After the foundation test finally ended, the disciples were dismissed.
Zhao Ren walked off with Chen Mu and Hou Shan, whispering quietly.Feng Yu lingered a little too long, watching Li Xuan's retreating back with quiet suspicion before slipping away silently.
Elder Qiu left with Elder Fang Zhi, the two talking in low voices as they walked toward the main hall.
Only Yan Ling stayed behind a moment, glancing at Li Xuan with a look that said:
"Follow the act. Don't relax."
Li Xuan ignored everyone's stares and headed toward the bamboo forest behind the training grounds.The tall, thin bamboo stalks swayed gently in the wind, making soft rustling sounds — like distant whispers.
He chose this place purposely.
Too many eyes in the sect.Too many shadows on the walls.But the bamboo forest?
The disciples rarely came here.
Once he was deep inside, out of sight, Li Xuan finally allowed himself to breathe normally.
The air here was fresh.Cool.Quiet.
He sat down next to a particularly tall stalk and leaned back.
His dantian pulsed faintly — warm, steady.
The Grand Immortal spoke softly:
—You handled the elder well.—But his eyes… were too sharp. He suspects something, but he does not understand what.
Li Xuan sighed. "He said my eyes were different."
—Of course they are, the Immortal said. A man who has seen death does not have the eyes of a coward.A pause.—You need to learn to control that. Even your gaze must appear weak.
Li Xuan rested his head against the bamboo.
"…How do I do that?"
The Immortal replied:
—I will teach you.
Li Xuan waited.
The Immortal's voice deepened:
—Weak people avoid direct eye contact. Their gaze moves away quickly. Their shoulders shrink. Their breathing is shallow. Their aura is timid.
Li Xuan nodded slowly.
"I have to become the old Li Xuan completely… on the outside."
—Yes. Until the day strength is no longer something to hide.
Li Xuan closed his eyes.
The bamboo forest was peaceful… almost too peaceful.
Then—
A voice whispered behind him:
"You really fooled him."
Li Xuan opened his eyes and turned.
Yan Ling stood between two bamboo stalks, her robe brushing lightly against the green leaves. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp as ever.
Li Xuan frowned. "How long were you there?"
"Long enough," she replied.
She stepped closer, the bamboo rustling behind her.
"You almost slipped."
Li Xuan's brows tightened. "…When?"
Yan Ling crouched down in front of him.
"When Fang Zhi looked into your eyes. Your heartbeat jumped. Only for half a second."
Li Xuan's stomach tightened.
He tried to hide everything.
But Yan Ling still saw it.
She continued, her voice soft but serious:
"Fang Zhi didn't catch it. But someone like him doesn't miss things forever."
Li Xuan looked down. "I'll be more careful."
"That's not enough," she said.
Li Xuan raised his head, meeting her gaze.
Yan Ling leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You need to act weaker… than you've ever been."
Li Xuan blinked. "…Weaker?"
Yan Ling nodded.
"Your body feels firmer. Your steps are lighter. Your breathing is smoother. You're stronger now — but that makes hiding harder."
Li Xuan clenched his fist.
"How do I suppress that?"
Yan Ling stood and looked around the bamboo forest.
"Come."
She walked deeper, and Li Xuan followed.
They stopped at a small clearing hidden behind thick stalks.
Yan Ling turned around.
"Show me your walking posture."
Li Xuan raised an eyebrow. "…Why?"
"So I can break it," she said bluntly.
Li Xuan sighed internally but obeyed.
He took a few steps.
Stable.Balanced.Naturally improved after opening his dantian.
Yan Ling shook her head immediately.
"No. Again. But worse."
Li Xuan exaggerated a limp, dragging his foot slightly.
Yan Ling's face didn't change. "Worse."
Li Xuan hunched his back.
Yan Ling shook her head again. "Worse."
Li Xuan held his breath. "…Do you want me to crawl?"
Yan Ling crossed her arms. "If it helps you stay alive, yes."
Li Xuan nearly choked.
But he understood.
The more he improved inside, the more he needed to lower himself outside.
He tried again, this time genuinely imitating his old weakness — shoulders slumped, feet dragging, unstable balance.
Yan Ling nodded slowly.
"…Better."
Li Xuan exhaled.
Yan Ling walked around him, studying him from different angles.
"You need to practice this every day. If even one elder notices the change, you're finished."
Li Xuan nodded.
Yan Ling then stepped closer, her expression softening just a little.
"Li Xuan."
He looked at her quietly.
Yan Ling's voice was softer than before — almost gentle.
"…I don't want you to die."
Li Xuan's heart tightened involuntarily.
He lowered his gaze, unsure how to respond.
Before he could speak, Yan Ling turned away.
"But remember this," she added, voice calm again."Someone else is watching you. Not Elder Qiu. Not Fang Zhi."
Li Xuan stiffened.
"…Who?"
Yan Ling looked over her shoulder, her eyes dark under the shade of bamboo leaves.
"There's someone in the sect who hides deeper than all of them."
Li Xuan frowned. "You mean—"
But Yan Ling cut him off.
"You're not ready to meet that person yet."
Li Xuan felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
Not Elder Qiu.Not Fang Zhi.Not disciples.
Someone else.
Hidden.Silent.More dangerous.
Yan Ling stepped into the deeper forest.
Before disappearing into the shadows, she spoke one last time:
"Stay alive, Li Xuan. Because the next storm…"Her eyes narrowed."…is not coming from Elder Qiu."
Then she vanished.
Li Xuan stood alone in the bamboo forest, surrounded by swaying leaves and whispering wind.
Inside his dantian, Qi pulsed quietly.
Danger was everywhere.
And now…
A new threat had been revealed.
One he couldn't see.
One hidden in the same sect.
Watching him.