IMMORTALS INFINITE PATHS

Clan Deliberations

Duō Manor, Hidden Peak Province

Ten esteemed elders of the Duō Clan sat in the grand hall, the air thick with incense and solemnity. The chamber was vast, lit by lanterns carved into the shapes of soaring cranes. The elders sat cross-legged upon cushions of dark silk, each draped in ceremonial robes of white and indigo, embroidered with the clan's crest.

Though their garments varied slightly in ornamentation—some with golden threads, others with jade clasps—they all shared a striking feature: eyes of glacial blue, the inherited mark of Duō blood.

At the centre of the gathering, Grand Elder Duō Jìng spoke first. His long white beard cascaded over his chest, and though his voice was calm, it carried the weight of authority.

"The White Crane Sect's referral approaches. We must soon decide our three representatives."

Elder Duō Liáng, broad-shouldered and resolute, stroked the sleeve of his robe before speaking. "I propose Duō Zēn, Duō Líng, and Duō Wěi. All three have reached the third stage of Qi Gathering. Their martial prowess is unmatched among the youth."

Several elders nodded in approval.

Elder Duō Kūn leaned forward with a faint smirk curling his lips. His blue eyes narrowed as he let out a short snicker. "And what of Duō Xuān? His swordsmanship is sharp. Even at the first stage, he can best opponents a level higher." His gaze shifted, lingering deliberately on one figure. "Duō Yī is also… a prospect. But his body is frail—hardly fit for the demands of cultivation."

The chamber grew tense. All eyes flickered briefly toward Duō Chén Yǒng, the clan head, whose face darkened like a storm.

"Enough," he said in a low growl, his stern gaze cutting across Duō Kūn.

Elder Duō Kūn coughed, straightening his robe as though nothing had been said. "Yes, well… moving on. Duō Lóng's brute strength and Duō Huá's speed make them strong candidates as well."

Another elder, Duō Fēng, with sharp cheekbones and a scholarly posture, interjected. "Strategy must not be overlooked. Duō Yǒu has a tactical mind rare among our youth, while Duō Jiǎ possesses affinity with water qi—an advantage worth nurturing."

Elder Duō Wěi, tall and thin as a reed, countered, "What of Duō Zhì? His archery is unmatched. In the last hunt, his arrow felled a silver stag from a hundred paces."

The hall descended into bickering, voices overlapping as names were tossed into the fire of debate: strength, talent, bloodline, affinity—each elder championed their own protégés.

Hours passed with little progress until Grand Elder Duō Jìng raised his hand, silencing the hall. His voice rumbled like distant thunder.

"Enough. This endless squabbling serves no purpose."

His blue eyes swept across the assembly. "The sect does not care for our words, only for results. We shall let our youth decide with their own fists. In three weeks, a martial trial will be held. All eligible descendants will compete. The three strongest shall earn the right to represent the Duō Clan."

A murmur of approval swept the hall.

Duō Chén Yǒng remained silent, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of worry. When the council adjourned, he lingered behind, his thoughts heavy.

If only little Yī was not born with such a weak constitution… This could have been his chance.

He sighed, forcing the thought away.

Back at Duō Yī's residence

Within his quiet chamber, Duō Yī sat cross-legged as his newly summoned replica cultivated in the corner. Wisps of qi coiled faintly around the clone's body.

"The qi required for the next breakthrough has doubled," he murmured. "By the books, it takes a month of seclusion to reach the next stage. At this rate, I'll miss the clan's trial and the sect's referral."

He studied the floating status panel, his gaze narrowing on the skill All for One. Activating it, he felt a steady pull between himself and the clone.

The numbers shifted:Energy rising at 0.0001 per second.

"Sharing half the qi from the clone… I'll break through in twenty-three days. If I cultivate alongside it, I can cut that time in half."

A plan formed, but another thought pricked at him. I've avoided battle since awakening in this world. Without combat training, I'll be nothing more than a scholar with tricks.

His expression hardened. "That ends now."

Rising to his feet, Duō Yī left his residence and made his way toward the clan's pagoda, the repository of techniques passed down through generations.

Two guards flanked the entrance, both burly men with cold smirks.

"Look who it is," Guard Wang whispered, his voice dripping with disdain. "The clan head's useless son."

Guard Li chuckled. "More like a stain on the Duō name."

Duō Yī's steps did not falter. His gaze remained calm, his posture unbending.

"Clan head's son or not," Wang muttered louder, "I'd wager I could beat him with a single arm tied behind my back."

Li snickered, "No need for wagers. Everyone knows he's worthless."

Duō Yī passed between them without a word, vanishing into the pagoda's quiet depths.

Inside, rows of shelves towered high, heavy with tomes, bamboo slips, and parchment scrolls. The scent of dust and old ink filled the air. Faint light filtered through crystal lanterns, casting the hall in an otherworldly glow.

Duō Yī's fingers brushed across the spines of the manuals as he walked.

"Fist of Crushing Stone…" he whispered, pausing briefly before shaking his head. "Too reliant on brute force."

He picked another. "Silent Steps: The Way of Shadows." His brows furrowed. "Assassination techniques… impractical for me right now."

Scroll after scroll passed through his hands—"The Flowing River Sword," "Iron Palm Sutra," "The Eight Bows of Heaven." Each promising in its own way, but not what he needed.

Then his gaze landed on a faded scroll.

Fundamentals of Elemental Fist.

He unrolled it carefully, eyes scanning each line. The method was simple, direct, adaptable to various qi attributes.

"This… will suit me."

He gathered it, then continued. Another title caught his eye:

Qi Flow: Optimization Techniques.

His heartbeat quickened. "With this, I can refine my cultivation efficiency…"

And then, tucked into a corner of the shelf, bound with a strip of leather:

Body Conditioning: Iron Bone Method.

His lips curved into a grin. "Perfect. I may have shed my weak constitution, but this body is still frail. These will forge me into something stronger."

With a small bundle of scrolls in hand, Duō Yī turned to leave.

The guards sneered as he stepped out.

"Pathetic," Wang spat. "Taking scrolls won't make you talented."

Li smirked. "Give it up, young master. Better to enjoy luxury than chase dreams you'll never reach."

Duō Yī's eyes lingered on them for a heartbeat, cold and sharp as a blade. Then he turned without a word.

But in his heart, the thought burned: Once I have the strength, the first blood I spill will be yours.

Back in his residence, he laid the scrolls before him. His fingers traced the faded ink with reverence.

With a cold smile, Duō Yī whispered, "Let's begin."