Three days passed in confinement.
Shen Yuan spent the time cultivating, pushing his Qi Condensation Third Stage toward Fourth. The progress was slower now—each stage required exponentially more effort than the last. Still, his partially repaired meridians allowed cultivation that would have been impossible just days ago.
[QI CULTIVATION IN PROGRESS…]
[PROGRESS TO NEXT STAGE: 27%]
Twenty-seven percent in three days. Impressive, but not suspicious—talented disciples with proper resources could manage similar speeds. The key was appearing gifted but not impossibly so.
His door opened without warning.
Two inner disciples in pristine azure robes stood in the doorway, their Foundation Establishment cultivation radiating casual superiority.
"Shen Yuan. The Sect Leader summons you to the Grand Hall."
Finally. Shen Yuan had expected this meeting sooner, but the Sect Leader was known for his deliberate pace. Three days to investigate, gather information, and form judgments before acting.
He followed the inner disciples through the outer sect, then across the dividing bridge into the inner sect proper. The difference was staggering—where the outer sect had shabby buildings and dirt paths, the inner sect boasted elegant pavilions, spirit herb gardens, and marble walkways. Qi was noticeably denser here, cultivated and refined by formation arrays.
Disciples they passed stopped to stare. Word had spread about his "awakening," and now he was the subject of endless speculation. Some looked envious, others suspicious, and a few—very few—showed genuine curiosity.
The Grand Hall loomed ahead, a massive structure of white jade and gold that proclaimed the sect's power and wealth. Dragon carvings wrapped around pillars that rose fifty feet into the air. The doors alone were taller than three men.
Inside, the hall was even more impressive. Rows of seats lined both sides where inner disciples and elders sat in ranked order. At the far end, elevated on a platform of seven steps, sat Sect Leader Shen Tianlong on a throne of carved spiritual wood.
His presence was overwhelming. Void Transcendence Realm cultivation made reality itself seem to bend around him. Just standing in the same room felt like drowning in an ocean of power.
Shen Yuhan sat among the inner disciples, her expression worried. Feng Qian stood near the front, face carefully neutral. Liu Feng was present as well, watching with his characteristic calculating gaze.
Elder Bronze Sword stood at the Sect Leader's right hand, while several other elders Shen Yuan didn't recognize filled the remaining positions of authority.
"Shen Yuan." The Sect Leader's voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it filled the hall completely. "Step forward."
Shen Yuan approached the throne, keenly aware of every eye upon him. He stopped at the appropriate distance and performed a formal bow—deep enough to show respect, not so deep as to appear servile.
"Sect Leader."
"Three days ago, you were declared worthless by our Spirit Testing Monument. Yesterday, you demonstrated Qi Condensation Third Stage cultivation and admitted to killing Zhao Kun, an outer disciple of Foundation Establishment Realm." Shen Tianlong's golden eyes bore into him. "Explain."
This was the critical moment. Shen Yuan had rehearsed his story carefully, mixing truth with strategic lies.
"Sect Leader, I cannot fully explain what happened. After the awakening ceremony, I returned to my quarters in despair. I had accepted that cultivation was impossible for me." He paused, letting emotion color his voice—not false emotion, but real memory of that desperation. "Then something… changed. It felt like something inside my soul shattered and reformed. When I checked my meridians, they were still damaged, but they were functioning. Poorly, but functioning."
"A spontaneous soul transformation?" An elderly female elder spoke up—Elder Qing from the library. "Such things are recorded in ancient texts, but extremely rare. Usually occurring after profound emotional trauma or enlightenment."
"Indeed." Another elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And the Spirit Testing Monument measures current state, not potential. If his meridians were truly non-functional during testing, it would show nothing."
Elder Bronze Sword scowled. "And the murder of Zhao Kun?"
"Self-defense," Shen Yuan said firmly. "Three men attacked me in the training grounds with intent to cripple. I recognized Zhao Kun as an outer disciple known for taking… certain types of contracts. I defended myself. He died. The other two lived because I showed mercy."
"Mercy?" Elder Bronze Sword sneered. "You expect us to believe you, with freshly awakened cultivation, killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator in self-defense?"
"The witnesses confirmed his story," Elder Qing pointed out. "Three attackers, clear hostile intent, orders from—" She paused delicately, not naming Feng Qian directly. "—somewhere within the sect."
The political maneuvering was transparent. Elder Qing was protecting him, likely due to Shen Yuhan's influence. But Elder Bronze Sword represented the faction that wanted him gone, and they wouldn't surrender easily.
"Sect Leader," Feng Qian spoke up, his voice respectful but firm. "While self-defense is permitted, the fact remains that Shen Yuan killed an outer disciple and hid his cultivation. Even if unintentional, deception within the sect is a serious matter."
Clever. Feng Qian was reframing the issue from murder to deception, which was harder to defend.
[NEW CHOICE AVAILABLE]
The system notification appeared in Shen Yuan's vision:
[SITUATION DETECTED: POLITICAL PRESSURE MOUNTING. SECT LEADER WEIGHING JUDGMENT. YOUR RESPONSE WILL DETERMINE OUTCOME.]
[PRESENTING CHOICES…]
[CHOICE #1: HUMBLE SUBMISSION]
Apologize profusely. Accept any punishment. Show complete deference to sect hierarchy.
REWARD: Sect Leader's Mercy, Reduced Punishment, Political Protection (Temporary)
[CHOICE #2: RIGHTEOUS DEFIANCE]
Defend your actions forcefully. Declare you broke no laws. Challenge anyone who says otherwise.
REWARD: Unyielding Will (Passive), Cultivation Comprehension Boost, Respect from Martial Disciples
[CHOICE #3: STRATEGIC COMPROMISE]
Acknowledge mistakes while highlighting your new value. Offer service to demonstrate worth.
REWARD: Diplomatic Talent (Rare), Sect Contribution Points x1000, Library Access (Expanded)
[CHOICE #4: HIDDEN DEPTHS]
Reveal just enough additional capability to make them reconsider your value without showing full hand.
REWARD: Sword Intent Breakthrough (Minor to Lesser), Sect Leader's Personal Interest, Danger Increase (Significant)
Shen Yuan analyzed rapidly. Choice one was safe but showed weakness. Choice two would win some supporters but make enemies. Choice three was balanced but predictable.
Choice four was risky—very risky. Revealing more power would make him valuable but also threatening. People who were threatening tended to die in "accidents." But the rewards… Lesser Sword Intent at Qi Condensation Realm was unheard of. And the Sect Leader's personal interest could be either protective or dangerous, but definitely influential.
The high-risk, high-reward path had served him well so far.
"I choose the fourth option," he whispered internally.
[CHOICE REGISTERED: HIDDEN DEPTHS]
[REWARD PREPARATION: DEMONSTRATE SWORD INTENT WHEN PROMPTED]
Shen Yuan straightened, meeting the Sect Leader's gaze directly—not challenging, but not cowering either.
"Young Master Feng makes a valid point," he said, surprising the room with his agreement. "I did not inform the sect of my awakening immediately. For that, I apologize. However, I was confused and frightened. I had just gained something I'd spent sixteen years believing impossible. My first thought was survival, not protocol."
"Pretty words," Elder Bronze Sword muttered. "But words don't prove—"
"I can prove my value," Shen Yuan interrupted, drawing gasps at the breach of etiquette. "Sect Leader, if I may demonstrate?"
Shen Tianlong's eyes narrowed slightly. "Demonstrate what?"
"My sword comprehension."
The hall fell silent. Sword comprehension at Qi Condensation Realm? Impossible. Most disciples didn't begin to touch Sword Intent until Foundation Establishment, and didn't truly grasp it until Core Formation.
"Bold claim," the Sect Leader said. "Very well. There is a practice sword on the weapon rack. Show us."
Shen Yuan walked to the indicated rack and selected a plain iron practice sword—nothing special, just balanced weight and decent crafting. He moved to the center of the hall, keenly aware of every eye upon him.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, reaching for that spark of comprehension the system had granted him. Sword Intent—the understanding that a sword was an extension of will, that the blade cut not through force alone but through the cultivator's determination made manifest.
The Minor Sword Intent he possessed was barely a flicker compared to what masters achieved. But in this moment, with the system's power flowing through him, he pushed it further.
[ACTIVATING REWARD: SWORD INTENT BREAKTHROUGH]
[MINOR SWORD INTENT → LESSER SWORD INTENT (1%)]
Understanding exploded in his mind. The sword in his hand was no longer just metal—it was potential, possibility, the edge between existence and non-existence. His qi flowed into the blade naturally, not through forced technique but through pure comprehension.
Shen Yuan opened his eyes. The practice sword gleamed with a faint silver light.
He moved.
The sword traced through the air in a simple downward cut—nothing fancy, no complex technique, just pure intent. The blade passed through empty space, but reality itself seemed to part before it. A line of silver light hung in the air for a moment before fading.
Then the weapon rack at the far end of the hall—thirty feet away—split perfectly in half and collapsed.
The silence was absolute.
"Sword Intent," Elder Qing breathed. "True Sword Intent at Qi Condensation Third Stage. I've never seen such a thing."
"Impossible," Elder Bronze Sword whispered, all his earlier confidence evaporated. "He's only sixteen. Three days ago he had no cultivation. Now he demonstrates Lesser Sword Intent?"
Feng Qian's face had gone pale. Liu Feng leaned forward, eyes wide with genuine shock for the first time.
Even Shen Tianlong had risen slightly from his throne, golden eyes blazing with interest.
"Shen Yuan," the Sect Leader said slowly. "Your talent… is extraordinary. Perhaps beyond extraordinary."
"I am merely fortunate, Sect Leader," Shen Yuan said humbly, though his heart raced. He'd gambled everything on this demonstration, and it had worked.
[CHOICE COMPLETE]
[REWARDS GRANTED: SWORD INTENT (LESSER - 1%), SECT LEADER'S INTEREST ACTIVATED]
[WARNING: HOST NOW REGISTERED AS HIGH-VALUE ASSET. PROTECTION INCREASED. DANGER ALSO INCREASED.]
Shen Tianlong settled back into his throne, fingers steepled as he considered.
"The matter of Zhao Kun's death is settled—clear self-defense. The matter of deception is… understandable given circumstances." He paused. "But your talent presents a dilemma. You are valuable, but you are also dangerous. A sword that cuts without proper guidance may harm its wielder."
Here it came—the judgment that would determine his path forward.
"Therefore, I decree the following: First, Shen Yuan is elevated from outer disciple to inner disciple, effective immediately. Second, he will be assigned to Elder Qing for guidance and supervision. Third, he will participate in the upcoming Outer Sect Tournament despite his new rank, to properly measure his abilities. Fourth…"
The Sect Leader's gaze hardened.
"You will be placed under probation for six months. Any violation of sect rules, any hint of disloyalty or deception, and you will be executed immediately. Your talent grants you opportunity, not immunity. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. I understand completely."
"Good. Elder Qing, see to his relocation to the inner sect. Dismissed."
As Shen Yuan bowed and turned to leave, he caught Feng Qian's expression—a mixture of rage, fear, and calculation. The young master had just lost considerable face, and men like him didn't forget such things.
Liu Feng nodded slightly as their eyes met, a gesture of respect between warriors.
And Shen Yuhan was smiling, genuine relief and pride shining in her eyes.
Elder Qing approached him as the hall emptied. "Congratulations, Shen Yuan. Though I suspect your life just became significantly more complicated."
"Thank you, Elder. I'm ready for whatever comes."
"We'll see." She gestured for him to follow. "Come. I'll show you to your new quarters and explain your duties. The Outer Sect Tournament begins in ten days—you'll need to prepare."
As they walked through the inner sect, Shen Yuan pulled up his status screen:
[STATUS SCREEN]
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
NAME: Shen Yuan (Chen Wei)
AGE: 16 (48 total)
CULTIVATION: Qi Condensation Realm - Third Stage
PHYSIQUE: Shattered Meridians (Partially Repaired - 45%)
SPIRITUAL ROOT: Fractured Root (Low-Grade)
ATTRIBUTES:
• Strength: 5.8
• Agility: 6.2
• Constitution: 5.5
• Qi Capacity: 450/450
• Soul Strength: 15.7
SKILLS:
• Veil of Forgotten Presence (Divine-Grade) - MAX
• Fear Manipulation (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
• Leadership Aura (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
• Intimidation (Rare-Grade) - LV 2
TECHNIQUES:
• Execution Sword Art: First Form - Severance (Heaven-Grade) - LV 1
• Sword Intent Comprehension: Lesser (1%)
COMBAT STATS:
• Killing Intent: Minor
• Kills: 1 (Foundation Establishment - Early Stage)
TITLES: Young Master Trash, The Patient Shadow, First Blood, Mysterious Awakening, Inner Disciple
SECT STATUS: Inner Disciple (Probation - 6 Months)
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Under Elder Qing's Supervision, Must Participate in Outer Sect Tournament
TIME UNTIL TOURNAMENT: 10 Days
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Inner disciple. Better resources, better training, better opportunities. But also more competition, more scrutiny, more danger.
And in ten days, he would face the Outer Sect Tournament—a proving ground where talented disciples fought for glory, resources, and advancement.
Shen Yuan smiled slightly as he followed Elder Qing deeper into the inner sect.
The game had evolved from survival to competition. And he intended to win.