Mei Lin approached Elder Bai Feng's residence with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The promise of rewards danced in her mind, but the weight of her task pressed down on her. She had spent the past few days meticulously observing Jian Li, documenting his every move, or rather, his every lack of movement.
She bowed deeply before the entrance, announcing her presence. A moment later, the heavy wooden doors swung inward, revealing a stern-faced disciple who gestured for her to enter.
Elder Bai Feng sat behind a large desk, his eyes sharp and scrutinizing. Scrolls and books were neatly stacked around him, a testament to his dedication to the traditional ways of the sect.
"You have something to report, Mei Lin?" he asked, his voice brooking no nonsense.
Mei Lin swallowed, trying to appear confident. "Elder, I have been observing Jian Li as you instructed. I believe I have gathered sufficient evidence to support your suspicions."
She presented a meticulously crafted scroll, detailing her observations. She described how Jian Li spent most of his days napping under the shade of the ancient willow tree, seemingly oblivious to the rigorous training undertaken by his peers. She noted the absence of any visible cultivation techniques, the lack of strenuous exercises, and the complete disregard for the sect's established training regimen.
Elder Bai Feng took the scroll, his eyes scanning the contents with growing displeasure. He paused at a particular passage. "He… sleeps? For hours at a time?"
"Yes, Elder," Mei Lin confirmed, eager to solidify her case. "While others are diligently honing their skills, he is indulging in idle slumber. It is an insult to the sect's teachings and a mockery of true cultivation."
She subtly emphasized the word "cultivation," hoping to further fuel the Elder's disapproval. She knew Bai Feng held traditional methods in the highest regard, and any deviation from those methods was seen as a sign of weakness or, worse, heresy.
Elder Bai Feng slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the room. "Unacceptable! This blatant disregard for discipline cannot be tolerated. He must be held accountable for his deception."
He rose from his seat, his eyes blazing with righteous indignation. "Prepare yourself, Mei Lin. We will confront Jian Li before the sect council. His charade ends today."
Jian Li was enjoying a particularly pleasant nap. The sun warmed his face, the gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the willow tree, and the subtle flow of qi through his meridians was… well, it was boring. He'd long since optimized his sleeping cultivation technique. Now it was just maintenance.
He was jolted awake by a loud commotion. Elder Bai Feng, his face a mask of fury, stood before him, flanked by Mei Lin and several other disciples.
"Jian Li!" Elder Bai Feng bellowed, his voice echoing across the training grounds. "You are hereby summoned to appear before the sect council to answer for your transgressions!"
Jian Li rubbed the sleep from his eyes, struggling to comprehend the situation. "Transgressions? What transgressions?"
"Do not play innocent with me!" Elder Bai Feng roared. "Your deceitful behavior has been brought to light. You have neglected your training, shirked your duties, and insulted the very foundation of our sect!"
He gestured towards Mei Lin, who stepped forward with a smug expression. "This disciple has diligently observed your actions, Jian Li. She has witnessed your indolence, your lack of discipline, and your complete disregard for the established methods of cultivation."
Mei Lin unfurled the scroll, reading aloud her accusations. She painted a vivid picture of Jian Li as a lazy, incompetent disciple who had somehow managed to advance through the ranks without putting in any effort.
Jian Li listened in disbelief. He had been so focused on his own cultivation, on optimizing his techniques, that he had completely neglected to consider how his actions might appear to others.
"Is this true, Jian Li?" Elder Bai Feng demanded, his voice laced with suspicion. "Have you been deceiving the sect? Have you been relying on forbidden techniques to achieve your progress?"
Jian Li sighed. He knew that explaining his methods would be difficult, if not impossible. The sect elders were deeply entrenched in their traditional ways, and they would likely reject any explanation that deviated from their established dogma.
"Elder," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I have not been deceiving the sect. I have simply been… experimenting with different cultivation methods."
"Experimenting?" Elder Bai Feng scoffed. "You call sleeping under a tree 'experimenting'? You call neglecting your training 'experimenting'?"
"My methods may seem unconventional," Jian Li conceded, "but they have proven to be effective. I have made significant progress in my cultivation, and I believe that my techniques could benefit the entire sect."
"Nonsense!" Elder Bai Feng thundered. "Your progress is nothing more than a facade, a result of forbidden techniques or, more likely, pure luck. You have disgraced the sect, and you must be punished!"
He turned to the assembled disciples. "I hereby declare that Jian Li will be brought before the sect council to answer for his crimes. If he is found guilty, he will be stripped of his rank and expelled from the sect!"
The disciples murmured amongst themselves, their eyes fixed on Jian Li. Some looked at him with pity, others with disdain. Mei Lin, however, wore a triumphant smile. Her ambition had been rewarded.
Jian Li knew that he was in a precarious position. He had no allies on the council, and Elder Bai Feng was determined to see him punished. His only hope was to somehow convince the council that his methods were legitimate, that his progress was not a result of deception or forbidden techniques.
As he was led away, Jian Li couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. He had never intended to cause trouble, he had simply wanted to pursue his own path to cultivation. But now, he was facing expulsion, and his dreams of reaching the pinnacle of power seemed to be slipping away. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast.
The sect council chamber was a large, imposing room, filled with the weight of tradition and authority. The sect leader sat at the head of a long table, flanked by the five elders, including Bai Feng. Their faces were stern and unreadable.
Jian Li stood before them, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that his future hung in the balance.
Elder Bai Feng wasted no time in presenting his case. He recounted Mei Lin's observations, emphasizing Jian Li's laziness, his lack of discipline, and his apparent disregard for the sect's teachings. He accused Jian Li of deceiving the sect and potentially using forbidden techniques to achieve his progress.
"This behavior cannot be tolerated," Elder Bai Feng concluded, his voice ringing with conviction. "Jian Li has disgraced the sect, and he must be punished to the full extent of the law."
The sect leader, a man of few words, turned to Jian Li. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Jian Li took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Sect Leader, Elders, I understand your concerns. My methods may seem unconventional, but I assure you that they are not based on deception or forbidden techniques. I have simply been exploring different approaches to cultivation, and I have found that these methods are highly effective."
He attempted to explain his sleeping cultivation technique, how he focused his mind on circulating qi through his meridians while he rested, how he had optimized the process over time. But he could see that his words were falling on deaf ears. The elders looked at him with skepticism and disbelief.
"So, you claim to cultivate while sleeping?" Elder Bai Feng scoffed. "That is preposterous! Cultivation requires effort, discipline, and unwavering dedication. It cannot be achieved through mere idleness."
"But Elder," Jian Li protested, "I have made significant progress. My cultivation base has advanced rapidly, and I am confident that I can demonstrate my abilities."
"Demonstrate your abilities?" Elder Bai Feng challenged. "Very well. We will put your claims to the test. You will face me in a public demonstration of our cultivation methods. If you can prove that your methods are effective, then we will reconsider your case. But if you fail, you will be expelled from the sect."
Jian Li hesitated. He knew that facing Elder Bai Feng would be a daunting task. The elder was a seasoned cultivator, with decades of experience and a mastery of the sect's traditional techniques. But he had no other choice. His future depended on it.
"I accept your challenge, Elder Bai Feng," Jian Li said, his voice firm and resolute.
The sect leader nodded. "Then it is decided. The duel will take place tomorrow at dawn in the training grounds. May the best cultivator prevail."