The morning mist had barely lifted when the sparring grounds filled with noise. Disciples clustered in circles, eyes bright with hunger. Rumors had been simmering since Lin Xuan's evaluation and Repository visit — rumors that needed blood, or at least bruises, to season them.
"Lin Xuan's spear is only smoke.""Then let him prove it in the dust.""They say Core disciples have sent their dogs to test him."
Wu Ming groaned as he shuffled beside Lin Xuan. "Senior Brother, when people whisper 'challenge,' they don't mean friendly board games. They mean fists, sticks, and me running for porridge."
Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly. "Then don't stand too close."
The timid girl and lanky boy trailed behind, tense but determined. For them, this was no spectacle — it was a battlefield disguised as training.
On the practice field, a tall youth with a crimson armband stepped forward. His smirk was sharp as a blade.
"Lin Xuan. They say you crippled wolves and reversed talismans. Let's see if you can stand against a man with arms, not fur."
The crowd laughed.
Lin Xuan stepped onto the field, spear in hand. "One move."
"What?" the youth barked.
"One move," Lin Xuan repeated, voice calm.
Anger flushed the boy's face. He lunged, sword flashing in a textbook arc. Before steel could sing, Lin Xuan shifted — the spear butt tapped his ankle. The youth stumbled, fell flat on his face, and ate dust before the crowd's roar.
Wu Ming clutched his stomach, wheezing with laughter. "One move! He said one move! Senior Brother, I worship your understatement!"
Before the dust settled, another stepped forward — heavier, muscles bulging, his smirk carrying Core-backing confidence.
"Lucky tap. Let's see you dance with real weight."
He charged, fists like hammers. Lin Xuan did not backpedal. Instead, he let the man close, spear shifting like water. The shaft pressed lightly against the fist at just the right angle, diverting it past his cheek. A twist, a sweep, and the man's own momentum sent him sprawling into the crowd.
Gasps replaced laughter this time. Some eyes narrowed, others widened in awe.
"Was that… Crane Step counter?""No, it was sharper. Too sharp.""He's hiding something."
Lin Xuan turned his back on the fallen challenger, refusing to gloat. Stay low-key. Let them imagine what they cannot see.
Whispers thickened like smoke. From the far side, a wiry disciple stepped forward, his stance precise, his eyes sharp.
Wu Ming's face paled. "That one's Core-backed for sure."
The disciple bowed mockingly. "Lin Xuan. Show me if your spear can cut whispers, or only weeds."
Their clash was sharper — strikes and counters weaving like threads on a loom. The challenger's footwork was refined, his blade narrow and quick. But Lin Xuan flowed with it, spear arcs small, precise, intercepting with minimal force. To the untrained, it looked almost casual. To those who watched closely, it was terrifying: efficiency polished until no motion was wasted.
At the final exchange, the challenger's sword thrust — only to halt as Lin Xuan's spearhead hovered at his throat.
The silence cracked into shouts.
"He's too calm—""No wasted motion—""He humiliated three in a row without breaking breath!"
The challenger backed off, face pale with shame.
Lin Xuan lowered his spear, gaze sweeping once across the crowd. No arrogance, no triumph. Only calm. That calm stung worse than mockery.
Wu Ming bounded forward, arms raised. "Three for three! One move, one sweep, one throat! Senior Brother Lin Xuan, undefeated champion of subtle slaps!"
The crowd burst into whispers that would spread by nightfall.
The timid girl clenched her fists, eyes shining. The lanky boy's jaw tightened, as if inspired to train twice as hard.
And in the far shadow of the courtyard, Meng Zhao watched, wine cup turning lazily in his hand, a thin smile slicing his face.
So. Even when he hides, he rises. Then let him rise further… so the fall will shatter him.
As the crowd dispersed, Lin Xuan returned his spear to his shoulder. He said nothing, but inside, the System hummed.
[System Notice: Whispered reputation increasing.][New Quest Triggered: Survive the "Arena Clash."]
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed faintly. So the whispers lead to the arena. Very well. Let them push. Step by step.