The first light of dawn crept across the Azure Spirit Sect, painting the stone pathways with soft gold.
Disciples rose from their beds, sweeping courtyards, beginning morning routines.
But whispers spread faster than sunlight.
"Did you hear?""Someone died last night.""In the outer quarters—just after the trials!"
"Is it true a servant killed an assassin?""No—some say he fought two!""Others say he survived a peak-stage killer!"
"But the elders haven't said anything…""That's the scary part."
In less than an hour, the entire outer sect was buzzing.
Names floated through conversations like sparks:
"Lian Hong.""Breakthrough.""Assassins.""Rank 10 bowed to him!"
The sect was waking up to a new reality.
A servant… no longer a servant.
At the Elder Pavilion
Elder Lin stood by the balcony, hands behind his back, overlooking the bustling outer grounds.
He listened to the whispers with a faint smile.
"It seems the boy's name has already spread."
An elder in blue robes approached, bowing respectfully.
"Elder Lin, I have read the reports from last night. Two bodies were discovered in the new outer disciple area."
Elder Lin turned slightly.
"Oh? Their identities?"
"Both were trained infiltrators. One was a mid-stage Qi Gathering with poison techniques. The other was late-stage, killed instantly by a single puncture wound to the throat."
Elder Lin's eyes narrowed.
"A needle… with that level of precision…"
He looked toward the bamboo forest in the distance.
"There are few in this sect capable of such a strike."
The blue-robed elder swallowed.
"Should we intervene? If this continues, the sect may fall into internal conflict."
Elder Lin waved a hand lightly.
"No.Let the waves rise.The stronger the storm, the faster talent rises."
His gaze sharpened.
"And that boy… he will either drown in it—or ride it."
Zhou Shan Arrives (in Full Panic Mode)
Zhou Shan sprinted down the path toward Lian Hong's quarters, panting, sweating like a pig.
He clutched a breakfast box in his hands.
"Lian Hong!! Are you alive? Don't die on me! I need my emotional support monster—!!"
He burst into the courtyard—
—and froze.
The training field around the house was cracked, broken, and scorched with energy marks.
Zhou Shan's face turned pale.
"Oh… oh heavens… what happened here…?"
Then he saw Lian Hong sitting calmly in meditation.
Zhou Shan nearly collapsed in relief.
"You're alive! I thought you were sliced in half—!"
Lian Hong opened one eye.
"Why would I be?"
"Because the courtyard looks like a divine beast fought a ghost king!!"Zhou Shan pointed at the broken pillar."And you fought assassins—assassins!!"
Lian Hong stood up, rolling his shoulders.
"They're dead."
Zhou Shan blinked.
"…You say that too casually."
Then he caught his breath.
"Wait—if they're dead… someone else must've seen! The entire sect is talking about you!"
Lian Hong didn't respond.
He already expected this.
He didn't care about fame.
But he did care about the enemies it attracted.
A New Visitor
Before Zhou Shan could ramble further—
A powerful presence approached.
Heavy steps.Controlled qi.Formal posture.
Lian Hong turned slightly.
An outer-sect instructor with a stern expression walked into the courtyard.
He looked Lian Hong up and down, eyes sharp, clearly assessing every detail.
"Lian Hong," he said in a firm tone."Outer Sect administration requests your presence immediately."
Zhou Shan froze.
"H-Huh?! Already?! He just—he just finished fighting assassins—!"
The instructor cut him off.
"This isn't punishment."
He paused.
"It's recognition."
Even Lian Hong lifted a brow slightly.
Recognition?
The instructor bowed his head—a gesture rarely given to disciples.
"In light of your performance in the trials, and the events of last night, several elders have taken interest."
Several elders.
Not one.Not two.
Multiple.
The instructor continued:
"Elder Lin has personally requested your attendance at the Ascension Pavilion."
Zhou Shan screamed internally.
"THE ASCENSION PAVILION!? That's where they evaluate talents for future core disciples!!"
The instructor nodded.
"Prepare yourself.Your path forward is about to change."
He lowered his voice.
"And be cautious.The eyes watching you… are not all friendly."
His gaze flicked to the damaged courtyard.
"I saw what happened here.You'll need strength far beyond this to survive."
Then he stepped aside.
"Follow me."
Lian Hong exhaled once.
He knew this moment was coming—
but not this soon.
He tightened the sash on his new outer disciple robe.
"Let's go."
Zhou Shan whispered:
"Bro… your life is becoming a novel."
Lian Hong didn't look back.
"It's only the prologue."
He stepped toward the path of ascension.
And the sect—
watched.