Eloquent Ascent

Sometime later, the door to the Resource Hall opened again but this time, there was no other Elder. Instead, when Elder Liu looked up, she saw Xu Qi stepping inside, his eyes gleaming with inexplicable meaning as if he was seeing the world differently than most other disciples.

Elder Liu followed him with her eyes as the young man walked into the hall.

She had been watching him. She had reported his existence during the meeting. And just now, she had this verbal clash with Elder Sun regarding him. That's why seeing Xu Qi here had more than just piqued her curiosity. Much more than the recent whispers surrounding the young disciple.

His casual confidence and the subtle aura of power that clung to him were unlike any other outer court disciple she had seen before. His every step seemed to carry the weight of his ambition, yet there was something undeniably charming about his nonchalant demeanor.

Like her, the other disciples in the hall couldn't help but cast sidelong glances at Xu Qi as he approached the counter. They could feel the change in the air, the subtle shiver of primal elements that seemed to follow him. However, none could quite place their fingers on exactly what it was.

Elder Liu, on the other hand, knew all too well. She had felt the same presence when she took a look at him after reading the reports about him.

"Disciple," Elder Liu called out, her voice clear and carrying the authority of her position. "What brings you here?"

Xu Qi turned to her, flashing her a smile as the primal elements around him swayed at his presence. He knew he was becoming more eye-catching because of the primal elements but he had no solution to keep them subtle yet. Besides, it was also useful for him to instantly be noticed. That way, his innate charm could also amplify the magnetic pull he had towards women.

Anyway, there's a reason why he found himself in the Resource Hall. His intimate connection with Ling Lian a few nights ago significantly boosted his cultivation, so much so that after two days, he was once again about to touch the peak of his current stage. Since he found Xiao Yue's Elemental Synthesis pills a little too precious to use in his current state – it was mainly used for Elemental Synthesis experts to push themselves over their bottlenecks – Xu Qi was informed by Ling Lian that he could ask the Resource Department for additional resources by reporting his recent breakthroughs.

The old Xu Qi probably forgot about that information since he was stuck at the first stage ever since entering the sect.

It was a common practice of the Wandering Sect to keep a record of their disciples' stages. To encourage them to strive further, they were giving them resources as bonuses.

With a major event like the Test of Competence coming up, the Resource Hall had been expecting more disciples to come after their breakthrough to stabilize their foundations.

Elder Liu's gaze swept over him, her interest unmistakable. The reports about him talked about his enlightenment that led to his peculiar ability of resonating with the primal elements better than anyone else in the outer court disciples. And she had seen it for herself. It was mesmerizing.

She could create a more tantalizing phenomenon as a Spiritual Awakening Realm expert but she couldn't command the primal elements to dance around her like what Xu Qi was doing.

"Elder," As he reached the counter, Xu Qi bowed and greeted her, his voice carrying the whispers of the wind and the crackle of flame. "I've come to report my recent breakthrough to the third stage of Elemental Awakener Realm. I was hoping to receive some additional resources to aid in my preparations for tomorrow's Test of Competence."

Elder Liu's eyebrows raised, her spectacles vibrating a little as her interest in him grew more apparent. The scrolls in her hand trembled slightly, the ink seemingly coming to life at his words. She set them down carefully on the counter and leaned forward.

"The third stage of Elemental Awakener Realm, you say?" she mused. "If I recall correctly, you've been stuck in the first stage for two years."

The room grew silent, the whispers of the elements seemingly hushed by the weight of her words.

Xu Qi nodded, his expression calm but his heart racing. He knew that his rapid progress was unheard of, especially in the Wandering Palace, where the cultivation path was as predictable as the sunrise.

"Yes, Elder," He said with a smile, his voice as smooth and calm as silk. "My understanding of the elements has deepened, and they now respond to me more readily."

Elder Liu studied him intently, her gaze sharp and piercing like a laser through his soul. She could feel the power thrumming through him, a unique hum that was as untamed as it was fascinating.

It was as if she was looking at a wild beast that had just discovered the art of speech. Her curiosity grew, and she found herself leaning in closer.

Xu Qi couldn't lift his head for fear that she would get offended. However, the way she positioned herself gave him a window of her wonderful valley. Firm and supple while squeezed tightly by her robes.

It was a sight that would make any man's heart race, and his certainly did. Despite her age, much like Elder Sun and Elder He, her beauty had yet to fade. Cultivators were as such, after all. Even a 100-year-old female cultivator would still look like a woman in her prime as long as their cultivation progressed deeper. Nonetheless, he knew he had to be careful not to let his thoughts drift too far.

Her interest grew with each word that passed his lips. And Xu Qi felt the power of his Celestial Eloquence and the innate charm of his words subtly weaving through their conversation.

It was as if his words were casting an invisible net around this bespectacled Elder, drawing her closer and making her more and more intrigued by him. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, contemplating his potential, his worth to the Wandering Palace.

"I see. That's indeed peculiar but not that rare. Nowadays, a disciple or two will have their own epiphany that allows for such breakthroughs." Elder Liu said, her voice calm but her eyes betrayed her curiosity. She tapped her chin with a slender finger, the gesture almost a caress against the softness of her skin.

The spectacles on her nose glinted under the soft light of the hall.

"Very well, I'll report your progress to the Talent Department afterward. In the meantime, follow me. I'll hand your additional resources personally," Elder Liu said, her eyes never leaving Xu Qi's face.