The morning sun filtered through the trees in the Wu family's new courtyard.
Zhen Wu sat in the center of the backyard, cross legged on bare stone.
His eyes were closed.
The golden dome manifested around him.
But it was different this time.
Larger.
The dome stretched three zhang in diameter now. The golden clouds within swirled more slowly, less dense than before.
Zhen Wu's spiritual sense examined the phenomenon carefully.
His dantian was nearly empty. He'd spent the entire night cultivating, expending true will to cultivate his dantian , building his foundation layer by layer.
And as his stored true will decreased, the external manifestation expanded.
Interesting.
A nearly full dantian produced a smaller, denser dome. Empty dantian produced a larger, more diffuse one.
'Is it to avoid attracting too much true will so that the dantian doesn't overfill? But it doesn't make sense, the dome gets smaller and smaller during the entire time I draw in true will. Meaning, the efficiency is way lower than it should normally be.' Despite Zhen Wu's cultivation experiences accumulated over centuries, he didn't even know what problem caused it.
He filed the observation away and continued cultivating.
True will flowed into his body from the surrounding environment. Slow but steady. Each breath brought another thread of power into his meridians, which latter filled his dantian.
The golden dome gradually contracted as his dantian filled.
Three zhang became two and a half.
Two and a half became two.
Time passed.
An hour. Then two.
Zhen Wu opened his eyes.
The dome faded.
He stood and tested his body's condition.
Body Refinement realm, stage 1 still. But the second stage was within reach now. Perhaps another week of consistent cultivation.
Although he was very happy about his cultivation speed, his combat strength left to be desired.
'I have cultivation speed and I have resources. But I don't have any combat ability.'
The thought sat heavy in his mind.
'If someone attacks me directly, right now, I can't defend myself. My spiritual root's abilities remain unknown. I have no techniques, no weapons. No practical combat experience in this body.'
He pushed the anxiety down forcefully.
'Zhao Lin provides protection. The sect wants me alive. But relying entirely on external guards is a vulnerability. I need to find a solution, and fast.'
He walked back toward the residence.
Time to attend class.
The academy classroom emptied as Instructor Qing Yue dismissed the students.
Zhen Wu gathered his materials and stood.
As he moved toward the door, his peripheral vision caught someone staring.
A girl. Perhaps eighteen years old, with delicate features and nervous posture. She sat three rows back, her eyes fixed on him with barely concealed interest.
He'd noticed her attention throughout the entire lesson. Multiple glances. Prolonged stares when she thought he wasn't looking.
Zhen Wu filed the observation away and exited the classroom.
The academy halls were crowded. Disciples moved between classes, conversations echoing off stone walls.
Zhen Wu walked at a measured pace, heading toward the exit.
Behind him, maintaining a distance of about ten zhang, the girl followed.
She tried to be subtle about it. Stopping occasionally to examine a wall painting. Pretending to adjust her robe. But her attention kept returning to him.
Zhen Wu continued walking, giving no indication he'd noticed.
He reached the academy entrance and stepped outside.
The path back to the inner sect residential area wound through several busy intersections. As the classes ended, disciples filled the walkways, moving between training grounds and living quarters.
Zhen Wu deliberately walked into a particularly dense crowd near the training grounds entrance.
Bodies pressed together. Conversations overlapped. Movement became chaotic.
He slipped through the press of people.
When he emerged on the other side, he'd changed direction entirely.
Liu Mei's heart skipped a beat.
One moment, she'd been following Zhen Wu through the crowd.
The next, he'd vanished.
She stopped abruptly, causing a disciple behind her to stumble.
"Sorry!" she muttered, then began scanning the area frantically.
White hair should be easy to spot. But somehow, she couldn't find him anywhere.
Her hands clenched nervously.
'Elder Bai told me to get close to him. To observe him, to report his habits and vulnerabilities. But how can I do that if I can't even keep track of him?'
She turned in a slow circle, still searching.
"Lost someone?"
The voice came from directly behind her.
Liu Mei spun around.
Zhen Wu stood there, less than one zhang away, a warm smile on his face.
His gray eyes held amusement.
"I... you..." Liu Mei's face flushed red. "How did you...?"
"The crowd near the training grounds makes for excellent cover." Zhen Wu said pleasantly. "Easy to lose someone, or to find them again, don't you think?"
His smile widened slightly, becoming more charming.
"Though I'm curious why you were following me, Senior Sister...?"
"Liu Mei." she stammered. "My name is Liu Mei."
"A beautiful name. I'm Zhen Wu, though you probably already knew that."
Liu Mei's blush deepened.
"I wasn't... I mean, I just happened to be going the same direction..."
"Of course." Zhen Wu's tone suggested he didn't believe her at all, but found it endearing. "Pure coincidence."
He gestured to a nearby tea shop.
"Since we're both here, would Senior Sister Liu like to share some tea? I'm still new to the inner sect. I'd appreciate advice from someone more experienced."
Liu Mei hesitated.
This wasn't how Elder Bai had said it would go. She was supposed to approach him naturally, build trust slowly over weeks.
But here he was, offering exactly what she needed.
"I... yes. That would be nice."
They walked to the tea shop together.
Zhen Wu maintained a respectful distance, but his attention was focused entirely on her. Asking questions about her studies. Complimenting her insights. Making small jokes that drew genuine laughs.
His warmth was disarming.
Liu Mei found herself relaxing despite her nervousness.
"You seem very confident for someone who just entered the inner sect." she said after their second cup of tea.
Zhen Wu smiled.
"Confidence and anxiety aren't mutually exclusive. I'm still figuring out how everything works. But I've found that showing uncertainty tends to invite trouble."
"That's... surprisingly mature."
"I had good teachers."
His eyes held hers for a moment longer than strictly necessary.
Liu Mei's heart rate increased.
Twenty minutes passed like that. Easy conversation. Subtle flirtation. Her initial nervousness transforming into something warmer.
She was still blushing when they finally left the tea shop.
"Thank you for the advice, Senior Sister Liu." Zhen Wu said warmly. "You've been incredibly helpful."
"It was nothing, really..."
"I hope we can talk again soon."
The way he said it made her stomach flutter.
"I'd like that."
They began walking down the street together.
Then voices called out from behind them.
"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite junior."
Zhen Wu's expression didn't change, but internally, his thoughts sharpened.
'Hehe, can't believe my luck.'
He turned.
Four young men approached. The one in the lead was Chen Hao, the disciple from the medicine stall. His three companions looked similar in age and cultivation level, all second or third year inner sect students.
Chen Hao's expression was cold, hostile.
"Wasting seventy five rank two stones on soul potions you can't even use. Your family must have more money than sense."
Zhen Wu said nothing.
He stepped slightly in front of Liu Mei, his movement casual but deliberate.
She noticed immediately, her eyes widening.
Chen Hao's gaze shifted to Liu Mei, and his expression changed.
Interest flickered across his face.
"What's a beauty like you doing with this wasteful child?" He smiled, the expression predatory. "I'm Chen Hao, young master of the Chen Family. I'm sure you heard of me."
He gestured dismissively at Zhen Wu.
"Whatever this junior has offered you, I can provide better. Come with me instead. I'll show you how real cultivators with real backing spend their time."
Liu Mei's face went pale.
"I... I'm fine, thank you..."
Chen Hao stepped closer.
"Don't be shy. A girl with your looks deserves better than some first year with unknown origins."
Zhen Wu's voice cut through, calm and cold.
"Senior Sister Liu has already declined. Perhaps you should respect that."
Chen Hao's eyes narrowed.
"Was I talking to you, junior?"
"You're making her uncomfortable. That concerns me."
Chen Hao's face flushed with anger.
His three companions moved to flank him, forming a semicircle that boxed Zhen Wu and Liu Mei against a building wall.
"Concerns you?" Chen Hao laughed. "What are you going to do about it? You're Body Refinement realm, first stage. I could break you with one hand."
He raised his fist.
"Let me teach you about sect hierarchy, junior."
The fist moved forward, aimed at Zhen Wu's face.
Then it stopped.
Completely and absolutely. As if striking an invisible wall.
A hand gripped Chen Hao's wrist.
Zhao Lin stood there, having materialized between Chen Hao and Zhen Wu in less than a heartbeat.
His expression was neutral, but his eyes held warning.
Chen Hao's face went white.
He recognized the guard's robe immediately. High ranking, and being part of the Elite Guard. A special group of guards that are tasked with protecting the sect leader and those close to him.
And when he tried to sense Zhao Lin's cultivation level...
Nothing.
A complete void.
That only happened when the gap was enormous. Fourth realm at minimum, possibly fifth.
Chen Hao's three companions had already begun backing away.
"We... we were just leaving," Chen Hao stammered.
Zhao Lin released his wrist.
Chen Hao and his friends turned and walked away rapidly, nearly running by the time they rounded the corner.
Zhen Wu bowed deeply to Zhao Lin.
"Brother Zhao, thank you. Your timing was perfect as always."
Zhao Lin returned the bow, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"This guard merely performed his duty, young master. Please be careful in the future."
Then he vanished, flickering out of existence.
Liu Mei stood frozen, her mind racing.
'A high ranking guard. Protecting him personally. Just how important is Zhen Wu to the sect?'
Zhen Wu turned back to her, his expression warm again.
"Are you alright, Senior Sister Liu?"
"I... yes. Thank you for protecting me."
"It was nothing. Come, let me walk you home. The streets aren't as safe as I'd hoped."
They walked together through the inner sect residential area.
Liu Mei was quiet, but her mind churned with conflicting thoughts.
When they reached her courtyard, she turned to face him.
"Thank you again, Zhen Wu. For everything."
"The pleasure was mine, Senior Sister Liu."
He smiled warmly one more time, then turned and left.
Liu Mei watched him disappear down the street.
Then she hurried inside and changed her robe quickly.
She had to report to Elder Bai.
The gardens were empty when Liu Mei arrived.
Elder Bai stood beneath the same willow tree as before, hands clasped behind his back.
He turned as she approached.
"Liu Mei. You have news?"
"Yes, Elder Bai."
Her face was still slightly flushed.
"I... I made contact with Zhen Wu today. We spoke for nearly half an hour. He even walked me home afterward."
Elder Bai's eyebrows rose slightly.
"That's faster than expected. Well done."
"He's very charming." Liu Mei continued, her voice softer. "And protective. When some disciples tried to harass us, he stepped in front of me immediately."
Elder Bai noticed the way her expression changed when she spoke Zhen Wu's name.
A small smirk touched his lips.
"Is that so? How... fortunate."
Liu Mei nodded, not catching the undertone.
"His guard is extremely powerful. The disciples ran away the moment they saw him."
"Yes, I'm aware of Zhao Lin's presence. Continue your observations. Build trust and report anything unusual."
"Yes, Elder Bai."
She bowed and left.
Elder Bai remained standing beneath the willow tree, his smirk widening.
'The girl is developing feelings. Even better, emotional attachment will make her more effective. And when the time comes...'
His thoughts trailed off, satisfied.
Zhen Wu sat in his courtyard as evening descended.
The sky had turned deep purple, stars beginning to emerge.
He assumed the meditation position.
His expression was cold.
'So they've made their first move.'
One of the elder's tool or possible someone who wants to extort him. Obviously.
Zhen Wu snorted coldly.
'It's insulting, really.'
Zhen Wu closed his eyes.
The golden dome began to manifest around him, swirling with concentrated true will.
The dome expanded fully, three zhang in diameter, glowing in the gathering darkness.