The next day, Sol Jin moved quietly toward the outskirts of the village. Word of a strange, observant boy had not yet spread, but whispers carried through the ranks of minor cultivators. One name, Chen Wei, the disciple Sol Jin had subtly humiliated, had noticed the odd disturbances the previous night. Pride bruised and curiosity burning, he ventured into the shadows of the forest, intent on uncovering the culprit.
Sol Jin had expected this.
> "Predictable," he muttered, crouched behind a thick root, eyes tracking Chen Wei's every step. "Even the cleverest fools can't resist curiosity."
The Infinite Schemer's Core pulsed gently, guiding his senses. Every movement, every breath of his opponent, every micro-expression was visible in his mind's eye. He did not fear the boy from the sect—yet. He would test him, play with him, and learn from him.
---
Chen Wei stepped onto a clearing, weapon in hand. A simple sword, ordinary for a prodigy of his age, yet dangerous to any weak cultivator. His eyes darted around, searching for the cause of the disturbances.
Sol Jin stepped from the shadows, slow, deliberate, confident.
> "You were looking for me?" he asked, voice calm, almost teasing.
Chen Wei's eyes widened. He read the boy's frame: thin, bruised, yet there was something in his posture, something in the subtle glint of his eyes, that made him hesitate.
> "Who… who are you?" Chen Wei demanded. Pride burned, but caution tempered it.
Sol Jin smiled faintly.
> "Call me… someone who learns quickly," he said. "And perhaps someone who will teach you humility."
The Core pulsed strongly. It was no longer subtle. Energy surged through Sol Jin's veins, heightening reflexes, senses, and intuition. Pain, weakness, and fear were replaced by calculated confidence.
---
Chen Wei lunged. His sword cut through the air with deadly precision. Sol Jin rolled aside effortlessly, noting every pattern—the angle, the speed, the subtle shift of weight. The boy did not strike back immediately. He let Chen Wei exhaust himself, forcing overcommitment.
> "Good… predictable," Sol Jin muttered, voice low.
The disciple's eyes narrowed. He realized something was wrong. This boy was not ordinary. Every strike he dodged was almost preternatural, every step perfectly timed. He adjusted, attempting unpredictability, but Sol Jin was already reading the changes, adapting with the Core guiding him.
> "The boy… he's analyzing me?" Chen Wei thought, alarm flickering in his eyes.
---
Hours passed in the clearing. The battle was not just about strength—it was a war of observation and anticipation. Sol Jin struck only when absolutely certain, targeting weak points, creating openings, manipulating the flow of combat. Chen Wei, growing frustrated, attempted a risky maneuver, and Sol Jin countered with perfect precision, disarming him and leaving him kneeling on the ground.
Sol Jin did not strike further. He allowed the boy to rise slowly, pride bruised, confusion etched on his face.
> "Learn," Sol Jin whispered. "The world is not just about strength. Watch, predict, and manipulate. Only then will you survive."
The Core pulsed violently, energy flowing through him, strengthening bones, muscles, and reflexes. Pain, exhaustion, and even minor injuries became fuel for growth. He could feel the Core evolving, a faint whisper hinting at Celestial-level potential.
---
Chen Wei stared at him, speechless. He had underestimated this "weak" orphan, and the realization stung deeper than any blade. Sol Jin had proven that cunning, strategy, and precise timing could overcome raw talent—even from a minor sect disciple.
> "This boy… he's dangerous," Chen Wei muttered, backing toward the forest.
Sol Jin smiled faintly, turning back toward the shadows. The first human duel outside the cave had been won. Not by strength, not by reckless power, but by calculation, observation, and manipulation.
High above, the cosmic presence observed, threads of fate intertwining violently.
> "Yes… now the boy tests humans. The schemes begin, and soon, he will be untouchable."
The mysterious man appeared silently in the shadows, his presence calm but overwhelming.
> "Good," he said. "The Core is evolving. But remember this: the world will resist, sects will notice, and geniuses will challenge you. Your strength is nothing without cunning, and your cunning is nothing without patience. Do you understand?"
Sol Jin nodded, grin curling.
> "I understand. Every weakness, every error, every arrogance… will become my tool. And one day… every sect, every genius, will kneel to the boy they once ignored."
Night fell over the Darkwood. Sol Jin returned to the cave, chest heaving, Core pulsing violently. Another step had been taken. Another lesson had been learned. The boy who had once been nothing was rising, stronger, smarter, and more dangerous with every heartbeat.