The ground vibrated with increasing intensity as the explosions echoed across the mountain range, each successive blast sending showers of rock and earth high into the air. Shi Yao, perched on a rocky outcrop, absently gnawed on his simple meal of fish roasted over an open flame. His gaze was fixed on a neighboring peak, where intermittent flashes of brilliant light punctuated the rugged landscape, accompanied by the booming sounds that reverberated through the valleys. The wind suddenly picked up, whipping through the mountain passes and rustling Shi Yao's hair and the fabric of his simple robes.
"Master," Shi Yao called out, his eyes still fixed on the distant display, "what's going on over there? Where are all these explosions coming from?" He turned his head slightly to address his companion, his brow furrowed with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Rui Feng, seemingly unfazed by the commotion, sat comfortably nearby on a weathered log. He calmly took a bite of his own skewered fish, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
As he chewed, he casually rotated the stick over the flickering flames, ensuring the fish was cooked evenly. "Looks like those old farts are at it again," he finally replied, his tone nonchalant as if such earth-shattering events were a regular occurrence. "Sparring, most likely."
Shi Yao nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back toward the spectacle unfolding on the adjacent mountain. He could only imagine the kind of power those clashes must involve to create such a dramatic display. He took another bite of his fish, savoring the smoky flavor and the satisfying chew of the cooked flesh.
Crunch.
A sudden, unexpected sensation caused Shi Yao to freeze. He blinked in surprise and lowered the stick he was holding, his eyes scanning the empty skewer. Nothing remained but the bare wood.
"Where did my fish go...?" he murmured to himself, a growing sense of bewilderment washing over him. He glanced around his immediate vicinity, half-expecting to find his missing meal lying on the ground.
His gaze then settled on his master, a flicker of suspicion beginning to take root in his mind. Rui Feng continued to eat his own fish with an air of undisturbed contentment, completely ignoring Shi Yao's apparent predicament.
Shi Yao turned to face his master squarely, his suspicion solidifying into a near certainty. "You're the one who took my fish just now, right?" he stated, his voice tinged with accusation.
Rui Feng raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Of course not," he replied, taking another bite of his fish. "I haven't even finished mine yet. How could I possibly eat yours?" He gestured with the remaining portion of his meal, his expression perfectly bland.Shi Yao narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by his master's performance. "Stop lying," he insisted, his tone firm. "I know you took it." He had felt the subtle shift in the air, the almost imperceptible movement that betrayed the culprit.
Rui Feng leaned back slightly against the log, a playful smirk now gracing his lips. "Prove it then," he challenged, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He clearly enjoyed these little games.
Shi Yao huffed under his breath, a wave of exasperation washing over him. He turned away slightly, muttering to himself, "Unbelievable... Steals my fish right in front of me and acts like he's completely innocent. What kind of master does that?"
He couldn't help but feel a little indignant at the petty theft.
He glanced back subtly, hoping to catch his master in the act or perhaps find some incriminating evidence. However, Rui Feng was still munching on his fish, his demeanor utterly unconcerned.
Shi Yao let out a sigh, shaking his head in mock resignation. He brushed imaginary dust from his sleeves, attempting to appear nonchalant about the stolen meal.
As if on cue, Rui Feng quickly finished the last bite of his fish and stood up in one fluid motion. With a sudden snap of his fingers, his simple attire shimmered and transformed. In its place was a magnificent flowing robe of silver and deep blue, adorned with intricate celestial trim that seemed to subtly glow in the sunlight. His long hair, previously loose, was now neatly tied back into a high ponytail, and elegant side bangs fell to perfectly frame his handsome face.
"By the way," Rui Feng said, his voice now carrying a slightly more formal tone, "when you won the sect competition, you were told to go to the first floor of the library to select a martial art for yourself, right?"
Shi Yao looked up at his master, momentarily distracted by the sudden transformation. "Yeah," he replied, a hint of recollection dawning on him. "I forgot there was something like that..." He paused, his suspicion returning. "...wait a minute, you're trying to change the subject, aren't you?"
Before Shi Yao could fully process what was happening, the world around him seemed to twist and warp. A sensation of rapid movement filled him as the familiar mountain landscape dissolved into a blur.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the chaotic sensation ceased, and Shi Yao found himself standing on a smooth stone floor, gazing up at towering shelves that stretched far above his head. He was in front of the imposing entrance to the first floor of the sect's grand library.
[Library Entrance]
Rui Feng, who had somehow appeared right beside him, tossed Shi Yao's jade token to the stern-faced guard standing at the entrance. "He's here to choose a martial art for himself," Rui Feng announced, his tone matter-of-fact.
He then grabbed Shi Yao by the collar, the younger disciple still reeling from the sudden teleportation and utterly confused by the abrupt change of scenery. Rui Feng prepared to unceremoniously drag him through the massive arched doorway.
A firm voice suddenly rang out, halting Rui Feng in his tracks. "Stop. Only Shi Yao can enter. Don't try to break the rules."
Rui Feng turned with a frown, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "Elder Li," he addressed the speaker, an elderly man with a long white beard and piercing eyes, "you are so boring. Can't you just let me go in with him?"
Elder Li remained unmoved, his gaze unwavering. "No. Rules are rules."
Rui Feng clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"Tch. Fine."
He then picked up Shi Yao, who was still trying to make sense of the situation, and with a swift motion, unceremoniously threw him through the library entrance. The massive wooden doors swung shut behind him with a resounding thud, leaving Shi Yao alone in the hushed interior.
Shi Yao stumbled slightly upon landing but quickly regained his balance, brushing off his robes in a futile attempt to smooth out the wrinkles.
"I can't believe that guy is even a master," he grumbled to himself, still feeling the sting of the undignified entry. "He is so troublesome."
He began to walk through the quiet aisles of the library, the towering shelves looming over him like silent sentinels. The air was still and carried a distinct scent of aged ink and brittle parchment, a testament to the countless years of accumulated knowledge within these walls. Out of sheer curiosity, he reached out and pulled a thick, leather-bound book from one of the shelves. The title, embossed in faded gold lettering, read: "Ball Crushing Technique."
"What the hell kind of sect stores this stuff?!" Shi Yao exclaimed in disbelief, quickly shoving the book back into its place as if it might contaminate him. He couldn't help but wonder about the curriculum of this martial arts sect.
He continued his Browse, his eyes scanning the numerous titles that lined the shelves. He picked out another scroll, its paper yellowed with age. The inscription read: "Screaming Thunder Palm of Celibacy."
"...Thunder and celibacy?" Shi Yao muttered, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What kind of combo attack is that supposed to be?" The name itself seemed like an oxymoron.
His search led him to yet another peculiar volume, its title crudely written in what appeared to be someone's hasty scrawl: "Grandmother's Nine-Finger Death Hug."
"No way that's even real martial arts," Shi Yao scoffed, shaking his head in amusement. "That sounds like something someone wrote out of spite." He pictured a frail old woman delivering a devastatingly powerful embrace, and the image was both comical and slightly unsettling.
He let out a sigh, his initial excitement at the prospect of choosing a powerful martial art beginning to wane.
"Is this really the sect's treasure trove," he wondered aloud, "or some old pervert's punishment collection?" The selection so far had been nothing short of bizarre.
Eventually, as he ventured deeper into the labyrinthine rows of shelves, something pulsed faintly from the shadows at the far end of an aisle.
Intrigued, Shi Yao approached cautiously. Hovering quietly in the dim light was a simple, unassuming scroll, devoid of any elaborate decorations or fanfare. The title, written in elegant script, read: "Void Grasp Art."
"Hmm, sounds cool," Shi Yao mused, a spark of interest finally igniting within him. "What can it do?" He carefully reached out and took the scroll, its paper surprisingly smooth despite its age.
He unrolled the scroll and began to browse through its contents, his eyes scanning the detailed descriptions and diagrams.
"So it's basically telekinesis," he realized, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, it's definitely better than some weird sword technique." The ability to manipulate objects with his mind held a certain appeal.
A mischievous grin tugged at his lips as a thought crossed his mind.
"If those Discord mods on Earth had skills like this," he chuckled inwardly, "the world would have been in a bad condition." The image of online moderators wielding telekinetic powers to enforce rules was both hilarious and slightly terrifying.
[Library Exit]
Having made his decision, Shi Yao carefully rolled up the scroll and left the library. He walked up to Elder Li, who was still standing guard outside, and dropped the chosen scroll onto the table with a soft thud.
"I'll choose this skill," he announced, his voice now filled with a newfound sense of purpose.
Elder Li picked up the scroll, his brow furrowed as he examined the title. He looked at Shi Yao with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Are you sure you want to take this skill?" he asked, his tone carrying a note of concern. "Many people in the past have tried learning it but ultimately failed. Even those with exceptional talents and vast resources have been unable to master it."
Shi Yao met the elder's gaze with a confident nod. "Yeah, I'll still take it." He was determined to prove himself, even if the odds were stacked against him.
Elder Li paused, his pen hovering over the signing ledger. He looked up again, his gaze searching Shi Yao's face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Shi Yao replied firmly, his resolve unwavering.
"I just want to confirm," Elder Li continued, his voice laced with doubt, "are you sure?"
"Yes," Shi Yao repeated, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.
"Are you sure sure?" Elder Li persisted, his concern bordering on exasperation.
"Yes!" Shi Yao exclaimed, a flash of annoyance finally flickering across his face.
"Can you just sign the book, old man?!" he thought to himself, trying to maintain a respectful outward demeanor despite his growing irritation.
Elder Li finally sighed, a look of resignation on his face. He dipped his pen in ink and signed the scroll, his movements slow and deliberate.
As Shi Yao turned to leave, eager to begin his training, Elder Li tossed his jade token back to him.
"Kid, don't forget your token," the elder reminded him, his voice now carrying a hint of genuine concern. "Without this, you won't survive in the sect."
Shi Yao caught the token and nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Elder Li."
The moment the formalities were concluded, Rui Feng reappeared as if from thin air, his hand shooting out to grab Shi Yao by the collar once again. Without a word, he leaped upwards with incredible force.
"Well, time to go back then," Rui Feng announced cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to Shi Yao's continued bewilderment.
"Not again!" Shi Yao thought in exasperation as the ground rushed away beneath them, the library shrinking rapidly in the distance.