Chương 9: Chapter 9: Serana’s Cousin and Shock
At the first peak of the Grey Heaven Sect, a large building stood below the mountain: the sect's library. Bustling with activity, disciples flowed in and out, creating a lively atmosphere.
Inside the three-story building, Serana sat in a corner on the second floor, surrounded by six scattered books on her table. The subjects ranged from history to cultivation, and secrets of the world that cultivators knew that mortals don't.
Despite her limited educational background, Serana had taught herself to read through sheer dedication in her earlier years. she finds studying enjoyable and brings life to her dead emotions.
She was grateful that she had learned to read independently, sparing herself the embarrassment of having to ask her master to teach her at the age of fifteen. The thought of being unable to read at her age would have been mortifying.
Glancing out the window, Serana noticed the sky turning orange, reminding her of her master's instruction to return early for sword techniques.
"Right, Master is about to teach me sword techniques!" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she stood up from her desk and gathered her books. However, before she could lift them, a forceful hand slapped the books off the table, scattering them on the ground with a resounding pang!
The sudden noise disrupted the library's tranquil ambiance, drawing the attention of those nearby. Feeling her emotions cool, Serana lifted her eyes, only to be startled by the sight of her most detested cousin, Faye Stark.
"Oh my, oh my, if it isn't little Serana, I didn't mean to hit you." a sneer on her face. Faye's presence was a stark contrast to the peaceful ambiance of the library. She was taller, her bearing arrogant and her eyes filled with a cold, mocking glint.
"Studying hard, are we? As if it'll make any difference," Faye remarked, her tone dripping with mock as she laughed coldly.
"With your useless master like that, you better off being an outer disciple." Serana's heart sank when she heard that, a familiar knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. She had always struggled with Faye's relentless bullying, exacerbated by the loss of her parents and the harsh treatment from her aunt and her family. Yet, she forced herself to stand tall, meeting Faye's gaze with as much defiance as she could muster.
Faye continued to taunt, using Serana's master as a weapon to insult her. Serana's expression remained unchanged, her usual poker face masking her emotions.
"Keeping quiet, huh? Your master must really be useless, hahaha! It's true!" Faye laughed loudly, seeking a reaction.
"You see, my master had been teaching me well. Look," As Faye reached out and grabbed Serana's wrist, squeezing it roughly, she tried to provoke a reaction. "Look at me, Serana. I'm already rank 1," Faye boasted, trying to hurt Serana with her newfound strength.
To Faye's disappointment, Serana's expression remained unchanged, her eyes cold and distant, as if she were looking to an idiot, an ant trying to bite a rock. The lack of reaction irked Faye, and she squeezed Serana's wrist harder, hoping to elicit some response.
Serana finally spoke, her voice faint and mocking, cutting through the tension like a cold blade. "What are you doing?"
Faye sensed a shift in Serana's demeanor—a subtle but palpable increase in coldness. It unnerved her, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she struggled to maintain her grip. The realization that Serana was unafraid, perhaps even indifferent, to her bullying made Faye feel uneasy.
Abruptly releasing Serana's wrist, Faye stepped back, anger bubbling to the surface. "You think you're better than me, don't you? Acting all high and mighty with your worthless talent and worthless and useless master!"
Without warning, Serana's hand shot out, delivering a sharp slap across Faye's cheek. The sound reverberated through the stillness, startling disciples who were already watching but it had bought more attention of nearby disciples.
The force of the slap spun Faye around in a full circle, leaving her staggered and clutching her stinging cheek in disbelief. Her eyes widened in shock, pain and surprise etched across her face. She had expected Serana to cower, not to strike back.
"Keep my master out of your dirty mouth," Serana coldly warned, the air around them turning frigid.
Sweat began to bead on Faye's forehead as she realized the power dynamics had shifted. Her attempt to assert dominance had backfired, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed in front of Serana—especially shocking given that Serana's aura now seemed stronger than her own.
Though confused by Serana's strength, Faye took a wary step back. Anger and frustration welled up inside her, but so did a newfound wariness of her cousin.
"Don't think this changes anything, Serana," Faye spat out, attempting to regain her composure. "You'll regret this!"
Turning abruptly, Faye strode out of the library, aware of the stares from bystanders.
As Faye's figure disappeared from view, Serana remained unmoved, her expression unchanged. With a sigh, she gathered her books and left the library, knowing her master awaited her and there was no time to waste.
An hour later, Serana swiftly returned to the foot of the mountain, reaching the 7th peak without much effort despite the distance. Her increased strength allowed her to conserve stamina, running all the way up without pause, driven by the fear of her master's potential displeasure at her tardiness.
Approaching the gates, the air around Serana grew cold and familiar, comforting to her senses but likely bone-chilling to those unaccustomed to ice cultivation.
"What's going on?" Curious, Serana pushed open the gates and entered the main hall.
Immediately upon entering, she sensed the source of the familiar cold qi emanating from the hall. Though unsure of its origin, it stirred a nervous excitement within her as she approached.
"Sera, you're finally back." A voice greeted her as she neared the hall doors.
The voice startled Serana—because it belonged to a woman!
Unfamiliar yet strangely soothing, the woman's voice echoed softly in the hall. With widened eyes and slightly parted lips, Serana stood stunned by the beauty before her when she entered the hall.
The woman exuded a serene elegance and beauty that captivated Serana's gaze. Her slender figure moved with grace, her azure silk robes flowing around her like frozen waterfalls—robes similar to those worn by the master of the 7th peak.
The woman's face was a masterpiece of otherworldly beauty, surpassing mortal standards with features sculpted as if by divine hands. Her closed eyes hinted at wisdom accumulated over countless cycles of cultivation. Midnight-blue strands of hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light to reveal frost-like highlights that shimmered with a familiar qi.
As Serana approached, the hall seemed to hold its breath in reverence. Though she sensed a familiar connection to the woman before her, she hesitated to connect the dots. Despite the woman's flawless appearance, Serana perceived that her aura was actually weaker than her own, detecting it clearly.
The woman was only at 3rd rank in the early stages, a realization that didn't instill fear in Serana.
Standing in front of her, Serana mirrored the woman's posture and sat in a lotus position, facing her respectfully.
"… Forgive me for being rude… But who might you be, madam?" Serana asked politely, wanting to approach the situation with respect rather than hostility. Despite her uncertainty, facing the woman seemed to calm her heart, as if she felt a deep, unspoken familiarity.
The woman opened her obsidian eyes, a faint smile adding to her beauty. "What do you think?" she replied with a hint of amusement.
Startled by the question, Serana paused, unsure how to respond. "Uhm… I feel a sense of familiarity toward you, and… you cultivate the same cultivation as I do, but yours feels purer than mine," she answered honestly.
The woman nodded gently, her smile widening. "Yes, I am your master," she said in a relaxed manner.
Serana was shocked by this revelation. However, her thoughts raced in a different direction—she interpreted it as her master, Gabriel, being replaced by this woman!
"No! That can't be!" Serana exclaimed, fear gripping her heart. Did her master abandon her and hand her over to someone else?
Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled Gabriel's face, his warm smiles that always reassured her. The thought of abandonment pierced her deeply. "This can't be happening, Master," she cried out, turning away as she prepared to run and search for Gabriel.
However, before she could turn around, the woman grabbed her wrist, stopping her. Serana struggled to pull her arm away. "Let me go! I have to find my real master!" she cried out in distress, her heart torn between worry for her weak master and confusion over this unexpected turn of events.
"Sera! Calm down! I'm your real master!" the woman shouted firmly, trying to break through Serana's panic.
Refusing to believe it, Serana faced the woman defiantly and shouted back, "No, you're not!"
When she finally opened her teary eyes, Serana was shocked. The woman had transformed into a man—a familiar face, one close to her heart: her master!
"Master?" Tears still streaming down her face, she looked at Gabriel with a mix of confusion and relief.
Gabriel hadn't anticipated his disciple growing so attached to him. Feeling touched by her concern, warmth spread in his heart. He gently pulled Serana into his arms, hugging her tightly to calm her down.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," Gabriel apologized sincerely, his voice soft. "I have a secret skill that allows me to take on a female form when I cultivate Yin-based techniques. What I cultivate is the same as yours, so when I use that skill, I appear as a woman."
Shocked by this revelation, Serana gradually began to calm down, understanding the meaning behind his words. She hugged her master back, her voice filled with a mix of pain and relief. "Master, please don't ever leave me."
Gabriel sighed gently, comforting her as he rubbed her back. "I won't leave you. Our fates are intertwined. Wherever I go, you will always be with me," he reassured her in a whisper meant only for her ears.
To an outside observer, the scene might appear as though they were lovers deeply connected. However, what they didn't realize was that these two were master and disciple, bound together by a bond deeper than mere familial or romantic love.
...
Minutes later, Serana had completely regained her composure, her demeanor returning to its usual cold and impassive state as if nothing had transpired moments ago. Even Gabriel was taken aback by how quickly her emotions had shifted, marveling at her ability to control her feelings like flipping a switch.
Gabriel had turned back to Gabrielle as the main body continued to cultivate the Yin-Yang Harmony Ascension Body Refinement while Gabrielle would be staying for teaching Serana sword techniques.
Confronted by the striking beauty of her master, Serana couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat. "Master, you're so incredibly beautiful. Did you choose to look like this?" she asked tentatively, wondering if Gabriel had altered his appearance based on personal preferences.
Upon hearing her question, Gabrielle pursed her lips and lightly smacked her disciple's head. "No, I did not. This is just the natural appearance of my female form, quite the opposite of my male self. If, in a parallel universe, your master was born female, I would look exactly like this," she explained with a hint of amusement.
"Ow," Serana murmured, rubbing her head with a faint smile. So, her master's appearance and this body weren't based on personal preferences? Somehow, knowing this brought her a sense of relief.
Gabrielle chuckled softly, seeing the understanding dawn on Serana's face. "Don't worry about such trivial matters. Focus on your training. We have much to cover," she said with a smile.
Stats:
[User: Gabriel Smith]
[Age: 18]
[Disciples: 1. Serana Stark]
[Rank: Vitality Infusion Mid stage]
MP: 0 GMP: 0
[Clone Stats:]
[Gabrielle: Yin] [Absolute Zero: Ice Emperor Technique (1% completed) (100% walkthrough)] [Vitality Infusion (2nd) Early stage] [Skills: Frozen Star Sword Art (Core stage)]
[Serana Stats:]
[Age: 15] [Talent: Unlimited]
[Absolute Zero: Ice Emperor Technique (0.6% learning progress)]
[Rank: Elemental Infusion (5th) Mid stage]
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