The Shen Estate did not change.
But Wei Liang did.
Three days.
That was all it took.
Not for strength.
Not for breakthroughs.
For adjustment.
Wei Liang stood in his courtyard.
Moving.
Step.
Turn.
Palm.
Again.
And again.
Each repetition—
Smoother.
The difference was subtle.
Invisible to most.
But to those who knew—
It was obvious.
Too obvious.
Wei Liang stopped.
Breathing steady.
Then—
He turned.
The courtyard gate.
Closed.
But someone was there.
Watching.
Wei Liang didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Just waited.
A moment passed.
Then—
The door opened.
Not Shen Yuxiu.
Someone else.
The young man from the trial.
He stepped in without permission.
Confident.
Arrogant.
As if the space already belonged to him.
"…You improved."
No greeting.
No courtesy.
Just—
Judgment.
Wei Liang faced him calmly.
"Senior."
Respectful.
But empty.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You don't seem afraid."
Wei Liang tilted his head slightly.
"Should I be?"
That—
Was the wrong answer.
Silence stretched.
Then—
The man smiled.
Cold.
"…You don't know who I am."
Wei Liang didn't respond.
Because—
He didn't need to.
Names didn't matter.
Power did.
"I am Shen Jinhai," the man said.
There it is.
Core lineage.
Higher status.
Dangerous.
Wei Liang nodded once.
"Understood."
Again—
No reaction.
No fear.
Shen Jinhai's smile faded.
"…You think passing the first selection means something?"
Wei Liang met his gaze briefly.
Then:
"No."
That answer—
Caught him off guard.
Just for a moment.
Then—
Annoyance.
"…Good," Shen Jinhai said."Then you understand how easily you can be removed."
The air grew colder.
Pressure increased.
Not overwhelming—
But deliberate.
Wei Liang didn't step back.
Didn't resist.
He simply stood.
Stable.
Balanced.
Shen Jinhai noticed.
Of course he did.
"…You're hiding something," he said.
Wei Liang said nothing.
Silence.
Then—
Shen Jinhai stepped forward.
Close.
Too close.
"Let me give you some advice," he said quietly.
His voice dropped.
"People like you—"
A pause.
"—should stay invisible."
Wei Liang's eyes didn't change.
Because—
He already knew.
Shen Jinhai stepped back.
"…Next trial," he continued, "won't be as simple."
A faint smile.
"And accidents… happen."
There it is.
Not a warning.
A promise.
Wei Liang inclined his head slightly.
"I understand."
Shen Jinhai studied him one last time.
Trying to find fear.
Doubt.
Anything.
He found none.
"…We'll see."
Then—
He turned.
Left.
The courtyard fell silent again.
Wei Liang stood still.
Then—
Exhaled slowly.
Target confirmed.
No surprise.
In fact—
Expected.
Because improvement—
Always drew attention.
Wei Liang sat down.
Closed his eyes.
Not to cultivate.
To think.
Position:
Weak.
Enemy:
Stronger.
Environment:
Controlled.
System:
Active.
Wei Liang's thoughts aligned quickly.
Direct confrontation—
Impossible.
Avoidance—
Temporary.
Which meant—
Preparation.
Not for strength.
For survival.
His awareness shifted inward.
The pagoda.
Second floor—
Stable.
The fragment pulsed faintly.
Responding.
Wei Liang's lips moved slightly.
"…So this is the next step."
Pressure.
Intent.
Danger.
Not from the world—
From people.
More unpredictable.
More dangerous.
Wei Liang opened his eyes.
The courtyard remained unchanged.
But now—
It felt smaller.
Tighter.
Like something was closing in.
Good.
Because that meant—
He was moving forward.
Not safely.
But correctly.
Wei Liang stood.
Moved again.
Step.
Turn.
Palm.
But this time—
Faster.
Sharper.
More decisive.
Because now—
It wasn't practice.
It was preparation.
For something that was already coming.