By midday, the entire outer sect was drowning in rumor.
Disciples clustered in groups across training yards, gardens, and pathways, speaking in hurried whispers.
"Did you hear? He got summoned to the Ascension Pavilion!""And three elders evaluated him personally!""That's the treatment of a genius, not a servant-turned-disciple!"
"Who is he?""Lian Hong.""I heard he killed a late-stage assassin.""No, no, the rumors say TWO assassins!"
"And he broke through during the fight!""That's insane!"
But admiration was only half of it.
The other half—
was jealousy.
"He's just a servant.""No background. No family.""If he rises too fast, it'll disrupt the entire ranking!""And the elders are watching him? That makes him a potential threat."
Seeds of envy began to sprout.
And seeds of fear.
Among them walked two figures who had no intention of letting Lian Hong rise easily.
The First Enemy Moves
On the west side of the outer sect, inside a spacious courtyard lined with weapons racks, a tall young man practiced sword techniques with fluid precision.
His blade hummed through the air, each slash leaving faint arcs of qi.
His name was Zhao Qinghe—outer sect Rank 5.
Genius.Proud.Competitive.
He stopped mid-swing as a disciple ran inside.
"Senior Brother Zhao! The rumors are true!"
Zhao Qinghe didn't look back.
"What rumors?"
"About that new disciple… Lian Hong. He defeated assassins, broke through, and was summoned by three elders!"
Zhao Qinghe's blade slowed.
His expression darkened subtly.
"I remember him," he said."He was the one who punched Hong Feng across the battle platform."
The disciple nodded quickly.
"Yes! And the elders are giving him special status! People are saying he might jump ranks soon. Maybe even challenge—"
Zhao Qinghe's eyes turned sharp.
"Challenge who?"
The disciple swallowed.
"…perhaps challenge the top ten."
Silence.
Then—
Zhao Qinghe sheathed his sword with a soft click.
"Ambitious. Bold."
His gaze chilled.
"Arrogant."
He stepped forward.
"Find out where he trains.Find out everything."
The disciple bowed and ran off.
Zhao Qinghe looked toward the mountains.
"If he believes he can rise without passing through me," he murmured,"then he is walking toward his own death."
Meanwhile – A Different Kind of Threat
Far across the outer sect, within the shadowed atrium of the Alchemy Hall, a young woman in white robes finished arranging herbs on a jade table.
Her movements were gentle, precise, elegant.
But the disciples around her whispered nervously.
"That's Senior Sister Bai Mei…""She's always calm, but… this morning she looked furious."
Bai Mei placed the last herb down and finally spoke softly:
"Two assassins died last night."
The other alchemy disciples froze.
Bai Mei continued, voice cold as frost.
"And the one I sent is still missing."
They turned pale.
Bai Mei lifted a slender finger and traced a pattern on the table.
A faint killing intent seeped through her serene expression.
"If Lian Hong survived…" she said quietly,"then he is more troublesome than I expected."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And trouble… must be contained."
Back to Lian Hong
Lian Hong and Zhou Shan walked down the stone steps from the Ascension Pavilion.
Zhou Shan kept glancing at him like he was looking at a ticking bomb.
"Bro… what's your plan now that the whole outer sect knows your name?"
Lian Hong didn't slow his steps.
"Cultivate."
Zhou Shan blinked.
"That's it?"
"For now."
He glanced toward the distant training fields.
"Soon, the sect will arrange ranking battles for the new disciples. That's the first step to entering the inner sect."
Zhou Shan paled.
"Bro… those ranking fights are brutal. People break bones! People vomit blood!"
Lian Hong shrugged.
"Then I'll break bones and make others vomit blood."
Zhou Shan stared at him.
"…Bro, you've changed."
Lian Hong did not deny it.
Rebirth had done more than gift him a system.
It had sharpened his resolve.
He would not cower.He would not hide.He would not be prey.
He would climb.
Whatever it took.
A Sudden Message
As they neared the practice grounds, a disciple in green robes ran up to them, panting.
"Lian Hong! Instructor Wei Feng requests your presence at the Combat Hall!"
Zhou Shan nearly fainted again.
"Combat Hall?? Already?? Why do the elders want you to fight so fast!?"
Lian Hong merely nodded.
"Lead the way."
The Combat Hall
The massive stone doors parted, revealing a long arena with sharpened stakes, sand-filled pits, and reinforced walls—all signs of heavy training.
Instructor Wei Feng stood in the center, arms crossed.
Behind him were dozens of disciples.
Some curious.Some hostile.Some hopeful.Some fearful.
Zhou Shan whispered:
"Why are so many people gathered…? Is this an event??"
Instructor Wei Feng's gaze fell on Lian Hong.
"Good. You're here."
He lifted a scroll and unrolled it.
"For the next three days, we will evaluate the top potential cultivators among the new disciples."
Murmurs filled the hall.
A few glared directly at Lian Hong.
Instructor Wei Feng continued:
"Because of last night's incidents, your evaluation will be different."
He pointed at the arena.
"You will fight."
Zhou Shan squeaked.
"F-Fight who…??"
Wei Feng smirked.
"Everyone."
The crowd exploded into shocked gasps.
Zhou Shan shrieked.
"…BRO WE ARE GOING TO DIE—!!!"
Lian Hong stepped forward calmly.
His heartbeat was steady.
His eyes were cold.
He looked at the dozens of new disciples—many of whom glared at him with open hostility.
"I understand," he said.
He walked into the center of the arena.
"I'm ready."
Wei Feng nodded.
"Then let the outer sect see… how high you intend to rise."