There are three surefire ways to die early in the Verdant Sky Sect.
First, challenge someone way above your realm while shouting something heroic.
Second, flirt with the Sect Master's daughter.
Third-and most effective-flaunt a rare cultivation treasure in public with the confidence of someone who doesn't know what death feels like.
Kael Arin intended to do none of those.
Which was why, after the outer court contest, he sat under a crooked tree looking as unremarkable as dried tofu. No one paid him any attention.
Perfect.
Later that night, long after everyone else had gone to bed to dream about promotions, breakthroughs, or roast spirit chicken, Kael returned to his modest disciple quarters.
He locked the door.
Checked the windows.
Activated the spirit-insulation charm.
Then checked the door again.
Only then did he take it out.
The pill.
It looked expensive. Not "fancy robe" expensive. Not even "rich merchant" expensive.
No, this was "you'll die if anyone sees it" expensive.
A Black Grade Qi Burst Pill, smooth and dark with faint golden swirls. It looked like it was forged by a celestial pharmacist during a midlife crisis.
And Kael had it. For free. In exchange for giving up a low-grade Iron Pill earlier that day.
"This system is either broken, generous, or planning something," Kael muttered.
But hey, a gift was a gift.
He sat down, closed his eyes, and swallowed the pill.
The change was immediate.
Warmth flooded his body-not the kind of warmth that came from a blanket or soup, but the kind that made his bones tingle and his Qi jump up and yell, "Finally, real food!"
His dantian, the core space where spiritual energy was stored, pulsed like a second heart. The pill was expanding it-basically upgrading him from a cracked teacup to a solid soup bowl.
His Qi Reservoir grew rapidly, giving him more energy storage than most outer court disciples dreamed of.
Then came the meridians, the invisible pathways through which energy flowed. They widened, cleared, and started glowing metaphorically. Before, Qi had to squeeze through them like traffic in a village festival. Now? It was a high-speed freeway.
[Ding!]
"Black Grade Qi Burst Pill Consumed."
"Qi Reservoir increased by 42%."
"Meridian compatibility improved by 13%."
"Breakthrough achieved: Peak Qi Gathering Realm."
Kael opened his eyes slowly.
No explosions. No lightning strikes. No grand heavenly music.
Just... a very pleasant feeling of having leveled up while everyone else was asleep.
But the system wasn't done.
[Ding!]
"System Feature Unlocked: Hidden Realm Cloak."
"Your true cultivation will now appear one major realm lower to others."
Kael smiled.
Now that... that was a useful feature.
Because in this world, being strong was fine.
But looking strong? That just meant more enemies.
The next morning, Kael did what he always did.
He woke early.
He lined up with the other outer disciples.
He ate boring porridge.
And when someone asked him why he looked so fresh, he replied with a perfectly straight face:
"Digestive breakthrough. The dumplings hit different last night."
Even Deacon Su Fan, who always seemed to see a bit too much, gave him only a brief glance. Nothing lingered. Nothing questioned.
The Hidden Realm Cloak was working.
He was now a Peak Qi Gathering cultivator.
And to the world?
Still a mid-stage nobody.
Excellent.
Later, while Lin Zhen practiced his sword art like a man fighting mosquitoes, Kael sat quietly under his favorite crooked tree and stared at the clouds.
"I could probably punch Bran's smug face off his head right now," he mused.
He didn't. But it was nice to know he could.
No system alert popped up. No new rewards. No heavenly voice congratulated him.
And that was fine.
He didn't need celebration.
He didn't need recognition.
He needed time. Silence. Power.
Let them chase fame. Let them flash their spirit stones like lanterns in a graveyard.
He would walk quietly.
And when he moved... the world would notice too late.
He smiled.
Then yawned.
And cultivated again.