At dawn,
Shī Tóngbǎi woke first.
His whole body ached—
Like he'd been pulled from boiling oil.
He sat up slowly,
Crossed his legs,
Took a deep breath.
He tried to stir his qi.
A thread of spiritual energy rose from his dantian,
Flowed through his chest,
Spread across his body.
No more blockages.
Smooth as water.
—
His chest warmed.
He nearly shouted.
But he clenched his teeth,
Held it in.
Still—
He couldn't help but laugh.
He jumped up,
Spun around the room twice,
Nearly crashed into the wall.
—
The noise woke Xiǎo Chén and Xuán Chén.
Xiǎo Chén cracked an eye—
"Shī Tóngbǎi, what the hell are you jumping for?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi spun around.
Saw his two senior brothers awake.
His eyes reddened.
He dropped to his knees,
Forehead to the floor—
"Senior brothers…"
"I owe you everything."
"I, Shī Tóngbǎi, will serve you for life!"
—
Xuán Chén pulled him up.
Tapped the back of his head—
"No kneeling."
"We're still brothers."
—
Xiǎo Chén laughed—
"Cut the drama."
"We want your intel and your life—
Not your kneeling."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi sniffled.
Eyes burning—
"Whatever you need."
"Even if it kills me—no complaints!"
—
Xuán Chén murmured—
"Don't die."
"Living's worth more than anything."
—
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow—
"Alright."
"Here's your first mission."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi straightened—
"Command me, senior brother!"
—
Xiǎo Chén grinned,
Smacked his head—
"From now on—
Cut the formalities."
"No more kneeling."
"Smile like you used to."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi paused.
Then broke into a mischievous grin—
"Heh.
Whatever you say, senior brother!"
—
Just then,
Xuán Chén spotted something under the door.
A red envelope.
He bent down,
Picked it up.
Gave it a shake—
"What's this?"
Shī Tóngbǎi
leaned in.
His face changed.
He grabbed the envelope—
"From the Enforcement Court…"
"It's a resource claim notice!"
"It's been three months."
"If we don't collect soon—
They'll reclaim it and award it to the inner court!"
—
Xiǎo Chén scoffed—
"Reclaim?"
"Who dares?"
"Let's go."
—
—
The Enforcement Hall sat in the western corner of the outer court.
Seven or eight students lined up on the stone steps.
Some held jade slips.
Others clutched spirit stone pouches.
All looked tense.
—
Inside,
The wall displayed the Hidden Dragon Rankings—
Bronze plaques showed placement.
Silver plaques marked top fifty resource bonuses.
Gold plaques bore the inner court access sigil.
—
The real distribution scroll
Was locked in the old wooden chest
Beside Dù Jīn's feet.
—
The academy's monthly supply for outer court disciples
Was basic—
Spirit stones and fragmented techniques.
Spirit stones nurtured qi and tempered veins—
The root of survival.
Technique fragments were remnants of past disciples' arts—
Those with fate might comprehend.
Those without—just scraps.
—
If one wanted pills, treasures, or spirit beasts—
They had to earn them.
The academy gave the path.
The result was theirs to bear.
—
Dù Jīn sat behind the stone desk,
Legs crossed.
He saw them enter,
Snorted—
"Thought you'd remember on your own…"
"Turns out I had to babysit this mess."
"Don't crowd over there."
"Come sign and get lost."
"Shī Tóngbǎi, you should've queued like the rest."
"Since you're here—
Take your share."
"Next time, be on time."
—
A few students glanced over,
Whispered.
Shī Tóngbǎi's fingers trembled.
He stared as Dù Jīn opened the drawer,
Pulled out the wax-sealed scroll.
Clack.
It hit the desk.
—
Dù Jīn snorted.
Tossed out a few pouches of spirit stones and technique scraps.
"Sign and scram."
"Don't block my payroll."
—
Xiǎo Chén grinned,
Pushed the pouches toward Shī Tóngbǎi—
"Even errand boys need food."
"This one's your starter."
—
Gasps rippled around them.
Shī Tóngbǎi lowered his head,
Swallowed the moment.
But he knew—
This was his first spark.
He clutched the pouch tight.
—
Xuán Chén raised a hand.
The rest of the scroll vanished into his spatial vault.
Dù Jīn opened his mouth—
But met Xuán Chén's cold gaze.
He swallowed his words.
Rolled his eyes.
Grumbled—
"Sign and get out."
—
Back in their room,
Shī Tóngbǎi placed the pouches down.
Then dropped to his knees.
Forehead to the floor—
"Senior brothers…"
"I'll never forget this!"
—
Xiǎo Chén
stepped forward,
Pulled Shī Tóngbǎi up,
Grinning—
"No more kneeling."
"I've got a question."
—
He stared at him—
"Shī Tóngbǎi, how many innate marks were you born with?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi scratched his head,
Blushed—
"Uh… hard to say…"
—
Xiǎo Chén snorted—
"Minimum for entry is two."
"You've been here for years—
You must have at least three?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi nodded.
—
Xuán Chén glanced at him,
Voice low—
"Four?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi shook his head.
Blushed deeper.
—
Xiǎo Chén sat up—
"Five or six?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi lowered his head.
Silent.
—
Xuán Chén raised a brow—
"Don't tell me… seven?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi froze like a post.
Didn't say a word.
—
Xiǎo Chén blinked twice.
Then slammed the table, laughing.
Xuán Chén chuckled too.
They exchanged a look—
Grinning like they'd found treasure.
—
Shī Tóngbǎi muttered—
"Aren't you supposed to be jealous…?"
"Why are you laughing?"
—
Xuán Chén pointed at his chest—
"Seven marks?"
"Then all you lack is resources and foundation."
"If you've got the guts—
Come with us to the inner court."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi waved his hands—
"I'm still at form trace level…"
"These spirit stones might not be enough…"
"Inner court needs vein trace…"
"Time's running out…"
—
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow—
"You still have the betting stash, right?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi snapped to attention.
Pulled out two small pouches.
Placed them on the table—
"Still here."
"Untouched!"
Xuán Chén
said calmly—
"Pour it out."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi emptied the pouch.
The spirit crystals piled up like a child's height—
Their glow dazzling.
—
Xuán Chén looked at the pile.
Voice low—
"How far can this push you?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi's mind buzzed.
He stammered—
"Senior brother…
I think my ears misheard…"
—
Xuán Chén gave him a sideways glance—
"I'm feeding you."
"How many vein traces can you reach?"
—
Shī Tóngbǎi sat down,
Started calculating.
He inhaled—
"Pushing vein traces is doable."
"But the foundation will be weak—
I'll need time to stabilize."
—
Xiǎo Chén clapped his shoulder, laughing—
"Smart people make things easier."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi clenched his teeth.
Thought silently—
Following these two…
I've bet right this life.
—
He sat properly.
Following Xiǎo Chén's guidance,
He absorbed most of the spirit stones.
His dantian warmed like a tide.
Qi flowed smoother.
—
Just as he finished adjusting his breath,
Xiǎo Chén glanced at Xuán Chén,
Grinned—
"Should we find him a place to hide?"
—
Xuán Chén tapped the table.
Voice calm—
"Silver Mirror and White Profound Society haven't swallowed their pride."
"If we don't hide this blade—
They'll come swinging back."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi blinked—
"Senior brother…
Didn't I already break through?"
"Still need to hide?"
—
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow—
"You broke through, yes."
"But if those dogs outside find out—
What do you think they'll do?"
"If you don't hide and finish absorbing—
They'll track you down till not even ashes remain."
"Forget walking out alive."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi shivered.
Shrank back.
Silent.
—
Xuán Chén looked at Xiǎo Chén—
"Take him to Sword Hall later."
"Let Xuānyuán Dié keep an eye on him."
"Have him spar with you."
"That's the safest place."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi jumped—
"What? Spar with senior brother?"
"I still want to live…"
—
Xiǎo Chén
slung his spear over his shoulder,
Grinned—
"Relax."
"I won't kill you this time."
"Just teaching you how to survive."
—
Xuán Chén pointed at the door.
Voice calm—
"Want to run?"
"Unless you'd rather let Silver Mirror or White Profound Society beat you half-dead again."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi clenched his teeth.
Face bitter.
"…I'll try…"
—
—
Inside Sword Hall,
Xuānyuán Dié held her long sword,
Eyes cold as she stared at the newcomer—
"You.
Why are you here?"
—
Xiǎo Chén bowed, smiling—
"Teacher, you know he just broke through."
"So I brought him along."
"Let him watch us spar—
Learn how to stabilize his foundation."
—
She glanced at him—
"Watch?"
"I'm no monkey for show."
"Start with him."
"Let me see if he's worth it."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi stepped back in panic.
Xiǎo Chén shoved him forward—
"Don't panic."
"I'll go easy."
—
Xuānyuán Dié leaned against the corridor,
Tea in hand.
Her gaze drifted to the courtyard.
—
Xiǎo Chén's spear danced—
Sharp, flowing like cut water.
Shī Tóngbǎi darted around like a slippery eel,
Dodging wildly.
But the longer he moved,
The smoother he got.
He slipped through the gaps in the spear's rhythm.
—
At first, it looked like fear.
But on closer look—
His footwork curved,
Shoulders twisted,
Toes tapped.
Hints of the Flying Butterfly Step.
—
She tapped her teacup.
Eyes colder.
But inside—
A flicker of fire.
If he only runs—he's useless.
But if he's fed to the sword…
—
Her gaze sharpened.
Sword tip tapped the ground.
She called out—
"Stop."
—
Xiǎo Chén lowered his spear.
Shī Tóngbǎi collapsed, panting.
—
Xiǎo Chén noticed her stare.
Grinned—
"Teacher, you want to take him?"
"Careful—he's slippery."
"Might leak all Sword Hall's secrets."
—
Her brow lifted—
"Leak?"
"If he dares—
Let him try."
—
She flicked her sleeve.
Eyes back on Shī Tóngbǎi—
"From today on—
You stay in Sword Hall's outer court."
"Train under me."
—
Shī Tóngbǎi froze.
Eyes wide—
"Ah?"
—
Xiǎo Chén chuckled.
Tapped his shoulder with the spear—
"Come on, kid."
"No dodging this time."