A tall figure strode into the room. A young man, imposing and dignified, bearing a striking resemblance to Yale Leaf – at least eighty percent similarity. Handsome yet resolute features, his very presence brought a refreshing energy – the unique signature of Bamboo Sect Aura. This was Yale Leaf's son, Raymond Leaf.
Yale Leaf said, "Chong, meet your Uncle Quentin."
"Uncle Quentin, greetings." Raymond bowed respectfully. "Ying told me you seem interested in my son?" His focus was sharp, bypassing pleasantries.
Quentin's eyes gleamed with appreciation, "Chong, I last saw you when you were a child. Good! Your Bamboo Aura has reached First Tier of Yellow Bamboo, equivalent to Green Lower Tier." He deftly sidestepped the direct question about the child.
Raymond, however, remained fixated. "Uncle Quentin, Ying said you believe my son is a genius, destined for Zither Magic? If possible... could you take him as your disciple?"
Quentin's eyes blazed with renewed hope. Before Yale Leaf could interject, he swiftly responded, "Of course! But... your father disagrees."
Raymond turned to Yale Leaf, confusion evident, "Father, why?"
Yale Leaf snapped, anger simmering, "Get out! Who asked for your opinion? Why? You only have this one child! If he learns the ways of the Zither Sect, what becomes of our Bamboo Sect?"
Raymond retorted passionately, "But he was born with eight fingers! He's unsuited to inherit Bamboo Sect swordsmanship! Don't you wish your grandson to become a true powerhouse? Our Bamboo Sect arts are difficult for him! Wouldn't Zither Magic be perfect? This... this is pure sectarian prejudice! Didn't you always say..."
"GET OUT!" Yale Leaf roared. He lashed out with a punch towards his son. Raymond dared not retaliate. Boom! Amidst a flash of violet light, Raymond was hurled backwards, crashing through the bamboo doorway. His expression, just before impact, held a strange, complex look. Of course, Yale Leaf only appeared to strike hard; he merely used his aura to propel his son away. What father truly wishes to harm his son?
Quentin watched the furious Yale Leaf, sighing, "See? Even your own son understands better than you. Stubborn old bamboo! I've been thinking. How about this: you let your grandson learn Zither Magic from me and your Bamboo Aura simultaneously. In the future, he can still be considered a Bamboo Sect member, with no ties to our Zither Sect. Deal?"
Yale Leaf's expression softened slightly, "Why should I believe you can mold my grandson into a powerhouse capable of rivaling the Seven Pagodas?"
Quentin straightened, his voice grave, "Right now, magic and battle aura on Aerion follow the Prismatic Ranks. But our Eastern Dragon Eight Sects are different. Whether it's our four Magic Sects or your four Battle Sects, cultivation progresses through only three color shifts, each color encompassing nine tiers. Added together, it aligns with the Prismatic Ranks' twenty-seven tiers. Especially the final Violet Rank, also divided into nine tiers. Only by reaching Violet Rank can we mask our true origins from the outside world. But without fifty years of relentless effort and extraordinary talent, reaching Violet Rank is near impossible! The world knows only the Sanctum now! Who remembers our Eastern Dragon Eight Sects?"
Yale Leaf snorted dismissively, "Old news. Everyone knows this. What's your point?"
Quentin pressed, "Then tell me, what are the three colors and nine tiers of our Zither Sect?"
Yale Leaf recited, "Aren't they just Crimson 'Tempering Soul Zither Heart,' Yellow 'Sword Spirit Zither Heart,' and Violet 'Polaris Zither Heart'? You're now at First Tier of 'Polaris Zither Heart.' Sounds similar to our Bamboo Sect's Green Bamboo, Yellow Bamboo, Violet Bamboo – three major stages totaling twenty-seven tiers. Only our first stage starts with Cyan! Better for intimidating outsiders than your Zither Sect!"
Quentin nodded, "Exactly. These three stages of twenty-seven tiers perfectly mirror the Prismatic Ranks' twenty-seven tiers. Cultivating the 'Tempering Soul Zither Heart' to nine tiers is paramount for our sect. 'Learn zither by first tempering the soul' – dispelling distracting thoughts, embedding the zither's resonance deep within the consciousness, gradually deepening understanding and power. This is the orthodox Zither Sect path. Anyone with average talent can typically complete the nine tiers of 'Tempering Soul' within six years. But... the foundation laid by 'Tempering Soul' inevitably makes future advancement difficult. How can a tempered soul compare to one born pure?"
Yale Leaf frowned, puzzled, "I don't quite grasp your meaning."
Quentin's eyes burned with conviction, "If you agree to let your grandson become my disciple, I will not start him on 'Tempering Soul Zither Heart.' Instead... I will guide him to cultivate the 'Innocent Heart Core'!"
Yale Leaf gasped, "What?! That legendary method recorded in your Sect's 'Mystic Score,' the one no one has ever successfully cultivated? Are you insane?"