Chapter 50
Yet despite that, there were still some who didn't notice the changes…
"Junior Brother-" The adjacent disciples halted mid-sentence, their words caught in their throats as they noticed Ji Wuye's intense yet focused gaze.
His eyes, usually sharp and challenging, now exuded a profound serenity and steadfast determination, like the calm surface of a deep lake concealing unfathomable depths.
Unconsciously, the gathered crowd parted before him, creating an open path as Ji Wuye made his way towards the center of the gathering with measured strides.
Observing the varied reactions playing across the faces of his peers - some intrigued, others dismissive - a faint, enigmatic smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He respectfully cupped his palms together at chest level, the simple gesture carrying a sense of practiced grace.
"Please excuse my tardiness, Elder, Seniors, Brothers, and Sisters," he said, his voice low yet carrying. Ji Wuye inclined his head in a deferential nod before lowering his hands.
Only after offering his apologies did the other disciples seem to fully acknowledge his presence, though most promptly dismissed him from their thoughts once more.
"Finally arrived, huh! Hmph!" In stark contrast, the Elder who had called out Ji Wuye's name snorted loudly, the sound reminiscent of an ill-tempered boar.
Without further preamble, he launched into an explanation of the upcoming event, his gruff tones betraying a hint of impatience.
"As per the long-standing rules of our sect, this annual competition is open exclusively to those Outer Disciples who have reached the age of 17 or older."
A murmur of assent rippled through the gathered disciples at these words, for most were already well-versed in the context and significance of this event.
It was only the recently joined members whose brows furrowed in confusion, their eyes alight with a mixture of trepidation and excitement as they struggled to grasp the implications.
The Elder's voice carried on, outlining the finer rules and recounting the histories that had shaped this tradition over the centuries.
His droning tones soon caused some of the more seasoned disciples to unsuccessfully stifle yawns behind cupped hands, though the newest arrivals remained rapt, hanging on his every word.
…
In essence, this annual tournament served as a crucible for the Outer Disciples, ruthlessly weeding out those deemed "untalented" by the sect's harsh standards.
Upon joining, each disciple was granted eight years to advance through the realms before being subjected to this merciless culling. Failure to reach at least the fourth realm by that point would result in immediate and unceremonious expulsion from the sect.
The Elder's gaze swept across the assembled youths, his eyes as piercing as a falcon's. "If any Outer Disciples fail to succeed in this year's tournament, their remaining time will be taken into account before a final decision is rendered.
"Those with years yet to run will be spared...for now. But make no mistake - if your eight-year period has elapsed without achieving the fourth realm, you will be swiftly cast out from our sect."
A heavy silence blanketed the gathering at the finality of his words. There were no exceptions to this ironclad rule, no allowances made for circumstance or favoritism.
Whether existing in the first, second or third realm, all Outer Disciples were granted the same generous eight-year span in which to elevate themselves to the lofty heights of an Official Disciple.
Stagnation and failure were not tolerated - only the strong, the talented and the utterly dedicated would be permitted to remain.
Kunlun was a sect renowned throughout the land for its distinguished reputation and the exceptional caliber of its disciples. Unlike many others, Kunlun never lacked for candidates seeking to join them - the privilege of training under their tutelage was a dream coveted by countless youths.
Perhaps it was this overwhelming demand that necessitated the seemingly harsh constraints placed upon prospective disciples, for the eight-year term granted to each initiate was remarkably generous by any standard.
Yet even this indulgent timeframe was not without its purpose. With three thousand disciples already amongst its numbers, Kunlun boasted a formidable force larger than that of a private army - a fact that had drawn the ire of the Emperor himself on more than one occasion, prompting demands that the sect curtail its swelling ranks.
Thus, the true purpose behind this annual competition became clear.
Contrary to the stated goal of filtering out the "untalented", even those of modest gifts could reasonably expect to reach the fourth realm given eight years of dedicated and consistent training.
No, the tournament's aim was to identify and expel those individuals whose potential had already crested by dint of their age - the lazy and the complacent who had resigned themselves to mediocrity.
The minimum age for joining the Kunlun sect was a tender eight years, carefully calculated to allow a youth's spiritual foundations to properly mature before embarking upon the rigorous path of a martial artist.
At such a young age, one's Qi reserves were frail and unstable, but as the years passed, this vital essence would gradually form and awaken, establishing firm channels and meridians throughout the body.
Only once this powerful framework was in place could the intensive training of the martial arts truly begin in earnest.
Conversely, the maximum age of twenty marked the opposite threshold - the point where youthful potential gave way to the constraints of adulthood.
For once this transitional stage was breached and the body's growth phase subsided into maintenance, natural healing ability and metabolism would begin their inexorable decline.
If one had not already become intimately acquainted with the flows of Qi by this juncture, adapting to the rigorous practice would prove an exponentially greater challenge. The body and mind would struggle to embrace such foreign disciplines at a slower, more grudging pace.
Thus, the eight-year term served as an ideal window in which the sect could assess each disciple's commitment and capability before deciding their ultimate fate.
Those who could not ascend to the fourth realm within that generous span were clearly lacking, either in talent or determination, and would be casted out without sentiment. Only the elite, the utterly devoted, would be permitted to remain.
While reaching the fourth realm after age twenty is not impossible, the process of fully accessing one's remaining meridians and establishing the Lower or Middle Dantian nexuses becomes exponentially more arduous the longer it is delayed.
In certain extreme cases, some people even required a near-death experience to finally awaken their latent talents and break through.
Overcoming such daunting obstacles demanded nothing less than attaining the fourth realm and unlocking the Upper Dantian - the spiritual capstone that refreshed and elevated one's mind to new heights of perception and understanding.
Achieving this crucial milestone required a disciple of utmost diligence and an unwavering work ethic. Half-hearted efforts would inevitably falter.
Yet even this was not the ultimate test. For the Kunlun sect was no charity that freely dispensed training and resources to all who sought them, only to have its disciples depart once they have reached fourth realm.
No, those who wished to be elevated to the coveted ranks of the Official Disciples bore an additional obligation - they must accumulate 200 contribution points through dedicated service to the sect itself.
This long-standing tradition ensured that only those who had proven their value many times over would be permitted to advance further along the path.
Unfortunately for Ji Wuye, the youth who had been brought to Kunlun at the tender age of nine, his own time had already elapsed.
He fell squarely into that undesirable latter category - the indolent disciple who indulged in frivolous pursuits rather than diligently applying himself, squandering the generous opportunity that had been bestowed upon him.
It was not all dire straits for the young man, however. Despite his lackadaisical attitude towards training, Ji Wuye possessed an innately compassionate and kind nature, particularly towards the sect's female disciples.
While his roguish demeanor and playful flirtations were a constant source of exasperation, he was keenly aware of boundaries, never causing harm nor toying with women's emotions.
A small redeeming quality, perhaps, but one that had endeared him to more than a few, almost the majority, of female disciples over the years.
Even so, such marginal virtues were unlikely to spare him from the sect's uncompromising standards.
If Ji Wuye failed to meet the stringent requirements in this year's tournament, expulsion from the sect would be his inexorable fate.
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