Through the eyes of Zhuge Su Yeon
The Zhuge clan's main hall was bathed in soft light.
Zhuge Su Yeon sat upon the elevated patriarch's seat—a structure of black wood carved with discreet patterns of clouds and pines. His posture was upright yet not rigid, his body leaning slightly forward, balanced between attention and indifference. His fingers rested on the chair's arm, brushing against the cold jade inlaid in the wood—a silent habit that, for him, measured the rhythm of time.
At his right, Mei Lin stood so still she could have been mistaken for part of the furniture.
Before him, lined up in near-military formation, stood ten promising youths.
Closest to the corner was Zhuge Wen, hands clasped in front, eyes half-closed, body as still as a spear planted in the ground. Beside him, Zhuge Min seemed slightly tense. Zhuge Tao, with his half-smile, looked far too relaxed for the solemnity of the occasion.
One by one, his gaze measured them: Zhuge Fen, restless; Zhuge Rong, solid; Zhuge Han, calculating; Zhuge Lin, meticulous; Zhuge Cai, firm as a wall; Zhuge Shan, whose presence cut through the air; and finally, Zhuge Ren, calm, carrying the experience the others still sought.
Su Yeon drew a long breath, letting the cold air course through him as if even the atmosphere had to settle before he spoke.
— "As you all know," he began, his voice low and steady, commanding the room without ever needing to rise, "in the past three years since I became patriarch, our Zhuge family has not taken part in a single city event, choosing instead to remain in isolation."
Isolation... or intelligent self-preservation. Some called it cowardice—but only until they realized corpses do not cultivate. Yeon knew well that these competitions offered nothing but unwanted attention.
— "However, it is time to change that."
Eyes lit up. No one dared speak, but the air grew denser.
— "You have been chosen as the main prodigies of the Zhuge family to compete in the coming tournament."
You... and my protagonist brother. But that is irrelevant.
— "Yet," he paused, letting expectation give way to pure attention, "your strength is still insufficient for a satisfactory outcome. Therefore, the clan has prepared a sequence of resources for each of you."
Without altering his expression, Su Yeon moved his right hand to the side of the chair. Mei Lin, as if anticipating the gesture, placed a book in his palm. He lifted it so all could see the cover.
— "First, regarding cultivation... each of you will receive a copy of this manual."
The spine bore simple characters, yet its weight made several of the youths straighten unconsciously.
— "This technique is superior to what you currently use. With it, your progress will accelerate."
It was the Flowing Silence Technique, an Earthly/Initial-level method he had acquired through the System—designed for steady, discreet growth. Mei Lin had copied it flawlessly, ready to be distributed.
— "In addition," he continued, "each of you will receive ten Serene Essence Pills."
The name stirred a ripple among them.
White tablets made from Moon-Dew Flower and Pale Jade Root, they stabilized breakthroughs at the Body Refinement stage, purified inner impurities, and prevented deviation in cultivation.
— "And finally, each of you may enter the clan treasury and select a spiritual-grade weapon suited to your use."
For a moment, the hall seemed to breathe as one. The light in their eyes shifted—not just excitement, but recognition, respect... and in some, the first spark of loyalty.
Good. Admiration and loyalty are cheaper than they seem—when the System pays the bill.
In practice, this consumed a considerable portion of the clan's foundations. In theory, with the points he foresaw, it was like cutting a dry branch for firewood and planting an entire forest in its place.
— "Furthermore," Su Yeon let the words flow slowly, like a calculated secret, "I have observed each of you these past days. I selected martial techniques that amplify your strengths... and reduce the weaknesses that could cost you victory."
His calm eyes moved to the first in line.
— "Zhuge Wen."
The youth straightened instantly, fists closed before his abdomen, posture flawless.
— "You possess discipline and composure under pressure rarely seen at your age," said Su Yeon, his tone devoid of flattery, just cold fact. "But you lack aggression and direct combat strength. Thus, your martial path should follow that of an archer."
Wen's eyes flickered with surprise but not objection.
Su Yeon extended his hand, Mei Lin placing two manuals in his palm.
— "I prepared these for you. First, the Steps of the Celestial Balance—a movement art adaptable to almost any terrain. Second, the Arrow of the Roaring Sky—a bow technique that amplifies both accuracy and impact, capable of piercing stronger defenses."
He tilted his head slightly.
— "Will you follow my guidance?"
Wen did not hesitate. He cupped his fists, bowed his head.
— "Yes, Patriarch."
The manuals were delivered. Wen received them with both hands, as though they weighed more than his own body.
Su Yeon turned to the next.
— "Zhuge Min."
The girl lifted her chin, eyes gleaming with the confidence of one who trusted more in her blade's edge than any fortress wall.
— "You wield explosive strength with your saber," he said evenly, "but your defense is careless."
Mei Lin handed him two more manuals. He raised them before her.
— "For you, the Crimson Detonation Edge—a technique that magnifies your slashes until they echo through the air. And for protection, the Serene Steel Body, a defensive method that will harden your muscles and bones as if forged from refined iron. Cultivate both, and you will become a formidable warrior. Will you follow my guidance?"
Min cupped her fists, bowing slightly.
— "Yes, Patriarch."
She received the manuals with both hands, pressing them against her chest before returning to her place.
Calmly, Su Yeon looked to the third.
— "Zhuge Tao."
The youth kept his half-smile, as though solemnity itself could not pierce his carelessness.
— "You have a natural rhythm fit for a warrior," Su Yeon said, tone so neutral it sounded more like a diagnosis than praise, "but you lack drive to amplify your strength."
Mei Lin passed him two manuals, which he presented.
— "Thus, the Steps of the Wandering Shade—to let your staff strike weak points as though it were your shadow. And the Balanced Fury, to sharpen your aggression in battle without compromising precision. Will you accept my guidance?"
Tao held his gaze for a moment—perhaps by habit, perhaps to test the weight of the moment—before bowing.
— "Yes, Patriarch."
He took the manuals with apparent ease, but the firmness of his grip betrayed the seriousness that pierced through his usual facade.
Su Yeon's gaze shifted.
— "Zhuge Fen."
The girl stepped forward, restless energy in every line of her stance.
— "You are unstable in battle," he said plainly, "but that is due to your age, being the youngest among your peers. Still, you hold raw talent, quick learning, sharp reactions."
He raised the manuals Mei Lin had given him.
— "For you, the Free Wind Steps, to heighten your speed and stealth. And the Rising Thunder Blade, to multiply the force of your strikes with successive assaults. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch," Fen answered, bowing and taking the manuals, eyes still burning with eager light.
Without pause, he turned.
— "Zhuge Rong."
Broad-shouldered, Rong's presence seemed to push the air itself aside.
— "Your physical strength and pressure are above average," Su Yeon said, "but your technique is poor."
Two heavy manuals were placed in his hands.
— "Thus, the Fortress-Cutting Slash—a sword art that defends as it attacks. But it requires a blade larger than the one you use now. To wield it, you will also train the Stone-Dragon Muscles, which will explosively increase your strength and resilience. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch." Rong bowed reverently, accepting the manuals as though performing a ritual.
Su Yeon moved on.
— "Zhuge Han."
Spear on his back, Han's stance bore the discipline of one who had trained his entire life not to stumble.
— "You show remarkable balance with the spear," Su Yeon said, "but you still hesitate when attacking."
The manuals were passed from Mei Lin to him.
— "For you, the Ascending Dragon Charge, which will instill the ferocity of a true dragon, banishing hesitation. And the Refined Precision Body Art, making your balance not just a strength, but a lethal weapon. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch." Han bowed, accepting the manuals without breaking eye contact until the last moment.
Su Yeon's gaze turned to the last girl.
— "Zhuge Lin."
She stepped forward, flawless posture, every fold of her robe moving as if rehearsed.
— "You have the best stance and technique of all," Su Yeon said, "but your attacks are predictable."
He lifted two manuals.
— "For you, the rare Silent Mind's Gaze—a mental art that can paralyze opponents at decisive moments. Even if they read your flow, it will be useless. And the Celestial Blade Dance—a refined sword art, demanding in talent, but I believe you are fit for it. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch." Lin bowed, receiving the manuals with flowing steps back into formation.
Su Yeon's attention shifted.
— "Zhuge Cai."
The youth's presence filled the space around him.
— "You hold great strength and presence... but your weapon does not reflect that. A staff is technical, no matter how thick. I recommend you change to the halberd."
He presented the manuals.
— "The Martial Emperor's Strike—a halberd technique amplifying your power and dominance. And the Heavy Thunder Steps, ensuring no enemy escapes your reach. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch." Cai bowed solemnly, receiving the manuals with respect.
— "Zhuge Shan," Su Yeon continued, meeting the boy whose hand naturally rested on his sword's hilt.
— "You walk the path of the sword. In the entire Zhuge clan, none carries a heart more bound to the blade. I wish only to refine it. Thus, the Silent Blade Heart—a meditative mental art to unite you and your sword. And the Floating Sword Dance, to heighten the effectiveness of every slash. Will you accept my guidance?"
— "Yes, Patriarch." Shan accepted them, fingers curling as if holding something sacred.
Finally, Su Yeon turned to the last.
— "Zhuge Ren."
Broad shoulders, firm gaze, short hair—Ren stood solid.
— "You carry the greatest battle experience of all here. Thus, I give you the greatest challenge: abandon weapons... become the weapon. Your fists stronger than any blade. It is arduous, but I believe you have the resolve."
The last manuals were placed in his hand.
— "The Tempered Gold Body, to make you as resilient as refined metal. And the Thunderclap Fist, to turn each strike into an explosion. Will you accept my guidance?"
Ren hesitated. Silence stretched. Then he released the sword at his side—it struck the floor with a sharp echo. He cupped his fists.
— "Yes, Patriarch."
He took the manuals with both hands, determination radiating in his silence.
Su Yeon's gaze swept over them all.
— "Time is short. Only two months," he said, calm but purposeful. "I gave many of you challenges you cannot master in such time. I do not ask perfection—only that you do your best."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
— "Whatever you need... seek Mei Lin. The clan will provide."
In unison, the ten youths cupped their fists and bowed deeply.
— "We thank you, Patriarch!" their voices echoed.
Su Yeon lifted a hand slightly.
— "Good. Now go choose your weapons. You are dismissed."
Mei Lin stepped forward, bowed, and guided them toward the clan treasury. Their footsteps faded until only the closing doors remained.
Alone, Su Yeon let silence settle like a cloak.
Every technique given that day was Earthly/Initial-level—a luxury unheard of in Grey Sky City. Even in the White Flame Empire, finding such arts was like hunting a phoenix feather... assuming the phoenix even existed.
Of course, no one but him knew that detail.
To Mei Lin, he claimed to have created them all. She had not questioned it.
A quiet sigh escaped him. A faint unease rose in his chest, subtle enough to pass as mere curiosity.
How strong will you become in two months...
Then, turning slightly toward the pillar at his left, he spoke as if commenting on the weather:
— "Don't tell me my sweet sister also wishes to compete."
From the pillar's shadow, Yui Lan emerged—her steps light as breeze, her sweet smile contrasting with the cunning gleam in her eyes.