Eloquent Ascent

The other disciples in the Resource Hall who heard Elder Liu's words were more than surprised.

To be granted a personal audience by Elder Liu was something that didn't happen often, especially to a male disciple.

They exchanged whispers and glances, their curiosity about Xu Qi's special treatment growing. They, as disciples of the Resource Hall, had never gotten the same treatment even though they had been working here all this time.

Xu Qi, oblivious to their thoughts, followed Elder Liu with a respectable distance with a calm and composed expression.

His thoughts were racing as he too never expected to be taken care of personally by the Elder of Resource Management.

In his mind, he thought back to Elder Sun who he ran into on his way to the Resource Hall. That Elder pretended to act indifferent but the appreciative smile on her face was pretty telling that he was truly favored by her – most especially when she saw the bracelet she gifted equipped on his arm.

After passing the initial hallway, Elder Liu led him through the winding corridors of the Resource Hall. Xu Qi had no idea where exactly Elder Liu was going to take him but he could feel that the woman in front of him wanted privacy.

The air was thick with the scent of ancient scrolls and the faint hum of artifacts like his bracelet charged with qi. He could feel the abundance of primal elements just hanging around.

Looking up ahead, Xu Qi couldn't help but stare at Elder Liu's gorgeous frame.

Her silky black hair swayed gently with each step she took. Her curvaceous hips were so inviting. But he knew too well not to be audacious, he might lose his head here if he did something that would offend the elder.

He might have his charm but that's not a guarantee.

After a while, they arrived at a private chamber within the Resource Hall. The air suffused with a faint glow of primal elements and the natural energy of the world.

Elder Liu opened the door with a wave of her hand and gestured for Xu Qi to enter.

The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of cultivation resources, some of them emitting faint vibrations that resonated with his heightened senses.

This wasn't her personal chambers, it seemed. Xu Qi inspected those and found his heart racing at how valuable they were. This place was most likely being used to show off and intimidate.

A chamber to receive guests.

He couldn't help but wonder... Was this the kind of treatment a third stage Elemental Awakener should get?

"Elder, may I ask, why the personal attention?" Xu Qi inquired, his voice carrying the sincerity of a novice yet the wisdom of an old soul.

Elder Liu paused for a moment, her eyes lingering on a shelf of scrolls. Following that, she turned to face him with a small smile evident on her lips.

"Your case, young Xu Qi, is quite intriguing. Your advancement is not only rapid but also... unique. The Wandering Palace has seen its fair share of prodigies, but your path seems to be one of our own making," She said, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.

Xu Qi weighed her words and simplified them in his mind. In short, he caught her eye.

"You have already failed the Test of Competence twice. It will be such a shame if you also fail tomorrow," Elder Liu continued with a knowing smile. She stepped closer, and Xu Qi could feel the power she wielded as a seventh stage Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator. It was like standing next to a dormant volcano, the potential for destruction lying just beneath the surface.

Elemental Awakener.

Elemental Synthesis.

Elemental Dominance.

Spiritual Awakening.

Divine Insight.

Those are the first five realms known throughout the Azure Phoenix Realm. And in the Wandering Palace, there is a clear structure and divide between different individuals based on their cultivation.

Outer Court disciples all range within the first half of the Elemental Awakener realm. Fifth stage Elemental Awakeners are encouraged to take the yearly Inner Court Exam. Cases such as Ling Lian breaking through to the sixth stage are rare.

Inner Court disciples range from the later stages of the Elemental Awakener realm to the early stages of the Elemental Dominance realm. Even Xiao Yue who is currently in the fourth stage Elemental Synthesis realm isn't the strongest. She's famous because of her unrivaled beauty and the fact that her master is Elder He.

Core disciples such as the ones Xu Qi read from the cultivation novels on Earth also exist. However, Xu Qi only knew what he heard. There are only three hundred spots for Core Disciples and all year round, the competition is fierce and anyone can lose their qualification. They all range within the Elemental Dominance Realm.

Outer Court Elders are all Spiritual Awakening experts with Elder Qiang reportedly being at the tenth stage.

Inner Court Elders are all Divine Insight experts. Elder He is among the top castes but Xu Qi has no idea what stage she is currently in.

And lastly, the Wandering Palace Sect Master. Many said they're beyond Divine Insight but no one among the outer court disciples can truly know.

Xu Qi felt his heart race as he met Elder Liu's gaze with one that was as steady as a mountain.

He knew that his secret was safe but the implications of her knowing the truth were something he wasn't prepared to face just yet. He had to tread carefully, especially with someone as astute as this elder before him.

"Indeed, this is my last chance. That's why I'm desperate to progress. I also don't want to leave the sect," Xu Qi replied, the gentle breeze from his voice carried his determination.

Elder Liu's gaze grew more intense as she was seemingly stripping him off in her head and peering into his very soul, "Your dedication is commendable," she said, her tone a mix of praise and challenge.

With a wave of her hand, she conjured a floating tray laden with various cultivation resources, all of them emanating a powerful aura that was well beyond the norm for a third stage Elemental Awakener. "These are not just for tomorrow's test," she said with an enigmatic smile hanging on her lips. "They're for you to continue your path. Use them wisely."