Feng Yin's personal dwelling was not a hall of stone but a living grotto, carved deep into the heart of the mountain. The air within was thick and sweet, heavy with the tangible presence of primeval essence—so dense it felt like wading through cool water. Glowing veins of jade ran through the rock walls, pulsing with a soft light that illuminated a simple, spartan chamber: a stone bed, a meditation mat, and a small, bubbling spring in the corner from which the rich essence emanated.
This was the privilege of a Rank three elder. A place where the very air was a cultivation resource.
"This will be your residence for now," Feng Yin stated, his voice echoing slightly in the enclosed space. He gestured to a smaller, adjacent cave. "The primeval essence here is three times richer than in the outer sect. Do not waste it."
Meng Ru stepped into the grotto, his face showing a mask of respectful awe. He let his shoulders slump slightly, his eyes widen just enough to mimic the wonder of a boy given a glimpse of heaven. It was a flawless portrayal of a grateful, overwhelmed disciple.
Internally, his mind was a whirlwind of cold calculation. 'Three times the density. My cultivation speed will increase by at least two and a half times, accounting for the body's initial adaptation period. The spring is a natural essence source, containing trace amounts of wood-path dao marks. Beneficial for nurturing wood-path Gu worms. This single location is worth more than the entire outer sect's yearly resource allocation.'
Feng Yin observed the boy's "reaction" with a satisfied nod. The performance was convincing. It was the proper response. It meant the boy understood the value of what was given.
"As my personal disciple, your previous resources are obsolete," Feng Yin said, flicking his wrist. Three objects landed softly on the stone bed.
The first was a small, heavy pouch that clinked with a satisfying weight. Primeval stones. The second was a green, leaf-like Gu. The third was a grey, beetle-like Gu.
"One hundred primeval stones," Feng Yin explained. "To replenish your aperture. A Rank one 'Wood Charm Gu' for defense. Its protective layer is infused with wood essence, making it resilient. And a Rank one 'Stone Aperture Gu'."
Meng Ru's gaze lingered on the final Gu. It was a rare and valuable auxiliary Gu. It did not fight or defend, but its sole purpose was to slowly, painstakingly fortify and expand a Gu Master's aperture, improving the foundation of their cultivation. Its value on the open market was immense, far beyond what an inner disciple could ever hope to obtain.
This was not a gift. It was an investment. A down payment.
"Your task is simple," Feng Yin's voice was stern, devoid of warmth. "Reach the peak stage of Rank one within a month. Then, break through to Rank two within three. With these resources and this grotto, if you cannot achieve this, then my judgment of your talent was flawed, and my investment will have been wasted."
The threat was clear. Do not waste my time. Do not waste my resources.
Meng Ru bowed his head, the picture of earnest diligence. "I will not disappoint Master."
'Three months to Rank two,' his mind raced. 'An aggressive timeline, but achievable. With the Stone Aperture Gu, the foundation will be solid, preventing future bottlenecks. His investment is substantial. The expected return will be equally so. He is sharpening his blade.'
"One last thing," Feng Yin said, producing the Jade Dragon Gu egg once more. Its milky surface seemed to pulse in the grotto's jade light. "Your theory was profound. Let us see it in practice."
Meng Ru took the egg. He did not immediately pour his primeval essence into it. Instead, he closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his aperture. He performed no complex technique. He simply held the egg and focused his will.
He didn't project thoughts of conquest or ownership. He projected a single, pure concept—a vision. A vision of a vast, open sky. Of soaring through endless clouds. Of a world without walls, without a shell. A promise of boundless freedom.
Under Feng Yin's astonished gaze, a faint crack appeared on the egg's flawless surface. It was not a crack of damage, but a seam, opening like a blossoming flower. A soft, vibrant green light spilled out, carrying with it the potent, untamed aura of a nascent life form.
Meng Ru had not just solved the riddle. He had communed with the life within.
Feng Yin's breath hitched. He had just witnessed a miracle, a fundamental truth of the world laid bare by the boy he had just bound to his own rising path. He had not just found a blade. He had found a key to secrets he never even knew existed. A key that, he was beginning to suspect, others would soon covet.
Miles away, in a dimly lit hall within the inner sect, Elder Bai, a man with a perpetually sour face and a rivalry with Feng Yin that spanned decades, swirled a cup of bitter tea. An inner sect disciple stood before him, reporting nervously.
"...and that is all I know, Elder. The trial was concluded in record time. Feng Yin announced that the two others, Wang Lei and Li Chen, failed and were devoured by the snake pack. He then took the sole survivor, Meng Ru, as his personal disciple."
Elder Bai paused, the cup halfway to his lips. "Both failed? Devoured? That is… unusually clean. And Feng Yin, taking a personal disciple after all these years? And an unknown outer sect boy at that?"
He took a slow, deliberate sip of his tea. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"There is more to this story," he murmured to himself. "Feng Yin is not a sentimental man. For him to make such a move… that boy, Meng Ru, must be hiding a significant secret. Find out what it is."