Silence was never empty.
Li Yuan understood this better than anyone.
In the weeks following his son's birth, the Azure River Sect grew unnaturally calm. No disputes. No sudden breakthroughs. No accidents.
Too balanced.
Too careful.
The kind of stillness that only appeared when everyone waited for something to go wrong.
---
The child—Li Chen—grew steadily.
No abnormal appetite. No visible qi absorption. No signs of innate cultivation talent that would attract immediate attention.
Yet…
When Li Yuan held him during meditation, the surrounding spiritual energy settled naturally, smoothing chaotic fluctuations.
The boy did not cultivate.
The world cultivated around him.
---
Chen Yue noticed it during her recovery walks.
Disciples unconsciously slowed their steps near the residence. Arguments died down. Even arrogant inner disciples avoided raising their voices nearby.
"It's like people don't want to disturb him," she said quietly.
Li Yuan nodded. "Instinct."
Instinct was more honest than reason.
---
The system opened during a rare quiet afternoon.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Bloodline Influence: Expanding (Localized)
Current Manifestations: • Emotional suppression (minor) • Environmental harmony bias • Hostility aversion response
Warning: Such effects attract analytical attention.
---
As if summoned by the warning—
An inner sect inspection was announced.
Officially routine.
Unofficially… targeted.
---
The inspectors arrived with ceremony.
Three elders. One formation master. One recorder disciple whose brush never stopped moving.
Li Yuan stood calmly beside Chen Yue as their residence was examined inch by inch.
No formations.
No forbidden items.
No anomalies.
Except—
The spirit density was higher.
Perfectly balanced.
Unexplainably stable.
---
The formation master frowned deeply.
"This courtyard…" he muttered. "It behaves like a cultivation sanctuary."
One elder glanced at Li Yuan. "Have you modified anything?"
Li Yuan bowed. "This disciple lacks such ability."
True.
He did not modify.
He existed.
---
The inspection concluded without findings.
But suspicion did not disperse.
It condensed.
---
That night, Li Yuan sensed it again.
Pressure.
Not from the sect.
From beyond.
The system reacted instantly.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
External Influence Increasing.
Source: — Fate Correction Thread —
Objective: • Measure long-term deviation
Method: • Indirect conflict induction
Prediction: A catalyst will be introduced.
---
Li Yuan's eyes narrowed.
"So the world wants to test us."
---
The catalyst arrived two days later.
A decree.
All outer disciples were to participate in a joint trial with a neighboring sect—a low-risk exploration of a minor ruin.
Li Yuan read the notice carefully.
Low-risk.
Mandatory.
Participation rewarded generously.
Exemptions… discouraged.
---
Chen Yue looked at him. "You'll have to go."
Li Yuan nodded. "That's the point."
Trials created variables.
Variables created data.
The world wanted data.
---
He prepared carefully.
Not weapons.
Not talismans.
But restraint.
He suppressed his presence until even the system quieted.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Progenitor Concealment: Active
Note: This will reduce feedback benefits temporarily.
---
Before leaving, Li Yuan stood over Li Chen's cradle.
The child slept peacefully, tiny chest rising and falling.
Li Yuan placed a finger gently against the boy's forehead.
A pulse passed between them.
Unspoken.
Unbroken.
---
The ruin lay beyond the mountain range.
Ancient.
Half-collapsed.
Safe… on paper.
As disciples entered, faint spatial distortions rippled.
Nothing alarming.
Until—
A scream echoed from deeper within.
Then another.
Then silence.
---
The ruin shifted.
Corridors rearranged.
Exits vanished.
The world's test had begun.
The system flared.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Fate Catalyst Activated.
Correction Attempt: In Progress
Options: • Intervene — risk exposure • Observe — risk loss
---
Li Yuan exhaled slowly.
"So this is the price of silence."
Around him, disciples panicked.
Li Yuan stepped forward.
Calm.
Focused.
If the world wanted data—
He would decide what it learned.
---