"Why?" Torvin stated, his voice flat, betraying no overt emotion despite the internal consideration of being effectively imprisoned on this peak. "Why only on me?" Blatant discrimination required justification, or it revealed vulnerability in the captor.
"Necessity," Wu Qingcheng replied simply, taking a delicate sip from her teacup. Her movements were fluid, economical, each gesture carrying an unconscious elegance that momentarily drew Torvin's gaze. "Other disciples, even elders, have ties, responsibilities within the Palace structure. They are the lifeblood of Lanyue Palace. But you? Your origins are unknown and your power is anomalous." She placed the cup down. "To sum it up, your potential for destabilization is unquantified. So, restriction is prudent until your value and loyalty are ascertained..."
'Or when you learn to behave yourself, at the very least.' Wu Qingcheng kept the last thought to herself.
'Loyalty? Unlikely. But value? That can be cultivated.' Torvin processed her pragmatic reasoning in multiple angles. And most probably, the current him was a volatile asset, potentially useful, potentially dangerous.
But while watching her, a different, more primal need surfaced – thirst. The fight had left him quite dehydrated, it seemed.
So before Wu Qingcheng could react, driven by basic physiological need overriding social protocol, Torvin stepped forward, snatched the teacup she had just set down, and drained the remaining lukewarm contents in a single gulp.
Wu Qingcheng froze, momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity. 'Decorum, status, the inherent distance between cultivator and mortal (or apparent mortal) – none seemed to register with him.' No man had ever acted with such casual disregard in her presence. Her initial shock quickly morphed into annoyance, a flicker of Qi gathering in her raised hand.
Oblivious, or perhaps simply prioritizing need over perceived threat, Torvin found the small cup insufficient. He reached for the teapot itself, lifting it and pouring the contents directly down his throat.
Wu Qingcheng's hand paused mid-air. 'He acts purely on instinct? Driven by basic need, unburdened by social constraints? Or is this a deliberate provocation?' Seeing the genuine relief on his face as he drank, she grudgingly lowered her hand. Attacking him now, over tea, seemed… petty. And potentially counterproductive to observing his true nature.
Having quenched his thirst, Torvin felt marginally better. He noted the faint, pleasing fragrance emanating from Wu Qingcheng – likely some rare spiritual herb or incense used in cultivation, not just mere perfume. He didn't comment, merely logged the observation. Then, with the same casual disregard for manners, he pulled out the stool opposite her at the table and sat down.
Wu Qingcheng's eyebrow twitched slightly at his presumption, but she maintained her composure, deciding to steer the conversation back to her own objectives. "You expressed a strong desire to leave. Bai Ji reported your initial intent upon waking. Why?"
"Conquest requires freedom of movement," Torvin stated plainly. "My goals necessitate traversing this continent, accumulating resources, and consolidating power. So doing nothing and being confined all day is antithetical towards progress." He spoke of unifying the continent with the same flat tone one might use to discuss crop rotation.
'The sea of stars? Unifying the Sifang Continent?' Wu Qingcheng almost scoffed. The sheer scale of his stated ambition, contrasting with his current power (spiritually inert, reliant on temporary bursts of unknown power), was nothing short of delusional.
"Ambitious claims," she remarked dryly, "for someone whose control over their abilities fluctuate so drastically."
"Abilities can be cultivated." Torvin countered, meeting her gaze steadily. "My current limitations are nothing but temporary data points, not defining parameters."
'Interesting self-assessment. Confidence, or delusion?' Wu Qingcheng considered his arguments but a direct confrontation over his ambition was pointless— a conditional agreement, however… "Very well. A wager, then. Three years. Within three years, if you can demonstrate strength sufficient to earn this Empress' genuine acknowledgment – not merely through temporary outbursts, but consistent, demonstrable capability – you will be granted freedom of movement beyond this Palace."
'Three years. A significant timeframe, yet quantifiable. Demonstrable capability – vague, subject to her interpretation, but a potential path forward. Acceptable parameters.'
"Agreed," Torvin said, slapping his palm flat on the table with finality. A dull ache radiated up his arm from the impact – his recovering body still far from peak condition. He ignored it. "And in the case I achieve your acknowledgement before three years?"
"The agreement stands regardless. Prove sufficient capability, earn acknowledgment, and the restriction is lifted, regardless of time," Wu Qingcheng confirmed, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. 'To be acknowledged by my standards…? a higher bar than he likely comprehends.'
Wu Qingcheng rose, the discussion concluded. She exited the wing, leaving Torvin alone amidst the luxurious confinement.
'Three years.' Torvin stood, feeling the lingering aches. The Aptitude Stele incident confirmed Qi cultivation via conventional methods was likely impossible. His Viltrumite heritage is the way forward and strengthening it was of utmost importance.
The Gravity Crag that Bai Ji mentioned was the primary target, certainly ideal for Viltrumite conditioning— but simple physical exertion isn't going to be enough.
He needed to push his limits constantly.
'The Overdrive Protocol… too costly, unsustainable.' He needed baseline improvement. Still, basic conditioning could begin now.
He focused inward, engaging the mundane functions of his Bio-Interface. 'Log task: Daily physical conditioning regime. Parameter: Maximum sustainable exertion without triggering Overdrive. Objective: Increase baseline strength, speed, resilience. Secondary Objective: Acclimatize to local environment.'
First, familiarize with the immediate environment. This "Embracing Moon Palace" is going to be his gilded cage for the foreseeable future. He needed to know its layout, resources, potential vulnerabilities. Kitchen, water sources, escape routes (even if currently blocked by the array).
He pushed open the door to his wing and stepped out. The grandeur of the main peak assaulted his senses. Carved beams, jade railings, structures built with an extravagance that dwarfed anything on Spirit Herb Peak. The ambient spiritual energy here was noticeably denser, richer.
'Significant resource disparity between locations.' He noted.
As he walked along polished stone pathways, Torvin encountered numerous maids in fine silken robes. They moved with quiet efficiency, heads bowed. Upon seeing him, they would pause, offer a respectful salute, and murmur, "Greetings, Esteemed Consort."
'Consort.' The title grated, but acknowledging it was necessary for navigating this environment. He gave curt nods in return, memorizing faces, patrol routes, points of access. He quickly noted another phenomenon: besides himself, every individual he encountered on this peak was female. Maids, guards, attendants. No other males.
'Interesting security protocol? Or cultural norm? Or specific to Wu Qingcheng's domain?' The isolation felt… curated. He continued his reconnaissance, mapping the peak in his mind, the Bio-Interface silently logging layouts and observations. Where was the Gravity Crag relative to here? How was access controlled? These were questions for Bai Ji, later.
For now, he needed to locate the basic necessities within this luxurious prison. Kitchens, larders, training grounds, libraries… and yes, latrines. Even a Viltrumite consort-to-be had basic needs.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Embracing Moon Palace…
Wu Qingcheng, Bai Ji, and the Grand Elder (now healed, though his pride remained bruised) convened.
"Peak Master Bai," Wu Qingcheng's voice held a sharp edge of interest, "you stated Li Qiye recognized the ancient script on the Central Stele?"
"Indeed, Palace Master," Bai Ji confirmed, still slightly awed by the memory. "He identified it as Small Seal Script and read the opening line of the Tao Te Ching fragment without hesitation. He even… offered to tutor me."
A stunned silence filled the hall. The Grand Elder stared, forgetting his earlier animosity for a moment. Ancient Divine Script, as some called it, was the key to unlocking countless lost legacies – techniques, formations, alchemy recipes. Mastery was incredibly rare, a skill usually held only by ancient lineages or monstrously old entities.
"A mortal… without cultivation… possessing knowledge of the Divine Script?" The Grand Elder murmured, disbelief warring with the implications. "Unheard of!"
"This," Wu Qingcheng stated, her eyes gleaming with intense calculation, "changes the equation significantly. His physical potential is anomalous, his knowledge potentially invaluable." Her gaze hardened. "This information must not leave this room. His ability is a strategic asset, and a potential target. Ensure absolute secrecy."
"Understood, Palace Master," both Bai Ji and the Grand Elder affirmed, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
Just then, Torvin's voice echoed faintly from the lower slopes of Spirit Herb Peak, where he had presumably returned seeking Bai Ji. "Elder Bai!"
Wu Qingcheng allowed the earlier tension to dissipate while Bai Ji and the Grand Elder exchanged glances before the table. "You may attend to him, Peak Master Bai. Continue your observations. Report anything unusual."
— — —
Torvin searched Spirit Herb Peak fruitlessly for Elder Bai, all the while thanking the Old Villanous Heavens that Wu Qingcheng did not restrict his access to this peak. "Elder Bai! Are you avoiding your duties?!" He muttered under his breath, kicking at a loose stone on a whim.
Then, before Torvin could even notice it, an imperceptible hand landed on his shoulder.
"Blast it, Elder Bai! Announce yourself!" Torvin spun around, exasperated.
"Heh, force of habit, Young Friend Li," Bai Ji said, stroking his beard, his eyes holding a new, unreadable depth. "Though, perhaps 'Martial Uncle Bai' is more appropriate now, given your… elevated status."
"Status is irrelevant without sufficient capability," Torvin countered flatly. "So I require something to do, something meaningful." He needed challenges, needed opportunities, needed leverage to eventually gain access to the Gravity Crag and negotiate his freedom. Freeloading, even in luxury, was inefficient and ineffective.
"Admirable diligence," Bai Ji nodded, though his smile seemed strained. "Very well. Since you completed the field preparation ahead of schedule… a new task presents itself. These," he produced several pouches from his spatial ring, filled with different kinds of seeds, "are spirit herb seeds from various regions. They require careful planting according to their specific environmental needs within the fields you prepared."
[External Task Received: Plant designated spirit herb seeds according to regional specifications. Location: Prepared Spirit Fields (5 acres).]
"Strains from the Southern Border prefer shaded, moist soil – designate plot one. Western Desert varieties require maximal sun exposure and sandy admixture – plot two. Eastern Marsh reeds need waterlogged conditions near a flowing stream – plot three. Central Plains Ginseng thrives in neutral, energy-rich loam – plot four.
And finally…" Bai Ji paused, holding up the last pouch.
"Northern Wilderness native species, correct?" Torvin inferred.
"Ah… yes," Bai Ji agreed, perhaps slightly too quickly. "Northern Wilderness. Plot five. Ensure proper spacing and depth!" He beamed, perhaps a little too brightly.
Torvin accepted the pouches, his expression unchanging. Planting seeds. More labor, but necessary. Every completed task was a step, however small, on the path to strength, and ultimately, freedom. He turned towards the fields, the weight of the task, and his confinement, settling upon him.