Eloquent Ascent

"I can see that. I have the living example next to me, after all," Xu Qi playfully said, his gaze lingering on Xiao Yue's graceful figure as she led the way.

He couldn't help but wonder how he had earned her favor in such a short time. Was it his silver tongue, or was there something else?

As they approached the inner court, the grandeur of the buildings grew, each one grander than the last.

Xiao Yue spoke as they walked, "You've shown potential, Xu Qi. Potential that I must admit, drew my attention to you. You can be more than just an outer court disciple. Your spirit is unyielding, and your ability to connect with others is a rare gift. In this world of cultivation, strength is important, but so is the art of persuasion and diplomacy."

Xu Qi felt a sense of pride swell within him. Was that the case? He had always been good with words, and it seemed his past life's skills weren't entirely useless here.

"But why me, senior sister?" He asked, genuinely curious. "There must be many others you could have chosen. I don't see myself as unique."

His humble words made Xiao Yue slow her pace. She threw him a pensive look that crossed her elegant features. "There's something about you, Xu Qi. You carry a certain... aura. It's not just your looks or your wit, but a strength of character that's hard to come by in these hallowed halls."

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow as his lips threateningly closed, twitching from how much glazing that was, "Aura, you say?"

He had read about such things in the cultivation novels that had become his guilty pleasure back on Earth, but to hear it used in this context was something else entirely. He knew that's probably just a figure of speech but he had to ask.

"And what exactly does that mean?"

Xiao Yue glanced sideways at him, her eyes twinkling. "It's a subtle energy, one that speaks of your resolve and resilience. In the short time you've been here, you've faced ridicule and scorn with a smile, never letting it break your spirit. It's a trait that I find quite... appealing."

'Wait. That was the former Xu Qi who I took over. Not me! I've only been here for three days!' He shouted inwardly, still baffled by the sudden turn of events.

However, he knew better than to reveal that. He had to play the role of the poor guy now.

"Senior sister, if you keep flattering me, I might fall for you." Xu Qi playfully ticked as they stopped in front of an intricately carved door that marked the entrance to the inner court.

Disciples manned its entrance but Xiao Yue had to flash her smile and they were immediately allowed in.

Xu Qi felt sharp gazes on his back though. No doubt. The cultivation world is scary.

As they crossed the boundary between the outer and inner court, Xiao Yue giggled at his comment, the sound like the tinkling of a fine chime.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," She said as she gestured for him to continue following her.

Soon, Xu Qi found himself reeling in amazement as they entered one of the palaces reserved for an elder.

The grandeur was staggering, with marble floors and golden pillars reaching up to a ceiling painted with scenes of legendary battles and divine beasts. The air here was suffused with the scent of incense and the hum of powerful cultivation energy.

Xiao Yue led the nervous Xu Qi through the gleaming halls of the inner court, her steps as graceful as a gazelle's.

The disciples they passed by were a stark contrast to the ones in the outer court. They wore the same outfit as Xiao Yue. Their robes were finer, their auras denser, and their gazes more piercing.

Xu Qi felt an inexplicable sense of power emanating from each one, making him acutely aware of his own lack of cultivation.

Yet, despite the clear disparity, he held his head high, reminding himself of the untapped potential Xiao Yue had mentioned.

He had to lean on something, after all. Otherwise, he'd be crawling on his knees.

The cultivation system in the Azure Phoenix Realm was divided into ten stages, with each stage comprising ten levels. The first realm was the Elemental Awakener, where one's qi began to coalesce and resonate with the primal elements of the world.

Xu Qi, currently stuck in the 1st stage of the first realm, was a mere mortal compared to Xiao Yue, who had reached the 4th stage of the second realm, known as the Elemental Synthesis.

At that stage, she could already manipulate her qi, transforming the very essence of her chosen element, water, with a mere flick of her wrist.

The thought of the progress he needed to make was daunting. Could he reach the same stage? He was still doubtful.

Shortly after, they soon arrived at Elder He's chamber, a place where the very air seemed to quiver with power.

The doors were guarded by two stoic female disciples who nodded in recognition at Xiao Yue. She returned the gesture with a smile and a nod before turning to Xu Qi.

"Junior brother, watch your words. Don't talk unnecessarily and be respectful," Xiao Yue whispered a reminder as they approached the door to Elder He's chamber.

The two disciples guarding it pushed open the doors, revealing an ancient, yet surprisingly spacious room.

The room was suffused with a dense, almost tangible aura of wisdom and power. Once again, it reminded Xu Qi of the immense gap between him and the higher echelons of the sect.

Elder He, or He Qinxue as Xiao Yue had informed him, was a figure of wisdom and authority. She reclined elegantly on a long, ornate seat at the far end of the chamber, her slender yet shapely legs stretched out across its length.

Her eyes, sharp as the gleaming swords that adorned the walls, scanned over Xu Qi and Xiao Yue as they entered.

Xu Qi had to suppress a gasp as he took in her presence. Elder He's appearance was several times more striking than even the beautiful Xiao Yue.

She was a woman who could be described as a timeless beauty, with skin as smooth as silk and a gentle smile that seemed to hide an ocean of secrets. Her hair, a vibrant mix of blue and white, flowed down her back like a cascade of frozen water.

The walls of the chamber were lined with scrolls, ancient tomes, and artifacts that Xu Qi could feel vibrating with energy.

An Elder figure in the Wandering Palace is at least at the fifth realm, Divine Insight, Xu Qi had read from the memories of the owner's body. Their understanding of the universe allowed them to manipulate reality with profound formations.

Yet here he was, about to stand in front of one of them, and all he had was his wits and a silver tongue.

What can a mere 1st stage Elemental Awakener like him hope to gain from an Elder's audience? Xu Qi's heart raced as he stepped into the chamber, his eyes immediately drawn to the scrolls adorning the walls. Amongst them, one scroll caught his eye, glowing with a faint light, as if beckoning him.

He glanced at Xiao Yue, who had noticed his curiosity, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the glamorous Elder atop her throne.