40 Dragon Vein Spirit Pool, Wang Zhang.
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...
Weeks rolled by.
Yang Wei's courtyard was now enjoying its tranquil spell.
The peace was a welcome change—no disruptions from Mu Lin, Huo Zhenwei, or the Young Master, Jin Tianyu.
The fallout with Mu Lin lingered, but Yang Wei saw no reason to mend things yet. He knew she needed some time to cool off before he could talk to her again.
Engrossed in his morning chores, Yang Wei swept the courtyard diligently.
The rhythmic swish of the broom cut through the quiet air.
Pausing, he slung the broom onto his shoulder, surveying the serene surroundings with a nod of approval.
"It'd be rude not to thank Mu Lin for those cultivation resources," he mused aloud. "They've been a big help so far."
Yang Wei rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Funny, Mu Lin has aided my cultivation more than Lingxi ever did," he remarked with a sigh, resuming his sweeping. "I wonder if she knows that; maybe if she did, she wouldn't have acted the way she did."
The courtyard remained a haven of calm as Yang Wei continued to adapt to his new world.
So far, Yang Wei had made significant progress, particularly in spirit root cultivation.
He elevated all his affinities to the first level of Mortal Realm while currently being at the second level.
Most recently, he delved into Dragon Vein Cultivation and Soul Harmony Attunement Arts, initially met with skepticism.
However, he discovered that reaching the fifth level of the Mortal Realm is a prerequisite to cultivate the latter. Consequently, he focused on Dragon Vein Cultivation as a preferred path until deciding on his cultivation journey.
Despite Mu Lingxi's study room containing numerous scrolls, most were inaccessible to him due to his limited cultivation base.
Nevertheless, with Mu Lin's gifts, he had better opportunities for cultivation progress.
...
Done with his chores, Yang Wei strolled out of his abode, taking a deep breath of the crisp air.
"Ahhhh~ fresh air~~"
Clad in the light blue and white outer robes of Spirit Harmony Peak's Outer Sect, he sported a storage pouch and spirit stone pouch on his left side. His Outer Sect map clutched in hand, he spread it out while descending the three steps of his veranda, making his way to the courtyard.
"So, the caves are a bit of a trek from the residential areas, but flying should solve that... At the third level of Mortal Realm I should be eligible to learn that cool flying sword technique."
Yang Wei's words drifting into the quiet surroundings.
He looked around a little bit and noticed that it really was silent. There was no one coming to find him or trouble him these days— too peaceful.
"Hmm, it gets a little too lonely here these days…"
But as quickly as he said those words, the thought left his mind.
A gust of wind enveloped his feet, propelling him gracefully into the sky.
Hovering above, he studied the Outer Sect map, plotting his course.
Soon, he arrived outside Spirit Harmony Peak, facing a colossal coiling dragon statue that took him by surprise. Its massive presence made it visible from hundreds of kilometers away.
"I can see it."
Yang Wei folded the map, stashing it in his storage pouch. Adjusting his arms behind him, he shot forward like a rocket, aiming for the colossal monument. In mere seconds, he hovered beside the megastructure, an awe-inspiring sight amidst the sprawling mountains.
Mu Zhong generously provided me with the Outer Sect map, confident that I could decipher details about the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool. Despite my initial expectation of a small courtyard, it's quite large. I wonder why, with such significant resources, many cultivators within the sect remain comparatively weak.
In deep thoughts, he took a long look at the structure.
Then, he placed a hand on his chest and chuckled.
Perhaps, I, Yang Wei, simply stand out as an exceptional mage. He thought happily.
The Dragon Vein Spirit Pool, a massive dragon-like structure, served as a receptacle connected to the Supreme Circle River of the Spirit-reaching Dragons. This domain existed outside the constraints of time and space, intricately linked, yet separate from the Crystal River Mandala. Functioning as the source of the entire Dragon Blossom Sect, the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool was among the sect's lesser supreme treasures, drawing Dragon Vein Qi from the Supreme Circle River. Positioned at the center of the sect's five Great Peaks, the megastructure housed numerous caves to accommodate cultivators from across the sect seeking to cultivate Dragon Vein Qi.
Yang Wei gracefully descended from the skies, a considerable distance to the ground. With a slight adjustment, he hovered inches above the earth, creating a small rush of air.
As his feet gently met the ground, he strolled confidently towards one of the entrances leading to the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool.
Even from the outside, I can feel the powerful Dragon Vein Qi coming from the other side. However, given my current level, it would be wise to temporarily suppress my mana to prevent any adverse reactions to the dense energy. Now, it's time to take a closer look inside. He thought analytically as he stared at an entrance.
Standing by one of the entrances was a man with brown eyes, long grey hair and a matching beard, donned in dark blue and white robes adorned with golden trims—the uniform of the Thunder Cloud Summit. This man was Wang Zhang, Grandmaster Lin Feng's grandson from Wang Mei's side; his third wife.
Wang Zhang looked serious, but you could also sense a bit of kindness in his expression. His jian was sheathed and hanging behind his back, hands firmly placed there.
"Hm?"
That was the first thing to leave Wang Zhang's mouth when he saw Yang Wei.
Whistling cheerfully, Yang Wei walked past him.
CLICK! SWOOSH!!
Wang Zhang swiftly unsheathed his jian, blocking Yang Wei's path.
Yang Wei, unfazed, raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor contrasting with Wang Zhang's mean expression.
Yeah, I figured this might happen. The guard stopped me, probably because he doesn't recognize me. Cultivators see time differently, so he likely knows all the other disciples just by looking at them.
Knowing this, he still chose to act dumb. Yang Wei asked, "Is there a problem?"
Wang Zhang, maintained his serious demeanor.
"I haven't seen your face here before, state your identity..."
"Huh? Why do I need to state my identity? Isn't the uniform I'm wearing enough to quell your unnecessary suspicions?" Yang Wei responded.
Wang Zhang clicked his tongue and immediately warned him, "You would dare defy the orders of a senior cultivator of the Thunder Cloud Summit. Junior, do you seek death?"
Yang Wei sighed.
Do they always have to conclude everything with death? Cultivators, I swear...
Tiredly turning his gaze back to Wang Hao, he replied, "I'm not seeking anything, I just don't see the point o…"
Before he could continue, Wang Zhang pressed the sharp end of his jian against Yang Wei's neck, asserting, "I believe I asked a question, Junior."
"If I don't answer?" Yang Wei retorted. There was a slight defiant look in his crystal blue eyes.
Wang Zhang remained silent, keeping the blade of his jian pressed against Yang Wei's neck.
The air thickened as they locked eyes, tension slowly brewing between them.
Disciples around the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool paused in their activities. The ones who were going in and out of seclusion cast it aside to know what was going on.
Quite frankly, they believed it was their business.
"What's going on?!"
"I think it's a junior and Elder Brother Zhang…"
"How arrogant is this Junior, he would dare lock eyes with Elder Brother Zhang, that in its own is a crime against the Heavens…"
"Why should we worry? Elder Brother Zhang will put this piece of cultivation world trash in his place!"
Murmurs began to circulate among the onlookers.
Yang Wei calmly sighed, breaking the silence. "This blade is a bit too close for comfort," he dryly commented, placing a finger on Wang Zhang's jian. "Pull it back a bit, and we can talk."
With a subtle push, Yang Wei moved the blade away from his neck. "If I identify myself," he said to Wang Zhang. "I hope we can finally end this, and you'll apologize."
Wang Zhang drove his jian into the ground, clenching his fist in his palm and and bowing his head. "I swear on the name of my ancestor, Grandmaster Lin Feng," he vowed. "If you can properly identify yourself, I'll apologize. But if you can't..." He paused, glaring at Yang Wei. "I'll cut off your head."
Yang Wei smiled confidently, reaching for his identification token on his cloth belt. "Identifying myself shouldn't be too hard," he said, showing the token to Wang Zhang. "I'm an Outer Sect disciple of Spirit Harmony Peak, a junior under Senior Sister Lingxi."
He knew to add "Senior Sister" behind Mu Lingxi's name so that he would be seen as an authentic disciple of the sect.
"My name is Yang Wei."
As the words left his lips, Wang Zhang's eyes widened. It was similar to when a predator hiding in the bushes who had been watching its prey finally saw that moment of complacency— a chance to cut down its target.
He seized the opportunity to strike.
In a flash, he retrieved his jian from the ground, thrusting it towards Yang Wei's chest.
ZING!!
A swift sidestep spared Yang Wei from the attack, the rush of wind revealing the near miss.
WOOSH!!
Wang Zhang followed up with a slashing stroke aimed at Yang Wei's chest, who dodged with three quick steps backwards, narrowly avoiding a cut that grazed the chest area of his attire.
"Hm?" Yang Wei said as he calmly looked at Wang Zhang. "You have a higher cultivation base than me and yet, you would dare attack me with such a cheap move? How disgraceful…"
Wang Zhang gritted his teeth angrily, shooting a hateful glare at Yang Wei. It felt like he was clenching so hard that his teeth might turn to dust.
"You were the bastard who put my junior brother, Wang Hao, in the state he's in now!"
"Eh?" said Yang Wei, looking like a lost kitten trying to read a map.
...
Chapter 41 Preview: "The Sect's Rising Star, Recognizing the Big-Butt Beauty."
