Days in the sect began to settle into a rhythm.
Morning bells echoed across the outer sect as disciples gathered at training grounds, some practicing techniques, others exchanging pointers or quietly competing. Afternoons were spent in cultivation, errands, or wandering the various halls. By night, the Illumination Pearls lit the pathways, and the sect took on a calm, almost serene atmosphere.
Fang Lin became a part of this rhythm—but only on the surface.
In truth, he spent most of his time inside his room.
The jade slip Feng Jiu'er had given him lay beside him as he cultivated, its contents already etched into his mind.
Wind Break Palm.
A technique that demanded precision.
Compression.
Timing.
At first, Fang Lin struggled.
The Qi refused to condense properly. It dispersed before reaching the threshold needed for release.
But he didn't stop.
Day after day—
He repeated the process.
Guide Qi.
Compress.
Stabilize.
Release.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The first breakthrough came on the fourth day.
A faint ripple of force burst from his palm, striking the wall lightly.
Fang Lin's eyes opened.
"Basic mastery…"
He had reached it.
But he didn't slow down.
Instead, he deepened his understanding.
The next days were even more intense.
He refined the compression.
Reduced waste.
Improved the speed of execution.
His movements became sharper, more efficient.
By the tenth day—
The Qi in his palm no longer scattered.
It condensed tightly, forming a visible layer before release.
Each strike carried force.
Real force.
By the fifteenth day—
Fang Lin stood in the center of his room.
His palm raised.
Qi gathered.
Compressed.
Condensed to its limit.
Then—
He struck.
Boom.
A sharp burst of force exploded forward, shaking the air in front of him.
The impact left a faint mark on the wall.
Fang Lin lowered his hand slowly.
"Intermediate mastery…"
Fifteen days.
From nothing—
To this.
Even he felt the pace was slightly overwhelming.
But along with technique—
His cultivation had also progressed.
The Qi within his body had grown denser.
More refined.
That thin barrier he had felt earlier—
Finally broke.
A subtle shift spread through his body.
His Qi circulation became smoother.
Stronger.
Fang Lin exhaled slowly.
"Qi Conjunction… middle stage."
He had advanced.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
For the first time since entering the sect—
He felt like he had a foundation.
---
That evening, Fang Lin stepped out.
For once, he didn't head straight to Bamboo Palace pavilion.
Instead he wandered the outer sect.
The outer sect was lively.
Disciples moved around, conversations filled the air, and the usual hum of activity surrounded him.
Fang Lin walked calmly, observing.
Understanding.
This was the world he had stepped into.
A place where strength dictated everything.
As he turned into a wider path—
He saw them.
Zhou Yan.
And his group.
They stood ahead, as if waiting.
Fang Lin's steps didn't stop.
He continued walking.
Zhou Yan's gaze landed on him.
"Well, well… if it isn't Fang Lin."
Fang Lin said nothing.
He walked past.
As if Zhou Yan didn't exist.
The surrounding disciples immediately noticed the tension.
Zhou Yan's expression darkened slightly.
"Acting like you don't see me?"
Fang Lin kept walking.
Ignored him.
Completely.
A faint ripple spread through the crowd.
"He's ignoring Zhou Yan…"
"Is he crazy…?"
Zhou Yan took a step forward.
"Or are you afraid?"
No response.
Fang Lin continued walking.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed.
"You got lucky last time."
Still no response.
Fang Lin didn't even turn his head.
Zhou Yan's patience began to wear thin.
"Do you think avoiding me will solve anything?"
Fang Lin stopped.
For just a moment.
Then—
Continued walking.
That small action—
Ignited something.
Zhou Yan's expression turned cold.
"Stop."
This time—
Fang Lin stopped.
But he didn't turn around.
"Speak," Fang Lin said calmly.
The tone—
Flat.
Disinterested.
Zhou Yan stepped forward.
"If you have the guts, fight me again."
Fang Lin replied without turning.
"Not interested."
A ripple of shock spread.
Zhou Yan's face darkened further.
"Afraid you'll lose?"
Fang Lin finally turned.
His expression calm.
"If I wanted to fight, I would have already."
"Right now… you're not worth my time."
Silence.
The words fell heavily.
Zhou Yan's eyes flashed with anger.
"You're courting death."
Fang Lin didn't respond.
He turned to leave again.
"Wait."
Zhou Yan's voice came again.
This time—
His words were Colder.
"I'll make it interesting."
Fang Lin paused.
Zhou Yan stepped forward slowly.
"A bet."
The surrounding disciples leaned in.
Zhou Yan continued,
"If you win… I'll give you 200 gold coins."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"200…?!"
"That's insane…"
Fang Lin didn't react immediately.
Zhou Yan smirked.
"But if you lose…"
"You kneel. In front of everyone."
The atmosphere froze.
A heavy silence fell.
Xuo Mu, who had arrived nearby, turned pale.
"This is too much…"
Fang Lin stood still.
Then—
He turned slowly.
"Alright."
The single word stunned everyone.
Zhou Yan's smile widened.
"You're accepting?"
"Yes."
Fang Lin's tone remained calm.
Zhou Yan laughed lightly.
"Good."
"But…"
Fang Lin continued,
"I don't have that much money."
A brief silence followed.
Then laughter broke out among Zhou Yan's group.
"Of course he doesn't…"
"200 gold coins…"
Zhou Yan sneered.
"Then don't agree to things you can't afford."
Fang Lin didn't respond.
He simply stood there.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Then—
A voice came from the side.
"I'll cover it."
The crowd parted slightly.
A familiar figure walked forward.
Li Shan.
Relaxed as ever.
Calm.
But his presence—
Immediately changed the atmosphere.
Zhou Yan's expression shifted slightly.
"Li Shan…"
Li Shan stopped beside Fang Lin.
His gaze moved briefly over him, then toward Zhou Yan.
"200 gold coins, right?"
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes.
"You're backing him?"
Li Shan smiled faintly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Put it on me."
The surrounding disciples were stunned.
"Rank 15…"
"He's actually stepping in…"
Zhou Yan's expression hardened.
"Why?"
Li Shan shrugged slightly.
"I'm interested."
His tone was casual.
But his eyes—
Were not.
Zhou Yan stared at him for a moment.
Then laughed coldly.
"Fine."
"If you want to lose money… that's your problem."
Li Shan didn't reply.
He simply stood there.
Fang Lin glanced at him briefly.
"Why?"
Li Shan replied calmly,
"You'll win."
No hesitation.
Fang Lin didn't say anything more.
But his eyes—
Sharpened.
Zhou Yan stepped forward.
"Three days."
"We fight here."
He turned and walked away.
His group followed.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
But the tension—
Remained.
Li Shan looked at Fang Lin.
"Don't lose."
Fang Lin replied calmly,
"I won't."
Li Shan smiled faintly.
"Good."
He turned and left.
Fang Lin stood there for a moment.
Then—
He turned and walked back.
Three days.
His eyes grew colder.
"This time…"
"I won't hold back."w