Over the next few days, it became clear to everyone that Qiu Yunru had made leaps and bounds in his cultivation. Once again, whispers spread like fire over dry grass: this kid who had only joined eight months ago was already so proficient in cultivation that he could nearly match Fu-shijie!
Naturally, Lei Ruolan was displeased at this, which only caused her to act even more harshly towards Qiu Yunru. When sparring, she would beat him into the dirt until he spit blood and everyone winced. When carrying wood for chores, she would walk behind him and breathe down his neck with red eyes until he felt he would collapse from fear. When in the dining hall, she would stare him down from across the room without touching her food until he was too uncomfortable to eat and had to turn around!
Qiu Yunru really didn't know what to do. He had encountered some mild bullying in his past life, but nothing like this. Could he really even call it bullying? It was true that she was physically stronger than him, but his cultivation was better than hers. Wasn't it more just harassment at that point, since they were at similar levels?
He thought of every way he could try to resolve this, but nothing worked:
He tried to make friends with her many times. This was nerve-wracking, but seemed the most obvious route. He would sit down next to her at meal times and strike up awkward conversation:
"How is Lei-shijie doing? How is training? Does Lei-shijie miss her hometown? What are you eating?"
Everything was met with a cold stare and a short answer:
"Fine. Fine. No. Fine."
She was always more focused on gritting her teeth at him than speaking even two words that made sense! Qiu Yunru gave up this method and took it up again many times over, but nothing ever changed.
He tried allowing her to surpass him in cultivation practices. When learning spiritual blasts, he toned his down to see what would happen. This only made her more furious. She hounded him after practice, grabbing his collar and shaking him with crazed eyes:
"You idiot! You're doing it on purpose! Are you trying to insult me? Don't act like you're weak just to make me feel a little better! Condescending asshole! Tch!"
Qiu Yunru was left baffled by this. She hated him if he surpassed her, she hated him if he did worse than her--she just hated him!
After all this, Qiu Yunru was left not one step past the mark he had started at. He couldn't understand this situation at all, except for this: he knew there were types of people with ambition that ran so deep that anyone who surpassed them in some way became an enemy.
Then again, Qiu Yunru thought, there could be another reason. They were still ten months into their first year at the sect. None of them had been given leave to leave Li Hua Mountain yet. Therefore, even though Lei Ruolan had gotten a letter from her mother stating that Qiu Yunru had indeed not stolen from her, she still hadn't been able to confirm it face-to-face. But even this surely wasn't enough to warrant such violence!
Qiu Yunru really didn't know what to do! In the end, he could never figure it out, and gave up, avoiding her to seek out the company of Pan Fa, a much easier (though louder) companion.
He Yongliang also easily caught sight of how exponentially Qiu Yunru's cultivation had grown. Though this kid wasn't yet too close to forming a Golden Core, he had leapt forward in progress in ways that were astounding. Impressed, He Yongliang called Qiu Yunru to his quarters one day.
"Yunru, you've come far. This Shizun has a proposal. There are many locations surrounding Baohu Mountain Range that require assistance with various monsters and spirits, and not enough masters to deal with them. Would Yunru be willing to go down after his first year has passed to complete a mission with fellow disciples?"
Kneeling in front of his Shizun, Qiu Yunru was conflicted. Even though his cultivation had grown, there was a chance he could get injured on a mission. He really didn't want to risk his peaceful life for anything...But then again, he would have to fight beasts and ghosts at some point, wouldn't he? Indecisive, Qiu Yunru opened and closed his mouth.
Thankfully, the insufferable game menu decided for him.
MEDIUM LEVEL QUEST: Surprise Title!
Qiu Yunru's eyes bulged in his head. Really, what was it with this game and surprises? It was all because of that damn surprise DLC, wasn't it? Had that new DLC just inserted the word "surprise" in a unnecessary places everywhere? What kind of update was this?! Still, he accepted respectfully.
"This disciple would be honored, Shizun."
He Yongliang nodded with a slight smile. He tilted his head and examined Qiu Yunru thoughtfully with a slender hand on his chin.
"Yunru."
"Yes, Shizun?"
"Is there something Yunru isn't telling this Shizun?"
Qiu Yunru froze. Suddenly, it was like that phrase again--his heart beat like a drum in his ears, pounding in his chest. Did He Yongliang suspect something?
"...Shizun? This disciple is unsure what Shizun means..."
He Yongliang's soft smile didn't waver. He shook his head, waving his hand lightly. "Never mind. It's nothing. You are doing exceptionally as my disciple, and this Shizun is proud of you. I only wonder if there is some past Yunru has that allows him to progress so proficiently in cultivation. Yunru's spiritual energy is truly bountiful."
Qiu Yunru's kept his face down. "This disciple is flattered."
He Yongliang was silent another moment, then nodded. "Yunru is dismissed. Please don't hesitate to come talk to this Shizun more often. I care for my disciples like my own children. Yunru need not do everything on his own."
Though he was still shaken, Qiu Yunru's eyes nearly welled up with tears at this. What a kind master! What a good man! He Yongliang truly was the ideal man of anyone's dreams! He bowed profusely and thanked He Yongliangs, then hurried out, heart still beating loudly.
In the end, he came to the conclusion that He Yongliang must just be curious about his quick progress. After all, who would expect a disciple who came in with 1 Cultivation to have already made it to 800? This was reasonable.