In the days that followed, Azure Cloud Sect returned to its usual calm on the surface.
Disciples practiced and cultivated in order. The handyman quarters remained simple and quiet. Mountain wind brushed past, carrying the faint scent of grass and wood. To everyone else, nothing had changed.
Chen Fan was still the low‑key handyman.
He woke at dawn, swept the paths, watered spirit herbs, cleaned courtyards, and ate plain meals. He never took the initiative to talk, never showed off, never caused trouble. He blended into the background like an invisible shadow.
But beneath this ordinary exterior, earth‑shaking changes were unfolding.
Every casual glance, every idle observation, pushed his strength higher.
While sweeping the square, he watched disciples practice swordplay and instantly mastered several sword techniques—each evolving into supreme divine skills.
Passing the training ground, he glimpsed basic fist arts and fully understood boxing principles. His physique strengthened silently.
By the Scripture Pavilion, he occasionally browsed books. Basic cultivation, herbal knowledge, introductory formations—he mastered everything at a glance.
His cultivation rose like a tide.
Qi Refining Level 5… Level 6… Level 7…
By the fourth day, he stood at Qi Refining Peak, one step away from Foundation Establishment.
This speed would drive any cultivator mad.
Ordinary outer disciples took three to five years to go from Level 1 to Level 9. Even top geniuses needed at least half a year.
Chen Fan did it in days—without formal teaching, without meditation. He simply lived as a handyman, and strength grew naturally.
On this morning, the outer square was livelier than usual.
A group of outer disciples gathered around a tall young man in blue uniform—Wang Tao, one of the outer sect's top geniuses, with mid‑grade fire spiritual roots. He was already at Qi Refining Level 8, highly valued by elders.
Today was the weekly outer sect small assessment.
Disciples competed, displayed progress, and fought for extra spirit stones—even a chance to enter the inner sect.
"Today's assessment decides who gets extra spirit stones this month."
"Senior Brother Wang is Level 8—first place again, no doubt."
"He'll enter the inner sect in under a year."
Disciples praised him. Wang Tao stood with hands behind his back, a confident smile on his face. He loved being the center of attention.
His gaze swept the square and landed on Chen Fan, sweeping nearby.
Disdain flickered in his eyes.
He'd heard the story from a few days ago, but didn't believe a mortal handyman had real strength. It must have been an accident—or exaggeration.
To him, Chen Fan was still a useless mortal who didn't belong in cultivation.
"Hmph. A waste who only knows how to sweep," Wang Tao said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "He doesn't deserve to stay in Azure Cloud Sect."
Other disciples glanced at Chen Fan, then looked away—afraid to agree aloud. They still feared him.
Chen Fan heard the mockery clearly but didn't react.
He kept sweeping, calm as ever. He didn't care about Wang Tao's arrogance. Arguing was tiring; he just wanted peace.
But sometimes, trouble came uninvited.
Soon, the outer sect assessment began.
Disciples took turns fighting, showing sword and fist skills. Battles were intense; the atmosphere grew heated.
Wang Tao appeared last.
He stepped onto the stone platform, aura surging. Faint flames wrapped his fists—a sign of his fire roots. With a few moves, he easily defeated his opponent. Cheers erupted.
"Senior Brother Wang is too strong!"
"His Fire Fist is perfect!"
"No one in the outer sect can beat him!"
Wang Tao stood proudly, soaking in praise. Again, he looked at Chen Fan in the corner.
A playful, mocking thought formed.
He wanted to humiliate this mortal in front of everyone—to prove only real geniuses belonged in the sect.
"Hey, you!" Wang Tao pointed at Chen Fan and shouted. "The handyman! Come here!"
All eyes locked on Chen Fan. Disciples held their breath—they knew Wang Tao was picking a fight, but no one dared stop him.
Chen Fan paused, broom in hand. He frowned, annoyed.
He just wanted to sweep in peace. Why disturb him?
He didn't want to go, but Wang Tao was aggressive. Refusing would draw more attention, more trouble.
After a moment, Chen Fan walked over slowly.
"What?" he asked calmly.
Wang Tao looked down from the platform, contempt in his eyes. "A mortal without spiritual roots dares stay in the outer sect? Since you're here—show us what you can do. Let's see if you're worthy of Azure Cloud Sect."
The crowd buzzed.
"Senior Brother Wang is really targeting him?"
"That's too much. Chen Fan did nothing."
"But no one can stop him."
Chen Fan stared at Wang Tao and said softly, "I don't want to fight."
"Heh—don't want to?" Wang Tao laughed loudly. "Scared? A little accident a few days ago, and you think you're a genius? Today, I'll teach you the gap between a useless mortal and a real genius!"
He jumped down, standing before Chen Fan. Fists wrapped in faint flames.
"I'll fight you. Take one move, and I'll let you go. If not—get out of Azure Cloud Sect."
Disciples tensed, worried Chen Fan would be badly hurt.
Chen Fan sighed.
He didn't want trouble, but some people wouldn't leave him alone.
If he had to fight, end it quickly—then go back to sweeping.
"Fine," he said quietly. "But I won't attack. I'll only defend."
He didn't want to hurt anyone—just end the farce.
Wang Tao's face turned cold. "You dare look down on me? Good! Today, I'll beat you until you regret being born!"
He held nothing back. Spiritual energy surged; flames blazed on his fists. He used his strongest move—Fire Cloud Fist.
Heat washed over the area. Disciples stepped back in alarm.
"Die!"
Wang Tao roared, punching fiercely at Chen Fan's chest. Fiery fist light cut through the air.
Everyone thought Chen Fan would be sent flying, seriously injured.
But the next scene left them stunned.
Chen Fan didn't move. Didn't dodge. Didn't deliberately circulate energy.
He stood calm, twisting his wrist slightly.
A faint, invisible sword energy emerged.
No powerful aura, no dazzling light—so weak almost no one noticed.
But when it touched Wang Tao's fiery fist—
Boom!
Raging flames tore apart like paper meeting a blade.
Wang Tao's face changed. An irresistible force hit his fist. His arm went numb; his body flew backward.
He crashed onto the stone platform, pale, coughing blood.
Silence fell.
Everyone stared, eyes wide, mouths open—speechless.
Qi Refining Level 8 genius Wang Tao… defeated with one casual move?
By a useless mortal handyman?
It defied all logic.
Chen Fan looked at the fallen Wang Tao, expression calm.
"I told you—I don't want to fight," he said softly.
He turned, picked up his broom, and returned to the corner to sweep—as if nothing had happened.
Only he knew he'd held back completely.
Full strength would have left Wang Tao far worse.
While Chen Fan swept on, the square remained frozen in shock.
No one noticed a white‑robed elder standing on a distant peak, watching Chen Fan with shining eyes.
"A mortal defeating a genius with one move… hiding strength so deeply…"
The elder murmured, voice full of shock and curiosity.
"This child… is extraordinary."
Deep inside Chen Fan, the hidden Chaos Root glowed faintly.
A subtle ripple spread—
He was about to break through to Foundation Establishment.