Dawn at the Clear Void Sword Sect was a sight to behold.
Cranes cried in the distance. Mist rolled over the jade-green mountains. Disciples in snow-white robes meditated by waterfalls, absorbed sword light from the rising sun, or stood on flying swords drifting lazily across the sky.
Ye Ping, meanwhile, was fast asleep, his face buried in a pillow made of spirit beast fur, snoring like a pig.
Snore. Snore. "Mmm… steamed bun…"
In the adjacent courtyard, two inner sect disciples waited respectfully outside, holding a message jade slip.
"Senior Brother Zhou, are you certain we should wake him?"
The elder of the two, a refined-looking young man with sharp brows, nodded.
"Of course. The sect master has summoned him. Even a prodigy like Ye Ping cannot refuse a personal audience."
"But… I heard he shattered a testing stone with a squeeze yesterday."
Zhou's expression stiffened, a cold sweat forming on his brow. He cleared his throat.
"Y-yes, that's… precisely why we must be careful."
He knocked on the door.
"Young Master Ye Ping! The sect master wishes to see you!"
Inside, Ye Ping stirred.
"Mmm… one more bun, grandma…"
Zhou exchanged an uneasy glance with his junior.
A long pause.
The junior whispered, "He's… he's so composed. Not even the sect master's summons makes him rush. Truly, this is the heart of a sword immortal."
Zhou shivered.
To remain indifferent to authority… so fearless… such audacity! If I acted so brazenly, my head would be on a pike.
They waited another fifteen minutes before Ye Ping finally stumbled out, hair messy, eyes bleary.
"Morning, big brothers… Uh, what's going on?"
Zhou bowed hastily.
"We wouldn't dare disturb you, Young Master Ye, but the sect master has personally requested your presence."
Ye Ping blinked.
"The sect… master? Is he the old guy from yesterday?"
Zhou's face paled.
"How dare you address the sect master so casually! …Ah, no, forgive me, Young Master Ye, your unrestrained demeanor must be a sign of supreme confidence. Truly admirable!"
Ye Ping scratched his head.
"Uh… okay."
**
Soon, Ye Ping found himself in the grand audience hall of the sect, a magnificent chamber lined with cloud-patterned jade pillars and immortal beast carvings. Spirit energy hung thick in the air.
At the far end sat a kindly old man in pristine white robes, his aura deep as the sea. This was Sect Master Yuan Hong.
Li Qinghou stood at his side, beaming.
"Disciple Ye Ping, greets Sect Master!"
Ye Ping stared at the old man.
"Oh… so you're the old man. Morning, big uncle."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
An inner sect elder clutched his chest.
"He… he called the sect master 'big uncle!'"
Another muttered, "Such defiance… he fears no worldly titles. Truly, the mind of one who has glimpsed the eternal dao."
Yuan Hong coughed lightly, his lips twitching.
What a strange child… but perhaps this is how true prodigies behave.
He forced a benevolent smile.
"Come closer, child."
Ye Ping shuffled up, chewing a spirit fruit.
Yuan Hong gestured to an ornate jade platform.
"Ye Ping, your talents are rare beyond compare. The sect has decided to bestow upon you a special position as an honorary inner sect disciple. In time, you may even become a core disciple."
Ye Ping tilted his head.
"Uh… what's a core disciple?"
An elder nearby murmured, "Such humility. He does not even consider rank important. A true sage."
Another whispered, "Only one who has transcended mortal labels would ask such a thing."
Yuan Hong chuckled.
"It means you will have access to greater resources and teachings. But for now, we wish to witness your comprehension."
Li Qinghou stepped forward.
"We shall test your sword intent."
He handed Ye Ping a plain wooden training sword.
"Strike at me, using your natural understanding."
Ye Ping looked at the stick.
"Big brother, you sure? I don't know how to fight."
More astonished whispers.
"Even now he denies it… to conceal his strength…"
Li Qinghou laughed.
"Come, don't hold back."
Ye Ping sighed.
"Alright, but don't blame me if I trip."
He swung the wooden sword clumsily.
Whoosh!
He slipped.
The sword flew from his hand — spinning end over end — and struck a hanging lantern. The lantern tipped, sending a chain reaction across the decorative chains holding other ornaments. One by one, objects clattered down, some deflecting off the walls, others rebounding wildly.
Ding! Clang! Whap!
At the final bounce, a sharp gust of wind swept through, and the falling lantern struck Li Qinghou on the head.
BONK!
The entire room fell silent.
Ye Ping gasped. "Ah! Big brother, sorry! Are you okay?"
But Li Qinghou, after staggering slightly, straightened his robe and smiled through a swelling lump on his head.
Such… mysterious movement. To feint so poorly it became profound. An untraceable sword path… one I could not predict! Truly terrifying!
The sect master's eyes gleamed.
"Incredible… the Pathless Sword Dao… no form, no pattern, no intent… yet it strikes when least expected."
The elders nodded, murmuring in agreement.
"This child's dao heart is deep indeed."
Zhou whispered, pale-faced, "He's beyond us…"
Ye Ping scratched his head, utterly lost.
"Uh… can I have breakfast now?"
Everyone laughed heartily, and Sect Master Yuan Hong personally gestured.
"Prepare the finest spirit feast for our young genius!"
And so, once again, through complete accident, Ye Ping's reputation soared.
The fool from Willow Leaf Village — now hailed as a prodigy whose comprehension defied the heavens.