Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis...

Deep within the enigmatic halls of the White Deer Institute, nestled amidst the rugged crags of the towering mountain, a relentless barrage of arrows, each formed from the very essence of Astral Light, streaked across the skies in a breathtaking display of both beauty and dread.

Chu Mang's sinewy frame was charged with an overwhelming aura, a force that seemed to compress the air around him. With a graceful yet potent pull, his hands guided the curve of his bow, the muscular contours of his arms embodying the epitome of sheer masculinity.

Before him, ephemeral after-images danced with blistering agility, a symphony of movement as they nimbly dodged the relentless onslaught of arrows.

"Quicker, Brother Chu Mang! Imprint your Mandate's will into your every action!" Qin Wentian's voice cut through the tension as he weaved through the whizzing projectiles, his own evasion a ballet of controlled chaos.

"Of course, my friend." Chu Mang's resolute nod resonated like a thunderclap, sending tremors through the very mountains. With a bellow that seemed to challenge the heavens, the Mandate of Arrows surged forth from within him. The arrows' shriek gained an otherworldly pitch as a malevolent energy cloaked them, rendering them almost ethereal in their swiftness.

Fixated on the source of these ethereal arrows, Qin Wentian's gaze sharpened. He sensed their approach like threads of light hurtling towards him, each one nearly imperceptible in its velocity. Formidable and terrifying – in team battles, an adept archer like this could spell the difference between victory and defeat, and neutralizing them was paramount.

As Qin Wentian honed his focus, time seemed to dilate. Faint traces of the arrows' paths became discernible, and his awareness extended to the delicate dance of the wind.

Bzzz!

The arrows, more like celestial javelins, tore through the fabric of reality. One grazed past Qin Wentian's ear, a hairsbreadth from sealing his fate. The cacophonous ripping of air sent a shiver coursing through his core. Yet, in his eyes gleamed not fear, but exhilaration. "Brother Chu Mang, you've got to do better than that! Shower me with arrows!"

Chu Mang shared the exhilaration, his excitement evident. Never before had anyone sidestepped his arrows once infused with the Mandate's essence. He unleashed a rapid trio of arrows, leaving Bailu Yi and Fan Le agape on the sidelines. The sheer velocity was enough to conjure the grisly image of those arrows impaling Qin Wentian's head. Yet reality defied the impending catastrophe as Qin Wentian, with a heart-stopping agility, narrowly eluded the projectiles, leaving his spectators in stunned disbelief.

This was madness.

And the madness didn't halt. Qin Wentian and Chu Mang pressed on, the intensity of their dance escalating to a crescendo of skill and will. The storm of arrows raged, while Qin Wentian stretched his senses and pushed his body to limits anew.

"Crack!" Amidst the chaos, Bailu Yi and Fan Le witnessed the impossible – Qin Wentian's ancient halberd materialized, cleaving arrows to shards. In the same breath, he lunged toward Chu Mang, a ferocious determination guiding his charge.

"A complete lunatic," Fan Le murmured in disbelief, his voice a blend of awe and incredulity.

Day after relentless day, the ceaseless clash of steel echoed as Qin Wentian and Chu Mang engaged in a feverish bout of sparring. It was as though the concept of weariness had vanished from their lexicons. Despite Qin Wentian's lingering sense of suppression, Bailu Yi and Fan Le watched in awe as his growth accelerated at an astonishing pace. His strikes now possessed a potency several magnitudes greater than before, leaving onlookers to question their own perceptions.

Each sweep of his halberd felt like an extension of his very being, a harmony between mortal and cosmic forces. Even his most casual blows carried a cataclysmic strength.

Amidst the serene backdrop of grassy patches, the quartet sat in a harmonious circle, with Little Rascal sprawled lazily in their midst.

Bailu Yi leaned forward, breaking the stillness. "Your transformation has been nothing short of profound. It's as though you've undergone a metamorphosis."

"Just a bit, I suppose. But my senses have become keener than ever," Qin Wentian replied, his eyes alight with newfound awareness.

"Could it be Kinesthesia?" Bailu Yi inquired, her gaze fixed on Qin Wentian's features.

"Kinesthesia?" A puzzled furrow marked his brow, and he looked to her for clarification.

Bailu Yi nodded, her tone explanatory. "Kinesthesia. A synergy between mind and heart, it enhances perception of both the internal and external. You grasp the flow of force with heightened sensitivity, your mind translating what your eyes see into intuitive understanding. It's like your senses have been refined to a whole new level."

Qin Wentian's nod mirrored his comprehension. In combat, he could distinctly feel the ebb and flow of force, guiding his movements with a precision that had once been unimaginable.

Amusement twinkled in Bailu Yi's eyes. "It's no surprise. Your encounter with Leng Ning seemed to trigger a storm within, leading you to unlock Kinesthesia almost unwittingly. Such fortune is rare, a serendipitous alignment of circumstances. Kinesthesia is a rare gift, seldom glimpsed even among Stellar Martial Cultivators. Now, every facet of comprehension will be markedly easier for you. Your heart and mind have found union."

Qin Wentian nodded again, absorbing the significance of this newfound ability. But there was another element he couldn't shake – that enigmatic flame born of golden threads. Its power had subjugated even his ancestral bloodline's dominion. Its profound implications, however, remained shrouded in mystery.

"In most cases, individuals rely on either heart or mind for their pursuits. You're truly fortunate; odds of this magnitude are rarer than a shooting star," Bailu Yi concluded, her gaze heavy with envy as it lingered on Qin Wentian.

"If only I could tap into that as well, my archery would ascend to unparalleled heights," sighed Chu Mang, his tone carrying a tinge of regret.

"You're not alone in that thought." Qin Wentian nodded sympathetically. "Chu Mang, mark my words, you'll unlock that state eventually. Just focus on channeling your consciousness into feeling the arrows, let your heart guide the shots. Success will come to you."

"Fan Le, my friend, your gift is a gem not to be squandered. You're well aware of the raw potency of your power of intention. It's a rare trait that most cultivators can only dream of possessing. If Chu Mang had your knack, he could maneuver arrow trajectories mid-flight, easily toppling sixth-level Yuanfu cultivators. Spend time with him, exchange insights, share your knowledge of archery," Qin Wentian addressed Fan Le, his gaze earnest.

Fan Le nodded, the weight of Leng Ning's passing had transformed him. He was no longer in need of external prodding; his drive was now intrinsic.

"Save the lectures for another day. The exchange is on the horizon, focus on preparing yourself," Bailu Yi chimed in, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Sure thing. I'll be dedicating the rest of my time to diving into Divine Inscriptions with you," Qin Wentian responded.

"Sounds like a plan." A smile tugged at Bailu Yi's lips. The prospect of studying Divine Inscriptions with Qin Wentian brimmed with promise; she'd witnessed his profound growth through these shared endeavors.

On the verdant tapestry of the back mountain, Fan Le and Chu Mang continued their rigorous archery practice, each arrow a testament to their unwavering dedication. Meanwhile, Bailu Yi and Qin Wentian delved into the intricate world of Divine Inscriptions, an intimate collaboration that slowly evolved into Qin Wentian offering guidance to Bailu Yi.

"Have you considered diving into Puppet Refinement?" Bailu Yi inquired, observing Qin Wentian's mastery over combative Divine Inscriptions.

"No need. Puppets are essentially living weapons. To me, it's all the same; no use spending excess time on something that won't drastically improve my understanding," Qin Wentian dismissed with a shake of his head.

"Confidence is my middle name," Bailu Yi chuckled, her tone dripping with amusement. "Wanna try your luck against my Puppet?"

"Absolutely." Qin Wentian nodded, stepping to an open space nearby. A sly grin curled at the corners of Bailu Yi's lips as she conjured a flash of light, materializing her Puppet. In an instant, it streaked towards Qin Wentian.

"Get a taste of Puppet might," Bailu Yi remarked with a playful glint. The Puppet lunged, its fist poised for impact. Qin Wentian countered, shaping his palm into a square imprint that collided with the Puppet's metallic knuckles. Swiftly, he unleashed a lightning-fast palm strike, aimed squarely at the Puppet's chest.

The Puppet, however, stood firm, utterly unyielding. Qin Wentian noticed a faint runic pattern glowing on its chest, and Bailu Yi couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Remember, it doesn't feel pain. Don't overestimate yourself."

With a casual shrug, Qin Wentian formed his fingers into a tight cluster, resembling the stance of his Great Dream Halberd Art's third move. He thrust forward with a single digit, channeling 'Fractured Void' energy. The strike bore into the Puppet's chest, rupturing it. The force propelled the Puppet backward.

Bailu Yi's grin faltered as she witnessed the damage to her creation. Was she seeing things? But before she could react, the Puppet seemed to retaliate, launching an ineffectual palm strike toward her. It was nothing more than a phantom gesture; there was no power behind it. Bailu Yi shot an irate glare at Qin Wentian. "You punk, what have you done to my Puppet?"

Qin Wentian's smile broadened, her anger oddly endearing. He couldn't help but quip, "Well, it was asking for a friendly high-five."

Her furious expression transformed into an adorable scowl as she retorted, "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"The essence grasped unveils a myriad of applications. Puppets, birthed from Divine Inscriptions, are vulnerable when their inscriptions are of third-tier. A touch of Reverse Inscriptions can disable them." Qin Wentian's grin was infectious as he clarified, triggering a spark of intrigue in Bailu Yi's eyes. Though his words appeared effortless, could it be that he'd unraveled the complex runic patterns of her Puppet's Divine Inscriptions in that brief sparring bout?

"Are you suggesting that third-tier Divine Inscriptions pose no threat to you?" Bailu Yi probed.

Qin Wentian shook his head, dispelling any grandiosity. "Against pinnacle third-tier Divine Puppets, I'd still be an easy target. Deciphering embedded inscriptions takes time. Unless someone intervenes to shield me from the initial assault, I won't have the window I need."

"Understood," Bailu Yi nodded, though a lingering resentment surfaced with thoughts of her Puppet's condition. Fixing Qin Wentian with a stern gaze, she demanded, "And my Puppet? How do you plan on compensating me?"

"Consider it restored." His claim left Bailu Yi dumbfounded. "You can mend the damaged Inscription too?"

With a nonchalant smile, Qin Wentian approached the Puppet. True to his words, within moments, the Puppet reverted to its former state, the damage undone. Could he really be this proficient? To grasp the core was to unlock boundless adaptations!

Witnessing Qin Wentian inscribe second-tier Divine Inscriptions with a mere flick only solidified her belief. His reputation would skyrocket after this exchange, his name echoing through the world of Divine Inscriptionists.

Yan Tie's fate was sealed. Unbeknownst to him, he'd provoked a veritable monster. Outwardly, Qin Wentian's demeanor may have masked his anguish over Leng Ning's demise, but Bailu Yi sensed the festering rage within, a tempest poised to engulf at any moment.