The path to the sect had not changed.
Narrow stone. Worn edges. The same uneven steps carved into the hillside like a memory that refused to fade.
Marcus walked ahead.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Steady.
Lin followed half a step behind.
Not out of fear.
Not entirely.
But out of habit.
They passed familiar markers.
A broken training post near the bend.
The shallow stream where disciples once washed their blades.
The outer gates are visible now through the thinning trees.
Lin's steps slowed.
"…Father."
Marcus didn't stop.
"Say it."
Lin hesitated.
"…This place…"
Marcus glanced back.
Lin's eyes were fixed on the gates.
"…They threw us out."
Not physically, not violently, but completely.
Marcus nodded once.
"I know."
A pause.
Then "We're walking back in."
Lin swallowed.
"…They won't let us."
Marcus turned fully this time.
Looked at him.
Not with reassurance.
Not with comfort.
With certainty.
"Then they'll try."
Lin held his gaze.
For a moment, he didn't look away.
"…Okay."
They reached the gates.
Two disciples stood guard.
Outer sect.
Young.
Alert.
Their eyes narrowed immediately.
"…Marcus?"
Recognition came quickly.
Followed by something else.
Not respect.
Not fear.
Dismissal.
"You're not allowed here," one of them said.
Marcus didn't stop walking.
"Move."
The disciple frowned.
"I said"
Marcus stepped forward.
Just one step.
But his presence shifted.
Subtle.
Controlled.
His Qi didn't flare.
Didn't press outward violently.
It simply… existed.
Stable.
Sharp.
Enough.
The disciple's words stopped.
Not from fear.
From hesitation.
"…You recovered?" the second one said, uncertain.
Marcus didn't answer.
He walked past them.
Lin followed.
This time, not half a step behind.
But beside him.
The outer sect grounds opened before them.
Training fields.
Stone platforms.
Clusters of disciples moving through routines.
The moment Marcus entered, it spread.
Not loudly.
Not instantly.
But like ripples.
Heads turned.
Voices lowered.
"…Isn't that…"
"Didn't he…"
"He's back?"
Lin felt it.
The weight of eyes.
The memory of whispers.
His steps slowed again.
Marcus didn't look at him.
But he spoke.
"Keep walking."
Lin inhaled.
Then did.
They didn't have to go far.
A voice called out.
"Marcus."
It wasn't loud.
But it carried.
Marcus stopped.
Turned.
A man stood at the edge of the training field.
Robes cleaner.
Posture straighter.
Eyes sharper.
Outer sect instructor.
Marcus recognised him immediately.
Not from memory.
From presence.
"You shouldn't be here," the instructor said.
Marcus held his gaze.
"I came for answers."
The instructor's eyes flicked briefly to Lin.
Then back.
"…You still don't understand your position."
Marcus didn't respond.
Didn't argue.
Didn't explain.
He simply stood there.
And waited.
The instructor's expression hardened slightly.
"…Leave," he said. "Before this becomes a problem."
Silence stretched.
Lin's hands tightened slightly at his sides.
Marcus took one step forward.
Then another.
Not aggressive.
Not confrontational.
Just—
Unstoppable.
"I'm not leaving," Marcus said.
The words were quiet.
But finally.
The training field fell still.
Eyes gathered.
Attention locked.
The instructor's expression shifted.
Not anger.
Not yet.
Something sharper.
"…Then we'll handle this properly."
A pause.
Then "Test him."
The words weren't directed at Marcus.
They were directed at Lin.
Lin froze.
"…What?"
The instructor's gaze settled on him.
"If you want to stand here again," he said, "prove you belong."
Silence tightened.
Marcus didn't interrupt.
Didn't step in.
He looked at Lin.
And waited.
Lin's breath was uneven.
The past pressed in.
The humiliation.
The failure.
The collapse.
But something else stood beside it now.
Marcus's voice.
Marcus's presence.
Marcus… standing.
Lin stepped forward.
"…Okay."
[DING!]
The system appeared.
[Critical Moment Detected]
[Public Validation Opportunity]
Reward Amplification Ready…
Marcus's eyes sharpened slightly.
Good.