Silently as if always there, a sword appeared in Bai Qi's hand as a halberd did in Dai Kun's. And as Bai Qi examined the weapon in his hand, he found that it looked like the most average one, feeling the same as well, appearing as if made of simple iron, with a handle of plain wood and no guard. And if not for the slightly intricate decoration serving as the pommel, a bronze-colored wooden piece carved in the image of the human-like head of a Penghou, which did release a little amount of spirituality, it was easy to consider the sword as a creation of a non-cultivator smith.

On the other hand, the halberd in Dai Kun's hands was the opposite, being and looking truly impressive, one that even released a tinge of aura. And that's with both cultivators qi and aura sealed by the [Petal Stage] effect as soon as the weapons appeared!

Holding this halberd, perfectly balanced, gilded, and heavily decorated, the blade modeled after a half moon and the spike after a ray of moonlight, even some moonstone at the base, Dai Kun's worries disappeared. He even felt all of them laughable as he compared the impressive weapon in his hands against the common, even somewhat shoddy, sword in Bai Qi's left hand.

And while Dai Kun was mistaken to consider such differences in weapons to mean his superiority, he could not be blamed, as except for the people of the [Delicate Forest Palace], it was rare for any outsider to know the actual significance of the weapons summoned by the [Petal's Marks].

"Even the stage considers me the one to be victorious. Are you sure of not wanting to beg for forgiveness before you have to crawl?!" Dai Kun's new-found confidence immediately turned into arrogance, making him taunt Bai Qi again.

"As if the amount of gold and silver has anything to do with one's mastery." While unaware of the reasons for the difference, Bai Qi felt not distressed at all. In fact, he felt nothing but reassurance and some link of sorts from the simple-looking sword, as if the weapon itself was telling him it was the one meant for him.

Thus, while Dai Kun was erroneous in his judgment, Bai Qi felt his simple-looking sword superior, even if he didn't even think of it or understand the reasons for such.

Not that either could know, as neither of them heard the conversation between the few people that, while concealed and unrevealed to the combatants, would still serve as the public. A conversation that was nothing but an overall show of surprise, with the words [Fairy], [Guardian], [Original], and [Weapon] voiced out several times.

Tired of the meaningless word exchange, or maybe to quicken the matter, Huang Song, the [Wise Elfin], who had floated above the stage as soon as the weapons appeared, didn't wait for more, skipped over all the customary confirmations, and commanded, "Start!"

***

As soon as the command to start the battle resounded, both fighters assumed their guards. But while Dai Kun's glaive pointed at Bai Qi, and all of his lowered stance denoted aggression, Bai Qi chose a far different manner, the strangest and even dumbest, against an opponent armed with a longer-reach weapon.

The [Scorpion Tail] sword stance, with the blade held in both hands and straight behind one's back, concealed from an opponent, but with reduced speed, reaction, and reach, not to mention the lowered defensive qualities. Usually meant in battles against similar or shorter range weapons, in this case, against a six-feet long halberd..? It was no doubt that every observer, no matter how experienced, found herself questioning just what did Bai Qi intend to do?

"I will tear you apart!" Taking Bai Qi's range reduction as an offense, as if Bai Qi was telling him that he cared nothing about him, Dai Kun roared, propelling himself forward, the halberd's spike aiming at Bai Qi's dantian area!

*Swoosh* *Grab* *Pull* *Slash* *Splatter* *Thump* *Thump* *Clang*

A single clash, weapons not even touching, was all it took for this duel, which appeared to have any outcome but this one, to end!

"There was no need to kill him." Huang Song shook her head as she commented, not chastising but merely speaking up, looking straight at the calm, too calm, youngster.

"Maybe it is so, but the [Shimmering Earth] sect owes me too much." A duel could end in any way, even one to first blood, and while Bai Qi did end up turning and apologizing for the kill, asking the Palace not to hide anything to avoid trouble for them, he considered himself devoid of any fault.

Assistant Elder Fan was aware of all the happenings in [Heibei], as Ma Su's questioning had taken place with her present, but was still shocked by the result of this slightly forced by no one but the Palace leadership duel. Leaving aside the difference in mastery, as even if Bai Qi concealed his own to the best of the [Petal Stage] revealed it nonetheless, the 4th step of the sword's path, compared to Dai Kun's 2nd step with the halberd, the manner, and speed of the single exchange was just above her comprehension.

Heavens, Fan Lin herself doubted she could repeat Bai Qi's feat, even though she was actually a 5th step swordmaster!

Fan Lin herself wasn't a weakling, and her sword mastery had always been her forte, yet to do the same? And in a single instant?!

With such thoughts crossing her mind, she glanced towards the calmly, even nonchalantly walking Bai Qi, whom Fan Lin was to escort back to the private room, as a means to avoid questions, most importantly, about how the duel concluded before the [Martial Path of Herbs] started.

As if the young man, a boy even, with strange half-white half-black hair, sensed her glance, his black eyes met hers, a light smile crossing his face, slightly inclining his head, as in an apology or an invitation to ask him something. Yet, this Bai Qi's eyes denoted no smile, and Fan Lin was the one who averted her gaze, even slightly shivering - such was the concealed strength in that void-like pits!

But no matter how Assistant Elder Fan attempted to convince herself otherwise, she, still a member of the young generation at her twenty-nine years, couldn't not.

***

Losing her parents at an early age and becoming an orphan made Fan Lin a resilient person. Complemented by the nine years spent as a disciple, then five as an aide, and the last year as an Assistant Elder made her able to overcome, or at least ignore emotions when required. And so it was now, even if she felt some strange dread from the young cultivator she escorted her words as they reached the private quarters assigned to him were calm, even if slightly mechanical.

"Not many cultivators gathered for the event have extensive knowledge about herbs. Thus, they will spend two days being instructed by the Palace before the event starts.

With the duel taking you out of schedule, the elders decided that you shall not return with them but still receive the relevant books and scrolls for you to learn the same as they do.

And to remain unmolested, you will be granted this room for a day and the chance to ask one of the Palace mentors, like me, any questions before going to the herb grounds."

While Fan Lin was anything but glad about the assignment by this point, and she actually lied as no one but her would remain in contact with Bai Qi, such were the orders, and she would never question her mentor, High Elder Bai, orders being absolute.

In response, the young man silently bowed, saying nothing as he straightened and walked towards the only furniture in the small room, a table filled with scrolls and books, many more than the ones required for this instance of the event.

"I will be back by night for you to ask if some question arises." Revealing she had lied, though not noticing it, Fan Lin excused herself, leaving Bai Qi alone.

Amused by the blue-eyed Assistant Elder's reaction and his current situation Bai Qi lightly chuckled before walking towards the far end of the room. Not a long trek considering the room was just some eight feet from side to side, and ignoring the books and scrolls entirely, Bai Qi sat down, preparing to meditate until his sole, as she herself gave up, contact returned.

***

Fan Lin arrived a few hours later, but Bai Qi hardly reacted to her presence. While the duel against Dai Kun could scarcely be called one, Bai Qi still entered into contact with the halberd intent, and for all this time, he attempted to decypher and comprehend it. Having never trained in either life with such a weapon, it was a new experience, and what better than an undiscovered, at least for him, path to serve as a source of martial insight?

Since his [Lightning Baptism], Bai Qi had attempted to gather enough insight for his next breakthrough, and the events in the [Void Palace] and [Zihoadao] had been a true trove of it. Yet, as he used a treasure, the liquid lightning essence, to force a breakthrough and didn't control it entirely, he forfeited most gains, expending nearly three dozen times the one a usual cultivator would require. Even with the crazed requirements of the [Master of Everything, Ruler of Nothing] method he followed, Bai Qi would have spent far less, over a half less, to be precise!

Bai Qi's mindset and willpower allowed him to shrug off the fact, and he didn't even dwell on it long, but at the same time, his experience and accumulated knowledge allowed him to remember a way to salvage a part of the lost insights, and that..? That Bai Qi would not skip over, dutifully making himself replay the single-instant battle once and over again, concentrating on something new while allowing free circulation of part of his mind and soul power, following one of the most effective ways that could retrieve some of the losses.

After all, the breakthrough didn't use that excess! So it simply scattered, and where could it have done so if not inside him? At least partially, in a big part, thanks to the protective measures he had set around at that moment. Thus, as he accumulated new insight, his mind and soul, as if they were nets, scoured his inner world, catching every bit and piece they could. And so, even if Fan Lin arrived, Bai Qi didn't stop what he was doing, feeling that he was gaining some of the scattered insight back, even if less than he expected.

To Bai Qi's surprise, Assistant Elder Fan didn't leave the room and patiently waited for him, even if it took nearly an hour for him to consider his gains enough to stop, entirely aware that the next time he meditated, it would be far harder to get at least something back, as while scattered inside himself, insight still could fade, pushed out by new experiences, some even overwriting the existent one.

"I am sorry for making Elder wait for me -" Bai Qi jumped unto his feet, continuing with a bow towards Fan Lin, and explaining after she shook her head, brushing the matter away, "-As I read the books, I felt some interesting sensations and decided to act on them."

Fan Lin's face immediately turned surprised, as it could only mean that Bai Qi had a talent for herbs, which he did have, though his words were an absolute lie, with him not opening a single scroll, merely examining the titles. As for why he lied, Bai Qi answered it inwardly right away,

"No need to explain or excuse yourself further, as it is commendable conduct. To not allow the opportunity to pass is the real way of a cultivator." Even if young, Fan Lin was still an elder, and she couldn't help herself but praise Bai Qi's quick reaction to what could be an insight opportunity, even if she was shocked by the number of Bai Qi's talents, And indeed, youthful or not, she hardly believed Bai Qi to be open, honest, or foolish enough to allow others to read him entirely.

"And Assistant Elder Fan will have to forgive me, but I must apologize again-" Even if the golden-haired woman raised her hand to stop him, Bai Qi continued nonetheless, "-and how could I not? After all, I do not have any questions, and the Assistant Elder still waited for a long time!"

"You can call me Fan Lin. You are not a member of our Palace after all." For some reason, even when considering their difference in age and cultivation, Fan Lin didn't feel her words odd, but then she actually comprehended what Bai Qi had just said, "You have no questions at all?!"

"No, at least not about herbs or the event." Showing that he didn't notice Fan Lin's sudden uproar, Bai Qi shook his head, a sheepish smile plastered on his face.

"Hmm, so you do have some on something else?" Looking at Bai Qi and getting a nod in confirmation, Fan Lin quickly shook her head as she added, "I can not speak about the matter with ex-disciple Ma Su. So if that is what you meant to ask, I will not answer. As for anything else? I will answer, but don't ask about the Palace's secrets!" Noticing that Bai Qi shook his head when she mentioned Ma Su, Fan Lin relaxed, even joking by the end of her phrase.

"So, no way for me to get the information about the Palace's vault? A shame!" As if Bai Qi even required it, not that he would be very above about taking some items from there, he continued on the same joking note as Fan Lin finished before turning slightly more serious and asking what, since the start, he had meant to ask. After all, ever since he saw the golden-haired and blue-eyed disciple before and the so-similar Fan Lin, how could Bai Qi not..?