The Disciplinary Hall was packed when I arrived at noon.
Apparently, a hearing between an inner sect disciple from a prominent family and a provisional disciple who'd gained sudden fame was prime spectator sport. Disciples lined the walls, elders occupied designated seating, and even a few outer sect members had managed to sneak in.
[AUDIENCE: APPROXIMATELY 150]
[TENSION LEVEL: HIGH]
[THIS IS BASICALLY A TRIAL]
[WITH YOUR REPUTATION ON THE LINE]
I wore formal inner sect robes, borrowed from Su Mei since I didn't own any. Yun Xia sat in the witness section, giving me an encouraging nod. Elder Hu stood near the front, his expression carved from stone.
Mei Ling sat on the opposite side, surrounded by her family representatives and Phoenix Faction supporters. She wore elaborate robes that screamed wealth and status, her expression perfectly composed, the picture of an aggrieved victim.
[MEI LING: STAGE 8]
[BACKING: SIGNIFICANT FAMILY INFLUENCE]
[STRATEGY: PLAYING THE VICTIM CARD]
[THIS WILL BE INTERESTING]
The three judges entered, Elder Qin in the center, flanked by two others I didn't recognize. The hall fell silent immediately.
"This hearing is convened to examine two incidents," Elder Qin began, her voice carrying easily through the chamber. "First, the altercation between Inner Sect Disciple Mei Ling and Provisional Disciple Lin Tian during the aftermath of the Blood Moon invasion. Second, the counter-accusation of unprovoked assault." She fixed both of us with stern looks. "We will hear testimony, examine evidence, and render judgment based solely on sect law. Political considerations are irrelevant. Understood?"
"Yes, Elder," we said in unison.
"Mei Ling, you filed the initial complaint. Present your case."
Mei Ling stood, bowing respectfully. "Honored Elders, I come before you seeking justice." Her voice was soft, wounded. "During the invasion's aftermath, while I was conducting post-battle assessments, I encountered Lin Tian on the eastern wall. He was with another disciple, Yun Xia."
[SHE'S SETTING THE SCENE]
[MAKING HERSELF SOUND OFFICIAL AND PROFESSIONAL]
"I approached to commend them for their defense," Mei Ling continued, "but Lin Tian immediately became hostile. He made inflammatory remarks about my cousin Zhang Wei, mocking his injuries from their previous duel."
I nearly stood up to object, but Elder Hu's hand gesture warned me to wait.
"When I asked him to show respect, he responded with threats," Mei Ling said, her voice trembling slightly. "He said, and I quote: 'Your cousin got what he deserved, and you might be next.' Feeling threatened, I defended myself with appropriate force. Elder Hu arrived and misinterpreted the situation, assuming I was the aggressor."
[SHE'S LYING]
[BLATANTLY LYING]
[AND DOING IT WELL]
"That's not what happened!" Yun Xia burst out from the witness section.
Elder Qin's gaze snapped to her. "You will have your turn to testify. Silence until called." She turned back to Mei Ling. "Continue."
"That's all, Honored Elder. I simply wish for the record to reflect the truth, that I acted in self-defense against a hostile provisional disciple who has shown repeated violence." She bowed and sat down.
Several Phoenix Faction members nodded supportively. I saw Zhou Ling among them, her expression calculating.
"Lin Tian," Elder Qin said. "Your response."
I stood, forcing myself to remain calm. "Honored Elders, Mei Ling's account is false. I made no threats. She attacked without provocation."
"Then tell us what actually occurred."
I took a breath and recounted the incident exactly as it happened, Mei Ling approaching with clear hostile intent, her accusations about Zhang Wei, her attack aimed at Yun Xia, my intervention, Elder Hu's arrival. I kept my voice level, stating facts without emotion.
[TESTIMONY: CLEAR AND CONSISTENT]
[GOOD]
[NOW THEY'LL EXAMINE EVIDENCE]
"Elder Hu," Elder Qin said. "You submitted a witness statement. Please testify directly."
Elder Hu stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. "I arrived at the eastern wall to find Mei Ling in the midst of attacking Lin Tian with lethal intent. Her Qi was fully unleashed, her technique, Purple Phoenix Strike, was charged and aimed at his chest." His voice was flat, factual. "Lin Tian was defensive. The other disciple, Yun Xia, was positioned protectively. There was no indication of prior aggression from either of them."
"Could you have misread the situation?" one of the other judges asked.
"No." Elder Hu's tone left no room for doubt. "I have seventy years of combat experience. I know the difference between aggression and defense. Mei Ling was the aggressor."
Murmurs rippled through the audience. This was a Core Formation elder directly contradicting an inner sect disciple's testimony.
Mei Ling's expression tightened, but she remained composed. "Elder Hu, with respect, you arrived after the confrontation had already escalated. You didn't hear Lin Tian's threats—"
"I heard everything," Elder Hu interrupted coldly. "I was observing the wall defenses and noticed your approach. I heard your accusations about your cousin. I heard Lin Tian's calm responses. There were no threats. Only your unprovoked attack."
[ELDER HU IS NOT HOLDING BACK]
[HE'S DIRECTLY CALLING HER A LIAR]
[THIS IS ESCALATING]
"Yun Xia," Elder Qin called. "Please testify."
Yun Xia stood, clearly nervous but determined. "Honored Elders, everything Lin Tian and Elder Hu said is true. Mei Ling approached us with hostile intent. She blamed Lin Tian for her cousin's self-inflicted injuries and attacked without warning." Her voice strengthened. "Lin Tian saved my life by blocking her strike. If not for him and Elder Hu's arrival, she would have killed me."
"A convenient story from a close friend," someone in the Phoenix Faction section muttered.
"Silence," Elder Qin snapped. She turned to the other judges for a brief, whispered consultation.
[THEY'RE DELIBERATING]
[EVIDENCE: STRONGLY IN YOUR FAVOR]
[BUT MEI LING HAS FAMILY INFLUENCE]
[THIS COULD GO EITHER WAY]
Finally, Elder Qin spoke. "Based on testimony from a Core Formation elder and a corroborating witness, versus uncorroborated accusations, this hall finds that Lin Tian acted in legitimate defense. Mei Ling's complaint is dismissed."
Relief flooded through me.
"However," Elder Qin continued, her gaze shifting to Mei Ling, "the evidence strongly suggests you filed a false complaint and committed unprovoked assault on a fellow disciple during a time of sect crisis. This is a serious violation of sect law."
Mei Ling's composure cracked. "Honored Elder, I—"
"You are hereby stripped of resource privileges for three months, demoted to lower inner sect status, and assigned disciplinary labor." Elder Qin's voice was iron. "Furthermore, you are forbidden from approaching or harassing Lin Tian or Yun Xia under penalty of expulsion. This judgment is final."
The hall erupted in shocked whispers.
[HOLY SHIT]
[THEY ACTUALLY PUNISHED HER]
[SEVERELY]
[MEI LING'S FAMILY IS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY]
Mei Ling's face had gone pale, then flushed with rage. She stood abruptly. "This is a travesty! My family will—"
"Your family," Elder Qin interrupted, "does not dictate sect law. If they wish to appeal, they may petition the Sect Master. Until then, this judgment stands. Dismissed."
The judges stood and left through a side door. Mei Ling remained frozen, her supporters gathering around her in confused clusters.
I felt Yun Xia's hand slip into mine. "You won," she whispered.
"We won," I corrected.
[VICTORY]
[VINDICATION]
[ALSO, YOU JUST MADE A POWERFUL ENEMY'S SITUATION WORSE]
[HER FAMILY WILL REMEMBER THIS]
Elder Hu approached as we left the hall. "Lin Tian. Well handled. You kept your composure under pressure."
"Thank you, Elder. And thank you for testifying. Your word carried significant weight."
"I spoke the truth. That's all." He glanced at the dispersing crowd. "Be cautious. Mei Ling's family, the Lin Family, holds considerable influence in the sect. They will not take this lightly."
"More people wanting to kill me," I said with a tired smile. "What else is new?"
"Your attitude is either admirably pragmatic or dangerously cavalier." Elder Hu's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Regardless, you've earned respect today. Use it wisely."
He left, and Su Mei appeared from the crowd, grinning widely. "That was amazing! Elder Qin absolutely destroyed Mei Ling's testimony. I've never seen the Disciplinary Hall rule so decisively against someone with family backing."
"Is that unusual?"
"Very. Usually they'd find some middle-ground compromise to save face for both parties." She glanced around. "This sends a message, the Disciplinary Hall won't be swayed by politics. That's actually... kind of inspiring."
[SECT POLITICS: SHIFTING]
[YOUR VICTORY HERE MEANS MORE THAN JUST PERSONAL VINDICATION]
[YOU'VE BECOME A SYMBOL OF MERIT OVER CONNECTIONS]
"Come on," Yun Xia said, tugging my hand. "You promised me dinner. Let's get out of here before anyone else tries to talk politics."
The restaurant Yun Xia chose was a small, elegant place in the sect's merchant district, far from the political center, with private dining rooms and surprisingly good food.
We sat across from each other, tea steaming between us, and for the first time all day, I felt myself relax.
"So," Yun Xia said, smiling. "Our first official date happens to be right after a formal disciplinary hearing. Very romantic."
I laughed. "Sorry. My life has gotten... complicated."
"I noticed." She poured tea for both of us. "Lin Tian, can I ask you something personal?"
"Of course."
"How are you really handling all this? A week ago, you were outer sect. Nobody. Now you're provisional inner sect, famous, fighting people stages above you, dealing with hearings and factions..." She looked at me seriously. "Are you okay?"
[GOOD QUESTION]
[ARE YOU OKAY, BOSS?]
I thought about it. Really thought about it. "Honestly? I'm terrified most of the time. Everything's moving so fast. People keep trying to recruit me or fight me or poison me. I'm making enemies faster than allies." I met her eyes. "But I'm also... happier than I've been in a long time. I have purpose. Friends. You."
Yun Xia blushed. "Me?"
"Yeah. You." I reached across the table and took her hand. "You've been there from the beginning. Warned me about Zhang Wei. Saved my life with that protection talisman. Supported me through everything. I don't think I could handle this without you."
[SMOOTH]
[ACTUALLY SMOOTH]
[10/10 ROMANTIC CONFESSION]
"I care about you too," she said softly. "A lot. You're... different from other cultivators. Not just because of your rapid advancement. You're genuinely kind. You helped Li Feng during the battle even though she was barely useful. You're teaching Zhou Ming even though you gain nothing from it. You see people, not just opportunities."
[SHE GETS YOU]
[LIKE, REALLY GETS YOU]
[KEEPER STATUS: CONFIRMED]
We talked for hours, about cultivation, about the sect, about our pasts. Yun Xia told me about her family in a small town three provinces away, how she'd come to the sect seeking a better life. I told her... well, a carefully edited version of my background that avoided mentioning vending machines and reincarnation.
[CREATIVE STORYTELLING: ADEQUATE]
[SHE DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SYSTEM]
[OR THE FACT YOU'RE FROM ANOTHER WORLD]
[SOME SECRETS ARE OKAY]
By the time we left the restaurant, the sun was setting, painting the sect in shades of orange and gold. We walked slowly back toward the residential areas, hands intertwined.
"Lin Tian?" Yun Xia said as we reached her quarters.
"Yeah?"
She stood on her toes and kissed my cheek. "Thank you for today. For winning. For being honest. For... being you."
Before I could respond, she slipped inside, leaving me standing there with a stupid grin on my face.
[FIRST KISS (SORT OF)]
[RELATIONSHIP LEVEL: OFFICIALLY ROMANTIC]
[BOSS IS HAPPY]
[SYSTEM IS HAPPY FOR BOSS]
[THIS IS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT]
I walked back to my own quarters feeling lighter than I had in days. The hearing was over. Mei Ling was punished. I had a girlfriend.
[CORRECTION: DEVELOPING ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP]
[NOT OFFICIALLY "GIRLFRIEND" YET]
[BUT HEADING THAT DIRECTION]
'Close enough.'
As I entered my room, I found another surprise—a letter on my table, sealed with an unfamiliar insignia.
[DETECTING: NO HOSTILE QI]
[JUST A LETTER]
[THOUGH THE SEAL BELONGS TO...]
[OH]
I opened it and read:
Lin Tian,
Your performance at the hearing demonstrated integrity and courage. The Azure Dragon Alliance formally invites you to join our ranks. We value those who uphold truth over political convenience.
Additionally, I would be honored to provide personal combat instruction, should you accept our invitation.
Respectfully,
Yang Chen
[FORMAL INVITATION FROM THE ALLIANCE LEADER HIMSELF]
[WITH OFFER OF PERSONAL TRAINING]
[THAT'S SIGNIFICANT]
I set the letter down next to the still-pending Phoenix Faction offer and Su Mei's standing invitation to Blue Moon Association.
Three factions wanted me. Each offered different benefits. Different philosophies.
[DECISION TIME APPROACHING]
[YOU CAN'T STAY NEUTRAL FOREVER]
'Not tonight,' I thought. 'Tonight, I'm just going to enjoy the victories.'
I settled into my cultivation chamber and let the automated routine take over.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, I'd won.
And that was enough.
[HEARING RESULT: COMPLETE VICTORY]
[MEI LING: PUNISHED]
[YOUR REPUTATION: SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED]
[RELATIONSHIP WITH YUN XIA: ROMANTIC]
[FACTION INVITATIONS: 3 ACTIVE]
[ENEMIES: GROWING LIST]
[ALLIES: ALSO GROWING]
[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 59%]
[PROGRESSION TO STAGE 6: 43%]
[OVERALL STATUS: SURPRISINGLY GOOD]
[BOSS, YOU'RE ACTUALLY THRIVING]
[WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT?]
Somewhere in the sect, Mei Ling's family was undoubtedly planning their response to today's humiliation.
But tonight, under the stars, Lin Tian cultivated in peace.