The barracks assigned to the new recruits were sparse, little more than rows of wooden bunks crammed into a long hall at the base of the Azure Leaf Sect's mountain. The air carried the scent of pine resin and faint incense from nearby training grounds, where distant shouts and clashes of practice weapons echoed through the night. Ethan, now fully settled into his alias as Shadow Lin, claimed a corner bunk away from the others, his mind already mapping the social dynamics of the room. Mei Ling took the spot next to him, her presence a calculated asset—he could use her growing loyalty to gather information without drawing attention to himself. Hao, the burly village boy, slumped onto a bed across the way, nursing bruises from the maze, while Jiao, the sly girl, eyed everyone with suspicion, her quick fingers already pocketing small items from unattended packs.
Ethan sat cross-legged on his bunk, pretending to rest but actually cycling Qi through his meridians under Nexus's guidance. The breakthrough to Qi Gathering Level 3 during the maze had been a rush, like overclocking a processor, but he needed to stabilize it. *Qi flow optimized,* Nexus reported internally. *Blockages cleared by 90%. Recommend incorporating the bandit pills for further enhancement. Projected time to Level 4: Two days with focused cultivation.*
He swallowed one of the looted pills discreetly, feeling the warm energy spread through his dantian like liquid fire. It wasn't pleasant—sweat beaded on his forehead—but pain was just feedback. Around him, the other recruits whispered about the upcoming trial. The Combat Arena, from what Mei Ling had shared earlier, was a brutal test: one-on-one duels against sect disciples or beasts, designed to weed out the weak. Winners advanced to formal disciple status; losers became servants, laboring in the sect's herb gardens or mines.
Zuo, the smug clan boy Ethan had humiliated in the maze, lounged with his entourage in the center of the barracks. His arm was bandaged from the fight, but his arrogance remained intact. He shot Ethan a venomous glare. "That wanderer got lucky in the maze. Tomorrow, in the arena, I'll crush him myself. My clan's techniques will make short work of trash like him."
His followers chuckled, but Ethan ignored them, his cold gaze fixed on the wall as he analyzed. Zuo was a threat—connected, probably bribed his way to favoritism. But threats were opportunities. If Ethan could expose any cheating or turn the crowd against him, it would elevate his own standing. "Nexus, simulate social scenarios. How to isolate Zuo?"
*Simulating... Option one: Spread rumors of his clan's debts—probability of backlash 45%. Option two: Ally with underdogs like Hao to create a bloc. Option three: Provoke in training for a public slip-up. Best path: Combine two and three for 68% success.*
Ethan nodded inwardly. He turned to Mei Ling, his voice low and measured. "Those clan kids think they're untouchable. But everyone has weaknesses. Keep an eye on Zuo's group—note their habits, who they talk to."
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "I can do that. You're always thinking ahead, Lin. It's... impressive." There was a warmth in her tone that hinted at more than alliance, but Ethan filed it away as useful leverage, not sentiment.
The night passed in fits of uneasy sleep for most, but Ethan cultivated steadily, pushing his Qi reserves. By dawn, he felt stronger, his senses sharper—the pill had worked, edging him closer to Level 4. A sect disciple banged on the door at first light. "Up, worms! Arena trials start in an hour. Eat if you can stomach it."
Breakfast was simple porridge infused with low-grade spirit herbs, served in a communal hall. Ethan ate methodically, observing the hierarchy: outer disciples served the food but sneered at the recruits, while inner disciples dined separately in a raised area, their robes finer and auras more potent. One inner disciple, a sharp-featured woman named Li Feng, caught his eye—she seemed to be watching Zuo with approval, perhaps a clan connection.
After the meal, the recruits were marched to the Combat Arena, a massive circular pit carved into the mountainside, surrounded by tiered stone seats filled with sect members. The air buzzed with energy from protective arrays that prevented fatal injuries but allowed real pain. Elder Bark-Face—Ethan's mental nickname for the stern overseer—stood on a platform, his voice booming. "The arena tests your combat prowess. Duels will be drawn by lots. Use any means—techniques, weapons, wits. But no killing. Begin!"
Lots were drawn from a jade bowl. Ethan's first opponent: a lanky recruit from another village, Qi Gathering Level 2. Easy prey. As they entered the arena, the crowd murmured. The lanky boy charged wildly, fists glowing with basic Qi punches.
Ethan dodged effortlessly, Nexus providing overlays: *Trajectory predicted. Counter with leg sweep.* He tripped the boy, then struck a meridian point to disrupt his Qi flow. The opponent gasped, collapsing in paralysis. "Yield," Ethan said coldly.
The elder nodded. "Winner: Shadow Lin."
Cheers were sparse—Ethan was an unknown—but he noted approving nods from some outer disciples. Mei Ling won her bout against Jiao, using agile wood-vine techniques to bind and subdue. Hao brute-forced his way through a smaller opponent, while Zuo dominated with flashy clan moves, earning louder applause.
Rounds progressed. Ethan faced two more foes, each time winning with minimal effort, conserving energy. He studied others: patterns in techniques, flaws in stances. Between fights, he approached Hao in the waiting area. "You're strong, but raw. Refine your strikes—aim for joints. In return, back me if Zuo causes trouble."
Hao grunted agreement, his simple mind easy to sway. Alliance formed.
By midday, the field narrowed to twenty. Ethan's next draw: Zuo. The crowd buzzed—revenge match. Zuo smirked as they faced off. "Time to pay, wanderer."
The elder signaled start. Zuo unleashed a barrage of palm strikes, each infused with wood-affinity Qi that grew thorny vines on impact. Ethan blocked the first, feeling the sting, but dodged the rest. Nexus analyzed: *Technique: Thorn Palm. Weakness: Overextends on third strike. Exploit.*
Ethan waited, feinting weakness to draw him in. On the third palm, Zuo lunged too far. Ethan sidestepped, slashing with his bandit sword—now enhanced by his Qi—to sever a vine and strike Zuo's shoulder. Blood flowed, and Zuo roared, summoning a larger vine whip.
The fight intensified. Vines lashed like whips, forcing Ethan to roll and weave. He countered with precise strikes, disrupting Zuo's Qi channels one by one. The crowd leaned in, surprised at the underdog's skill. Mei Ling cheered from the sidelines, her voice cutting through the noise.
Zuo, frustrated, whispered a chant—cheating? A hidden pill's effect? His aura spiked unnaturally to Level 4. "Die!" he snarled, vines exploding in a frenzy.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Nexus, confirm enhancement."
*Artificial boost detected—likely forbidden pill. Expose meridian glow for proof.*
Ethan maneuvered, grabbing a vine and yanking Zuo close. With a palm strike, he hit a reveal point, making the illicit Qi flare visibly. Gasps from the crowd. "Cheater!" someone shouted.
The elder halted the match. "What is this?"
Zuo paled. "I... it's natural!"
But Li Feng, the inner disciple, stepped forward defensively. "Elder, he's from the Zuo Clan—perhaps a family treasure."
Ethan spoke calmly, his voice carrying. "Treasures don't cause meridian backlash. Check him."
The elder scanned with a jade slip, frowning. "Illicit enhancement pill. Disqualified! Shadow Lin wins by default."
Zuo was dragged away, cursing. The crowd murmured in approval—justice served. Ethan's status rose; whispers of "clever newcomer" spread.
The final rounds flew by. Ethan defeated his last opponent with a combination of swordplay and Qi disruption, securing a top spot. Mei Ling and Hao advanced too. As the sun set, the elder announced: "Top ten: Formal outer disciples! Receive your robes and manuals tomorrow. The rest: Servants."
Exhaustion hit, but Ethan felt triumphant. In his new quarters—slightly better, with a private alcove—he cultivated, absorbing the day's gains. Level 4 achieved, his body humming with power.
Mei Ling visited, bringing spirit tea. "You were brilliant, Lin. Exposing Zuo... how did you know?"
"Patterns," he replied, accepting the tea. "This sect has layers. We'll navigate them together."
She smiled, lingering. "Yes. Together."
As night deepened, Ethan planned his next moves: Infiltrate the library for advanced techniques, identify corrupt elders for leverage. The beast tide loomed, but he was ready.