In the Purple Star Sect, within the side alleys, a young man lay on the ground, severely beaten.
He was an eighteen-year-old youth with blue-black hair,his face covered in bruises, and dust staining his disheveled clothes.
His eyes were dull and his gaze sorrowful.
'Why does this happen to me,of all people? Why me? I thought my life would change after entering the Inner Sect, but now all the seniors treat me like trash. No, I'm even worse than trash; even ordinary people don't step on trash.'
The young man slowly crawled up from the ground and stood with difficulty, panting. He walked slowly out of the alley before collapsing to the ground once more.
'I'm so tired.'
As he lay on the ground,he spotted a ring discarded on the ground. With difficulty, he stretched out his trembling hand and grabbed the ring. "This...."
The moment he grabbed it, a golden-green light appeared, enveloping his body in complete comfort.
Then a warm sensation spread inside his body,extending to his limbs, circulating around his internal organs, and healing his injuries.
The young man stared in great shock,then looked at the ring in his hand and couldn't contain himself. He pressed his hands and feet against the ground and stood up, then started running, the hand holding the ring pressed against his chest, his body hunched over as he ran as if wanting to protect it with his life.
He immediately headed towards his room and entered quickly,panting heavily, but with a happy smile on his face.
"I can't believe it...I can't believe I found a treasure thrown away in the street! Haha...." But suddenly, his expression changed to one of deep resentment. "But what's the use of this treasure? In the end, someone will just take it from me. Damn it!" In his extreme anger, he swung his hand and threw the ring away, where it hit the wall.
As if a miracle had occurred, a voice came from nowhere. "Ouch, that hurts!"
The young man froze in place when he heard the voice,feeling as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest. He looked around quickly but found no one. "W-who's there?"
The voice sounded again, with a mocking tone. "Huh? Not just weak, but foolish too. Do you think throwing me like that wouldn't hurt? What an ill-mannered boy."
The young man swallowed hard and slowly knelt on the ground. "I-I'm sorry if this junior has offended a senior. I-I meant no disrespect."
A faint white halo appeared around the ring once more, and with it, a vague specter of an old man's spirit materialized before the youth. He had a long white beard and stern features.
The specter looked at the young man with a gaze full of contempt,then said, "Boy, you throw me, and now you bow to me? What a two-faced person."
The young man's body trembled instantly in place. "I-I'm sorry, Senior. I didn't know it was your ring. Please, just don't kill me. You can have the ring back."
The old man laughed loudly but soon returned to his serious demeanor. "Well, since you've shown a bit of fear, don't worry, I won't kill you. At least, I can't in my current state. But honestly, after I healed you, you bring me to your room only to throw me in the end? Is this your ethics?"
The young man felt ashamed, his head still glued to the ground as he muttered in confusion: "I-I... I was just angry. I thought this ring might be a treasure that could help me, but I didn't expect there to be... a person inside."
The old man sighed impatiently and stared at the young man thoughtfully before saying, "I can understand now. But, boy, your situation was truly miserable. What happened to you?"
The young man sighed bitterly and lowered his gaze, as if afraid to face the old man. "I... entered the Purple Star Sect hoping I could improve my life. I thought I would learn and become strong. At first, that was the case. I excelled in the Outer Sect, learned some techniques. But when I passed the Outer Disciple exam and joined the Inner Sect, I thought I would become even stronger, but the opposite happened completely. The Elder took me as his disciple, but I didn't learn anything from him. The powerful senior disciples see me as weak and despise me; they insult and beat me every day, as if I'm just scum."
The old man looked at him intently, the mockery in his voice fading, replaced by a sharp seriousness. "I see... Boy, what is your name?"
The young man raised his head but was still kneeling. "My name is Yun Weilian."
The old man grabbed his beard and slowly stroked it. "Yun Weilian, do you think strength alone will change your situation here?"
The young man looked at the old man in surprise and smiled bitterly. "Of course. Here, those who possess no strength have no place and no respect. I don't want to be weak or humiliated anymore. I want power so I can intimidate them, so I can force them to respect me."
The old man smiled quietly at this response. "You know, you remind me of what I was like in my youth. So, boy, you want to be strong? You want others to respect you?"
When he heard those words, Yun Weilian's heart leaped with happiness. This was his greatest wish. "Yes, I want that. I want to become stronger."
The old man let out a soft laugh, as if remembering his past, then said in a deep voice, "Then, Yun Weilian, accept me as your teacher, and I will guide you to become stronger."
Yun Weilian bowed to the ground, striking his forehead against the floor once more. "This disciple greets the Master."
The old man laughed loudly. "Good, a good disciple. Call me Master Yu. From today, you are my disciple. It's a pity my state is like this, otherwise I would have given you a gift." Master Yu raised his hand, and with it, Yun Weilian's body rose into the air and stood straight on the ground.
Yun Weilian raised his head with pride and happiness. "Master, may I know, how did you end up in this state?"
Master Yu waved his hand calmly. "No need. I fell in an ancient battle, perhaps even your generation doesn't know about it. To save myself, I discarded my body and bound my soul to the ring. I've been asleep for a while, gathering my energy. I woke up about a week ago, but I was thrown on the road, and then you found me. Perhaps it's fate."
Yun Weilian looked at Master Yu in astonishment; he hadn't imagined that behind this ring lay a story of such depth. It seemed this meeting was indeed destined, as if fate had thrown him into Master Yu's path at the moment both needed each other.
"So, Master Yu, what's the next step? I'm ready to do anything to become stronger," Yun Weilian said enthusiastically, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Master Yu's eyes gleamed calmly. "Well, it's good to be enthusiastic to start. But unfortunately, your foundation is weak, and your body is full of impurities, not to mention you're only in the Grandmaster realm, which is insignificant. If you tried to use my training technique, you would be harmed more than helped."
Yun Weilian felt a slight disappointment in himself upon hearing Master Yu's words, but he quickly composed himself, clasping his hands with determination. "Master, I will strive hard to improve my body and foundations. Just guide me to the method."
Master Yu nodded his head, looking at him thoughtfully. "Impurities can be treated with pills. But to rebuild your foundations, you can only rely on yourself."
Yun Weilian said, "This disciple understands." Then he began to recall Master Yu's words in his mind before his expression changed to one of surprise. "Wait, Master Yu, are you an Alchemist?"
Master Yu calmly stroked his beard. "What? Do you think I'm deceiving you? Of course, I'm an Alchemist."
Yun Weilian's eyes widened, shining with a new light of respect. He had always wanted to become an Alchemist, but he never had the talent or the opportunity. But with Master Yu's presence, perhaps...
Master Yu approached Yun Weilian and smiled. "Let's learn this first." Master Yu extended his finger and transferred a technique into Yun Weilian's mind.
Yun Weilian felt light sweeping over him, and a concept appeared in his mind. "This... the Grand Spirit Qi Cycle technique? A high-grade Mysterious rank skill!" An astonished expression appeared on Yun Weilian's face; he couldn't believe what had just happened.
Master Yu laughed softly. "If you have this expression over just a Mysterious rank skill, what will your expression be like for Earth and Heaven rank skills?"
Yun Weilian nodded with greater enthusiasm and shock, feeling increasing excitement. "Earth and Heaven rank techniques!" Yun Weilian felt as if he would faint for a moment.
Master Yu sighed at his expression and waved his hand. "Alright, let's go. We have a lot of work to do."
Yun Weilian looked curiously at Master Yu. "Where to, Master? What will we do?"
Master Yu's eyes flashed with understanding. "To strengthen your foundations, you need physical training. By any method, push yourself to your limits, and the limits will gradually increase. The best way for that is hunting beasts. You can also search for herbs and use them to make pills for yourself. Now let's go."
....
At this time, Su Ming had returned to the Summit of Serenity. Just as he reached the summit, he met Master Gu and Senior Brother Wang Fi.
"Greetings, Master and Senior Brother." Su Ming bowed as he clasped his hands together.
Master Gu looked at Su Ming with a slight smile, while Senior Brother Wang Fi watched him with an ambiguous expression. Master Gu replied gently, "You've returned, Xiao Ming. Youth still seems beautiful, aren't I right?"
Su Ming scratched his face quietly. "Eh, Master, hearing you say that with your youthful appearance loses its meaning."
Wang Fi laughed sarcastically. "Did Zhang Yong leave you alone again?"
Su Ming shrugged helplessly. "What can I say? I still have some work I must do."
Master Gu shook his head. "That's fine. I'm going to the Elders' meeting. You'd better head behind the summit. Just a piece of advice, the open air is beneficial, and the wind has returned from where it came."
Su Ming stared at his Master in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Elder Gu smiled and continued walking, followed by Wang Fi, and said, "You'd better find out for yourself."
Su Ming immediately rushed towards the back of the summit, where the quiet and isolated area was, a good place for meditation.
Upon arriving there, Su Ming sat quietly cross-legged and held his sword in his hand calmly and tenderly, as if he wasn't holding a sword but a companion with whom he had spent a long life.
"I'm still weak.I can't enter the River of Swords. I'm still weak."
He closed his eyes and tried to meditate quietly. Throughout this period, he had felt like a burden. In every fight he and Zhang Yong had been in so far, Zhang Yong was the one facing greater danger and injuries. It was as if he was a hindrance.
He didn't want this. Not at all. How could he call himself his brother if he was lesser than him? Without him realizing it, a sense of inferiority grew within him. He wanted to stand beside Zhang Yong shoulder to shoulder, but he didn't know how. So he worked on honing his best asset: the path of the sword.
But he felt he had hit a massive rock. Since breaking through to the Sword Intent stage, his growth had stalled. He couldn't even enter the River of Swords again, nor could he manifest Technique Will or integrate it with Sword Intent anymore. He had reached a point of despair.
He let out a deep sigh, unable to think further. Suddenly, he felt a presence close to him. Immediately, he drew his sword and slashed.
But his sword was stopped by two fingers from an old man. He had smooth white hair and eyes that seemed as dark as a bottomless abyss. "Oh, it seems you've become stronger, my little disciple. Not only that, but even more violent."
Su Ming's eyes widened noticeably, unbelieving of himself and who he was seeing now. "Master!"
The old man with white hair stood before Su Ming with a slight smile. His abyss-like eyes held a hidden warmth. "Yes, it's me. Who else could it be? Are you surprised to see me here?"
Su Ming shook his head without delay. "Of course. When did you arrive?" he then asked joyfully.
Su Ming was truly happy. Since he was young, due to his mother's early departure, he had few memories of her. His father treated him coldly. Fortunately, his sister acted as a mother to him, while his master filled the gap left by his father. Thus, the two were dear to his heart.
The Master patted Su Ming's head. "A short while ago. I thought about visiting you after all this time. But honestly, you have to give me some of those pills you gave that bastard Gu Zixian. He started teasing me again about looking younger."
Su Ming laughed heartily. "Ah, that happened by accident. We didn't know it would come to this."
The Master winked quietly. "If the Alchemy child doesn't know the effects of the pills he refines? That's surprising."
Su Ming looked at him meaningfully. "Weren't you the one who taught me how to refine pills in an extremely difficult position?"
The Master raised his head and recalled, "Oh? Do you still want me to put you on a branch over a cliff and make you refine pills?"
"You said it increases concentration."
"And you agreed to it."
"And on Mount..."
"I ended up saving you,didn't I?"
The two talked and exchanged words, with an atmosphere of happiness about remembering the past.
Their relationship was very close,like master and disciple and... almost like father and son.
Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief quietly, while the Master smiled warmly. "I heard you've gained several achievements during this year I left you."
Su Ming smiled confidently. "Indeed. I established my Sword Intent with the Earth rank Golden Dawn Sword Art, obtained the Queen Thunder's Origin Flame, and managed to manifest the Technique Will of the Plum Blossom Sword Art I learned from my father. A lot has happened."
"Oh." The Master showed his admiration happily. "It seems a lot has happened. I even heard you've sworn brotherhood with Gu Zixian's disciple. That makes you two like us."
Su Ming smiled and said playfully, "Yes, Zhang Yong was special since our first meeting on the boat, but..." then Su Ming's smile faded a little.
The Master noticed the subtle change in Su Ming's expression and asked, "Is there something you want to ask?"
Su Ming looked at his Master and said, "I can't advance beyond Sword Intent. Also, I fail to manifest Technique Will when I want to."
The Master hummed a little before quietly raising his hand and hitting Su Ming's head.
Su Ming held his head and complained, "Master, why this?"
The Master clasped his hands. "Of course because you're foolish. Of course you can't enter the River of Swords whenever you want; it's a legendary existence in itself. And Technique Will itself is difficult; one in a million can use it. Consider yourself lucky to have manifested it once. There are millions who couldn't manifest it at all, and even I couldn't."
Su Ming was astonished to hear that. "Even you can't, Master?"
The Master sighed quietly. "Yes, I've never been able to manifest it. But since you need my help, take these." The Master extended his hand and produced three scrolls in his hand.
Su Ming took the scrolls and looked at them. "A sword technique, a body refinement technique, and a mental refinement technique! Master, these things, especially the body refinement technique..."
The Master smiled lightly and said, "Yes, I found them not long ago. They will be more useful to you than they are to me."
Su Ming bowed to his master gratefully. "Thank you, Master."
"Come on, I'll guide you through them during my stay here."
...
After a day and a half of fighting beasts and gathering herbs, both Master Yu and Yun Weilian were inside a distant rocky cave.
Yun Weilian sat on the ground exhausted, his face covered in fatigue, with bruises and scratches covering his body from the numerous battles he had fought over the past day and a half.
Master Yu muttered to himself, "Well, you can fight Rank 3 beasts. That's not bad in itself, but it's not good either. So, how do you feel, boy?"
Yun Weilian looked at Master Yu tiredly, but with a wry smile on his face. "Like I've been fighting my whole life. I'm tired."
Master Yu laughed at his response. "That's expected. Strengthening your foundation isn't easy. You must train your body for a month or more to achieve success." Just as he said this, he raised his hand, and a bunch of plants appeared in it. Then, in an instant, scorching winds began to swirl intensely around them, and wild flames erupted around his grasp.
When he opened his hand again, a pill lay in his palm. "This is called the Mysterious Water Pill. Sit down and consume it. I will stand guard."
Yun Weilian took the pill and consumed it quietly. But suddenly, a powerful, ear-splitting roar came from outside.
Yun Weilian froze for a moment, sensing the danger emanating from outside. He looked at Master Yu worriedly, but the latter gestured to him calmly, saying, "Continue absorbing the energy from the pill. I will deal with this."
Yun Weilian closed his eyes and returned to his concentration, beginning to sense the energy flowing inside his body after consuming the pill. The energy was strong and warm, sweeping through his organs and helping to cleanse the impurities from his body.
Master Yu exited the cave, and suddenly yellow flames ignited outside.
Yun Weilian tried to accelerate the absorption of the pill's energy with greater force. He felt the heat of the energy spreading throughout his body like warm currents sweeping through his muscles and vessels.
Soon, a foul, pungent smell hit his nose when he opened his eyes again. Immediately, he ran and quickly exited the cave. The Master was standing there, looking pale. Even though his appearance was spectral, he seemed as if he was about to disappear.
Master Yu's aura was gradually fading, and his transparent body was almost vanishing into the air.
Yun Weilian,his voice full of worry, approached the Master. "Master, what happened? Are you alright?"
Master Yu smiled weakly and said in a faint voice, "Don't worry, boy. The beast I encountered was of a higher rank than I expected, and I expended all my energy to keep it away from you while you were absorbing the pill."
Yun Weilian's eyes widened in pain; he blamed himself. "Sorry, Master. The fault is mine for being weak."
Master Yu patted his head quietly. "Don't worry, I just lost some energy. I'll end up sleeping for a while to recover it. But I don't know how long it will take; it could be a month or more."
Yun Weilian felt intense sadness and worry as Master Yu patted his head. The thought of losing his master, even temporarily, stirred a feeling of helplessness in his heart. But a clear determination shone in his eyes. He said quietly, "Don't worry, Master. I will continue training and become stronger, so you won't have to do this for me again."
Master Yu smiled again and said in a calm voice, "That's what I want from you, Yun Weilian, to become strong enough to protect yourself. Always relying on others is good too."
Then, quietly, Master Yu's form turned into a ball of light and entered the ring.
Far away, from a distance, Zhang Yong stood at a distance and sighed. "Phew, damn, I almost ran out of mental energy creating that illusion. It even became real after merging with the Eternal Dream Domain. Well, it's time to go to the Stormwind Mountain."