The Fragment of Qi
"Junior brother, I held off until now since teacher recommended you personally, but after this last incident, I really must intervene…"
The sect master showed a difficult expression as he confronted Yaan. Yaan stood before the imposing man, whilst Keasal, who was wearing a wry smile, stood by his side. Another five elders around them seemed to be irate and even angry, but Yaan did not feel the least bit troubled by this.
'Finally, took them long enough.'
Yaan was pleased that people were finally stepping in, hopefully to relieve him of his position, but he showed a calm and firm expression.
"Senior brother, these are simply my teaching methods. As for the matter of Yu Xan getting injured-"
"He was stabbed! His dantian was nearly pierced, his cultivation could have been crippled!"
"Quiet!" The sect master shouted out, glaring at the outspoken elder fiercely. The elder swallowed and stepped back, lowering his head slightly and removing all traces of anger from his face.
Yaan glanced at Elder Yu Shen briefly, engraving the old man's face into his mind. This person wore a white robe and had a fairly elegant demeanour in normal times, plus, he was able to control himself when the situation required it, he was quite competent.
Not only that, but he was Yu Xan's uncle and Yu Ten's brother…Yu Xan's father, Yu Ten, was the current Yu Clan leader!
The fact that Yaan's unorthodox teaching methods had led to the son of the Yu Clan leader almost getting crippled, seemed to have caused a bit of a stir, to the extent that even the sect master was forced to step in. Right now, besides Yu Shen, there were four other elders in the Court Palace who were displeased with Yaan's barbaric method of teaching, not to mention his plan to send the 25 elite disciples into the notorious Fragment Forbidden Land just two and a half months from now!
Yaan turned back towards his senior brother, Sect Master Brase, and continued to explain himself. His words showed his lack of remorse for his actions, but he made sure not to come across as too overbearing.
"Yu Xan may have been injured, but the injury was only superficial and was quickly treated. Whilst it might seem dangerous on the surface, I keep a close watch during my students' training, none of them are truly at risk." Yaan lied with a straight face.
However, he really did plan to keep a better watch and make sure that nobody was mistakenly killed from here on out. That is, if he wasn't relieved of his duty here and now.
"I understand your point of view, junior brother, but you must understand. We-"
Half way through talking, the Brase's eyes widened and he abruptly stopped. At the same moment, Yaan's eyes also became wide. He instinctively turned around, looking out from the Court Palace, towards a certain direction.
Keasal and the other elders looked confused, but Keasal quickly understood. He glanced at Yaan and showed a thoughtful expression, but he remained silent for now.
After a few seconds of silence, Brase turned back to Yaan and smiled.
"I take it you were also contacted?"
"Mm." Yaan nodded, then clasped his hands politely. "Senior brother, I will be leaving first, I don't want to keep teacher waiting."
"Of course, of course." Brase nodded understandingly.
Compared to their immortal teacher's instructions, what other matters held any importance? Since they had both been contacted by the Fragment Sect's Immortal Ancestor, who commanded that Yaan was to immediately visit his Grey Peak, this inconsequential matter regarding Yaan's class was immediately dropped.
The other elders were confused and discontent, until they heard the word 'teacher' from Yaan's mouth. Everyone present knew that the new Elder Yaan was actually the third disciple of their sect's Immortal Ancestor! Since this was the case, nobody would dare to say anything else.
Yaan departed from the Court Palace quickly but unhurriedly, ignoring the gazes cast towards him as he flew out through the entrance and up into the air. As soon as he made his way outside, his expression changed slightly and his mood became solemn. Even so, he increased his speed; he wanted to see just what it was that this 'Immortal Ancestor' wanted with him.
He had asked Keasal before if it was possible to meet with their 'teacher', but Keasal explained that it was impossible for them to seek out the Fragment Sect's Immortal Ancestor unless it was an emergency, or they had been called for. If they tried to fly into Grey Peak where he resided without his permission, they would simply lose consciousness due to the natural pressure exerted by the grey mist.
As he flew away from the Elder Court, away from the main region of the core sect and towards the central mountain range, Yaan's mood became increasingly grim. When he passed by Blue Peak and Red Peak and reached the grey mist, he was apprehensive about entering, since he could already feel the immense pressure contained within the grey mist. It was said that the grey mist which surrounded Grey Peak was a natural defence of the mountain against all Foundation Step cultivators, but to those at the Immortal Step, it was a great cultivating environment.
However, as Yaan slowly approached the grey mist, a passageway opened up for him. He slowed down even further, cautiously looking up through the passageway, which seemed to extend on for dozens of miles ahead.
'Come…'
A single word echoed in his mind, causing Yaan to sigh, before reluctantly flying ahead. Flying directly into this mountain, which could easily become his final resting place if the Immortal Ancestor decided to release his control over the grey mist, left Yaan feeling extremely uncomfortable.
It took Yaan some time to travel through the grey tunnel, steadily heading up the mountain. Whilst he was a 4-Star Realm demon and could fly quickly by utilising both his Vital Energy and Astral Power, the distance was simply too far. Grey Peak extended an unknown distance into the sky, but it was certainly hundreds of miles at least.
Those at Rank 4 could travel extremely quickly in a rapid burst of speed, but they were unable to maintain this speed for extended periods of travel. As he spent close to an hour flying diagonally upwards, Yaan was reminded of the time in the Greenwood Mountain Range, when his old teacher had flown back hastily from the Yuso Clan to the Heavenly Path Sect. Yaan estimated that now, his current travel speed was actually not much different compared to his late teacher's…
'In fact, I am almost certainly stronger than teacher at this point…' Yaan thought to himself dazedly, before snapping out of it and narrowing his gaze.
Finally, he had arrived.
Yaan landed softly on a barren cliff ledge, then waited silently as he stared into the cave ahead. The grey mist here and all around him had cleared, creating an opening. Even so, it was very stifling, and he was still unable to see into the cave.
"Come…"
The voice that previously appeared in his head, now echoed out from the cave. It contained no haste, nor any doubt that Yaan would disobey.
With a light sigh, Yaan walked forwards.
This situation where he was completely at the mercy of someone so much stronger than him made him feel extremely unpleasant. Yaan had never liked placing his life into the hands of others, he always preferred to have some form of assurance when dealing with powerhouses stronger than himself. This time, unfortunately, such a thing was simply impossible.
Step, step, step…
As Yaan walked into the dark cave, he was thrust into complete darkness. He did not pause, but attempted to use his Psyche Power to enhance his senses. It was somewhat effective, but he was still unable to see more than a few feet ahead. At the very least, he was able to see where he was going.
After walking for some time, the lighting abruptly changed. Yaan had stepped past some sort of barrier, entering a large open region within the cave. The floor here was laden with stone, as were the walls and ceiling, creating a square box of a room. Within the centre of this box-shaped opening sat the white-haired immortal…Yaan's teacher.
The man with the appearance of someone in his twenties, but with a gaze showing the passage of time, slowly opened his eyes. He immediately settled his gaze straight ahead on Yaan.
Yaan remained silent and stared back, not stepping another foot further forwards into this stone room.
"Your methods are just about inline with the righteous path, but I will not relieve you of your assigned task…" The man opened his mouth and spoke slowly.
Yaan's heart skipped a beat. He had somewhat expected it, but he really had been seen through so quickly!
'So he has been watching me after all…' Yaan narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly, but still did not respond. He was watching this white-haired immortal, trying to see through any clues given off by his demeanour, trying to work out exactly what he was thinking.
But Yaan bitterly realised that trying to see through an immortal who wished to stay hidden was completely impossible. This person, even if he had no acting ability, could likely use his cultivation to completely deceive Yaan's senses regardless. If he didn't want Yaan to see through his thoughts, then Yaan would not be able to find anything.
"In the righteous path, you must learn to deal with the consequences of your actions. Since you have declared that the elite class are to enter the Fragment Forbidden Land two and a half months from now, then that is how it shall be. From now until then, teach the elite class every single day. If a single student dies during the three day survival task, I will take your life immediately."
The bitter feeling in Yaan's heart deepened. Hadn't he just dug himself into an even deeper hole? This person was actually permitting his ridiculous declaration that he only made in order to get himself fired! Not only that, but Yaan's life also now depended on the success of this trial!
However, the white-haired immortal's next words caused Yaan to show a strange expression.
"Your discontent is only natural, the resources allocated by the sect are neither useful nor enough for your cultivation to progress. If you fail this task, you will die, but if you pass, I will give you what you need. I will permit you to use a chamber within this mountain to cultivate the power of that elixir."
Hearing that there was actually a chamber within Grey Peak that could allow him to draw out the power of the golden elixir left Yaan with countless questions, like why such a thing even existed in a land without body tempering.
He suppressed the urge to ask this right now. There was something else more important that he needed to ask.
"Why are you doing this? What is the connection between us?"
The white-haired man stared at Yaan with a deep gaze for some time whilst releasing an invisible pressure due to his gaze alone. Yaan did not falter for a moment, staring back and awaiting his answer. He did not believe that this person would go through so much effort just to kill him for asking a question.
After a long period of silence, the Fragment Sect Immortal Ancestor asked:
"Have you heard of the four primordial demons?"
Yaan frowned and shook his head.
"I see…so she has not told you…you truly do not know anything…" The white-haired man muttered quietly, perhaps to Yaan, or maybe just to himself.
"She?" Yaan couldn't help but ask as his frown deepened. He suddenly thought of a certain someone. "Do you mean the Spirit Plane Lord?"
"Oh? So you have met one of the four…"
Yaan shivered slightly. It felt like whenever he opened his mouth to speak, this person was able to make countless deductions into his brief words. Whilst he now had more certainty that this person could not read his mind, this sort of deductive reasoning was barely any less terrifying.
'So he wasn't talking about the Spirit Plane Lord, but it seems that she is indeed one of these 'four primordial demons'.' Yaan thought to himself.
Yaan had more questions now, but the immortal suddenly released a wave of aura that completely subdued any ability Yaan had to speak or move. He was forced to stare forwards, towards the being who was now surrounded with a blinding white light. Those gem-like blue eyes stared at him, as if they could see into his very soul…
"You are the Fragment of Dao, I am the Fragment of Qi. Prove to me that your dao is worthy of my sacrifice, or else I will devour you in your entirety."
Whoosh!
The surroundings blurred as various scenes and images overlapped in Yaan's vision. He felt nauseated as the feeling of being pushed backwards assaulted his senses. By the time he recovered, the surroundings had settled down and he found himself back within Black Peak.
"I am the Fragment of Dao? What is the Fragment of Dao?"
Yaan showed a complex expression as this term became firmly cemented within his mind. Memories from the past flashed through his mind as various inexplicable matters seemed to gather together in this moment.
"Fragment of Dao, Fragment of Qi…could it be two parts of a whole? The four paths of cultivation and dao at the centre…?"
"Rui said that I might have reincarnated, I now have various reasons to believe this may be true. She also mentioned that something might have gone wrong with my reincarnation…"
"The Spirit Plane Lord confirmed my suspicion that there is some issue with my past, and that there is a reason for my lack of memories before six years of age…"
"I possess karmic links to many extraordinary beings in this world, even upon meeting them for the first time…and yet, it always seems unclear whether or not they wish to help me…"
Yaan recalled the Immortal Ancestor once again. This person possessed a powerful karmic link with himself, and vaguely resembled him in terms of appearance.
"The Fragments of Qi and Dao…perhaps I really reincarnated…perhaps it really did go wrong…and I fragmented? But what does that mean exactly…?"
Yaan suddenly remembered how, when he first laid his eyes upon the white-haired immortal, he felt a strong killing intent for seemingly no reason. When he thought of this, he showed a confused expression.
"There is also that red-haired man from the 8th and 9th pagoda trials. That person elicited an emotional storm within me for reasons I can't explain. When that red-haired being forced me to surrender to his will, I felt…"
Yaan's expression became extremely pale. As the memory of his encounter with that red-haired man entered his mind, a memory that he had been actively avoiding dwelling on until now, he suddenly felt a wave of anger, indignation, shame, and disgust, filling him to the brim.
Peugh!
Suddenly and without warning, Yaan dropped to the floor and vomited. The sense of hatred and disgust that he felt towards that red-haired man, but also towards his own actions back in the 4th Trial Realm's 8th pagoda trial, was so extreme that he actually could not hold his stomach!
For a 4-Star Realm demon to be pushed to this extent by a mere memory of a feeling was simply inconceivable!
"Damnit…just who is that person?!"
Yaan did not know why, but he felt a deep-rooted killing intent forming within his heart, more powerful than any other murderous desire he had felt in his life! His breathing became heavily laboured, and he took a long time to calm himself down.
After recovering and returning to normal, his gaze seemed to have darkened, becoming even colder than before.