Sect Master Qing Zhouzi stood with his hands behind his back, his face as calm as jade, and spoke, "Pi Guang, from today, you are to be a teaching elder of Guanzhaozong Sect. You will take on a group of trial disciples and instruct them in basic Qi gathering."
The crowd stirred.
Some snickered and a few looked down on him in disdain.
And the other disciples who didn't speak had their eyes showing sympathy and confusion. Though they hadn't seen Pi Guang in person, they had heard stories about him. Theemptyvessel, who had been sweeping floors and doing menial tasks for over a century, his cultivation stagnant, yet still kept around by the sect.
Pi Guang stood there, frozen and speechless. Teach basic Qi gathering? He couldn't even feel the Qi of common nature. What could he teach?
Sect Master Qing Zhouzi's gaze sharpened, "Although your spiritual root is gone, your determination is firm. If you can help even one of these trial disciples achieve some small success, you can keep your position. If you can produce an outstanding disciple, the sect will reward you."
Pi Guang lowered his head with a bitter laugh. Of course, it was a trial.
If he was useless to himself, perhaps he could be useful to others. If he could not ascend, then let him be a guiding light for those who could.
He mocked himself inwardly: The greatest irony in life is for one who can not cultivate to teach others how to soar, while remaining forever stagnant, unable to even sense the natural Qi.
But if this position meant he could at least eat and live in relative comfort, without waking to bird droppings on his fabric hut every morning, then perhaps it was worth a try.
His gaze shifted to the young disciples below. They were those who were lazy, untalented, and abandoned by the sect.
"Then let's give it a try…" he muttered softly.
©
After the announcement, the courtyard slowly emptied. Disciples returned to their duties, whispers still chasing Pi Guang's name like falling leaves caught in wind.
He said nothing, only bowed as expected, then turned back toward the alchemy hall and his broom waited by the furnace.
Even as a so-called teaching elder, it seemed some habits refused to let go of him, and perhaps, he didn't mind. The quiet of labor was better than the clamor of titles.
By midday, the furnace was cleaned, his sleeves dusted with powdery ash, and the last soot scraped from the rim. He stepped out into the sun with a sigh, but the moment his foot touched the stone path, he sensed chaos.
Sparks flickered in the air. Shouts echoed through the valley. Down by the practice ring, two groups of disciples were squared off. The air shimmered with rising Qi, and spiritual energy lashed against the trees, bending branches with unseen force.
And at the center of the storm were his assigned students. The ones deemed lazy, unworthy, barely fit to wear the sect's robes.
Their opponents were clearly stronger. One had already drawn a talisman that hissed with electric runes. Another's palm was glowing with condensed air energy.
"Idiots," Pi Guang muttered, hurrying down the slope.
But before he could intervene, a woman's sharp voice cut through the turmoil. "Enough!"
The disciples paused, startled, some lowering their hands.
Pi Guang slowed too, his eyes widening as he saw her step forward. Her robes fluttered in the breeze, white with soft indigo trim. Her presence was like the calm before thunder.
She turned to meet his eyes.
Even after all these years, she had hardly changed.
Lan Suoya.
He recognized her instantly; his Shifu's great-granddaughter. The little girl who used to sneak him extra buns when the kitchens ran out, who never once looked at him like he was less. Her eyes held the same warmth, though now cloaked in the grace of maturity.
She blinked. "Uncle Guang?"
Her words, casual but respectful, sent a ripple through the students. "How have you been?"
Pi Guang gave a crooked smile. "Still sweeping, just with added responsibilities."
She laughed. "You haven't changed."
But before the moment could settle, one of the rival students; tall, sharp-jawed, and clearly favored by his group, snorted. "This is the new teacher? That floor-sweeping waste is your teacher?"
Pi Guang stepped forward to make him stop talking. "Enough. You…."
But the student sneered, flicked his wrist and Pi Guang was sent flying backward by a gust of compressed air. He hit the dirt hard, skidding across gravel. His ribs throbbed. But his pride, even more so.
"Know your place and don't touch me," the student spat.
Lan Suoya turned, fury flickering in her eyes. "How dare you!"
But before she could step forward, a hand gripped her shoulder.
Another figure entered the ring.
He wore fresh inner-sect robes, tailored and pristine. His posture oozed cultivated confidence. His hand remained possessive on Suoya's shoulder, the other holding the rude disciple back with a warning glance.
"I'll handle it, Lan'er," he said smoothly, then turned toward Pi Guang with a neutral expression. "I am Instructor Li Tang."
Pi Guang brushed dust from his robes and straightened. He recognized the type. New teacher, freshly appointed, still drunk on authority and self-worth. "Pi Guang."
Li Tang's eyes scanned Pi Guang's face, lingering a little too long. Pi Guang had seen that look before: the kind that didn't trust beauty in a beggar's clothes. Pi Guang was sure handsome and fine.
"So… this is the famous Pi Guang." Li Tang smiled, but his voice was laced with irony. "I've heard the stories. The eternal servant, the sect's living relic."
Lan Suoya's voice came firm. "He was my great-grandfather's companion during the early years of the sect. Treated with respect by even the old masters."
Li Tang's smile faltered. But only for a breath.
Then he looked at Pi Guang and asked, "Pi Guang… what does your name mean?"
Pi Guang sighed inwardly. It was always the same game. He answered calmly, "Pi. Butt. Guang. Elegant."
"You mean…."
"Butt?"