The field didn't disperse immediately.
Even after the results were declared.
Even after the instructor stepped back.
No one moved.
Because something—
Had changed.
Wei Liang could feel it.
Not pressure.
Attention.
Different from before.
Before—
He was ignored.
Now—
He was being measured.
He stepped back into line.
Calm.
Silent.
But the space around him—
Was no longer the same.
A few people shifted.
Not closer.
But—
Aware.
Shen Jinhai walked past him.
Not stopping.
But not ignoring him either.
"…You won't last," he said quietly.
Not a threat.
A statement.
Wei Liang didn't respond.
Because—
He didn't need to.
Shen Jinhai continued walking.
But his aura—
Sharper.
More focused.
He wasn't dismissing Wei Liang anymore.
He was targeting him.
The selection ended.
People began leaving.
In silence.
Orderly.
Controlled.
Wei Liang turned.
Started walking back.
Same pace.
Same posture.
But—
Halfway down the path—
Someone stopped him.
"…Wei Liang."
He turned.
Shen Linyue.
Leaning casually against a stone pillar.
Smiling.
"…You're becoming popular," she said.
Wei Liang tilted his head slightly.
"Is that a problem?"
She laughed softly.
"…For you? Yes."
She stepped closer.
Eyes sharp.
"…For me? Not at all."
Wei Liang remained still.
Waiting.
"…You passed," she continued."And not quietly."
Wei Liang didn't deny it.
"That wasn't my intention."
"Doesn't matter," she said immediately.
A pause.
Then—
"…You're on the board now."
Wei Liang's gaze flickered slightly.
Board.
Game.
"Yes," he said.
Shen Linyue studied him.
Long.
"…You adapt fast."
Wei Liang didn't respond.
Because—
He had to.
She smiled again.
"…Good."
Then—
She stepped back.
"Try not to die," she said lightly.
Then—
She left.
Wei Liang continued walking.
But his thoughts—
Sharpened.
Board.
Pieces.
Movement.
He wasn't outside anymore.
He was inside.
And that—
Changed everything.
When he returned to his courtyard—
He stopped.
Something was different.
Not the structure.
Not the space.
The contents.
Inside—
There were items.
New.
Clothes.
Better quality.
Medicine.
Basic.
And—
A small pouch.
Wei Liang stepped inside.
Closed the door.
He opened the pouch.
Inside—
Spirit stones.
Low grade.
But—
Real.
Wei Liang's eyes sharpened slightly.
So this is the result.
Not praise.
Not recognition.
Resources.
That was all that mattered.
Wei Liang sat down.
Picked up one of the stones.
Felt it.
Pure.
Clean.
Better than anything he had used before.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
Because now—
He had something real.
Not scraps.
Not leftovers.
Actual—
Fuel.
He closed his eyes.
And began.
The qi flowed instantly.
Cleaner.
Stronger.
The Ashen Breath Method—
Responded.
Faster circulation.
Less loss.
More gain.
Wei Liang's breathing deepened.
Cycle after cycle—
The pressure inside him grew.
This time—
Not unstable.
Controlled.
Then—
A shift.
Small.
But undeniable.
His body tightened slightly.
Qi Condensation—
Layer 2.
Wei Liang opened his eyes.
Calm.
"…Finally."
Not excitement.
Not relief.
Just—
Progress.
Deep within—
The pagoda trembled.
The second floor—
Completely stable.
The third—
Cracking further.
Waiting.
Wei Liang's gaze lowered slightly.
"…Soon."
Because now—
He had entered the next stage.
Not as prey.
But as something else.
Something—
That could grow.