Encounters [II]

Elder Wang examined Jufeng and shook her head with a sigh. She remembered her own older sister, Lu Xiu. Blinded by revenge for their mother's death, she was killed in a battle with her opponent who was actually a late-stage golden core cultivator who had been suppressing his aura. Her sister wasn't arrogant, but the anger had made her ignorant of combat possibilities.

"Close your eyes and free your mind. Now breathe in and breathe out. Breathe in and hold it. Wait a bit, now let it go and continue like that for a time. Now, when you breathe in, follow the movement of the air into your body until you can see threads of silver light."

After some minutes, Ju Feng indicated she could see the threads, prompting elder Cao Wang Xiu to nod her head. 

"Good. Now, follow the threads to the source, where the silver threads are coming from. You see the round source? That's your soul orb. Now let your consciousness merge with your soul and allow your awareness to cover the silver light. Now draw the silver light to yourself as much as you can until you have few threads left. Now let your awareness return to your body."

Ju Feng opened his eyes with tears of joy and appreciation. He tried to look up but couldn't as his emotion was still getting the best of him.

"You felt the power inside?"

"Yes, elder Cao."

"I understand. The feeling of seeing and being one with your true soul. It was truly an unforgettable experience. That was the power of the Zhuji stage. What I just taught you was the Petal-Soul technique. It's only taught to the core disciples."

Elder Wang Xiu walked to his side and patted him on his back.

"But you're somehow different from other inner disciples. I could sense your soul the first time I saw you. It's very different. I could sense it swimming in a large pool of Chi. Never seen that before, but I've heard of such. So I decided to watch and wait. When I saw you this morning, I knew I was right. The soul of a premier shouldn't be that powerful. I could sense the power of your soul and it's drawing more energy."

Seeing the facial expression of Jufeng, elder Wang smiled widely.

"Are you wondering how I could sense your soul? Ancestral bloodline. That's all I can tell you. The truth is that, If you didn't learn to control your aura, you would have been like a beacon drawing all sorts to yourself.

"But now, it's alright."

After some minutes, Jufeng regained his senses and bowed to elder Wang Xiu.

"This disciple thank you deeply, elder Wang Xiu. I'm in your debt."

"Debt can be too great to pay, Ju Feng. This is my work. After all, you are my disciple. But if I need your help on a good course in the future, will you consider it on the essence of creation?"

Ju Feng was more bewildered than frightened by the offer. On the essence of creation? That was as good as any oaths on the Eternal-Flame's stone. Well, as long as it was on a good course, he was fine with it. Anyway, how could he possibly help an elder of the golden core in the future? An elder was already thinking highly of his future. That was shocking to the point of being funny. He didn't even know if he should laugh at himself or at elder Wang or even at the universe. But seeing what the elder could do, he decided to maintain is peace.

"On the essence of creation, I promise to consider it."

"Very well then. Continue focusing on your training. You can go now."

"Thank you elder Wang." 

Ju Feng uttered as he bowed low.

It was like watching himself through the eyes of a god. A god! Yes, that was the word for it. Despite the fact that he had no idea how the sight of the gods worked. But for him, that was the feeling. The experience was an eye opener. The embryonic true existence of a cultivator's soul.

Lin Da Xia and Lin Cheung were still waiting outside the hall since the time they came out. They couldn't help but wonder why elder Cao Wang Xiu asked Ju Feng to stay behind. Could it be that she found out about their grandfather's box and their plans? Is she after the treasures too? If not, then why?

They were still questioning themselves when Ju Feng came out.

"Ju Feng, what happened?"

"Did elder Wang found out about our plans?"

"Did she know about the box?"

"No, not at all. You can both relax your minds. She doesn't know anything about the box."

"Then, why did she asked you to stay behind?"

Ju Feng looked at the two siblings with an easy smile.

"It was about my aura. She said there was something strange about it."

"Why would she say that?" 

"You haven't become a full premier, have you?"

Jufeng not wanting to affect the mood of the two, shook his head. He couldn't tell them at this time. They would asked him how he managed to become a true premier without the heavenly tribulations. He couldn't afford to tell them about the pagoda just yet. If they gained knowledge of the portal, they could put his life in extreme danger without them knowing about it.

"Not yet. But I think it will be around next week or so."

"Yes, we can feel it too. Can't wait for next week and the crazy tribulations to come. The elders said we'll know when we're having our tribulations." 

"And then, we'll have some minutes to get to the Dragon Hide valley where it would be easier and safer for us."

"Leave the tribulations alone for now, Da Xia. And you know what Jufeng, when I become a full premier, I would never want to suppress my aura. I would make it shine brighter."

"You are right Cheung. Especially, if we want to become core disciples."

They arrived at the refectory and chose one corner to sit. 

"Now, let's make our plan concerning the forsaken palace."