## Chapter Seven: A Familiar Face and Shifting Tides
The sting of the Resource Scavenge Trial lingered in the Outer Court air like a bad smell. Yan Zhen, for all his sunny disposition, couldn't shake the disappointment. He'd given it his all, worked tirelessly, even helped other struggling disciples, yet his "satisfactory" result felt like a slap in the face compared to the effortless triumph of disciples like Li Xuan. He'd seen them, confident and smirking, returning with glowing scales and pulsating cores that were clearly beyond anything an outer disciple could *honestly* find.
"It just doesn't make sense, Lin Feng," Yan Zhen muttered one evening, punching a training dummy with more force than necessary. "I swear I gathered as much as anyone. Maybe even more than some who got better ranks!"
Lin Feng, casually leaning against a nearby pillar, pretending to stretch his arms, nodded sagely. "I know, Zhen. It totally bites. It's like... the rules are different for some people, right? They just get handouts. But hey," he brightened, pushing off the pillar to clap Yan Zhen's sweaty back, "that just means our real strength is in our heart, not some silly points from a trial, right? You're too good for their stupid system anyway!"
Yan Zhen managed a small, tired smile. "Yeah, I guess."
Lin Feng knew exactly how to fan the flames of injustice without making Yan Zhen outright rebellious – just enough to make him feel misunderstood by the sect, but deeply understood by his best friend. He'd also continue to "check in" on Shen Li, who had practically curled into a ball of bitter resentment after his dismal performance in the trial.
"Hey, Shen Li," Lin Feng called out one morning, spotting the boy scowling at a group of laughing disciples. "Rough day, huh? I totally get it, man. It's like, no matter how hard you try, some people just get everything handed to them, right?"
Shen Li's eyes, usually filled with sullen anger, held a flicker of surprise, then something akin to gratitude. "You get it, Lin Feng. You really do. This sect... it's all about connections. My family lost everything, so I'm nothing here."
"That's just messed up, dude," Lin Feng said, shaking his head with mock sympathy. "You deserve a shot like anyone else. Maybe even more, 'cause you're fighting from behind. Some of these spoiled brats don't know what real hard work is." He left Shen Li with a nod of shared understanding, a fresh dose of fuel for his anger, and a deeper sense of misguided camaraderie. *Keep him angry, keep him isolated, keep him useful.*
Life in the Outer Court continued, but the undercurrent of competition and frustration grew stronger. It was against this backdrop that the new disciple arrived, like a sudden, dazzling burst of light.
It happened during morning meditation. The usual quiet hum of qi absorption was broken by a ripple of whispers. A figure strode into the meditation hall, not shyly finding a spot, but moving with an innate confidence that drew all eyes. She was a girl, perhaps a year or two older than them, with an air of dignified grace that made her stand out even in the simple crimson robes of an outer disciple. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe, elegant ponytail, revealing a sharp, intelligent face and eyes that held the keenness of a falcon. Her aura was subtle, yet undeniably strong – Lin Feng immediately recognized the signs of someone already far beyond Body Tempering. Her qi resonated with an almost crystalline clarity, signifying a rare spirit root.
*Qing Yu.* Lin Feng's mental archives clicked into place. *Here she is. The proud, principled swordswoman. One of the main female leads. Already at **Spirit Condensation, Stage 2**, by the looks of her aura. Impressive.*
Yan Zhen, who had been struggling to keep his meditation posture, straightened up instantly, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and simple curiosity. He nudged Lin Feng. "Whoa... who is that?"
Lin Feng offered an equally wide-eyed look. "No idea, Zhen! But she looks super cool, doesn't she? Like a total warrior princess!"
Qing Yu found a vacant spot with serene confidence and settled into meditation, her posture perfect, her breathing deep and rhythmic. Her presence seemed to subtly shift the qi in the hall, drawing it towards her.
Later that day, as Lin Feng and Yan Zhen were assigned to clean the sect's dusty training grounds, they saw Qing Yu practicing. She wasn't using a sword, but her movements were fluid and powerful, a graceful yet deadly dance. She moved with a purpose, her qi visibly condensing around her fists as she punched the air, the wind whistling with each strike. She was clearly already mastering techniques beyond anything taught to typical outer disciples.
Suddenly, another disciple, a burly boy named Wang Bao who often picked on smaller outer disciples, stumbled near Qing Yu, apparently "accidentally." He then deliberately bumped into her, jostling her, and causing her to momentarily lose her balance. "Watch where you're going, new girl! This isn't your fancy private training ground!" he sneered, his tone aggressive. Wang Bao was a solid **Body Tempering, Stage 7**, often bullying those weaker than him.
Yan Zhen's eyes flashed. Without a second thought, he dropped his broom and surged forward. "Hey! Leave her alone! That's not fair!" he yelled, stepping between Wang Bao and Qing Yu, his fists clenched.
Qing Yu, though momentarily unbalanced, quickly recovered, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Wang Bao. She hadn't needed the help, but Yan Zhen's directness was undeniable.
Wang Bao sneered at Yan Zhen. "Oh, look, the little hero wants to play! You think you can challenge me, country bumpkin? You're just a measly Stage 4!" He cracked his knuckles.
Before Yan Zhen could retort with his usual fiery indignation, Lin Feng, who had been watching with a careful eye, moved swiftly. He clapped Yan Zhen on the back, forcing a laugh. "Whoa, whoa, easy there, guys! Yan Zhen, you big softy, always rushing to help! My bad, Wang Bao, my friend here just gets a bit… enthusiastic! He thinks everyone should be as nice as him! No harm meant, right?" He offered Wang Bao a wide, disarming smile. "Though, Wang Bao, you gotta admit, you're pretty quick! We barely saw you coming!"
Wang Bao, momentarily thrown by Lin Feng's cheerful deflection, grunted but backed off slightly, not wanting to engage in a verbal spar with someone so seemingly innocent. He shot Yan Zhen a final glare. "Just mind your own business!" He stomped away, muttering.
Qing Yu's gaze, which had been fixed on Yan Zhen, shifted to Lin Feng. She observed his quick thinking, his ability to diffuse the situation, his cheerful yet subtle support for his friend. Her expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"Are you alright?" Yan Zhen asked Qing Yu, his face still flushed with anger.
Qing Yu nodded. "Yes. Thank you, Yan Zhen. You are… very brave." Her eyes, though, flickered to Lin Feng, a hint of curiosity in their depths.
"He totally is!" Lin Feng chirped, swinging his arm around Yan Zhen's shoulder. "He's always like this! Rushing in to save the day, even if it means getting himself into trouble. He's a true hero, really." He gave Yan Zhen a proud look.
Qing Yu offered a small, rare smile. "You two are good friends."
"The best!" Yan Zhen declared, his chest puffing out slightly, his earlier anger replaced by pride.
Later that evening, Xiao Li sought out Lin Feng by the quiet pond where she often practiced her guqin. "That new disciple, Qing Yu... she's very strong, isn't she?" Xiao Li asked, her voice soft, a hint of something unreadable in her eyes.
Lin Feng nodded, picking up a smooth stone and skipping it across the water. "Yeah, super strong! And kind of intense, too. Like she's got a lot on her mind." He made a small splash. "Yan Zhen already thinks she's amazing, of course. He's probably gonna be trying to show off all week."
Xiao Li giggled faintly. "He is very earnest." She paused. "You handled Wang Bao well today. You always seem to know what to say, Lin Feng."
Lin Feng shrugged, a casual, humble gesture. "Oh, that? Just trying to keep Zhen from getting into a totally unnecessary fight! He's got a good heart, but sometimes he just charges in, you know? Someone's gotta be the voice of 'maybe don't get punched in the face today!'" He smiled, a perfectly innocent, friendly smile. "Besides, Zhen's strength is pure power. My strength is... well, maybe just figuring out which berries are edible and which ones make you sprout horns!" Xiao Li laughed, and Lin Feng inwardly noted her appreciation. *Keep her close, keep her seeing me as the witty, reliable confidante.*
Motivated by Qing Yu's impressive display and his lingering frustration from the trial, Yan Zhen pushed himself even harder in his cultivation. He spent hours in the designated qi-gathering spots, his raw talent shining through. Within another week, he publicly broke through to **Body Tempering, Stage 5**, his qi circulation notably more vigorous, his physical form more refined. He was undeniably one of the fastest cultivators in the Outer Court.
"YES!" Yan Zhen roared one morning, leaping up from his meditation, his face beaming. "Lin Feng! I did it! I broke through!"
Lin Feng, who had been "struggling" with a simple breathing exercise nearby, clapped enthusiastically. "Dude! That's awesome! I knew you could do it! You're a freaking qi-absorbing machine! Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how to stop my legs from falling asleep during meditation." He grinned ruefully. "Guess I'm stuck at Stage 2 for a while longer. You're leaving me in the dust, Zhen!"
Yan Zhen laughed, giving him a playful shove. "Nonsense! You'll catch up! We'll just train even harder together!" He then added, "Hey, maybe Qing Yu will be impressed! She's probably super strong herself."
Lin Feng nodded, thinking. *Perfect. He's breaking through. He's eager to impress the new heroine. And he still sees me as his loyal, slightly less talented, but encouraging best friend.* Secretly, Lin Feng, having long surpassed Body Tempering, continued to refine his **Spirit Condensation, Stage 1** foundation, meticulously hiding his true aura and focusing on techniques that would go unnoticed. He even practiced a rudimentary qi-masking spell he'd learned in his past life, ensuring his public cultivation remained firmly at Body Tempering, Stage 2.
He also started subtly learning more about Qing Yu. He'd "accidentally" pass by her training sessions, gleaning insights into her family's unique sword style. He'd "overhear" conversations about her background, picking up on her fierce sense of justice and her slight disdain for those who used their power unfairly. This information was crucial.
One afternoon, Lin Feng "found" an old, dusty cultivation manual in the sect library's discarded pile – a common martial art technique that Qing Yu's family style could be subtly enhanced by. He casually presented it to Yan Zhen. "Hey, Zhen, remember how Qing Yu moves? Like, really fast? I bet if she tried this 'Swift Crane Step' from this old book, she'd be even faster! Or maybe you could try it and show her how it works?"
Yan Zhen, ever helpful, immediately took the bait. "Oh! Maybe! I'll try it! And then I'll show it to her!"
Lin Feng smiled, a flicker of cold satisfaction in his eyes. *The stage is set. Yan Zhen, the direct hero, will present the gift. And Qing Yu, seeing his earnest effort, will appreciate it. But she'll also, subtly, see the cleverness behind the suggestion, recognizing the sharp mind of his "less talented" friend.*
The Outer Court was a growing cauldron of ambition and unspoken resentments. Lin Feng watched the brewing storms, the petty rivalries, the quiet jealousies. He saw how the competition for resources, the perceived unfairness of the sect, and the constant striving for recognition began to twist and turn the other disciples. And in the middle of it all, Yan Zhen, the pure-hearted hero, was unknowingly being steered, his destiny subtly reshaped by the loyal smile of his best friend. The game was intensifying, and Lin Feng was ready to play.
---