Lux's second week of treatment began with an unexpected political storm. News of the "cracked foundation of the star child" had spread like wildfire through the Burning Sky Sect's communication network. The energy coefficient throughout the pavilion felt tense, fluctuating between 0.99950 and 0.99965, a clear indicator of political instability.
Lux was undergoing his morning herbal bath when Elder Liam entered with a face more serious than usual.
"There's been a development," Liam said, his usually stable energy coefficient of 0.99985 now fluctuating to 0.99980. "The Grand Elders are holding an emergency meeting about... you."
Lux felt his heart pounding. "What happened?"
"Bram Ironshield and Kalman Senior have submitted a proposal to downgrade your status from Direct Disciple," Liam replied, his voice flat but his blue eyes radiating suppressed anger.
"Politics," Mobius grumbled in Lux's mind. "Even in the cultivator world, they're like hyenas circling the wounded."
Lux stood up from the bath, his body still dripping with spiritual fluid. "On what grounds?"
"Your unstable foundation makes you a 'security risk'," Liam explained. "They argue that the sect's investment should be focused on disciples who are more... reliable."
In a closed hall at the peak of the highest mountain, the four Grand Elders sat around a crystal table. The room's coefficient of 0.99995 reflected the importance of this meeting.
Bram Ironshield began with a booming voice. "We can't keep investing resources in a child whose foundation is cracked. He's a liability, not an asset!"
Grand Elder Kalman supported, his usually stable energy now fluctuating. "My grandson, Karion, has shown stable progression without foundation problems. He's a more worthy candidate for Young Master for the next generation."
But Grand Elder Lina Windwhisper opposed. "Lux's measurement ability is unique and valuable. His foundation problem is temporary. His potential is long-term."
Grand Elder Shen Longriver, as always, mediated. "Let's look at the data, not emotions." He activated an energy projection showing Lux's progression compared to other Direct Disciples.
DATA PROGRESSION ANALYSIS
Lux Body Forging peaked in 9 months and 2 weeks 4 days (sect record)
Karion Body Forging peaked in 15 months 1 week 2 days (above average genius)
Silvia Body Forging peaked in 16 months 1 week 1 day (above average genius)
Yuan Body Forging peaked in 16 months 3 weeks 5 days (above average genius)
Erika Body Forging peaked in 14 months 2 weeks 6 days (fastest before Lux)
"See," Shen said. "Even with a cracked foundation, his progression is phenomenal, imagine when his foundation is repaired."
But Bram remained unmoved, "Phenomenal until he explodes! I don't want our sect associated with a self-destructing cultivator."
As the meeting heated up, someone unexpected requested permission to enter, it was Karion himself.
"Greetings Grand Elders," Karion greeted respectfully but firmly. "I beg permission to speak."
Kalman was surprised. "My grandson, this is not the time..."
"But it's important, Grandfather," Karion interrupted. In assessing Lux if he was present his energy was 0.99940 stable, showing confidence. "I've been training with Lux for the past week. His foundation is indeed problematic, but his abilities... are extraordinary."
All the Grand Elders were shocked. Even Liam, who was present as Lux's supervisor and teacher, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow.
"Lux can detect energy fluctuations at a level that even senior elders cannot," Karion continued. "He helped me improve my sword technique, increasing efficiency by 15% in just three days."
Bram scoffed. "So now you're defending him? After everything you've said about him?"
"You misunderstand, Grand Elder," Karion replied. "I'm not defending him. I'm recognizing his value. And as a potential Young Master, I must consider the interests of the sect, not personal rivalries."
"A clever move," Mobius commented when Lux heard this report later. "He's positioning himself as an objective leader while still benefiting his position."
The results of the meeting were announced that afternoon. Lux was summoned to the Hall of Eternal Flame in front of all the Direct Disciples and several senior elders.
Sect Master Klahan himself presided over the announcement, his coefficient of 0.99997 as usual stable and authoritative.
"After careful consideration," Klahan's voice echoed throughout the hall, "the decision regarding Lux Noctis is as follows..."
Lux held his breath, feeling every eye on him.
"First: Lux's status as a Direct Disciple is maintained."
"Second: All of his cultivation resources will be diverted to foundation repair for the next three months."
"Third: He will be subject to close supervision by Elder Liam."
"And fourth..." Klahan looked at Lux directly, "he must prove within three months that his foundation has stabilized, or his status will be reviewed."
Lux sighed in relief, but he knew this was only a truce, not a victory.
After the announcement, Silvia approached Lux with a warm smile. "I'm glad you made it through."
Silvia's coefficient of 0.99935 felt genuine, without suspicious fluctuations.
"Thank you," Lux replied. "But you didn't have to..."
"No," Silvia interrupted. "We're all Direct Disciples. When one of us is weak, we're all weak." She lowered her voice. "And there's something I have to say... your foundation problem might not be an accident."
Lux felt his blood run cold. "What do you mean?"
"Not now," Silvia whispered. "Meet me in the spiritual garden after sunset. Alone."
Yuan only nodded at Lux from across the room, his coefficient of 0.99945 showing new respect. While Elara remained mysterious, her usually bright coefficient of 0.99930 was now subdued.
That night, Lux sneaked out to the spiritual garden. The nighttime coefficient of 0.99955 provided faint cover for a secret conversation.
Silvia was already waiting under an old spirit willow tree, the tree's coefficient of 0.99980 providing natural camouflage.
"I work with Grand Elder Lina in the resource division," Silvia began. "I saw something... unusual in your resource logs."
She took out a crystal record. "The spirit stones given to you last week... their condition is abnormal, slightly fluctuating, unstable."
Lux took the crystal, activating measurement. "0.99955? Our spirit stones should be at least more stable than this."
"Exactly," Silvia said. "Someone is replacing your spirit stones with lower quality ones. And it's not just once."
"Sabotage," Mobius whispered. "I knew it!"
"But who?" Lux asked. "And why?"
Silvia looked around cautiously. "I don't know who. But there's a pattern... every time you make a major breakthrough, your resources are compromised. It's like someone wants you to advance quickly but with a weak foundation."
The next day, Lux began his own investigation. With Mobius's help, he scanned every resource given to him.
SPIRIT STONES ANALYSIS
Official Quality CoR 0.99970-0.99975
Actual Received CoR 0.99955-0.99965
Energy Purity: 15-25% lower than specifications
HERBAL SUPPLIES
Phoenix Tears CoR 0.99975 (should be 0.99985)
Ironwood Sap CoR 0.99970 (should be 0.99980)
Moonlight Petal CoR 0.99965 (should be 0.99975)
"Everything is low quality," Lux reported to Elder Liam during a treatment session.
Liam frowned, his energy coefficient showing concern. "I'll investigate. But Lux... be careful. If there really is a saboteur, they're operating from within the sect."
Amidst the political turmoil, Karion still came for the sword training session as promised.
"Today we're focusing on footwork," Karion said at the training ground. "Even with limited energy, you can improve your defense with proper positioning."
Lux watched carefully. The coefficient of each of Karion's movements was almost perfect, 0.99983 for attack, 0.99985 for defense, 0.99988 for transition.
"How are you so... precise?" Lux asked.
Karion stopped, his face serious. "My grandfather trained me since I could walk. Every movement, every breath, is measured and refined." He looked away. "Sometimes I envy you, Lux."
"Envy? Why?"
"You're free," Karion replied simply. "You can fail. If I fail..." He didn't need to finish the sentence.
That night, Lux performed a thorough measurement on his body with Mobius's help. Something unusual caught his attention.
"Worm, look at the pattern of your fracture points," Mobius said. "They're not random."
Lux mapped every fracture point in his mind
FRACTURE POINTS DISTRIBUTION
Right Side 11 fracture points
Left Side 6 fracture points
Meridian Intersections 14 fracture points
Energy Convergence Points 3 fracture points
"An unnatural pattern," Lux muttered. "Like... deliberate."
"Exactly," Mobius agreed. "These cracks follow a specific energy pattern. Someone with in-depth knowledge of human meridians could create this pattern."
When Lux showed his findings to Liam the next day, the elder's face turned pale.
"The Five Elements Corruption pattern," Liam whispered, his energy coefficient dropping drastically to 0.99970. "A forbidden art, extremely rare."
"Five Elements Corruption?" Lux repeated.
"A technique that uses elemental imbalances to subtly damage a cultivator's foundation," Liam explained. "Very difficult to detect, and even more difficult to prove."
He looked at Lux with a mixed expression of worry, anger, and... pride? "You not only found the problem, but also the pattern. Your measurement ability is greater than I thought."
A few hours later, Sect Master Klahan summoned Lux privately.
"Elder Liam told me about his findings," Klahan said, his office with a coefficient of 0.99998 feeling like an impenetrable fortress. "This is... concerning."
He walked to the window, looking at the mountains. "If someone is really using Five Elements Corruption in our sect... it means we have a snake in our garden."
Lux stood silently, realizing how serious the situation was.
"Lux," Klahan turned around, his eyes like embers. "I want you to continue your investigation. But secretly. Report only to me and Elder Liam."
"This is dangerous," Lux protested. "I'm just a kid..."
"Who can detect what we can't see," Klahan interrupted. "You're our best weapon against this hidden threat."
That night, Lux stood on his room's balcony, looking at the stars. The coefficient of the countless universe seemed to whisper secrets to him.
He came to the Burning Sky Sect to become strong, to find his friends. But now he was caught in a game of espionage and sabotage.
"You're growing, worm," Mobius said, his tone almost... proud. "From a reckless cultivator to a meticulous investigator."
"Or maybe I'm just caught in something too big for me," Lux replied in his mind.
"Maybe. But sometimes, the best grow from the most difficult soil."
Lux nodded, a new determination hardening in his heart. He would repair his foundation, find the saboteur, and become the cultivator he was meant to be.
Not for the sect. Not for the Grand Elders. But for himself, his parents and for the friends waiting to be found.
His journey had just become more dangerous and more interesting.