The pale morning sunlight slowly crept over the sect, casting its golden hue across the tiled roofs and dew-laced courtyards. A gentle breeze stirred the bamboo leaves around Lin Xuan's small courtyard, the rustling branches whispering a soft welcome to the new day.
Within the quiet courtyard, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged beneath an ancient pine tree, his eyes closed in silent meditation. His breathing was calm and even, each inhale and exhale in perfect rhythm with the surrounding spiritual energy. The cool earth beneath him carried the subtle pulse of nature, and the scent of pine and moist soil filled the air.
This place, though small and worn with age, was his sanctuary.
Suddenly, soft footsteps approached, light as falling petals but undeniably familiar. They crossed the stone path with care, pausing just before the bamboo curtain at the entrance.
"Young Master, Lan'er is back..." came the gentle voice.
Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes. His calm, deep gaze turned toward the sound. His face remained unreadable, but a trace of warmth flickered somewhere in the depths of his expression.
"Come in, Lan'er."
The bamboo curtain swayed slightly as it was lifted, revealing a slender girl dressed in a modest servant's outfit. Her clothes were simple, but clean and freshly pressed. Her dark hair was tied back in a neat braid, and her delicate hands clutched a crimson-sealed envelope.
Her eyes, though lowered in respect, carried a glimmer of emotion.
She stepped forward and dropped to her knees before him with practiced grace.
"Young Master… the Lin Family sent this letter, and…" She hesitated slightly, her lips trembling as she bit down gently, "…only one hundred low-grade spiritual stones."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "A letter?" he repeated. "Give it here."
Lan'er respectfully extended the sealed envelope with both hands, her posture proper and her head still lowered. Lin Xuan accepted the letter and broke the seal with a flick of his thumb, unfolding the parchment slowly.
His gaze swept across the page.
Xuan'er, you continue to disappoint me. With a powerful master and a family backing you, yet you waste your time raising seven ungrateful dogs. The Lin Family has no obligation to support idleness. If you fail to show your potential soon, all resources shall be cut off. Enclosed are 100 low-grade stones—our final gesture.
A soft, cold laugh escaped Lin Xuan's lips.
"Final gesture, huh… they think I'm finished."
He folded the letter again and tossed it aside. It fluttered gently down beside the pine tree, its crimson seal now cracked and meaningless. His gaze drifted to Lan'er.
She was still kneeling, unmoving, as if awaiting punishment—or perhaps, forgiveness.
"You're always here," Lin Xuan said quietly. His voice held a subtle emotion, neither warmth nor coldness, but a deep and silent acknowledgment. "Even when the rest of them forgot me. When they mocked me… surpassed me… You never left."
Lan'er's eyes trembled slightly. She raised her head just a little, lips parting to speak—yet words failed her.
Lin Xuan lifted his hand and spoke gently, but with undeniable authority.
"Lan'er."
She immediately straightened, blinking in confusion. "Y-Yes, Young Master?"
He reached into the inner folds of his robe and retrieved a small pouch. The soft clinking sound it made as he tossed it toward her gave away its contents.
Lan'er instinctively reached out and caught it, eyes widening in disbelief. "Y-Young Master… I can't—"
Before she could finish, Lin Xuan held out something else.
A scroll.
The name etched into its cover shimmered faintly under the morning light: Verdant Flow Palm.
"And this too. Take it."
Her breath hitched.
She stared at the scroll, stunned. Her hands reached forward hesitantly, almost as if she feared it might vanish if she touched it.
"This is… a martial skill? For outer disciples?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Young Master, this is too much…"
"You've earned it," Lin Xuan said simply. "No one else ever stood beside me like you did. If anyone deserves my first true gift… it's you."
Lan'er lowered her head deeply, tears welling in her eyes. "Then… Lan'er thanks you from the bottom of her heart."
She bowed deeply, the pouch and scroll held tightly to her chest. With slow, reverent steps, she turned and exited through the bamboo doorway, the morning breeze gently catching the ends of her hair.
As soon as she disappeared from view—
Ding!
Host has gifted a skill book and 100 low-grade spiritual stones.
10x Return Activated!
Reward: 1000 low-grade spiritual stones and Advanced Verdant Flow Palm – Learned Instantly!
Advanced Verdant Flow Palm… learned instantly?
Lin Xuan blinked, almost in disbelief. Back then, I spent six days just to grasp the basics of the normal version… And now—just like that—it's etched into my memory, clear as day.
His fingers twitched slightly, subconsciously feeling the flow of energy within his meridians. The advanced version surged with power and precision far beyond its original form.
If not for the rule at the skill pavilion… he thought, I'd just buy every martial scroll and gift them all away.
But of course, it wasn't that simple.
Only one skill can be purchased every six months from the outer sect pavilion, he recalled bitterly. And the Lin Family won't send me another thing.
Still… he wasn't helpless.
With the 1000 spiritual stones I just got… and the Qi Refining Pills I've accumulated, I should be able to reach the peak of Qi Refining soon.
Lin Xuan closed his eyes again.
And just like that, he began cultivating with renewed purpose.
Fifteen days passed.
Inside the silent courtyard, Lin Xuan finally opened his eyes. His aura had transformed—no longer frail, no longer dim. A surge of qi radiated from his body like a blooming tide.
Qi Refining – Level 9.
The peak.
He could feel the strength pulsing within him. Muscles, meridians, bones—everything was more refined, more focused. His every breath seemed to hum with condensed power.
He slowly stood up and looked toward the distant peak.
"The tournament is tomorrow," he murmured to himself. "The outer disciple matches…"
A cold smirk played at his lips.
"If I perform well, I'll enter the Inner Sect—and the resources I gain will multiply."
He tightened his fist, the veins along his arm glowing faintly with spiritual energy.
"I'm the villain, after all. How can I stay weak?"
He stepped forward, his voice cold with determination.
"Tomorrow… I'll make the entire outer sect bow to me."