It had been three days since Wudi Egun's arrival in this new world, where he had assumed the role of sect master for the Sunburn Sect. During this brief period, he had taken the opportunity to familiarize himself with the sect's surroundings and get acquainted with its disciples.
Although he had inherited the memories of the original Wudi Egun, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was an imposter. He was, after all, a different individual who had taken over the identity and body of the original Wudi Egun. This duality of identity left him with a lingering sense of discomfort.
Today, as Wudi Egun sat in stillness, cultivating his energy within the confines of his private chamber, he was abruptly interrupted by a knock at the door.
Opening his eyes, Wudi Egun subtly employed his Divine Sense to discern the identity of the visitor. His senses revealed a young man in his early twenties, exuding an aura of confidence. The youth stood at an impressive 6'2" tall, with handsome and charming features that were accentuated by the red robe of a Daoist that he wore.
The young man stood respectfully outside the door, his fist cupped in a greeting as he voiced his salutation. "Disciple greets the sect master."
Wudi Egun continued to observe the young man from within his chamber, his gaze piercing yet silent. He took in the details of the young man's posture, his attire, and the aura that surrounded him.
The young man's confidence was palpable, and Wudi Egun's curiosity was piqued, wondering what had brought this visitor to his chambers.
Wudi Egun's memories served him correctly as he identified the young man standing outside his door as Dong Dali, the ninth disciple of the sect.
Dong Dali was known for his diligence and strong work ethic, which made up for his lack of innate talent.
As a Dao Apprentice Realm cultivator, he was neither ordinary nor simple, yet in the eyes of more experienced cultivators, he was still considered a beginner.
Wudi Egun's voice, filled with dignity and power, commanded respect and authority as he spoke, "Why have you come here? State your purpose."
The thick wall separating Wudi Egun from Dong Dali did little to diminish the impact of his voice.
Dong Dali felt an aura of suppression wash over him, forcing him to sense the weight of Wudi Egun's presence. Dong Dali's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected display of authority
Dong Dali hastily explained the purpose of his visit, "This disciple has been facing a problem recently and doesn't know how to proceed. My seniors advised me to seek your guidance, Sect Master."
Wudi Egun nodded thoughtfully as he listened to Dong Dali's reason for visiting. Despite not being a veteran cultivator, his Dao Expert Realm cultivation base granted him the confidence to assist a Dao Apprentice Realm cultivator like Dong Dali with ease.
A gentle smile spread across Wudi Egun's face as he asked, "What is it that you need my help with?"
Dong Dali's eyes widened in genuine surprise, unprepared for the sect master's easy acceptance of his request. His excitement got the better of him as he eagerly shared, "I have been practicing the Twelve Spear Transformation Art for three years."
Wudi Egun listened attentively, allowing Dong Dali to share his story without interruption.
Dong Dali continued, his voice filled with a sense of desperation, "Within these three years, I have managed to learn the first Four Transformations, but I've failed to grasp the profundity behind the Fifth Transformation. This has caused stagnation in my cultivation progress."
With a look of desperation, Dong Dali fell to his knees and lowered his head, pleading, "Please, help me, Sect Master. What should I do?"
Wudi Egun's expression revealed a hint of surprise, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as he processed the unexpected request. Although he had anticipated that Dong Dali would seek his guidance on a cultivation-related matter, the specificity of the request caught him off guard. He hadn't expected Dong Dali to be so forthright about his struggles with the Twelve Spear Transformation Art.
He let out a deep sigh, the sound filling the brief silence that followed. As he exhaled, he took a moment to stabilize his breath, calming his thoughts and collecting his bearings.
To be honest, Wudi Egun was completely unfamiliar with the Twelve Spear Transformation Art. In fact, he had never even heard of it before, leaving him uncertain about how to assist Dong Dali.
The realization sparked a sense of discomfort within him, as he wondered how he, as the sect master, could possibly provide guidance on something he knew nothing about.
Wudi Egun pondered for a moment before responding, his voice solemn and measured. "Go and visit Elder Mu. As an expert in Spear Dao, he may be able to provide you with more guidance and assistance than I can."
Dong Dali's eyes widened in genuine surprise once again. He couldn't believe that the sect master was asking him to seek guidance from someone else. Did this mean that the sect master was acknowledging his own inferiority to Elder Mu in terms of Spear Dao?
As if sensing Dong Dali's unspoken thoughts, Wudi Egun burst into laughter. The sound was thunderous, causing the ground to tremble violently, as if a minor earthquake had struck.
Wudi Egun's laughter subsided, and he offered Dong Dali a kindly advice, "Young friend, being inferior to someone isn't shameful at all. Just remember that on the path of Dao, as you seek Immortality, no matter what greater heights you reach, you will always remember that there are mountains above mountains and heavens above heavens."
Dong Dali's brow furrowed in deep contemplation, his eyes fixed on some unseen point as he processed Wudi Egun's words. Suddenly, a spark of understanding flashed in his eyes, and his expression transformed, reflecting a newfound wisdom.
Noticing this subtle yet significant change, Wudi Egun smiled knowingly and shook his head, choosing to remain silent, allowing Dong Dali to absorb the weight of his words.
"Thank you, Sect Master, for this profound wisdom," Dong Dali said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Until now, I have been ignorant and failed to understand this. With your permission, I shall take my leave."
Dong Dali cupped his fist and bowed, then turned to depart, leaving Wudi Egun to his thoughts.
After Dong Dali's departure, Wudi Egun shook his head, intending to return to his cultivation. However, his attention was diverted by the sudden reappearance of the mysterious voice he had heard three days ago.
A transparent screen materialized before him, displaying a notification:
[ Congratulations, Host, for imparting a profound truth to your disciple. ]
[ You have been rewarded with a Low-Rank Gift:
1000 Inferior Spiritual Stones
Inferior-Grade Low-Rank Martial Art Technique: Ten Consecutive Assault Fist
Inferior-Grade Low-Rank Cultivation Technique: Fire Dragon Dance ]
Wudi Egun's smile grew wider as he gazed at the notification on the transparent screen.
According to the system's description, the Ten Consecutive Assault Fist was a fist-related martial art technique designed to target the same spot repeatedly. Each successive strike would multiply the attack power, creating a potentially devastating effect.
The technique's progression was straightforward: the first fist would deal regular damage, the second would unleash twice the power of the first, and the third would triple the original power. This pattern would continue, with each consecutive strike amplifying the attack power.
While the technique seemed almost invincible on paper, Wudi Egun couldn't help but chuckle at the obvious flaw. The likelihood of an opponent allowing him to land ten consecutive strikes on the same spot was incredibly low.
The technique's effectiveness relied heavily on the opponent's cooperation, making it more of a theoretical powerhouse than a practical one.
If someone were to ask Wudi Egun what kind of person would allow themselves to be attacked in the same spot ten consecutive times, he would respond with a hint of amusement, "Someone named Li Qiye."
However, Wudi Egun's expression would turn solemn, and he would add, "But, of course, after attacking Li Qiye, you must be prepared to lose your life in the end."
The mention of Li Qiye's name seemed to carry a certain weight, implying that this individual was not someone to be trifled with. Wudi Egun's warning suggested that crossing Li Qiye would be a perilous endeavor, one that could ultimately prove fatal.
Wudi Egun's thoughts drifted back to his original world, where he had read about Li Qiye in a novel. He chuckled to himself, amused by the memory.
However, his smile was tinged with a hint of seriousness. If Li Qiye were to exist in reality, his god-like powers would indeed be a nightmare for everyone.
The mere thought sent a shiver down Wudi Egun's spine, and he couldn't help but feel grateful that Li Qiye remained a fictional character.
With his thoughts on Li Qiye now set aside, Wudi Egun refocused on the rewards presented to him. He turned his attention to the Fire Dragon Dance, a fire-element cultivation technique.
As he examined the technique, he discovered that it allowed the practitioner to manipulate fire while fighting, much like a dragon's dance. The technique's description hinted at its potential for enhancing the practitioner's ability to control and wield fire.
Although the Fire Dragon Dance wouldn't directly increase the practitioner's combat prowess, it would grant them the ability to manipulate fire and incorporate it into their fighting style. Wudi Egun recognized the technique's value, seeing its potential to complement his existing abilities.
Wudi Egun's gaze finally settled on the 1000 Inferior Spiritual Stones, the currency of this world. A hint of surprise crossed his face as he thought about his sect's current financial situation.
Their total assets amounted to a mere 500 Spiritual Stones, a relatively modest sum. Yet, here he was, receiving 1000 Spiritual Stones as a reward for simply guiding his disciple on the Dao.
Wudi Egun shook his head, a mixture of amusement and gratitude. He refocused his attention, settling back into meditation as he resumed his cultivation.
With his eyes closed, he began to cultivate, his consciousness merging with the surrounding energy as he sought to further his understanding of the Dao.
*****
Two weeks passed, and the seasons continued their relentless march. On this crisp, clear day, the wind danced with the trees, rustling the dry leaves that blanketed the courtyard of the Sunburn Sect.
A procession of carriages arrived, their wheels creaking as they came to a stop outside the sect's entrance. The carriages' ornate designs and luxurious fabrics hinted at the esteemed status of their occupants.
As the doors opened, a group of individuals emerged, their noble appearance and aloof demeanor commanding attention. They seemed to belong to a realm beyond the mortal world, their very presence exuding an aura of superiority.
A young man with a look of disdain gazed upon the Sunburn Sect's dilapidated building, its walls cracked and worn, as if on the verge of collapse. "Senior Brother Zhen, is this rundown residence really the Sunburn Sect?" he asked, his tone dripping with scorn.
The handsome young man beside him, with an ethereal appearance that seemed almost celestial, nodded arrogantly. His voice was laced with pride as he confirmed, "Yes, this poor building on its last breath truly is the insignificant Sunburn Sect."
"Let us enter," Senior Brother Zhen said with a smile, leading the group into the residence. They found themselves in a humble and ordinary courtyard, devoid of any grandeur or majesty.
However, their expectation of being greeted by someone was met with disappointment. The courtyard was empty, and there was no one in sight. This lack of reception greatly displeased the group.
Unaware of the visitors' displeasure, Wudi Egun sensed their presence from his meditation. He frowned, unsure of who these people were or what their intentions might be. To handle the situation, he waved his hand and created a clone of himself.
The clone was a far cry from Wudi Egun's true appearance. It stood at a mere four feet tall, with a thin and wiry body. The clone wore a simple servant's outfit, and a large black mole on its right cheek gave it a rather unsavory appearance. The overall effect was that of a total bastard, a far cry from Wudi Egun's true dignified self.
As Senior Brother Zhen and his fellow disciples, clad in their blue Daoist robes, continued to survey their surroundings, a short young man came running towards them, broom in hand.
"Greetings, greetings, my lords!" the young man exclaimed, his words tumbling out in a hurry. "I am Yu Yu, the servant of this humble sect. What may I be of your help?"
The clone of Wudi Egun, perfectly embodying the role of Yu Yu, performed his act with convincing flair, his obsequious demeanor and awkward appearance fooling the visitors into believing he was indeed just a lowly servant.
The group's gaze fell upon Yu Yu, and their faces reflected their unbridled disdain. One of them sneered, "You filthy poor peasant, don't you dare get close to me. You reek of poverty."
Yu Yu, however, remained undeterred. He smiled brightly and proudly slammed his chest, saying, "Thank you, young lord, for the compliment."
The group was taken aback by Yu Yu's shameless response. They were stunned that he would interpret their insults as compliments, and their faces reflected their confusion and annoyance.