Ren did not relax until he was a full courtyard away from the lotus pond.
Only then did he lean against a stone pillar and let out a long, shaky breath. "Okay," he muttered. "That could've gone much worse."
> System Update:
Target: Su Meilin
Favorability: 12%
Status: Neutral / Mild Curiosity
Notes: Subject finds host's behavior "unexpected."
"Twelve percent?" Ren repeated. "That's it?"
> Clarification:
Previous baseline: –35%.
Current progress is statistically significant.
Ren straightened immediately. "Wait—negative thirty-five?!"
> Affirmative.
Host Lin Fan previously attempted to flirt by comparing subject's sword stance to her hips.
"…I would like to formally apologize to every woman in this sect."
The system, unsurprisingly, did not respond.
Ren pushed himself off the pillar and resumed walking, this time with a little more confidence. If 12% was already a miracle by Lin Fan's standards, then careful, deliberate behavior might actually get him somewhere.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
"LIN FAN!"
The shout echoed across the training grounds like a thunderclap.
Ren winced before he even turned around.
Striding toward him was a broad-shouldered disciple in dark blue robes, jaw clenched and fists balled tight. Lin Fan's memories helpfully labeled him:
Zhao Kun.
Outer disciple.
Qi Gathering Stage, third layer.
Primary hobbies: bullying, showing off, and reminding Lin Fan how weak he was.
"Oh no," Ren muttered. "It's the tutorial boss."
Zhao Kun stopped an arm's length away, looking Ren up and down with unconcealed disdain. "I heard you were creeping around the inner courtyard again," he sneered. "Do you really think you belong near disciples like Su Meilin?"
Ren resisted the urge to step back. His body remembered fear—but Ren forced his spine straight.
"I was just passing through," he said evenly.
That alone caused murmurs from nearby disciples. Lin Fan didn't speak evenly. Lin Fan stammered, begged, or ran.
Zhao Kun narrowed his eyes. "You're acting strange."
> System Notification:
Threat detected.
Recommendation: De-escalation or strategic humiliation of opponent.
Ren almost laughed. "Strategic humiliation? With what exactly?"
Zhao Kun stepped closer, voice low. "You owe me twenty spirit stones. Today was the deadline."
Ren grimaced internally. Of course there's debt.
"I don't have them," he said honestly.
Zhao Kun grinned. "Then I'll take interest."
His hand shot out.
Before Ren could react, pain exploded across his chest as he was shoved backward. He stumbled, barely keeping his footing.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Something cold flickered in Ren's gut—not fear, but anger. Not Lin Fan's resentment, but his own.
He lifted his head slowly.
"You know," Ren said calmly, "for someone at the Qi Gathering Stage, your control is terrible."
Zhao Kun froze.
"…What did you say?"
Ren gestured vaguely. "Your Qi leaks when you're angry. That shove? Sloppy. If an elder saw it, they'd say you lack discipline."
The words came from nowhere—except they didn't.
> Passive Insight Activated:
Yin-Yang Observation (Fragmentary)
Ren could see it now: Zhao Kun's Qi swirling erratically, aggressive and unbalanced.
The crowd went quiet.
Zhao Kun's face darkened. "You think you can lecture me?"
"No," Ren replied. "I think you're overcompensating."
A few disciples snorted.
That did it.
Zhao Kun raised his fist—but a sharp voice cut through the tension.
"That's enough."
An elder in gray robes approached, gaze stern. Zhao Kun stiffened instantly, lowering his arm.
"Disciples are forbidden from private violence," the elder said. "Especially over personal debts."
"Yes, Elder," Zhao Kun said through clenched teeth.
The elder turned to Ren, eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than expected. "And you, Lin Fan—mind where you wander."
Ren bowed. "Yes, Elder."
As the elder departed, Zhao Kun leaned in and hissed, "This isn't over."
Ren watched him go, heart pounding.
> System Update:
Host survived confrontation without injury.
Mental Resilience: Improved
Reputation Shift: Mockery → Confusion
Ren exhaled slowly.
No power yet. No cultivation yet.
But for the first time, people weren't laughing.
Somewhere behind him, near the lotus pond, a certain inner disciple paused mid-step and glanced in his direction.
> System Notification:
Target: Su Meilin
Favorability adjusted: 12% → 14%
Reason: Display of composure under pressure.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Okay," he said under his breath. "I can work with fourteen percent."