Chapter 14: Higher Games
Elder Chen Yong sat in his customary place within the Celestial Peak's central chamber. The other elders - peak Stellar Realm cultivators whose very presence could shake mountains - were arranged in a loose circle, their attention focused on the array of light hovering in the chamber's center.
The array displayed scenes from the outer disciples' evaluation, spiritual energy reconstructing each moment in perfect detail. Chen Yong watched his fellow elders' reactions as much as the images themselves, noting every slight shift in expression, every minute fluctuation in spiritual pressure. Even after decades of service as an elder, he still found it amusing how these scenes played out, year after year.
"Interesting crop this year," Elder Sun remarked with his usual affected wisdom. At over a thousand years old, he loved playing the role of the ancient sage.
Chen Yong resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He'd seen enough "interesting crops" to last several lifetimes.
"The merchant's son has decent foundation," Elder Liu offered, gesturing at Wei Lin's Shadow Step technique.
Chen Yong nearly snorted. Decent foundation - as if throwing money at cultivation could substitute for true understanding. But he kept his expression neutral, letting the others continue their familiar dance.
"Too reliant on purchased techniques," Elder Wang predictably dismissed. "No true understanding of martial principles. Though I suppose he might develop adequately with proper guidance."
They discussed each disciple in turn. The Lin girl's practical efficiency earned some grudging approval, while the strange boy Ke Yin’s unusually perfect energy control sparked brief debate before being dismissed as probably some forgotten family technique.
But it was Song Xiang's performance that truly captured their attention.