The news spread faster than expected.
By the time Fang Lin returned to the outer disciple quarters, whispers had already reached every corner.
"A 200 gold coin bet…"
"Zhou Yan versus Fang Lin…"
"Li Shan backing him…"
The atmosphere was no longer calm.
It was charged.
Fang Lin had barely stepped into his room when hurried footsteps approached.
Knock knock.
"Fang Lin! Open the door!"
It was Xuo Mu.
Fang Lin opened the door.
Xuo Mu rushed in immediately, his face filled with worry, while Xue Ji followed behind, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.
"What were you thinking?!" Xuo Mu blurted out. "200 gold coins?! And kneeling if you lose?!"
Fang Lin closed the door behind them.
"It's just a bet."
"Just a—?!" Xuo Mu nearly choked. "That's Zhou Yan! He's not the same as before!"
Xue Ji spoke calmly, but her tone carried weight.
"He's stronger than before. And he won't hold back this time."
Fang Lin nodded slightly.
"I know."
Xuo Mu stared at him.
"Then why agree?! You could've just ignored him!"
"I already did," Fang Lin replied calmly. "Twice."
Xuo Mu fell silent.
That was true.
Fang Lin had ignored him.
Again and again.
Zhou Yan was the one who pushed.
Xue Ji stepped forward slightly.
"This isn't just about him anymore," she said. "You challenged his face. Now it's about his faction."
Fang Lin looked at her.
"And that won't change whether I fight or not."
Silence.
Xuo Mu clenched his fists.
"But… what if you lose?"
Fang Lin's expression didn't change.
"I won't."
The answer was simple.
Absolute.
Xue Ji observed him for a moment.
"You've improved."
It wasn't a question.
Fang Lin didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"How much?" she asked.
Fang Lin paused briefly.
"Enough."
Xuo Mu looked between them.
"Enough… what does that even mean…"
But something in Fang Lin's demeanor—
Had changed.
It wasn't arrogance.
It was certainty.
Xue Ji nodded slowly.
"Then we'll watch."
Fang Lin looked at her.
"You don't need to worry."
Xuo Mu sighed.
"How can we not…"
Fang Lin didn't respond.
The room fell quiet.
After a moment, Xue Ji turned.
"We'll leave you to prepare."
Xuo Mu hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
"Don't lose."
Fang Lin replied calmly.
"I won't."
They left.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Fang Lin sat down.
His eyes slowly closed.
Three days.
That was enough.
High above the outer sect, on a quiet pavilion near the Rising Phoenix Mountain—
A red figure stood at the edge.
Feng Jiu'er.
Her gaze was directed toward the outer disciple area.
Calm.
But focused.
"200 gold coins…"
She muttered softly.
"That fool…"
Just as she was about to move—
A voice came from behind.
"You seem… concerned."
Feng Jiu'er didn't turn immediately.
"…Grandpa."
Elder Feng stepped forward, his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face.
"Going somewhere?" he asked lightly.
Feng Jiu'er finally turned.
"I was just walking."
Elder Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Walking… toward the outer sect?"
Feng Jiu'er's expression remained composed.
"I felt bored."
Elder Feng chuckled softly.
"Bored… or worried?"
Feng Jiu'er's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm not worried."
"Of course," Elder Feng nodded seriously. "Why would you be worried about a boy who just made enemies of a faction and is about to risk kneeling in front of the entire sect?"
Feng Jiu'er frowned.
"I said I'm not worried."
Elder Feng smiled.
"Then I suppose you won't mind if I stop you from 'walking' any further."
Feng Jiu'er stared at him.
"…I wasn't going there for him."
"Mm," Elder Feng nodded. "Naturally."
A brief silence passed.
Then Feng Jiu'er turned.
"I'm leaving."
"Of course," Elder Feng said lightly.
Feng Jiu'er stepped away—
Then disappeared into the distance.
Elder Feng watched her leave, the smile on his face deepening slightly.
"You're more honest than you think…"
The moment Feng Jiu'er left—
The air shifted.
Silently.
A presence appeared.
No footsteps.
No sound.
Just… existence.
Elder Feng's expression changed instantly.
He straightened.
"Sect Master."
Sect Master of Green Bamboo Sect stood beside him, his aura completely concealed.
He looked ordinary.
Yet—
Nothing about him was ordinary.
His gaze rested on the outer sect below.
"The bet…" he said calmly.
Elder Feng nodded.
"Yes."
The Sect Master's lips curved faintly.
"It's getting interesting."
Elder Feng didn't speak.
The Sect Master continued,
"That boy… Fang Lin."
"He's causing ripples already."
Elder Feng replied carefully.
"He has potential."
"More than that," the Sect Master said.
A brief silence followed.
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"Have you noticed?"
Elder Feng's eyes narrowed faintly.
"The factions?"
"Yes."
The Sect Master's gaze deepened.
"They've been more active lately."
Elder Feng nodded slowly.
"There have been movements."
The Sect Master clasped his hands behind his back.
"This bet…"
"Isn't just a personal conflict."
Elder Feng looked at him.
"You mean—"
"They're testing," the Sect Master said calmly.
"A show of force."
His gaze swept across the sect.
"Not just against each other…"
"But against us."
The meaning was heavy.
Elder Feng's expression grew serious.
"They're becoming bold."
"Yes," the Sect Master replied.
"And boldness… comes from confidence."
A pause.
"Or backing."
Elder Feng's eyes sharpened.
"You suspect—"
The Sect Master raised a hand slightly.
"Not yet."
"But something is moving."
He looked down once more.
"At the center of it…"
"That boy stands."
Elder Feng remained silent.
The Sect Master's faint smile returned.
"Let's see how he handles it."
"Three days."
The wind passed through the pavilion.
The sect below remained peaceful.
But beneath that peace—
Currents were shifting.
And the upcoming clash—
Was no longer just a fight.
It was a signal.