The news spread faster than Chen Yuan expected.
By the time he arrived at the outer courtyard the next morning, whispers followed him openly.
"Did you hear? He advanced in Spirit Mist Valley."
"Three days only… Eighth Layer already."
"That valley isn't safe. How did he endure it alone?"
Chen Yuan ignored the murmurs and took his place among the students.
He felt dozens of gazes on his back.
Not admiration.
Evaluation.
The instructors arrived shortly after.
Leading them was Instructor Lu, a stern man responsible for assessing outer-court progress. His gaze swept the courtyard before stopping—briefly—on Chen Yuan.
"Begin aura release," Instructor Lu ordered.
One by one, students allowed their cultivation to surface.
When it was Chen Yuan's turn, he exhaled slowly and released his qi.
The difference was immediate.
His aura was stable, compact, and noticeably stronger than before. There was no wild fluctuation, no forced pressure—only a clean, controlled presence.
Several instructors exchanged looks.
Instructor Lu stepped closer.
"Eighth Layer," he confirmed. "Foundation… unusually steady."
He studied Chen Yuan for a long moment.
"You entered Spirit Mist Valley?"
"Yes, Instructor."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
No embellishment.
No pride.
Instructor Lu nodded once.
"Noted."
That single word carried weight.
At the edge of the courtyard, Zhao Ming stood rigid.
His face was carefully neutral, but the tightening of his jaw betrayed him.
Stable aura… he thought. That kind of foundation shouldn't belong to someone like him.
Sun Hao leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Zhao, should we—"
Zhao Ming silenced him with a glance.
"Not here."
He understood the rules better than his lackeys.
Once instructors were watching, even he had limits.
After training, Chen Yuan was summoned.
Not to the punishment hall.
But to the Outer-Court Records Pavilion.
The clerk inside adjusted his robe nervously as Chen Yuan entered.
"Disciple Chen," he said politely, far more politely than before. "Your recent breakthrough has been verified. Your classification will be updated."
He stamped the jade slip.
Status Update:
Outer Disciple — Upper Tier
It was a small change.
But the implications were vast.
Upper-tier outer disciples received:
Priority in future allocations
Access to advanced training hours
Eligibility for inner-court recommendation
As Chen Yuan left the pavilion, the system interface shimmered.
Reputation Shift Detected
Standing within Institution: Improved
Passive Resistance to Suppression Increased
Chen Yuan paused briefly.
"So even this matters," he murmured.
The system did not reply.
It did not need to.
That afternoon, Zhao Ming intercepted him near the stone path leading to the dormitories.
This time, he came alone.
"No followers," Zhao Ming said coolly. "I don't want misunderstandings."
Chen Yuan stopped.
"Speak."
Zhao Ming's eyes hardened.
"You are changing too fast," he said. "Fast enough to be… inconvenient."
Chen Yuan met his gaze steadily.
"I train. I take missions. I accept risk."
Zhao Ming laughed softly.
"You think that's enough? This academy runs on connections. One step too far, and you'll find doors closed everywhere."
Chen Yuan considered him for a moment.
Then he said, calmly, "Then I will knock."
The words were simple.
But Zhao Ming felt an inexplicable chill.
"Be careful," Zhao Ming said quietly. "Eighth Layer doesn't protect you forever."
Chen Yuan inclined his head slightly.
"Neither does a surname."
He walked past.
Zhao Ming did not stop him.
He could not.
That night, in his dorm room, Chen Yuan resumed cultivation.
The system appeared once more.
Upcoming Opportunity Detected
Inner-Court Observation Trials — 7 days
Eligibility: Recently advanced disciples
High Reward Potential
Below it, a final line appeared.
Note:
You are no longer invisible.
Chen Yuan opened his eyes.
A faint smile touched his lips—not triumphant, but resolute.
"Good," he said softly.