The Shen Estate remained calm.
Too calm.
Wei Liang noticed it the moment he stepped outside.
Nothing had changed on the surface.
Servants moved.
Disciples trained.
Courtyards stayed silent.
But underneath—
Something was shifting.
Subtle.
But real.
Wei Liang walked along the inner path.
Not in a hurry.
Not aimless.
Observing.
The number of guards—
Increased.
Not obvious.
But consistent.
Positions changed.
Patterns adjusted.
So they noticed.
The assassination attempt—
Had not gone unnoticed.
Even if no one spoke of it.
Wei Liang's eyes lowered slightly.
Good.
That meant—
The balance was unstable.
And instability—
Created opportunity.
A figure appeared ahead.
Blocking the path.
"…Wei Liang."
He stopped.
Looked up.
Not Shen Jinhai.
Not Shen Linyue.
Someone else.
Older.
Calmer.
Eyes—
Sharp.
"Follow me," the man said.
No explanation.
Wei Liang didn't ask.
He followed.
They moved deeper into the estate.
Past the usual paths.
Into a quieter section.
Less people.
More pressure.
They stopped in a small courtyard.
Empty.
Controlled.
The man turned.
"…You handled the assassin."
Not a question.
Wei Liang nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Silence.
"…Do you know who sent him?"
Wei Liang's answer was immediate.
"No."
The man watched him.
Long.
Then—
"…Good."
Wei Liang's eyes flickered slightly.
That answer—
Was interesting.
The man stepped closer.
"You don't need to know," he continued."You only need to survive."
There it is.
Wei Liang inclined his head slightly.
"I understand."
The man studied him again.
"…Do you?"
Wei Liang met his gaze.
Calm.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
The man reached into his sleeve.
Tossed something.
Wei Liang caught it.
Another pouch.
Heavier.
"…You're useful," the man said."Stay that way."
Then—
He turned.
Left.
No name.
No explanation.
Wei Liang stood alone.
Then—
Opened the pouch.
More spirit stones.
Better quality.
And—
A small token.
Marked.
Inner access.
Wei Liang's eyes sharpened slightly.
So they're investing.
Not protecting.
Not trusting.
But—
Using.
Wei Liang closed the pouch.
"…Good."
Because that meant—
He had value.
And value—
Could be increased.
When he returned—
Someone was waiting.
Shen Yuxiu.
Standing in his courtyard.
"…You were called."
Not a question.
Wei Liang nodded.
"Yes."
Her eyes moved.
To the pouch.
"…You received resources."
Wei Liang didn't hide it.
"Yes."
A pause.
"…They've started moving."
Wei Liang's gaze flickered slightly.
"Who?"
Shen Yuxiu looked at him.
"…Everyone."
Silence.
Then—
She continued.
"…The assassination wasn't random."
Wei Liang already knew.
"Yes."
"…And it won't be the last."
Of course.
Wei Liang nodded.
"I understand."
She studied him.
"…Do you?"
Same question.
Different tone.
Wei Liang answered the same way.
"Yes."
This time—
She didn't question it.
"…Good."
A pause.
Then—
"…The next phase begins soon."
Wei Liang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Selection?"
She shook her head.
"…No."
A brief silence.
Then—
"…Hunting."
The word landed quietly.
But heavily.
Wei Liang understood immediately.
Not training.
Not testing.
Real danger.
Outside.
Shen Yuxiu turned.
"Prepare."
Then—
She left.
The courtyard fell silent again.
Wei Liang stood there.
Then—
Exhaled slowly.
So it's accelerating.
Everything.
The enemies.
The system.
The family.
All moving.
Good.
Because that meant—
The next step was coming.
His awareness shifted inward.
The pagoda.
The third floor—
Cracked further.
Almost—
Open.
Wei Liang's lips moved faintly.
"…Soon."
Because when it opened—
Everything would change again.