A Snail's Wisdom

"How is this possible?"

"Did he do that himself?"

"Don"t make me laugh. One in the Qi Flourishing stage cannot accomplish such a feat. At least not without outside help."

"I sensed no external interference, nor did I see him perform any technique. He just stood there."

"I did not sense anything either. In fact, he appeared as surprised at the result as us."

"Could it be his sword?"

"How can it be? Brother Yi and I examined the sword ourselves. We would have seen something," Xiang Xin reported to his uninvolved brothers and sisters.

"Yes. We couldn"t sense any spirit within the blade, so it must be a newborn spirit," Huai Yi confirmed Xiang Xin"s statement.

It was rare but not impossible for an ignorant sect disciple to attain a new treasure or medicine that gave them an edge in overcoming the sect"s challenges. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, this new advantage would not be enough to overcome the sect"s recorded achievements; both, Xiang Xin and Huai Yi, a.s.sumed that Kenja had obtained a weapon with an infant spirit and believed it would be enough to contest against the ancient sect records. To their pleasant surprise, Kenja seemed to be more talented than a naive youngster who had found something shiny, but what had just happened couldn"t be explained away with mere talent.

Xiang Xin continued after Huai Yi, "Even if the sword"s spirit was ancient and had reached a heavenly realm, its strength is still reliant on its user. It cannot do…all this on its own."

"Perhaps the snail had a hand in it?" suggested one of the spirits residing in one of the distant pillars.

A pillar situated closer to the center platform retorted, "I could feel the connection between the sword and the boy. The snail had no part in its performance."

"Then perhaps—"

The boy-in-question unknowingly interrupted their discussion, "Junior apologizes to Granduncle for disrupting his lecture."

Kenja had previously wanted to stop Sakura because he wished to avoid rudely interrupting the lecture with a failed attempt at breaking the ice. He had zero expectations in overcoming any more of the higher level challenges due to the principle that the technique"s strength relied heavily on the user personally supplying the weapon with his own Qi and strength.

A sword couldn"t contain a large amount of Qi on its own, even with a weapon spirit, so if a high-grade sword with an ancient weapon spirit appeared, its true strength wouldn"t be apparent without an equally strong wielder. Otherwise, it would serve mainly as a gift, guide or measuring stick for gifted youths to cultivate until they can tap into its true power.

For this reason, he didn"t believe he would break a second record, but Kenja wanted to deduce Sakura"s true strength, even wishing that she could penetrate the surface of the Foundation Establishment ice block just a little bit.

Their discussion halted as Huai Yi faced Kenja"s lowered head, remembering that he was in the midst of his lecture.

"Forget about that. How did you do this?" Huai Yi motioned to the still-floating tests of ice.

Not wanting to miss the explanation, the pair of giant eyes and other spirits unconsciously leaned inwards. To exceed cultivation realms in any aspect was extremely rare; the difference between the strongest Qi Flourishing and the weakest Foundation Establishment cultivator was substantial, and that difference grew between every stage. Perhaps if the lower-staged cultivator wielded a dangerous or profound technique, could this gap be bridged. Breaking through the surface of the thick block of ice while in the Qi Flouishing stage would have already been considered impossible by all those present.

The feeling of failing to break through the ice"s surface could give Kenja insight into the technique and heighten his future cultivation and skill in that technique, similar to how the Orbs of Eventuality gave those in earlier cultivation realms an idea of "what"s to come."

But Kenja had done something more ridiculous than that. He didn"t just break the strongest record of the Foundation Establishment stage while still in Qi Flourishing. He demolished it as well as the strongest records of the Core Crystallization and Nascent Soul stage.

By their world view, this was something not possible, no matter how capable Kenja could be.

In order to show his sincerity, Kenja didn"t raise his head as he spoke to everyone else, "Seniors, I had recently found this blade, and I wished to test its strength using the sect"s challenges. I…this, I cannot take credit for either."

Sakura suddenly stopped what she was doing and jerked her hilt at Kenja in an upset manner which Kenja saw from the edge of his vision.

"I mean her power," Kenja corrected himself. Sakura nodded her hilt and flew to one of the two split blocks of ice where she began sculpting it into something.

The apparent heaviness present on all their faces lightened at Kenja"s words, and this held especially true for Xiang Xin and Huai Yi.

A chuckle escaped from Huai Yi who was smiling at Kenja"s bowed head, "You spent your only chance at entering the Dragon"s Basin just so you could test your weapon"s strength? I would usually rebuke such recklessness, but…" Huai Yi paused to glance at the sword which had just finished sculpting a pot out of the first block of ice and had started on the second block of ice, "perhaps it was not a rash decision."

Xiang Xin nodded his head in agreement. "The value of such a weapon cannot be estimated. I fear the temptation it offers is too great to withstand. Had I been alive, I would have offered a great number of treasures in exchange for it. I imagine others… not as kind would stop at nothing to obtain it."

At this comment, Kenja scanned the other spirits who showed a variety expressions ranging from concurring nods to guilty evasions.

"You should take care to conceal its abilities. Consider yourself lucky that I have pa.s.sed away, for I am not as kind as Brother Xin. You would be leaving this basin empty-handed, and you could do nothing to stop me," Huai Yi stated with a cold glint in his eyes.

Even though they had been gifted with the memories and will of their masters, they were Pillars of Will borne from rock. They had no use for a weapon, but they could gauge their predecessors" actions from their experience and character.

Most would consider Sakura a waste in Kenja"s hands, so taking it from him could be considered a service to both him and her. Cultivators beyond his ability would no longer trouble him once the sword left his possession.

"Why must you insist on being harsh all the time, brother? This is why you only had me as a student! No one else could put up with you," Xiang Xin admonished him with furrowed brows.

"I am just speaking the truth, and I had only you as a student because no one else could meet my standards. Even you nearly failed to catch my eye," he retorted with closed eyes and an upturned face.

"See! That"s what I"m talking ab—"

Kenja interrupted their bickering, "Junior will carve his seniors" warnings onto his heart. I will take care of my sword and keep her close." Kenja was not one to show off for no reason, and now that he knew how exceptional Sakura was, he would do his best to hide her abilities.

At this point, Sakura flew to Kenja balancing her ice pot containing a single ice daisy. With a smile on his face, Kenja reached out for the pot causing Sakura to retreat from his grasp.

"Careful, disciple. That ice is infused with energy equivalent to the peak of the Foundation Establishment. Unless you want to lose a few fingers, I advise you to keep your distance," Snail explained.

Sakura got closer to Kenja once more. To be more accurate, she got closer to Snail.

"What? You want me to store this?"

Sakura moved closer to show her confirmation. Kenja could feel the biting cold emanating from the pot near his head, and he had to resist backing away from it.

"Nope! Not going to do it! I am not your master anymore, so I"m not responsible for taking care of your things. It will melt within a year or two, anyways." The Qi infused in the ice would keep it solid for a much longer time period, but it would eventually melt.

Sakura"s tip dipped a few degrees causing Kenja to worry that the pot would slide off. Seeing her mood sadden at the prospect of not being able to take her creation with her, Kenja felt guilty that he couldn"t hold the pot himself and store it.

"Snail, just store it for her."

Snail turned his eyes and thinned his eyelids at Kenja. "No. I don"t have a reason to store a prost.i.tute"s belongings."

The air around Sakura and Snail turned dangerous as sparks flew between them. Kenja exhaled a sigh before speaking up again.

"I"m sure Kimursan would not mind if you use the pot and flower as a cup to keep your drinks cold, and you can use that pipe you hold in your mouth—"

"A straw!"

"—straw to drink from the cup without having to place your mouth on the ice. I imagine your drinks will reach a whole new perfection, at least in terms of appearance, if you do this. Remember "Snail-sensei"s Teaching, Number 72: Always look good!"" Kenja coaxed Snail using his own words and ego to convince him to store the cup.

Kenja imagined Sakura would not like her pot to be used as a drinking cup, but she did not make any move to refuse his suggestion.

Snail stopped glaring at Sakura to think about Kenja"s suggestion before giving a slight nod. "Good idea, disciple. I see you are taking my lessons to heart!" The ice pot and its flower vanished from Sakura"s flat.

Three barely audible "dings" came from above their heads as the platform Kenja stood on bobbed up and down once again. The surrounding Qi thickened and a deeper blue rippled across the water"s surface.

Kenja looked back at the pair of eyes to see them open and meet his gaze.

"The sect has been notified of your accomplishment and your reward has been doled out. I rewarded your cave extra for your humility in choosing to leave your name unrecorded. Does junior seek to challenge any of the other records?"

Kenja looked up at the hole he fell down from with a troubled look.

Misinterpreting his anxiety for excitement, Xiang Xin moved to Kenja"s side and laughed, "You"re going to become quite the figure when you leave. The entire sect knows you defeated four records. I hope you can receive your brothers" admiration with grace."

"I sense many people gathering outside the hole," Snail whispered to Kenja.

Kenja furrowed his brows. "Are they waiting for me outside?"

Huai Yi floated to Kenja"s other side. "Of course they are! I don"t think anyone in the past several hundred years has cleared more than two records in one sitting, let alone four."

A nearby spirit with a bald head and a smile reminiscient of a monk spoke out, "Don"t forget three of them were cleared together in one breath. That definitely has not happened before."

His fellow sister laughed out loud and asked him, "I bet they"re coming to see who could do such a thing. Can you imagine their faces when they see one at the Qi Flourishing stage leave here?"

Kenja hadn"t planned to defeat more than one or two records, nor had Puchi mentioned that the entire sect was informed immediately afterwards. If he were to leave now, whether as Kenja or as Hikaru, he would definitely land himself in more trouble under so much scrutiny. Plus, he couldn"t forget that Snail had turned him into a hunted criminal.

Kenja remonstrated himself for not being more cautious with his plan. Why hadn"t he asked how or when the sect was informed of a new record? Why did he still jump into the pit after hearing about the "Rusty Robber"? Why was he in such a rush?

Actually, he could think of many good reasons to hurry with his plan, but he still should have been more careful!

Concealing a desperate hopelessness, Kenja implored Xiang Xin, "I do not wish for others to know who I am. Is there a way to avoid the eyes of others when leaving this place?" Xiang Xin was more approachable and forthcoming with his acts of kindness, so he believed if anyone could throw him a lifeline out of this, it would be him.

The ethereal figure closed his eyes to ponder over Kenja"s request for several moments.

"Not that I can think of. We can accede to your request to keep your name off our records, but we can"t hide you away from everyone"s sight. Even if you had advanced enough to utilize the Silver Dragon"s Skin technique and change your appearance, the active elders will want to know who was capable of clearing so many of our challenges in a single go."

Kenja mentally noted the aforementioned ability since Snail had told him about it previously. He had a desire to pick up such a useful ability if he ever did reach that level.

"There is a way…" Huai Yi unexpectedly whispered to Kenja so that no one else could hear, "...but it"s not easy. If you can get the leader"s acknowledgment, he might help you out of here. Normally, what you"ve done would have sufficed, but someone"s acknowledgment is subjective. Since your accomplishments were more your weapon"s than your own, it"s understandable why he hasn"t said anything."

Kenja peeked at the giant pair of eyes that represented the leader of the Pillars of Will. They were closed and looked to be waiting for what Kenja would say next, showing no inclination to help Kenja with his dilemma.

Kenja walked to the front of the giant pair of eyes, grasping everyone"s attention, and bowed to them.

"Senior, please help me. I am being pursued for crimes I did not commit, and even though I wish to return the stolen items and make amends, I fear I will be misunderstood if I am discovered like this." Kenja motioned to the heap of pills, weapons, tools and more lying near them.

Kenja would have to rely on Snail"s invisibility trick if he had to leave the Dragon"s Basin with a crowd standing outside the exit, but he didn"t want to place his hope in such a risky plan. Even if Snail could flawlessly conceal him from eyesight, under the eyes of a large number of people watching the same place expectantly, Kenja was unwilling to place his life in Snail"s unreliable hands.

He could leave under the guise of Hirai Hikaru, but if Senior Aunt Hirose or her underlings were still outside, Hikaru would fail to survive their inquiry, especially after they corroborate the facts with the Pillars of Will.

The best course of action would be to bring the pillars to his side and help him out; otherwise, he would have to take the gamble and ask for Snail"s help.

The pair of eyes stared at him in contemplation for several breaths before looking at the pile of items. Before he could answer Kenja"s plea, a hateful voice echoed out that made him squint in indignation.

"What do you mean return them? What kind of disciple gives away his master"s gifts?!"

Snail had left his sh.e.l.l once again and stood atop the small mountain as if to defend his territory to the death.

Kenja looked at him with a frown and asked him, "You gave them to me, right?"

"Yes, I gave them to you—"

"Then I will do with them as I like."

"There"s no need to rely on a little rock for this small thing. I can take care of—"

"That"s alright. A disciple shouldn"t rely on his master for every small thing."

This back and forth went on for a good minute, but Kenja continually and calmly refuted every a.s.sertion that Snail conjured up, causing him to require a few seconds to come up with his next argument.

"I bet this little pebble doesn"t have any way to help you—"

"Very well."

This time, the giant pillar"s voice interrupted Snail instead of Kenja, "If you leave the "misplaced" items here and are able to overcome any one of the sect"s challenges with your own ability, I will allow you to use the basin"s other exit that only the sect elders know about. This is all I can do."

His master had given him the order to find and shelter any prodigies he believed to hold immense potential.

Having already suffered at Snail"s hand once, the giant pillar sympathized with Kenja who had to constantly cope with the clingy catastrophe. Even though he had acknowledged only a couple of incredible geniuses since his master had placed him here hundreds of years ago, what const.i.tuted as "immense potential" was entirely up to him. He wouldn"t break the rules for Kenja, but he could bend his standards. He was doing this to help his junior, and not to get back at Snail without incurring his wrath. Yes, that"s definitely the truth!

Kenja looked up at the pair of eyes and responded with a calm smile, "Thank you, senior." He turned away from the grand pillar and showed a look of despondence that was caught by the other pillars. Xiang Xin and Huai Yi glanced at each other and let out a defeated sigh.

While getting the pillar"s acknowledgment by defeating a single challenge was a magnanimous consideration from their leader, what were these challenges? They were records set by the sect"s best and brightest over the past few centuries. Even if Kenja had been several decades older with the highest cultivation in the sect, there was no guarantee he could secure a single victory against the Dragon"s Basin.

Kenja understood all this, so his melancholy took hold of the atmosphere as he contemplated his next action. Forget beating the challenges, he was unsure whether he could activate the techniques in the first place.

A splash broke the silence as Kenja saw Sakura flying from the water"s surface over to him, dripping water on the platform. She placed her tip in front of Kenja"s eyes and allowed a large drop to form without spilling it. She swayed from side-to-side causing the drop of water to appear bigger and adopt the appearance of a pendulum as it got dangerously close to leaving the sword"s surface and falling to the ground. At the end, she jerked the tip upwards and the drop of water flew up into the air before hitting the ground.

"The Flowing Water Technique?" Kenja asked her.

Sakura showed her affirmation by moving her tip up and down like a nod.

"Junior excels in the Flowing Water Technique?" Xiang Xin inquired Kenja with raised eyebrows.

Kenja gave him and the others a pained smile. "I know a little."

"When did you start practicing it?" The woman floating next to the monk asked directly, believing Kenja was feigning modesty.

Judging by the time Kenja had acquired a cave, his young age, and the exclusivity of the Flowing Water technique, Kenja could not have had much time to practice a skill that required equal parts, talent and experience.

Kenja winced at the question. He coughed once to maintain his composure before replying, "Ahem…I learned about it three days ago, but I"ve only practiced it for, let me see…I think it was around…maybe…ten minutes or so." The volume of his voice decreased with each word, hoping no one would hear his final answer.

His "practice" was short and unplanned. Plus, it was in an introductory cla.s.s with other beginners. He had no frame of reference for comparing his actual proficiency.

The woman glared at him as the others blinked at him dumbly. They heard him. Their expressions were filled with frowns and disappointment at the junior who wished to defeat a record with only ten minutes of practice.

Knowing what they must be thinking, Kenja added, "Seniors, because I haven"t practiced it for a long time, I didn"t plan to challenge its record. Kimursan suggested it because she believes I showed an affinity for it."

Their gazes softened at his explanation and the woman closed her eyes and turned her nose away from him, putting him out of her mind. Sakura drooped at having her idea renounced.

Kenja turned to the giant pillar and asked, "Can I challenge the same test more than once?"

The pair of eyes looked at him for a moment before responding, "I"ll allow it."

Kenja"s smile turned to a grin as he announced in a loud and proud fashion, "I wish to undertake the Qi Flourishing record for the Flowing Water Technique!"

"?!"

Everyone stared at him, mouths agape. The sn.o.bby woman"s right eye twitched. "You just said you weren"t going to challenge it!"