Ren learned a fourth truth at dawn.
Free resources were never free.
He stared at the small pouch Su Meilin had left behind, rolling it between his fingers like it might explode out of spite.
> System Scan:
Item: Basic Qi Supplement Pellets
Quality: Above standard
Additives: None detected
Intent: Genuine
Ren sighed. "Wow. Actual kindness. In this economy."
He popped one pellet into his mouth.
It tasted like bitter herbs, disappointment, and faint optimism.
Warmth spread through his limbs almost immediately.
> Qi Circulation Efficiency: +12%
Body Tempering Progress: 12% → 16%
Ren blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…You're telling me," he whispered, "that all I needed was encouragement and vitamins?"
> System Response:
Simplified interpretation: Yes.
Ren lay back on the bed, arms spread. "Amazing. My past life could've been saved with therapy and supplements."
He sat up again, focusing as Qi finally—finally—began to move with something resembling purpose. It was weak, hesitant, like a cat that didn't trust the room yet, but it was his.
Real cultivation.
Ren smiled.
"Look at me," he murmured. "Sixteen percent body tempering. Basically a legend."
---
That illusion lasted exactly three hours.
The summons arrived just before noon.
A junior disciple delivered the message with the enthusiasm of someone who was deeply grateful it wasn't them.
"Senior Lin Fan," the boy said nervously, "you're required at the outer disciplinary hall."
Ren nodded. "Ah. Nothing good has ever started with that sentence."
> System Advisory:
Probability of confrontation: High
Ren rolled his shoulders. "Great. I was worried today would be boring."
---
The disciplinary hall was quiet in the way places became quiet right before bad things happened.
Elder Zhou sat at the front, expression unreadable. Zhao Kun stood to the side, arms crossed, lips curved into something that could generously be called a smile.
Ren glanced between them. "Let me guess. I'm accused of breathing incorrectly."
"Lin Fan," Elder Zhou said calmly, "you are accused of illegally acquiring cultivation resources."
Ren paused.
"…I don't suppose 'being gifted by a concerned senior sister' counts as illegal?"
Zhao Kun sneered. "Probation disciples aren't allowed supplements."
Ren turned to him. "Funny. I don't recall you being appointed Minister of My Diet."
Elder Zhou raised a hand. Silence fell.
"Where did you obtain the supplements?" the elder asked.
Ren answered honestly. "A fellow disciple."
"Name."
Ren considered lying.
Then decided against it.
"Su Meilin."
The temperature in the room dropped.
Zhao Kun's eyes widened briefly—then narrowed.
Elder Zhou exhaled slowly. "You put her in a difficult position."
Ren met the elder's gaze. "She helped me. I used them responsibly. If punishment is needed, punish me."
The hall went silent.
> System Notification:
Moral Stance Registered
Mental Integrity: Increased
Zhao Kun scoffed. "You expect us to believe she acted without motive?"
Ren glanced at him. "Yes. Some people help others without demanding blood sacrifices."
Zhao Kun's face darkened.
Elder Zhou studied Ren for a long moment, then spoke.
"The rules exist for order," he said. "But intent matters."
He turned to Zhao Kun. "This accusation lacks sufficient grounds."
Zhao Kun stiffened. "Elder—"
"Enough."
Zhao Kun bowed stiffly, fury barely contained.
Elder Zhou returned his gaze to Ren. "You will lose access to supplements during probation. However… your progress will be noted."
Ren bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder. I'll return to cultivating raw misery and determination."
The elder paused.
"…Your mouth will be the death of you."
Ren smiled. "I hear that a lot."
---
Outside the hall, Ren exhaled sharply.
"That," he muttered, "was absolutely a setup."
> System Confirmation:
Zhao Kun initiated accusation.
Intent: Suppression via rule enforcement.
Ren cracked his neck. "Good to know he's upgraded from punching to paperwork."
He took two steps—
And stopped.
Su Meilin stood at the end of the path.
Her expression was tight. "I'm sorry."
Ren blinked. "For what? Being generous?"
"You were almost punished because of me."
Ren waved it off. "I've almost been punished for breathing. You're fine."
She studied him carefully. "You really don't care about consequences."
Ren smiled, softer this time. "I care. I just refuse to let them decide who I am."
> System Update:
Target: Su Meilin
Favorability: 29% → 32%
Trust Level: Emerging
She looked away, cheeks faintly warm. "Be careful."
Ren nodded. "Always. Or at least… sarcastically careful."
She left.
Ren watched her go, then looked up at the sky.
"System," he said, "status?"
> Cultivation Update:
Body Tempering: 16%
Qi Sensitivity: Stable
Threat Level: Increasing
Narrative Momentum: Noticeable
Ren grinned.
"Perfect," he murmured. "Nothing motivates people like underestimating the wrong idiot."
Above the Azure Blossom Sect, clouds drifted lazily.
Below them, a probation disciple with weak Qi, sharp wit, and growing enemies took another step forward—still slow, still fragile, but now very clearly impossible to ignore.