Old Blind Man in a Cultivation World

Karn slowly withdrew his hand from Rei’s wrist, his Qi receding from her body.

He had initially believed her talent was merely good. But after reading through the book, he realized just how badly he had underestimated her. Rei had successfully cultivated a Black-Rank cultivation technique, memorized its entire contents, and completed her first cultivation cycle in a single day.

That wasn’t simply an impressive cultivation speed. It was comprehension.

Rei gave a small nod, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Yet despite her expression, her eyes remained clouded with thought.

Karn smiled in return before settling into a nearby chair. He glanced around his estate, but his mind was already elsewhere, contemplating the future.

"What are you thinking about?" Karn asked with a chuckle. "Come on, tell this old man of yours."

"Master..." Rei’s eyes widened in surprise.

’How did Master know I wanted to say something?’ She thought.

"Koko... Come on, lass. It’s clear as day on your face." Karn stroked his beard with a smile.

Rei hesitated for a moment before finally bowing her head.

"This disciple wonders why you taught the Transparent World to Shin but not to me. Why can’t I learn it as well?"

"Because you don’t need it." Karn’s smile faded slightly.

"This disciple doesn’t understand." Rei blinked.

Karn pointed to his eyes with his hand.

"Shin’s greatest weakness is his eyes. He sees what is in front of him, but little beyond it. Transparent World helps him perceive what others cannot." Karn leaned back in his chair.

"But you are different." He pointed toward Rei.

"You grew up in a world where you knew your eyes could deceive you. The world never handed you anything on a silver platter, my little disciple. So you learned to see the forest instead of becoming fixated on the trees." Karn answered with a serious face.

"Shin lad hasn’t learned that lesson yet. You’ve always been quick to adapt and protect him, so he hasn’t been forced to see the uglier side of the world for himself. He’s still too naive. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’ll learn in time." Karn smiled.

"The transparent world is not suitable for you because you have already learned the lessons of the transparent world." The answer concluded.

Rei’s eyes teared up slightly. For the first time, it felt like she had been seen.

"This disciple understands!" Rei gave a respectful bow after the satisfactory answer.

"Koko... Bring Shin lad over. It’s time to have a grand delicious meal with my talented disciples" Karn smiled as he beckoned Rei to wake Shin up from his trance of memorizing the cultivation technique given to him.

Rei nodded with a smile and ran off to get Shin.

"Koko...The calm before the storm won’t last much longer." He spoke as he brushed his beard with interest.

A few moments later Rei and Shin appeared. Shin looked like he hadn’t slept in three days. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes, and his head drooped every few steps. Whenever his eyes closed for more than a second, he immediately pinched himself awake.

"Koko... I may have underestimated your stubbornness." Karn stared at him in disbelief.

"Maaaa- Master! Thissssss disciple wasssssss able to memorize the techniquee-." Shin spoke as his speech slurred from the lack of sleep.

Karn smiled in response and held his palm on Shin’s back as his Qi washed away the weariness from the lack of sleep.

"Woahh! Qi can do that too?!" Shin spoke in surprise as he looked at himself in the mirror in the courtyard.

"Koko, Qi is the origin of all things. Of course it can take away a bit of sleepiness from you." Karn spoke as he left the courtyard speaking with his back to his disciples.

The three eventually reached the restaurant pavilion that allowed the members of the sect to eat delicacies whenever they pleased.

As the three got seated down and started ordering, a snicker resounded from beside their table.

"Isn’t that the disciple who was accused of stealing the Thousand-Year Storm Orchid?"

Shin’s body stiffened.

Rei’s expression immediately darkened.

Karn, however, continued looking through the menu as though he hadn’t heard anything.

"Apparently, the Martial Hall had to change its verdict because his master couldn’t bear to see his disciple’s reputation ruined." Another voice joined in.

"Of course. Who would dare accuse an Elder’s disciple of theft after all?" A few quiet chuckles followed.

Shin lowered his head.

"Master..." Rei’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table.

"Eat." Karn raised a hand, stopping her before she could speak.

"But-"

"Eat." His tone remained gentle, but there was an unmistakable authority behind it.

Rei reluctantly nodded.

Karn finally turned his head toward the source of the voices.

A group of young disciples sat at the neighboring table. Their robes bore the insignia of the Dragon Meteor Sect. The disciple who had spoken first met Karn’s gaze. For a moment, neither side said anything.

"Honorable Elder Karn, please forgive us. We were merely discussing what happened during the Martial Exchange." Then the young man smiled.

"Discussing? Koko... Then by all means, continue." Karn stroked his beard.

"We merely found it strange that the verdict changed so quickly." The young disciple’s smile stiffened.

"Strange?"

"Yes. After all, Elder Cho’s disciple was found guilty of framing your disciple. Yet after a short conversation, the Martial Hall’s record was changed." His eyes narrowed slightly.

"One could almost think that certain elders are willing to use their influence to rewrite the truth." The atmosphere around the table suddenly became quiet.

"Are you accusing Master of-?" Rei said.

"Sit." Karn placed a hand on her shoulder. In response, Rei clenched her teeth but obeyed.

"Koko... You have a sharp tongue for someone who hasn’t even finished his meal." Karn looked toward the disciple again.

"I meant no disrespect." The disciple’s expression changed.

"Of course not. But you should be careful." The old man’s smile widened.

"Words have consequences. Especially within a sect." The disciple’s face paled slightly.

"Now, if you don’t mind, this old man would like to enjoy his meal." Karn returned his attention to the menu.

The disciple hesitated before finally turning away.

"Master, why did you let him say all of that?" Rei sat down again.

"Because he wasn’t trying to insult Shin." Karn chuckled.

Rei blinked in response.

"He was testing me. The succession war hasn’t even begun, yet someone is already trying to measure how easily I can be provoked." Karn’s expression became slightly more serious.

"The succession war?" Shin looked confused.

"Koko... Enjoy your meal, lad." Karn’s smile returned.

"Things are about to become much more interesting." He glanced toward the other table.

The meal ended without further incident.

The succession war was approaching. And for the next month, Karn devoted himself entirely to preparing for it.

The days passed quietly.

One by one, winter’s chill began to fade from the Dragon Meteor Sect. The snow that had gathered along the rooftops slowly melted beneath the rising warmth of the sun. Bare branches began to sprout new leaves, and the first flowers of the year appeared throughout the sect.

Spring had arrived.

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