DragonKnov

  It had been seven days since the attack, and Ji Wuye had been imprisoned at Elder Tan's cliff.

  Now, he found himself brought before the sect's highest authority, standing at the center of attention in Kunlun Hall of Insight. The vast chamber reverberated with hushed whispers as several of eyes scrutinized his every move.

  "Today, we are here to recount the deeds—both commendable and questionable—of Outer Disciple Ji Wuye," a commanding voice echoed throughout the cavernous hall.

  Ji Wuye felt the weight of countless gazes fixed upon him, the focal point of these grave proceedings. Surrounding him in an imposing semi-circle were numerous Kunlun Elders adorned in the white flowing robes adorned with dark yellow stripes.

  "Outer Disciple Ji Wuye has made significant contributions," began the voice of the Grand Elder, Cui Hai—the very same Elder who oversaw and guarded the Kunlun Thousand Pavilion, and the one who intervened to stop the fight between Ji Wuye and the Windbde Emperor.

  Cui Hai's eyes surveyed the gathered Elders, taking note of their stunned expressions, though one face stood out—Elder Qiao, the youngest among them, whose piercing gaze remained steady and expectant.

  Then, the Grand Elder resumed, "First, he alerted us to and assisted in the successful clearing of the Dungeons that had long pgued us, where strange creatures emerged endlessly, wreaking havoc across Qinghai and the Jianghu.

  "Yet, somehow, he managed to clear these Dungeons—either by maiming the threats, transforming the strange caves into ordinary ones, or outright destroying them. Even the Tianmu Vilge Chief himself has personally acknowledged and praised his efforts." Cui Hai paused, allowing his words to sink in as a contemptive silence enveloped the hall.

  All of the Elders widened their eyes in surprise, blinking as they only now realized it was Ji Wuye who had managed to clear the Dungeons. Even Elder Fang, narrowed his eyes at Ji Wuye, his curiosity piqued about the methods he had employed.

  "Furthermore," he continued, "Ji Wuye was the one who discovered and prevented the use of a hidden passage near the misty waterfalls that leads straight into the Lower Level of our ground.

  "He raised the arm about these unusual activities in Tianji and provided this critical intelligence through Elder Qiao. His actions averted a potentially devastating breach of our sanctum."

  A murmur rippled through the gathered Elders as Cui Hai pressed on. "Let us not forget how he conducted interrogations with remarkable effectiveness, extracting confessions from the nefarious culprits while preserving the honor and dignity of our sect.

  “Thanks to his timely warnings, we acted swiftly to uncover and thwart the sinister pns of unorthodox martial artists who sought to impersonate our disciples and tarnish Kunlun's reputation."

  The Hall of Insight fell silent again as the Grand Elder's weighty words hung in the air like a thick fog. After a brief, contemptive pause, Cui Hai turned his gaze squarely upon Ji Wuye, before proceeding.

  "And above all, Ji Wuye has proven himself, through his actions on the battlefield," the Elder's voice resonated with newfound intensity.

  "Not only did he sy numerous unorthodox martial artists who had infiltrated nearly every corner of our sect, but he also eliminated one of the Five Emperors—wless figures who even dared to ally with unorthodox factions to attack our sect."

  The Grand Elder, Cui Hai, let a heavy silence linger, his gaze sweeping over the remaining Elders.

  "His deeds have transformed our once-doubted reputation as heroes of the war into something unshakable, soaring like the heavens themselves," The Grand Elder paused once more, taking a small breath.

  Even those who were typically defiant, like Elder Mu, found themselves at an uncharacteristic loss for words, unable to muster the confidence to speak.

  This stunning revetion underscored a startling truth: Ji Wuye's martial prowess had surpassed even theirs—the vaunted Elders of Kunlun.

  To sy one of the dreaded Five Emperors was an unparalleled feat, undeniable proof of a strength that commanded deep respect in the Jianghu—that tumultuous realm where power dictated influence, even within a sect as bound by ancient tradition as their own.

  The atmosphere grew heavy. "But..." he intoned, allowing the word to linger with foreboding weight, "while his commendable deeds have been acknowledged, his misdeeds cannot be so easily overlooked."

  The Grand Elder paused, "He has dealt with enemies in ways that can only be described as unorthodox—a direct contradiction to the core principles and values that define who we are as disciples of Kunlun.

  "Furthermore, he has committed a grave transgression by raising his hand against one of our own Elders. He choked and hanged Elder Xia, leaving our esteemed brother paralyzed for over a month in agony."

  The Grand Elder paused for a moment, his expression, as usual, remaining indifferent."Such reprehensible conduct is in btant viotion of the sacred teachings that set Kunlun apart from the unscrupulous of the martial world.

  "The way he acts, the methods he employs—if not for the Kunlun martial robe adorning his frame, how could we convince the esteemed powers of the Jianghu, or even the humblest of commoners, that our hallowed sect is not raising a rebellious, unorthodox disciple in our midst?" The Grand Elder's gaze swept across the hushed hall.

  Yes, Ji Wuye’s contributions and combat prowess undeniably outshone his mistakes. Yet, the severity of his actions left lingering doubts in the hearts of some. However, the truth was that neither the Elders nor a sect like Kunlun truly cared about such concerns, as people would soon forget—so long as Ji Wuye did not descend into uncontrolble, berserk sughter.

  Ji Wuye was undoubtedly a figure of immense potential and a valuable asset. His value was so great that other sects were watching closely, ready to make their move if Kunlun ever decided to expel him—a disciple whose worth far exceeded his fws.

  Thus, all the Elders leaned forward with bated breath, eager to hear the final, consequential decision that rested solely with the Patriarch.

  "As a reward for his invaluable contributions," Cui Hai decred, "he should rightfully be promoted to the rank of Inner Disciple."

  "However," the Grand Elder continued after a weighty pause, "due to the unorthodox nature of his methods and his unforgivable disrespect toward the sacred order of our Elders—actions that defy the very core of Kunlun's immutable teachings—Ji Wuye will instead be elevated to the position of Official Disciple!

  "In addition to this promotion," Cui Hai pressed on, "Ji Wuye will be granted unrestricted access to all the hallowed floors of the Kunlun Thousand Pavilion.

  "He will also receive a generous supply of pills, and qian as further reward for his services." The Elder paused, allowing his gaze to sweep over the assembled once more.

  This time, a chorus of approving nods answered his decration, with Elder Fang in particur seeming almost giddy with enthusaism as he repeatedly emphasized the incredible value Ji Wuye had brought to the glory of Kunlun.

  After all, sying one of the Five Emperors amidst the chaotic tumult of an escating war—further complicated by the sudden and mysterious emergence of the otherworldly Towers of Gods—meant that Ji Wuye's presence could potentially serve as a vital secondary pilr in Kunlun's defense, his formidable might almost comparable to their own venerable Patriarch.

  To expel such an invaluable asset would undoubtedly be a grievous folly.

  "Yet, as penance for his transgressions," the Grand Elder continued, "Ji Wuye will be among the chosen disciples tasked with aiding our allies in clearing their beleaguered domains of those Dungeons that pgue them.

  "Through this arduous undertaking, he will not only have the opportunity to cleanse his own reputation, but also to purge the lingering infamy associated with the ominous moniker, 'White Demon,' that has become synonymous with his name. This is a burden he must bear, not merely for the sake of our sect's honor, but for his own eternal spiritual well-being."

  ...

  Those words from two months prior echoed like a lingering refrain through Ji Wuye's mind on this tranquil morning far from the hallowed mount of Kunlun.

  Before him y the Ruoshui Camp—a humble yet vital waystation situated near the stark bordernds of the Tibetan Pteau, unfolding before his crimson-eyed gaze as an austere vista of desote beauty.

  Jagged, windswept cliffs framed the left and right sides of the valley like craggy sentinels, their imposing forms casting long shadows that danced across the rugged terrain.

  The nascent rays of the morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over a bustling array of tents, wooden lodges, and sturdy stone outbuildings—all constructed with a pragmatic hardiness befitting a realm that demanded resilience against the harshest and most unforgiving conditions.

  This was no traditional vilge, but rather a crucial stopover point for the nomadic Tibetan tribes, weathered merchants, and wandering martial artists who braved the ancient caravan routes crisscrossing this unforgiving ndscape.

  In addition, the ramshackle camp was surrounded by sparse yet tenacious vegetation—the occasional wind-bent grove of resilient trees and tufts of wiry grass thriving in defiance of the arid wastend, clustered protectively near a modest, spring-fed pool that shimmered like a welcoming oasis amid the sunbaked desotion.

  And for Ji Wuye…

  'It’s been a week, huh?' he thought to himself as he reflected on his time here. He had taken up temporary residence amidst the rugged sights and sounds of the Ruoshui Camp for just over a week, ever since his arrival.

  Native martial artists, grizzled merchants, and the camp's sun-weathered locals who passed him by couldn’t help but whisper furtively amongst themselves.

  It wasn’t mere curiosity driving their murmurs, but something else entirely—the deeds he had accomplished over the past week, deeds which were...