Chapter 5: The Mountain Disturbance
The summoning bell rang three times across the inner sect.
Disciples stopped mid-training. Elders shifted from their pavilions. Word spread quickly—Grandmaster Liang had called for a formal gathering in the central hall.
By the time Zhao Rui entered, the seats along the stone tiers were already filling. Mei Lian stood at his side, expression composed but eyes sharp with curiosity.
Liang Wei arrived last.
He walked in without hurry and took his position below the elders' platform. His face showed neither fatigue nor pride. Only stillness.
The Grandmaster stood.
"Earlier today," he began, voice steady, "a disturbance originated from the northern mountain range."
Several elders exchanged looks.
"The energy fluctuation was traced to a cultivation anomaly. It was not an external attack. It was my own miscalculation while reviewing an ancient formation."
A murmur passed through the hall.
He inclined his head slightly.
"For that disturbance, I apologize to the sect."
The explanation settled heavily.
Zhao Rui's lips curved faintly.
Mei Lian glanced toward Wei.
Of course.
Only someone at the Grandmaster's level could create that kind of surge. It would have been absurd to think a Novice cultivator caused it.
Wei stood quietly, gaze lowered.
The Grandmaster's eyes flickered toward him for the briefest moment.
Then moved on.
The meeting shifted to routine matters—resource distribution, outer sect promotions, defensive arrays.
When it ended, Zhao Rui approached Wei directly.
"So," Zhao Rui said lightly, "I heard you've been frequenting the mountains."
Wei looked at him.
"I train where it is quiet."
Zhao Rui laughed. "Even if you trained in the Mountains of the Heavens, your talent would still cap you at mediocrity."
A few disciples nearby smirked.
Mei Lian stepped closer, voice softer but deliberate.
"You worried us today. When the disturbance happened, some even speculated you were involved."
She paused.
"But that would be impossible."
Wei did not respond.
She continued, "Since you've been given mountain access… perhaps you should hand the offer to Zhao Rui instead."
Zhao Rui did not object.
Mei Lian met Wei's eyes. "Do that, and I'll consider forgiving your recent behavior."
Forgiving.
Wei studied her calmly.
"You assume I require forgiveness."
Her smile stiffened.
Zhao Rui folded his arms. "You've been acting strangely. It would be wise to show humility before embarrassing yourself further."
Wei's gaze shifted to Zhao Rui's eyes.
Faint green.
Jade Eyes.
A perception-type technique cultivated through a mid-grade manual. It enhanced meridian detection at close range. Useful in combat analysis.
Current level: incomplete mastery.
Wei knew because he remembered losing to it.
He turned away from them.
"Enjoy your assumptions," he said evenly.
He left the hall.
Behind him, Zhao Rui exhaled in amusement.
"He's pretending composure."
Mei Lian nodded. "He cannot cause disturbances like that. The Grandmaster personally clarified."
Neither of them noticed Elder Enoch standing near the carved pillars.
Enoch had felt the energy surge.
He knew its origin.
But he said nothing.
Wei entered his residence and closed the door.
The moment the latch sealed—
Ding.
A clear notification resonated in his mind.
Reward UnlockedCondition Met: Surpassed Zhao Rui's Cultivation LevelHost Level: Novice 17Rival Level: Novice 15
Reward Granted: Jade Eyes (Base Tier)
Note: Ability Strength Scales With Cultivation
Wei's vision flickered.
A faint cooling sensation spread behind his pupils.
His sight sharpened.
Edges became clearer.
Ambient Qi threads in the room faintly visible like translucent currents.
He blinked once.
The system interface adjusted.
Jade Eyes – Tier 1
• Detect opponent meridian flow (limited clarity)
• See through low-light environments
• Minor perception enhancement
Upgrade Requirement: Increased Qi Density + Ocular Channel Tempering
Wei exhaled slowly.
Zhao Rui cultivated Jade Eyes through a manual obtained from an inner elder.
Wei had just been given the same technique.
But this version was directly integrated.
He moved toward his desk.
A thin jade slip rested there.
He had not placed it before.
He picked it up.
The inscription read:
Jade Eyes – Foundation Method
The contents matched the technique in his memory.
The cultivation method required strengthening the optic meridians and stabilizing Qi around the brow center.
He sat cross-legged and attempted circulation.
Qi moved upward—
Then stalled.
Pressure formed behind his eyes.
He stopped immediately.
His current physique was not prepared.
Jade Eyes required tempered ocular channels. Most cultivators strengthened their bodies only enough to support breakthrough. Very few deliberately tempered specific regions unless pursuing body cultivation.
And body tempering was painful.
Most avoided it.
The system pulsed again.
New Task IssuedTemper Body to Novice-Level Standard
Objective: Strengthen meridian density and tissue resilience
Reward: Jade Eyes Tier Upgrade Access
Note: Current Body Strength Insufficient
Wei frowned slightly.
Body tempering.
In this world, cultivation focused on Qi realm first. Physical tempering was considered inefficient unless following specialized paths.
He did not have a body cultivation manual.
He did not know the exact method required.
The system interface shifted.
Guidance Available: Basic Tempering Framework
Method:
Compress Qi into muscle fibers
Cycle through peripheral meridians
Sustain micro-tears, then repair
Pain Index: Moderate to Severe
Wei removed his outer robe and shifted into a stable stance.
He began circulating Qi differently—downward, outward, spreading it through limbs rather than concentrating in the dantian.
The sensation changed immediately.
Instead of smooth flow, the Qi scraped.
His muscles tightened involuntarily.
He increased pressure.
Heat spread across his arms.
Veins surfaced slightly under his skin.
He directed Qi into his legs.
The strain intensified.
Fine tremors ran through his body.
He held it.
Maintained compression.
A dull ache built behind his ribs.
Sweat formed across his back.
He did not disperse the Qi.
He forced it deeper.
After several breaths, the ache sharpened into pain.
His muscles felt as though they were being wrung out from inside.
He exhaled slowly and maintained the cycle.
Compression.
Release.
Compression.
Release.
Time passed.
His breathing became heavier but controlled.
At the fifteenth cycle, something shifted.
The Qi moved more smoothly through his limbs.
Less scraping.
More absorption.
A faint notification appeared.
Body Tempering Progress: 3%
Wei did not stop.
He redirected Qi to his shoulders, then to his back.
The discomfort spread but stabilized.
He shifted position and continued cycling.
Outside, the residence remained quiet.
No one interrupted.
After an hour, he ended the session and sat back down.
His muscles throbbed faintly.
Not injured.
Stressed.
The system interface updated.
Body Tempering Progress: 7%
Estimated Requirement for Jade Eyes Activation Stability: 40%
Wei closed his eyes again.
He redirected a smaller stream of Qi toward his brow center.
This time, it flowed slightly more smoothly.
Still unstable.
But no sharp backlash.
Progress was measurable.
He stood and walked to the mirror on the far wall.
His pupils appeared faintly tinted—barely noticeable.
He activated the technique lightly.
The room shifted.
Qi threads glowed faintly.
His own meridian outline appeared in pale green reflection.
He reduced output immediately.
Without sufficient tempering, sustained use would damage the ocular channels.
The system pulsed once more.
Reminder:Most cultivators neglect body tempering at Novice Realm.
Advantage Potential: High
Wei returned to the center of the room and resumed compression cycles.
This time, he extended the duration.
Pain sharpened again.
He continued.
The cultivation path he followed now required structural strength first.
He would not ignore it.
Outside the residence, Zhao Rui continued boasting about the meeting.
Mei Lian repeated the Grandmaster's explanation to anyone who would listen.
The disturbance was nothing more than a formation fluctuation.
Wei remained inside.
Qi compressing.
Muscles tightening.
Meridians expanding gradually under strain.
Another notification flickered.
Body Tempering Progress: 12%
He did not slow down.
He adjusted posture and redirected Qi into his neck and spine.
The pain intensified sharply.
He held the compression.
Sweat fell to the floor.
Breathing steady.
Controlled.
At last, he released the cycle and allowed Qi to settle back into the dantian.
His body felt heavier.
Denser.
Not stronger yet.
But less fragile.
The system remained active.
Awaiting continuation.
Wei opened his eyes.