The Combat Hall had erupted into chaos after Lian Hong's overwhelming performance, but the moment Instructor Wei Feng raised his hand, silence snapped into place.
Every disciple—whether amazed, jealous, or terrified—locked their eyes onto Lian Hong.
Instructor Wei Feng approached slowly, his boots echoing with authority.
His voice carried across the hall:
"Lian Hong, you have demonstrated the strength of someone far above a new disciple."
He paused deliberately.
"Too far above."
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd.
Zhou Shan whispered urgently:
"Bro… when an instructor says you're too strong, it's not a compliment. This is the part where they 'balance the sect' by making your life miserable—!"
But Wei Feng held up a jade token.
One glowing with a faint golden edge.
The hall gasped.
"That's…!""A golden-edged token!""It's only given to candidates for the Inner Sect!""No new disciple gets that!!"
Zhou Shan nearly fell over.
"BRO—WHAT DID YOU EAT THIS MORNING—!!!"
Wei Feng spoke:
"This is not a promotion.Not yet.This is a formal declaration."
He looked directly at Lian Hong.
"You are now under Tier-One Observation, authorized by Elder Yu Qing and Elder Lin."
A collective gasp.
Tier-One Observation.
The highest level of scrutiny.
Reserved for potential prodigies—or potential threats.
Wei Feng placed the token into Lian Hong's hand.
"You will join the elite training group starting tomorrow morning."
A murmur swept across the spectators.
"The elite group? That's where core candidates train…""Isn't that too fast?""He'll offend half the outer sect instantly!"
Wei Feng added coldly:
"And that means…every eye in the outer sect will be on you now."
Zhou Shan whispered in despair:
"Yeah bro, congrats. Now you'll have the entire sect trying to both recruit and kill you."
But outside the hall—something else stirred.
Hidden beyond the training grounds, behind a row of thick bamboo, a group of robed figures gathered.
Their voices rose and fell in hushed tones.
"He entered Tier-One Observation…""That's unacceptable.""An ex-servant is disrupting the balance.""Senior Brother Zhao won't allow it.""He'll intervene soon."
A figure smirked.
"And if Zhao Qinghe doesn't handle it…then the Inner Sect faction will."
Another nodded.
"The elder's orders were clear.If he rises too fast, we act."
The wind rustled the bamboo leaves.
Their presence vanished.
Like snakes melting into grass.
Zhao Qinghe learns the news
On the western training ground, Zhao Qinghe finished his sword practice just as a disciple rushed in.
"Senior Brother Zhao! It's confirmed!"
Zhao Qinghe didn't stop polishing his blade.
"Speak."
"Lian Hong defeated five challengers at once. Instructor Wei promoted him to Tier-One Observation. He is… officially marked as a rising genius."
The sword cloth froze in Zhao's hand.
Slowly, he lowered the blade and turned his head.
His expression was unreadable.
"So the rumors were true."
The disciple swallowed.
"This means he will soon enter the elite group. Your position as Rank Five—"
Zhao Qinghe cut him off sharply.
"My position is not so fragile."
He sheathed his sword with a cold click.
"If he wishes to walk the genius's path, he must pass through me."
The disciple hesitated.
"Senior Brother… should we suppress him before he grows too strong?"
Zhao Qinghe's lips curved—not into a smile.
But into sharpened disdain.
"No need."
He looked up at the sky.
"When geniuses climb too fast,they often lose their footing and fall."
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"And I will be the one who pushes him."
Back to the Combat Hall
Zhou Shan poked Lian Hong's shoulder.
"Bro… you… you just skipped like ten years of normal growth."
Lian Hong didn't respond.
Instead, he looked at the jade token in his hand.
Tier-One Observation.
It was both a blessing—
—and a curse.
A golden path.
And a death sentence for the careless.
The system chimed silently:
[Main Mission Updated][Requirement Added:Enter Elite Training Group Ranking Top 10 within 30 Days]Reward: Talent Awakening – Second StagePenalty: Growth Rate Reduction – Severe]
Lian Hong exhaled slowly.
So the system also pushes me forward…even faster.
He lifted his gaze toward the hall's towering ceiling.
Strong enemies.
Hidden observers.
Inner sect assassins.
Outer sect geniuses.
Elders watching his every step.
All paths ahead led upward—
or into ruin.
But there was no fear.
Not an ounce.
"It doesn't matter how many eyes watch me," he murmured.
"I'll climb anyway."
Instructor Wei Feng gave him a long look.
"Report to the elite training grounds at sunrise."
He turned and left.
Disciples slowly dispersed.
Bitter stares.Jealous muttering.Fearful glances.
All aimed at Lian Hong.
But he stood still for a moment.
Breathing the cold, heavy air of the Combat Hall.
Then he stepped out.
Toward a future filled with enemies.
Challenges.
And opportunity.
Zhou Shan trudged behind him, exhausted.
"Bro… your life is like a storm that never stops…"
Lian Hong didn't look back.
"It will stop," he said quietly.
"When I reach the top."