the group provided a sense of comfort. Amidst a crowd where everyone seemed to know someone, I had initially felt somewhat isolated.
"I'm a bundle of nerves, to be honest. Barely made the cut to be here. Had to undergo numerous tests, needed to be at least a seven-star Body Tempering Cultivator, and they even evaluated my demeanor and potential impact on the group," he sighed, exhaustion evident in his voice. However, his spirits lifted quickly. "How about you? I didn't see you at the exam grounds for this mission. Given that you're the personal disciple of an Outer Elder, you must have undergone different assessments."
Nope, there was no exam for me. This showed how much the elders had pulled strings to get their people in there. However, I wasn't here to complain or pass judgment on people like the librarian. I owed too much to the guy to engage in such things.
"I can't speak for others, but Master Xin Ma needed to ensure I was prepared," I replied, keeping my response intentionally vague.
Aware of my chubby friend's youthfulness, I understood the potential blow to his morale upon realizing the extensive effort required compared to someone who simply appropriated achievements for personal gain. It mirrored the disappointment of seeing a scholarship awarded to a wealthy individual who sought to embellish their resume, regardless of their actual merit. Such revelations had the power to demoralize individuals, casting doubt on the value of hard work.
"By the way, how many passed the exam?" I inquired.
"Roughly forty or so. However, thousands participated, including outer disciples in their twenties and thirties," he sighed. "They were formidable competition, with years of experience taking the same exams."
While my chubby friend fretted over the performance of fellow exam-takers, my concerns diverged elsewhere.
Observing the surrounding crowd, I estimated around two hundred disciples designated for participation. However, only 40 had earned their places through official exams. The remaining 160 were either beneficiaries of elders' influence or personal disciples of said elders.
This pervasive string-pulling signaled not merely corruption but rather an accepted norm.
Behind-the-scenes maneuvering served dual purposes: securing five spirit stones for favored disciples—equating to a significant resource advantage—and potentially fulfilling ambitions akin to the librarian's recruitment strategy. Perhaps it was a combination of both motives.
I might not be the only one with the same mission.
"You will now be divided into teams of twenty, each led by an inner disciple," the elder atop the wall proclaimed.
My discomfort intensified at his announcement, prompting me to glance upward as ten disciples clad in blue robes materialized behind the elder.
To describe my encounters with inner disciples as unpleasant would be an understatement.
"Your seniors will select team members," the elder continued.
Without delay, one of the three young women perched atop the wall leaped down. Her dark, silky hair billowed upward as she descended, landing with a resounding thud that cracked the ground beneath her. Despite the impact, she appeared unfazed, her wild gaze scanning the surroundings.
She possessed blue eyes akin to diamonds, yet her conventional beauty was marred by the unsettling gleam in her eyes and her predatory grin. Even without knowing her, it was easy to tell she was dangerous.
As her frenzied gaze roamed the surroundings, seemingly searching for someone, my heart sank when her eyes lingered on me longer than usual.
"Hey, is she looking in our direction?" my chubby friend inquired, sporting a sheepish smile.
"I don't think she's the kind of woman you want showing interest in you," I sighed, attempting to blend into the crowd and evade her notice.
Crouching slightly, I maneuvered behind a tall figure, aiming to vanish into the throng when a hand suddenly gripped my shoulder.
Could it be my chubby friend? If he felt concerned, it was likely due to the intense scrutiny directed at me by the girl with the captivating eyes, not him.
Turning around, I confronted the most piercing gaze I had ever encountered, sending a shiver down my spine.
What?! How had she closed the distance so fast? It seemed she reached me in the blink of an eye.
One thing was certain: this woman was stronger than the previous young master in leaps and bounds.
"Are you Liu Feng?" she demanded, her grip tightening with enough force to elicit discomfort—an action difficult to achieve unintentionally given our resilient bodies.
Upon closer inspection, her intense gaze and toothy grin, accentuated by sharp canines, revealed a primal edge.
Should I deny my identity? It seemed futile considering she had already singled me out amidst a crowd of two hundred.
"Yes..." I responded tentatively, mustering a polite smile. "How may I help you, honorable senior?"
Her only response was a widening grin.
Fuck me... Maybe this exam wasn't worth the trouble after all.