Morning arrived. A soft breeze stirred the leaves as the golden sunlight bathed the world in warmth. I stood before the mirror of a nearby stream, admiring my own reflection. My face had subtly changed after the last breakthrough—sharper, smoother, more ethereal. If I had been handsome before, now I was peerless. Mere words could no longer capture my appearance.
In the past, people simply saw me as a good-looking man. Now, if compared, it was like placing a stone beside a flawless jade. No one would recognize me—not only because of my disguise, but because I now looked far beyond mortal comprehension.
Since my disciple wanted to visit the Lu Clan, I saw no reason to refuse. Just as I was about to speak, she emerged from her seclusion.
Her beauty had transformed as well—raven-black hair like silk cascading down her back, skin smooth as jade, and eyes shimmering with life and confidence. A rare aura of nobility surrounded her, not just from cultivation but from the sheer presence she now exuded.
I nodded, pleased. "As expected of my disciple," I said with a faint smile, my voice laced with a quiet pride.
She smirked subtly, satisfaction hidden in her eyes. Without delay, we departed for the Lu Clan.
Since I had no idea where the clan was, I followed her lead. It took nearly two hours of flight, the skies calm and clear. Eventually, we arrived at our destination.
The Lu Clan was nestled near a river, with a modest mountain at its back. Though not a major power, their foundation wasn't weak. The village was orderly, and above the riverbank stood a large, dignified house—the elder's residence.
We landed just outside the clan grounds. I casually released a Nascent Soul-level aura—false, of course, but crafted with such precision that even seasoned cultivators would be fooled. Instantly, an invisible pressure swept through the area.
People froze. Some trembled. A few directly collapsed to their knees. The Clan Head's expression changed as he sensed the overwhelming presence, yet he still smiled respectfully.
I stood tall, hands behind my back, eyes calm and distant. I looked every bit the aloof expert. Xue Lian glanced at me, her brows furrowing slightly. She had witnessed my actual breakthrough. The power she'd sensed then far surpassed this false aura I now emitted.
She believed I was at least in the Void Realm, a realm she couldn't even begin to comprehend. Yet, I was concealing it. Was I playing with them? Testing them? She didn't know, and so she wisely said nothing.
The villagers, elders, and even some outer disciples stared at me with a mix of awe and jealousy. Some couldn't help but compare their faces to mine and silently lamented their fate. Their envy only grew when they looked at Xue Lian—now a stunning young woman at the peak of Foundation Establishment, her aura sharp and imposing.
Many gulped, grateful they hadn't mistreated her in the past. Had they done so, a single word from her to her mysterious master might have sealed their fate.
When the Foundation establishment elders and the rest of the clan saw me clearly, they gasped.. The Clan head and the other foundation establishment elder blink twice as if seeing a ghost
Since I'm only looked handsome when they saw me to visit and confirm there really is hidden expert.
Now, I looked like a celestial immortal descended to the mortal realm.
I offered a cold, refined smile—enough to chill their bones but not hostile. "Since I owe you a small favor, and my disciple wished to visit, I thought it appropriate to accompany her," I said coolly, my voice as calm as still water.
The Clan Head and Elders bowed repeatedly, then rushed to prepare a banquet in my honor. Within thirty minutes, everything was arranged.
I turned slightly toward Xue Lian and asked, my tone softening, "Whom are we here to see?"
She respectfully bowed toward the elders. "Where is Lu Qing?" she asked.
At her words, the atmosphere changed.
The elders exchanged panicked glances. The Clan Head nearly staggered. "T-this… are you truly Xue Lian?" he asked, eyes wide.
She nodded coldly. "Where is Lu Qing?" she repeated, this time her voice firm and commanding.
No longer a mere servant, she stood at the peak of Foundation Establishment. With a Nascent Soul cultivator behind her, even the Core Formation elders dared not slight her. One elder immediately dispatched a servant to summon Lu Qing.
Their thoughts raced. Once a lowly servant, now a genius cultivator backed by a terrifying master. Meanwhile, those once-praised boys with high spiritual roots had barely reached mid-stage Qi Gathering. Fate, it seemed, played cruel games.
Suddenly, the Clan Head stepped forward, bowing low. "Senior," she said with pleading sincerity, "since you owe our clan a favor… might you assist us in invading the Bai Clan?"
I narrowed my eyes, expression unreadable. Her voice was desperate, but her eyes gleamed with greed.
They know my past identity. That alone is dangerous.
A plan slowly formed in my mind. These people would sell me out the moment my back was turned. Their greed betrayed them before their words did.
Perhaps it's best to erase future trouble before it festers.
But just as I considered summoning my flute and cleansing the clan in silence, Lu Qing arrived.
She had grown into a remarkable woman—long, flowing blue hair, emerald eyes, and a soft, ethereal beauty. She approached gracefully, though the fatigue in her steps hinted she'd been in the middle of something important.
When her gaze fell upon Xue Lian, her tired eyes lit up. "Sister? You've reached the peak of Foundation Establishment?"
Though not blood sisters, they had formed a pact as sworn siblings during their days of servitude. The bond between them ran deep.
Before words could pass, Xue Lian smiled brightly and ran to embrace her sworn sister. It was the first time I'd seen her smile so freely.
I stood silently as they reunited, arms wrapped tightly around each other, unbothered by the stares of onlookers. For a brief moment, all animosity in the air disappeared.
Then, the System chimed in my mind.
[Quest: Make Lu Qing your disciple.]
[Rewards: Divinity Transformation Fake Aura, Advanced Array Master comprehension.]
A grin slowly curled on my lips.
What timing.
I remembered the array master hierarchy:
1. Apprentice Array Master
2. Novice Array Master
3. Intermediate Array Master
4. Advanced Array Master
5. Master Array Grandmaster
6. Array Saint
The reward would leap me directly into the Advanced tier. Not a bad trade.
After a few minutes, I stepped forward slowly, eyes on Lu Qing. The crowd silenced.
"I have a condition," I said to the Clan Head, who had been waiting anxiously.
She leaned in eagerly. "Anything, Senior!"
I raised my hand and pointed at Lu Qing. "Let me take her as my disciple, and I will help you."
Gasps erupted. The elders hesitated, but the Clan Head quickly agreed and ran to inform Lu Qing.
She was taken aback at first, glancing uncertainly at Xue Lian. But her sworn sister smiled and gently encouraged her "he is a great Master trust me"
After a brief pause, Lu Qing nodded, a soft smile appearing on her face. "Alright… I'll become his disciple."
Not long after, a crowd assembled. Many bowed deeply to me, whispering among themselves in reverence. But I ignored them all, stepping beside Lu Qing and Xue Lian.
I looked at Lu Qing and spoke in a calm, mysterious tone. "Would you like to become my disciple?"
Everyone fell silent. Most had assumed I desired her for her looks. But now, seeing the way I stood—with the air of a wandering immortal
The elders were dumbfounded. Not only was he peerless in appearance, but he valued talent, not beauty?