---
Morning light washed the yard in pale silver.
The rain had stopped before dawn, leaving the wood slick and the air cool. Water gathered in shallow dips between the planks.
Ye Tian stepped out of his quarters. The warmth of the Minor Cultivation Accelerator settled in his body, patient and steady. Every breath fed him strength. Every exhale gave the yard back a little of what he didn't need.
Whispers reached him before faces.
"He beat Su Jian in the rain..."
"Luo Ming too, three moves..."
"The elders will not like this..."
He didn't speed up. He didn't slow down. The voices gathered on their own, sliding from mouth to mouth until they carried ahead of him like a breeze before rain.
By the time he reached the practice yard, a circle had formed. Three inner sect disciples stood at its center, under the shade of a cedar. Their robes were clean, their hair bound with gold thread.
The tallest stepped forward, a saber at his hip and a smile that wasn't friendly.
"Chen Mu," he said. "You've been busy."
"I trained," Ye Tian said.
"You embarrassed Luo Ming. Then Su Jian slipped in front of the outer court." His tone made it sound like a crime.
A ripple of laughter ran through the circle. Even the ones trying not to show it let their mouths pull just a little at the corners.
"Do you plan to embarrass the inner sect next," the man asked, "or shall we do this properly?"
The Origin System spoke.
[Nearby systems detected: six]
[Recommendation: Identify utility before engagement]
"Names," Ye Tian said.
"I am Zhou Ren. These are Li Yan and Qiao Ping."
The data came fast.
[Target: Zhou Ren]
[System: Low Grade Weapon Mastery]
[Function: Improves speed and familiarity with all common weapons]
[Integrity: 62 percent]
[Target: Li Yan]
[System: Minor Balance]
[Function: Reduces stance breaks, improves footing]
[Integrity: 58 percent]
[Target: Qiao Ping]
[System: Minor Muscle Memory]
[Function: Speeds up repetition learning for basic forms]
[Integrity: 49 percent]
Zhou Ren kept his smile. "We offer lessons. A small exhibition. For the good of the sect."
"Exhibition," Ye Tian said. "On the central platform."
---
The crowd followed as they crossed the yard. The platform's wood was scarred by years of training, pale lines crossing where weapons had been stopped. An old banner hung limp in the corner.
"Choose your weapon," Zhou Ren said.
The Origin System hummed.
[Target primary: Zhou Ren]
[Seizure chance: 74 percent]
[Optimal trigger: Prolonged weapon contact]
Ye Tian passed the polished racks. He stopped at a low shelf where a practice rope dart lay coiled. Wood head, hemp cord. A weapon for making proud men look foolish.
He picked it up. The cord slid through his fingers like old riverweed.
A low sound moved through the crowd. Not laughter yet — the part of laughter that waits to be born.
Li Yan took a spear. Qiao Ping grabbed paired sticks. Zhou Ren chose a practice saber.
"Begin when you breathe out," Zhou Ren said.
Ye Tian let the cord settle in his palm. He exhaled.
---
Zhou Ren moved first. His saber came in a clean arc, pretty and precise.
Ye Tian rolled the rope dart forward. The wood met the blade, the cord bowing but holding. The impact was soft but final.
The crowd murmured.
Li Yan moved on the left, spear tip low. Qiao Ping came from the right, sticks tapping a rhythm.
The rope dart looped around the spear shaft, stealing an inch of control. The dart brushed Qiao Ping's wrist. His rhythm broke for just a breath.
[Proceed with Seizure?]
"Yes."
Blue light snapped between Ye Tian and Zhou Ren.
[Seizure complete]
[Acquired: Low Grade Weapon Mastery]
[Integrating…]
---
The fight shifted. Zhou Ren's blade kept meeting the dart, but each exchange made Ye Tian faster, sharper. The knowledge slipped into his hands like it had been waiting.
Li Yan tried to pin the cord under his spear. Ye Tian rolled it, broke his stance, and sent him back a step. Qiao Ping's sticks cracked against the cord — the dart thudded into his forearm, numbing his grip.
[Devotion +6]
Zhou Ren smiled, thinner now. "Pretty tricks."
He attacked in a line. Ye Tian answered with curves. The dart touched his wrist, his guard, the back of his knuckles. Each touch took more balance.
The crowd leaned in.
"He's leading him..."
"Who teaches rope darts in the outer court?"
---
Li Yan shoved forward. Qiao Ping grabbed for the cord. Zhou Ren cut in the same breath, three weapons closing.
Ye Tian dropped the rope.
It looped around spear, wrist, and saber guard all at once. He stepped into the opening and pushed Zhou Ren back two paces.
[Integration complete]
[Low Grade Weapon Mastery merged]
[Result: Increased handling speed and accuracy]
The cord slid free. Zhou Ren struck again, but the dart hooked his saber and pulled. The blade hit the platform with a dull thud.
Silence held for a breath. Elders shifted slightly in the walkway shadows.
---
Zhou Ren picked up his saber, smile back in place. "A lesson for the outer court."
From the cedar's far side, a woman stepped forward. Plain robes. White cloth in her hair.
"You will not be left alone," she said.
"Kindness or information?" Ye Tian asked.
"Both. Sparring Day is posted at noon. Choose your ground before others do."
She glanced once toward the elders, then back to him. "Some will watch to see if you fail. Others will wait for a moment to take what you have. You should not give them either."
The Origin System stirred.
[Notice: Public schedule detected]
[Projection: High Devotion opportunity]
Ye Tian nodded.
"Mu Qing," she said. "I keep a list." Then she was gone, leaving only the faint scent of cedar bark in the air where she had stood.
Zhou Ren's voice followed. "We look forward to your form, Chen Mu."
Ye Tian set the rope dart back. His eyes went to a pair of heavy iron fans.
A younger disciple whispered, "Senior, will you use them for Sparring Day?"
Ye Tian didn't answer. He picked them up. The metal clicked softly when they opened and closed.
"Very well," he said, and the yard breathed with him.
---