A faint breeze moved through the courtyard.
"The number of Inevta marks corresponds to ocular capacity. The more that form, the stronger the potential output and control."
He paused.
"I have read some records. But they were incomplete."
Elder Gu studied him more carefully now.
"You speak as if you've seen it."
Wuming's golden eyes remained steady.
"I have studied descriptions."
Not a lie.
Not the full truth either.
Wei Zhi glanced at him briefly. She recognized the deliberate neutrality.
Elder Gu folded his arms.
"Excusatio is not something you pursue recklessly. Ocular awakenings require stability. If the mind fractures, the eye becomes unstable."
Wuming nodded once.
"I understand."
Internally, his thoughts were colder:
Emotional trigger required.
Control required.
Bloodline compatibility confirmed.
Then it is not about feeling more.
It is about controlling what is felt.
He looked at Elder Gu again.
"If I obtain further manuscripts on Excusatio," he said calmly, "may I review them?"
Elder Gu watched him for several seconds before replying.
"I will see what can be arranged."
Wuming inclined his head slightly.
Conversation complete.
But inside, one thought lingered:
If Inevta marks strength…
Then I will not awaken it halfway.
When it opens—
It will open completely.
Wuming did not continue immediately.
He remained seated across from Elder Gu, the teacup still warm in his hands. His gaze stayed composed, but his thoughts were moving carefully through the information he had just spoken.
After a short pause, he continued the discussion.
"Excusatio records mention three Inevta appearing in the early stable stage," Wuming said calmly. "Is there any confirmed explanation for why three is considered the first complete formation?"
Elder Gu lifted his cup slightly before answering.
"The first mark signifies awakening," he said. "The second reflects stabilization. The third represents control. Below three, the eye is considered incomplete."
Wuming listened without interruption.
"And beyond three?" he asked.
"Beyond three, the records become inconsistent," Elder Gu replied. "Some manuscripts claim the marks can increase depending on compatibility. Others state the structure changes entirely. Very few cultivators have reached that stage."
Wuming absorbed the information quietly.
Wei Zhi had shifted her attention elsewhere in the courtyard.
Xiao Weiyang stood several steps away, speaking casually with one of the maids. His posture was relaxed, his tone easy and open in conversation. The maid responded with visible comfort, and the exchange seemed effortless.
Wuming noticed the contrast immediately.
While continuing to speak with Elder Gu, his eyes briefly moved toward Xiao Weiyang.
The boy carried himself freely, without restraint or calculation.
Completely opposite.
Wuming returned his attention to Elder Gu.
"Records regarding the structure of Inevta formations," he said, "do they specify whether the pattern around the pupil is fixed or variable?"
"Variable," Elder Gu answered. "The patterns differ between individuals. That is why identifying the exact ability tied to an Excusatio awakening requires observation."
Wuming nodded once.
His questions continued for several minutes. They discussed fragmented manuscripts, early awakening cases, and the limited number of preserved ocular records within cultivation libraries.
During the conversation, Wuming's attention moved briefly again toward Xiao Weiyang.
The boy had finished speaking with the maid and now stood near the courtyard railing, watching the surroundings without concern.
Wuming observed him silently before returning to the discussion.
After another pause in their exchange, Wuming spoke again.
"Elder Gu," he said, "why am I getting a swordsmen partner?"
Elder Gu lowered his cup onto the table.
"You are going to the Renshou Academy."
Wuming looked at him.
"Please enlighten me."
Elder Gu leaned back slightly before explaining.
"It is an academy for every Renshou. Whether from a big clan or a small one, it is for all of them."
Wuming remained quiet.
His thoughts moved quickly.
Academy?
To learn for real?
Is this true?
There was not a single academy back then.
Is this how they are elevated?
Elder Gu continued.
"To be a Renshou, you have to make connections and not cause trouble. The academy exists for that purpose."
Wuming listened.
"You will be paired up in a group of four," Elder Gu added.
Wuming did not react outwardly.
"Xiao Weiyang is also going to the academy," Elder Gu said. "He may look older, but you both are the same age."
Wuming's gaze shifted once more toward Xiao Weiyang across the courtyard.
The boy was still standing near the railing, posture relaxed, unaware of the discussion taking place.
Wuming watched him briefly before returning his attention to Elder Gu.
The conversation ended there for the moment.
Wuming looked at Elder Gu again.
"So how many teams will be there?"
Elder Gu lifted his cup for a final sip before answering.
"You will know when you reach there."
Wuming accepted the answer without pressing further.
"And the training will continue, right?" he asked.
Elder Gu gave a small nod.
"Of course, my boy. It shall. Until I awaken your complete Excusatio."
Wuming did not respond immediately.
Inside, a single thought moved through his mind.
How fast can he achieve it?
At that moment, Elder Gu placed his cup down and slowly stood up from his seat.
His gaze briefly shifted across the courtyard.
"It will be nice if you get paired up with Weiyang," he said.
Wuming looked at him.
"Why?"
Elder Gu gave a faint smile.
"He's worthy."
Then after a short pause he added,
"Or I must say, you are."
Wuming remained silent.
Elder Gu's attention moved again across the courtyard, this time toward Wei Zhi.
She was still standing nearby.
"Stop by my office at eight p.m. sharp, little girl," Elder Gu said.
"I shall give you a present for entertaining me."
Wei Zhi immediately brought her fists together and bowed.
"Yes, Master."
Wei Zhi straightened after bowing.
She did not smile.
Wuming noticed something different immediately. Her gaze had shifted toward his back earlier, sharp and quiet, almost like she was examining something he had said.
"Is something wrong?" Wuming asked.
Wei Zhi looked at him again.
"I think Elder Gu wants chaos for pairing you up with Weiyang."
Wuming spoke without changing his expression.
"Weiyang, huh? Not Young Master Xiao Weiyang?"
Wei Zhi answered without hesitation, a small smile forming now.
"It's Weiyang for him," she said. "But Master Wuming for you."
She paused for a moment before adding calmly,
"And I still haven't forgotten that you are someone else. But that does not change the fact that you are my master."
Wuming looked at her steadily.
"You are a soul reaper," he said. "You should know the biggest rule of soul transmigrations. A soul shall either lose to the other soul… or willingly give up to the soul of the other."
Wei Zhi held his gaze.
"So which one was it?" she asked quietly. "Fight… or will?"
Wuming answered simply.
"Both."
For the first time her composure broke.
Wei Zhi's eyes widened slightly.
Something connected in her mind.
His golden eyes remained fixed on her soft green ones.
"He made a deal with you, didn't he?" she said.
Wuming gave a faint smile.
"Yes."
Wei Zhi lowered her gaze for a moment.
"I see."
Then she brought her fists together again and bowed her head slightly.
"From now on, I shall not ask any questions from you regarding this matter," she said calmly. "As both your friend and your personal servant, Master."
Wuming observed her.
He did not fully understand what conclusion she had reached.
"I don't know what you realized," he said. "But if that is the case… why don't you ask what deal was made?"
Wei Zhi lifted her head slowly.
There was grief in her eyes now. They had become softer, heavier.
Tears had formed, but none fell.
"You are my master," she said quietly. "How can I ask such a thing? And I trust my best friend."
Wuming answered immediately.
"I am not your friend."
Wei Zhi suddenly smiled — the same simple, childlike smile she had always shown before.
"Say whatever you want, Master," she said. "But previously you swore on your life that we will be best friends for eternity. And a man shall not go back on his words."
Wuming looked away.
"Whatever," he said.
Inside his mind a quieter thought surfaced.
Faintly… I wish I had friends like her.
People who didn't care what I did, but would remain by my side no matter what.
Because I was their best friend.
He stood up from his seat.
He said nothing more.
Wei Zhi watched him.
Inside her own thoughts, a different understanding had formed.
Wuming… you made a deal for me and your mother, didn't you?
You sacrificed yourself for us.
Thank you.
I will honor your wish by serving this man… the one you chose.
I know you could have defeated him with your powers of soul.
After all, that was the least Madam Yin Fu taught you.
You will always be my friend, Master Wuming.
We made a promise.
You better not forget.
I will always remind you.
And I will keep it in my mind.
Wei Zhi and Wuming began walking toward the inner section of the mansion.
The courtyard slowly disappeared behind them as they entered the long stone pathway leading deeper into the residence.
Xiao Weiyang noticed them leaving.
He stepped away from where he had been standing and quickly caught up to them. Moving beside Wei Zhi, he looked toward Wuming.
"Hey Wuming," he said, "when are you going to submit your letter of application to the Renshou Academy?"
Wuming answered without slowing his pace.
"Wei Zhi or Elder Gu will take care of it."
Weiyang nodded once, then spoke again.
"I was thinking… Why don't we both go together? We can get to know each other."
"No need," Wuming replied.
Weiyang laughed lightly.
"Oh come on, dude."
As they continued walking, Wei Zhi had been slightly ahead of Weiyang but still a step behind Wuming. She stepped aside when she realized Weiyang was walking very close to her.
She moved behind Wuming instead.
Before she could continue walking, Weiyang reached out and caught her hand gently.
"Why are you walking behind?" he said. "Walk with us."
Wei Zhi quickly pulled her hand back.
"I am a servant."
Weiyang shook his head immediately.
"Not with us. You're a friend."
Wei Zhi paused.
His words clearly surprised her.
"Be serious, Sir Weiyang," she said.
Weiyang leaned slightly closer, looking directly at her.
"I am serious."
His blue eyes were steady as he spoke. His blond hair moved lightly with the breeze from the open corridor.
He placed both hands on his waist and made a small displeased expression.
"I'm okay," he said. "And I don't divide people like that. Alright? You're my friend starting today."
Wei Zhi stared at him for a moment.
The brightness in his voice was unfamiliar to her.
She glanced toward Wuming for help.
Wuming noticed.
Instead of intervening, he simply smiled faintly.
She immediately understood.
Deal with it yourself.
This chaos is yours too.
Wei Zhi sighed quietly.
"No," she said. "That can't be."
Weiyang tilted his head.
"Why not?"
"We all three should be friends," he continued. "Since we're going to stick around for a long time."
He stretched the words jokingly.
"A long… long time."
He sounded childish, but the energy behind him was genuine.
Bright.
Too bright.
Wei Zhi felt slightly overwhelmed.
She had never seen someone behave like this before.
Her only friend had always been Wuming.
From ahead of them, Wuming spoke calmly.
"Wei Zhi. I am getting late. Let's go."
Wei Zhi immediately followed him.
Weiyang followed right behind her.
They moved deeper into the inner corridors of the mansion.
The wide stone hallway stretched ahead of them.
Without warning, Wuming suddenly pushed off the floor and leapt forward, moving along the corridor quickly, his steps light and controlled.
He moved almost like he was jumping between trees.
Wei Zhi followed instantly, copying his movement. Her hands were positioned behind her back as she moved.
Wuming did the same.
Behind them, Weiyang stared for half a second before immediately chasing after them.
All three of them began running down the long corridor.
Their movement resembled the scene in the corridors — sprinting forward in a line, one behind the other.
"Hey!" Weiyang shouted while running.
"Stop running! Are you two allergic to people?"
"Yes," Wuming replied calmly while moving.
"But Wei Zhi is not."
Wei Zhi immediately frowned.
End of 15.