There are certain words in a martial sect that should send instant shivers down your spine.
"Assessment" is one of them.
Not because it's inherently bad, of course. But because it always comes disguised as courtesy... and never with good intentions.
So when a young messenger appeared outside the outer disciples' dining hall with a jade tablet in hand and asked:
"Disciple Li Wei?"
Everyone present turned in unison, as if they had just smelled blood in the water.
Li Wei lifted his head from his bowl of bland rice. "Depends," he said. "Why are you looking for him?"
"You've been summoned for a preliminary potential review. By Supervisor Yuan Fei. Intermediate Qi Foundation level. Crimson Tiger Peak."
Oh, how wonderful! A "preliminary" review. Is that before or after the accidental assassination attempt? I also love that this Yuan Fei is from Crimson Tiger Peak... Surely he's a lover of poetry and gentle hugs.
Of course, he couldn't refuse. Well, he could, but that would be like marking himself with red ink on his forehead: "Arrogant. Punish without mercy."
So he went.
The path to Crimson Tiger Peak was long, steep, and decorated with statues of tigers in ridiculously dramatic poses. Li Wei ascended unhurriedly, observing the ground formations, the marks on the stone, and even the patterns of the reeds growing in the cracks.
Too many active defensive formations. And this spiritual flower... it's withered. That means no one is tending this path. Hmm... are resources poorly distributed on this peak? Or rather... are they concentrated only on favorites?
Finally, he arrived at the central courtyard. A circle of polished stone, surrounded by pillars with fire and combat inscriptions. Yuan Fei awaited him there, a tall man with a saber mustache and eyes like wet coal. He was flanked by three inner disciples, all with expressions that said, "we'd love to see you faint."
"Li Wei, is it?" Yuan asked in a harsh voice.
"On most days, yes," the protagonist replied, bowing courteously. Not too much. Just enough so he wouldn't be struck immediately.
"We've heard rumors. Advancement without pills, self-taught cultivation, and an unknown technique. Is that correct?"
"I've heard those same rumors. I find them fascinating."
Yuan Fei stared at him for a long time. Then, he pointed to a gate at the end of the courtyard. "You will participate in a routine test. Just a confrontation against a low-level spiritual beast. In the Hall of Elemental Trials."
Li Wei frowned. "Without preparation? Not even a basic medical evaluation?"
"It's not a battle. You will only observe the beast's reaction to the Qi you emanate. It will help us 'understand your spiritual attribute'."
Translation: We're going to lock you in with something that can kill you, and if you don't walk out, we'll say it was your emotional instability's fault.
Well... let's play.
The hall was dark, damp, and full of echoes that didn't correspond to anyone's footsteps. In the center, a bronze cage surrounded by trembling spiritual seals. Inside, a creature resembling a two-tailed fox, with glowing eyes and steaming saliva.
"A Misty Flame Beast," Li Wei murmured, recognizing it from an old scroll. "Aggressive temperament, sensitive to fear... and vulnerable to visual deception."
The disciples activated the seals. The containment field became translucent.
"Just go in and release a small amount of Qi," Yuan instructed, arms crossed.
"Of course," Li Wei replied.
What they don't know... is that the technique I adapted has a side effect: It makes the Qi fluctuate as if it's poorly channeled, making the user appear unstable. To a beast like that... that will put it on alert. But if I also pretend to be afraid... it gets confused. If I confuse it... it will retreat.
Li Wei entered. They closed the door behind him. The spiritual fox growled.
Li Wei took a step forward...
...and began to tremble. Literally, tremble. His breathing became erratic, he let his Qi vibrate in erratic waves, and he lowered his head as if he was about to collapse.
The beast, confused, stopped. It sniffed the air. A nervous cultivator. With chaotic Qi. Sick? Cursed? Dangerous?
The fox retreated. One step. Two. And then it crouched in a corner, not attacking.
From outside, Yuan Fei frowned. His disciples looked at each other. "The beast... is avoiding him?"
Li Wei let out a feigned sigh, stumbled backward, and fell to a sitting position as if he had expended all his energy. But in reality... he was completely serene.
Perfect. Enough for them to think I'm odd... but not a threat. And more importantly: now I have their attention. What I need is to remain a mystery. Nothing scares a paranoid cultivator more... than what they cannot classify.
When Li Wei left the hall, he feigned dizziness. Yuan Fei looked at him intensely, as if trying to rip his soul out with his eyes.
"We will re-evaluate you," he simply said. "Until then... you can return to your duties."
"Gladly," Li Wei replied with a smile so weak it seemed sincere.
And as he walked back down the path, dusty-footed and arms crossed, his mind was already plotting his next move.
Good. I survived the "casual test." And I left them with exactly what I wanted: doubts.
Doubt is the first step towards respect...
...and towards fear.