It was unnatural. Molten. Celestial. Those eyes were something that should never exist on a human.
Shuren was sitting in an exceedingly luxurious and comfortable carriage. This level was comfort he had only experienced back in the Liu Clan during days of festivities.
Between them was a table with a few drinks and meals.
The interior was painted with a tapestry of ancient beasts and worlds, while above was adorned with ten rings. Not even the carriages back home in the Liu Clan would compare.
The past few days had left Shuren absolutely exhausted, but he couldn't let himself slouch on the seat to relax. His eyes were narrowed, every muscle in his body tensed.
He saw it right away with that gaze.
This girl was stronger than him. By how much, Shuren didn't know.
And on top of that, he was surrounded by a dozen Rank 3 guards. Her backing ran deep. He wouldn't be surprised if she was from one of The Great Nine.
Perhaps she's from the Suzaku Empire. I heard the Laughing Prince's little sister has been acting out a lot recently.
Shuren didn't shy away. He stared right at the girl in the face.
"Oh, how rare. You're actually looking me straight in the eye. Is this how Cloud Cityfolk flirt with their women?" a playful tone from a girl said.
Shuren scoffed. He had dealt with plenty of girls like this before back when he lived in the Liu Clan and met with the clan's allies. Attention seeking and perpetually bored, they wanted anything to bring some semblance of amusement to their hollow lives.
"Enough bullshit. What do you want?"
Not good. I unintentionally let out- wait, why am I worried? I just came back from a damned life and death encounter, and here I am wanting to have decorum with a girl who wants me to be her tour guide?
So what if she was from some higher up clan? So was he. In fact, very few could equal him in status as the grandson of the Divine Sword Saint.
"Not much," she said.
"So what's a girl with Heavenly Blessings doing all the way here? Struggling to break through Rank 2?" Shuren leaned back on the carriage couch, relaxed as ever.
He noticed it straight away from those eyes, vivid like a lantern with multiple rings.
He had seen enough young kids with all sorts of Heavenly Blessings back in the past.
Some people were born with talent. Some were born with talent in a Path that reinforced their cultivation. Some people were just born beyond a Gold Talisoul with all of their Spirit Meridians unblocked. And some were outrageous, akin to emissaries of the Heavens themselves. They were born not only with all of these, but a unique heavenly physique that gave them greater advantages to everyone else. Like gaining a second mind, they were born with their Paths tended to and clear, with the world itself guiding them to the end.
The girl continued to have a plastered smile on her face, unperturbed by Shuren's attitude. "Are you qualified to know?"
"Oh, I already know. You're just bored." Shuren reached over for a glass of water, taking in casual sips.
She likewise picked up a teacup to drink. "You sure speak big for someone surrounded by Rank 3 guards."
"There is a saying for those who visit this region. When in Cloud City, follow where the clouds sway. You entering the Seven Clouds Sect is a privilege granted only by the assistance of whichever sect or clan you're from. Act up, and even your own father won't let you be."
Hearing what Shuren said in one ear and letting it out in the other, she took a sip. "Didn't I bring you here to tell me about the sect? Yet you lounge about like you own this place."
Shuren only sank his neck and back further into the cushioned seat, holding the glass from the rim with his left hand. "Forgiveness, my lady. A disciple of the Seven Clouds Sect has little time for rest. Your carriage was far too comfortable for this weary body."
Shuren locked eyes with her.
She moved a strand of her white hair, with hues of light violet.
It was unnerving. Her eyes.
Like she could peer into his thoughts. He felt the very fabric of his being was laid bare, stripped of all pretense and artifice.
Shuren didn't back down.
This girl dared to force pressure on him not only with her Core Genesis guard, but even now using those Heavenly Blessings.
Using Qi Tether, Shuren levitated the glass of water back on the table. He rested his face against his left fist, showing not a single sign of the strain he was bearing.
"What do you see with those eyes of yours?" He said.
She has vision type Heavenly Blessings… It could range from seeing my thoughts to even peeking at my soul to see my cultivation style. Offence Type, Defence Type, Auxiliary Type, or Negate Type. If she's using it now, it's something that can be applied in everyday life rather than just battle. I don't believe she'll try to do something under the eyes of the Seven Clouds Sect.
"Tell me, are all the men in this city just like you? This is a first to see a small Rank 1 withstand my Heavenly Blessing, let alone this atmosphere." She asked.
This is going to be endless with this play of words. I don't have time to waste. Shuren looked out the window, staring towards the sect. "You could say that. So, what do you want? I'm a very busy man."
She likewise followed Shuren's gaze, staring out at the sky.
"They don't allow anyone aside from their own to use the skies as their domain here." The girl said, her expression unchanging. The same whimsical smile sewn onto it. "Could you give me that toy you have?"
"No. You'll receive one soon when you join the sect as a delegate. Consider it a beacon of your identity." To appease her curiosity, Shuren reluctantly produced a malleable cloud that constantly shifted forms. He then manifested an opaque screen with the details of his last missive. "It's a tool for traversal, and also for information in the sect. You can receive notices and even warnings on it as well."
Without realising it, the cloudmulet had made its way to the girl's hand. She fidgeted with it, trying to activate its functions, but failing.
Shuren frowned. How did she do that? Is she actually already a Rank 2 cultivator? Space Path?
"Oh, it's quite tough," she said, trying to pull away at the clouds with her fingers like she was moulding clay. Shuren kept his emotions in check at the absurd scene. She then put Shuren in a tight spot with her next command. "I want to know about those seven mountains."
She did not make a light request.
It was a heavy taboo to go around discussing the inner workings of a sect to foreigners. Even if she was a delegate soon to be administered, if she casually mentioned the actions of Shuren telling her this information, he would definitely be punished in some way. He could get away with explaining the cloudmulet since its functions were general knowledge.
Shuren had a cold gaze. "That's enough. I'll be taking my leave."
Right when Shuren lifted himself up, his body came crashing back down on the cushioned seat.
Like invisible chains had stabbed through his limbs into the seat, forcing him to stay.
An attack by one of her Rank 3 guards.
Shuren forcefully swallowed the blood that came to his throat. That attack had opened one of his internal injuries from his battle.
She's crazy! How far is she willing to go, even in Cloud City? Did I hurt her fragile little ego that much?
"I thought you were a tough man. Don't squirm so much." Her embroidered earring shined briefly, and a prismatic dazzling pearl appeared in her hands. "I'll even reward you for your service."
It floated on Shuren's palm, a wisp of it forcefully swimming inside Shuren's body.
Shuren felt his body almost break apart; Qi ravaged every orifice and vessel of his body and soul. He instantly broke through from Stage 7 to Stage 8. The dull hammering sensation on his mind due to the Core Genesis's mind transmission had instantly gone like a spark doused in water. Even the constant ringing of pain in his right hand began to dull.
The effects of the pill were utterly absurd. Yet he felt a strange sensation in the midst of it all, like a worm sliding deep within his heart. Before he could take the rest of the prismatic jewel, it had returned back to its rightful owner.
"You'll explode if you take anymore, you know. Are you willing to speak now?" She said in a playful tone, putting her hands on her chin.
Shuren almost broke his character, but forced it inward, retaining his stoic expression. But inwardly, he was absolutely shocked. He wasn't even sure if the main Liu Clan had such an item. Is she the direct successor of a Rank 8 faction? I know most of the kids in my generation from The Great Nine, so she must be from elsewhere!
"Fine, but only because you asked nicely. I'll give you the basic rundown of the sect." Shuren inwardly sighed, acquiescing to the girl. If she did anything even more crazy, what use was there to rely on the rules of Cloud City?!
Shuren gave a brief explanation on how the Seven Clouds functioned as an inner disciple, how each of their mountains were, the specialised vocations they offered and the trial of working for sigils to get your own private space. It was a rule even delegates could not avoid, as it was the philosophy of how the Seven Clouds functioned.
"It sounds really fun. More fun than my place. You get to have a lot more freedom." She chuckled, slouching back in her seat as she refused to break her gaze at Shuren. "I'm jealous." The girl said. Shuren thought she said it in a mocking tone.
Insufferable woman. Shuren vehemently thought, yet forcing his face to not falter with any more tics.
"Perhaps we'll meet each other soon in the sect. What's your name?" She asked.
Shuren definitely wanted nothing to do with her ever again. After his experiences on the Granxian Continent, his motto was to never deal with bored, spoilt kids.
He looked down at her. "You're not qualified to know."
In the end, she never broke her expression of that unnerving smile and glowing eyes.
Before he even had the chance to get out of the carriage, he was already standing in the middle of the commercial district. The carriage had disappeared, nowhere in sight. After realising they had long gone, he awkwardly walked over to a nearby wall of a store and sank down.
Sweat trickled down his back and forehead as he ran a hand through his hair. The exhaustion of his injuries, and the multiple attacks from a Rank 3. It wasn't easy to bear.
I better not see her again in the sect.
"Usually, Seven Clouds only lures in those struggling to reach Rank 2 amongst the Immortal Clans… But she's definitely not one of them. What exactly is her backing?"
Shuren laughed.
"I have a long way to go if I let this affect me."
In the cool morning weather of the quiet market, as people began to open up their shops, he slouched down. A slight breeze helped dry off the sweat.
Shuren's chest heaved deeply with a sigh. "One year, no, six months. I need to break through to Path Foundation by six months." He peered up at the sky, Heaven's Eye calmly rousing. After a moment of reflection and resting, he got up towards a merchant selling sealed spring water from the east.
An elderly gentleman was in the middle of preparing his stall when Shuren came in, long before the proper opening times. Shuren wondered why he was still working at that age, but life was a test. Old memories of his grandfather welled up for a moment.
"Forgive me for interrupting you. I would like one bottle." He put down a gold coin. Though holding little value amongst cultivators, it still heralded as the king of currencies amongst the mortal realm.
All currencies in this world were emboldened by condensed Qi. Down to the cheapest of currencies; copper coins. Copper, silver and gold were still minerals embedded in the earth for aeons, so they would have a wisp of Qi.
It was like a drop in the ocean compared to the most basic spirit jade, though.
The old stall owner hurriedly scrambled to meet Shuren. "Forgive me sir, I have no change for this coin. You can take the bottle for free." He heaved as he toiled under the morning, giving a wide smile.
"Do not insult my dignity, merchant. I'm disturbing you at an early time, so take it." Shuren slid the coin towards the end of the counter. "You work hard for your stall. Who am I to dare reap its benefits without the proper exchange?" The old man stared at the coin for a bit before taking it. He took out a sealed carton of his spring water. Shuren only grabbed one and left. Once he reached Path Foundation and could link a spatial storage ring, he would come back and stock up on a few boxes.
At the end of the day, all mortals relish in the drink of cold water after a hard day.
Or a hard morning, in Shuren's case.
There was another person nearby in the rousing morning district. "It's garbage, you can take it for a copper. Hell, I'd pay you to take it off my hands." A rotund weapons merchant said to the young man. He walked around with a large backpack.
"Really, awesome! I'll take that sword off you, then," he said with a wide grin. The merchant was extremely confused by his eagerness. Perhaps this boy had never held a weapon before and just wanted any sword.
He grabbed a rusty, tattered sword with a rotten leather sheath. Excited, he attached it to his waist.
It's him again. I still have the urge to slap him around some more.
Shuren was extremely perplexed at the sight.
Why is he buying such a garbage weapon?
They had crossed paths again, with no words exchanged or acknowledgement between them. Shuren walked past him, enjoying the breeze and drink in hand.
Tez. I once hoped to foster a friendship with you. Even from what happened yesterday, not once did you acknowledge your mistakes or apologise to the team. There's no use for me in having someone like you by my side.
***
"Under the gaze of the heavens, it doesn't matter if you're a mortal, an Immortal, or a demon. So long as you have a soul and mind, your nature can be gleamed." She looked out the window, yearning for the skies above.
"Sadness, joy, irritation, anger, boredom. And even the unknown and esoteric emotions, such as sonder, opia, enouement, chrysalism. All of these have a flickering value in the form of coloured light."
From across the Commercial District, she saw a merchant dragging a wagon of goods behind him. He was filled with the dense dark brown of exhaustion, yet at the centre was a small flame of ambition.
The drunken man who failed to enter the Seven Clouds Sect was drowning in a deep blue sea, but the purple rain would burn that emotion away the more he drank.
The Cloud Knight yawned, his soul filled with a dull beige. But the seed of a brilliant yellow remained, waiting for his shift to end and relax.
The delegate from afar looked at the seat opposite of her, where Liu Shuren sat.
Not once did his colour change, not even slightly. Even when his exterior emotions changed multiple times.
It was a murky dark, with a hue of phthalo green.
An unchanging colour.
"Almost like he was…" Her perpetual smile expanded to a curious grin.
"Pretending to be human."