Elder Bai Feng steepled his fingers, the afternoon sun glinting off the jade ring on his right hand. He sat in his sparsely furnished study, the scent of sandalwood heavy in the air. Reports of Jian Li's progress had been... unsettling. Unprecedented, even. Such rapid advancement in Qi Condensation was virtually unheard of, especially from a disciple with such unremarkable talent.
He sighed, a wisp of frustration escaping his lips. Bai Feng was a firm believer in tradition, in the rigorous, time-tested methods of the sect. Shortcuts, unorthodox practices… they were anathema to him. They weakened the foundation, eroded the discipline, and ultimately led to ruin.
He summoned Mei Lin to his study. She arrived promptly, her face a mask of respectful attentiveness. Bai Feng had always seen potential in Mei Lin. She possessed a sharp mind, a fierce ambition, and an unwavering loyalty to the sect – or so he believed.
"Mei Lin," he began, his voice a low rumble, "you have been observing Jian Li's progress, haven't you?"
"Yes, Elder Bai Feng," she replied, her voice carefully measured. "I have."
"And what are your observations? Be honest, child. Do not hold back."
Mei Lin hesitated for a fraction of a second, then plunged in. "Jian Li's progress… it is remarkably fast. Faster than anyone I have ever seen. He seems to have… skipped several stages of cultivation."
"Skipped?" Bai Feng raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening. "Explain."
"Normally, a disciple would spend months, even years, mastering the initial stages of Qi Condensation. Refining the Qi, circulating it through the meridians, building a solid foundation. Jian Li… he seems to have bypassed much of that. He reached Qi Condensation in a matter of days. And now, I hear whispers that he is already nearing the second level."
Bai Feng leaned back in his chair, his expression grim. "And what explanation does he offer for this… miraculous improvement?"
Mei Lin's eyes flickered. "He claims… diligent training. Focus. Meditation."
Bai Feng snorted. "Meditation? Diligence? From Jian Li? A disciple known more for his naps than his dedication?" He tapped his fingers on the desk, the rhythm a silent counterpoint to his growing suspicion. "There is something amiss here, Mei Lin. Something… unnatural."
He fixed her with a piercing stare. "I suspect he may be using unorthodox methods. Forbidden techniques. Perhaps even… demonic cultivation."
Mei Lin gasped, her eyes widening in feigned shock. "Demonic cultivation? But Elder Bai Feng, surely..."
"Surely, we must investigate," Bai Feng interrupted, his voice firm. "The integrity of the sect is at stake. We cannot allow forbidden practices to take root within our walls."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I am assigning you a task, Mei Lin. A task of utmost importance. I want you to observe Jian Li. Study his habits. Uncover the truth behind his rapid progress."
Mei Lin's heart quickened with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for. A chance to prove her worth, to gain the Elder's favor, and perhaps… to finally surpass Jian Li.
"I understand, Elder Bai Feng," she said, her voice filled with determination. "I will not fail you."
"Good," Bai Feng said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I have confidence in you, Mei Lin. And if you succeed in uncovering the truth… you will be richly rewarded."
He paused, letting the promise hang in the air. "But be warned. This is a delicate matter. You must be discreet. Do not let Jian Li suspect that you are watching him."
"I understand, Elder," she said, bowing her head. "I will be as silent as the wind, as invisible as the shadows."
Bai Feng nodded, satisfied. "Then go. And bring me the truth, no matter how unpleasant it may be."
Mei Lin left the study, her mind racing. The seeds of betrayal had been sown, and she was eager to watch them bloom.
Meanwhile, Jian Li was indeed napping. He lay beneath the shade of a large spiritwood tree, the gentle breeze rustling through its leaves. He wasn't consciously trying to cultivate, but the System seemed to be operating on its own accord.
`[System Notification: Qi Condensation Stage 1 complete!]`
`[System Notification: Commencing Qi Condensation Stage 2]`
He stirred slightly in his sleep, a faint smile playing on his lips. The System was truly a marvel. He barely had to lift a finger, and yet his cultivation was progressing at an astonishing rate.
He vaguely registered a presence nearby, a flicker of movement in the periphery of his vision. But he was too comfortable, too deeply immersed in the System's gentle guidance, to bother opening his eyes. Let them watch, he thought drowsily. What did he care?
Mei Lin, hidden behind a thicket of bushes, watched Jian Li with narrowed eyes. He was sleeping. Again. Just as she had suspected.
She had been observing him for days, and his routine was always the same. He would find a quiet spot, usually under a tree, and promptly fall asleep. He rarely engaged in any formal training, any rigorous exercises. He seemed to spend more time napping than cultivating.
It was infuriating. How could he be progressing so rapidly, when he was doing nothing but sleeping? It defied all logic, all reason.
She scribbled furiously in her notebook, documenting every detail of his indolent behavior. "Subject appears to be engaging in prolonged periods of rest. Minimal physical activity observed. No evidence of conventional cultivation techniques."
She paused, chewing on the end of her quill. What was the secret? What was he hiding?
She noticed something peculiar. As Jian Li slept, a faint, almost imperceptible glow emanated from his body. It was a soft, ethereal light, barely visible in the daylight.
She strained her eyes, trying to get a better look. The glow seemed to pulse rhythmically, in sync with his breathing.
Could it be some kind of energy cultivation technique? A secret method passed down from his family? Or something far more sinister?
The thought of demonic cultivation sent a shiver down her spine. She had heard tales of cultivators who made pacts with dark entities, sacrificing their humanity for power. Could Jian Li be one of them?
She shuddered at the thought, but a part of her found it… compelling. The allure of forbidden power, the promise of rapid advancement… it was a tempting prospect.
She pushed the thought aside. She would not succumb to such temptations. She would remain loyal to the sect, to Elder Bai Feng. She would uncover the truth about Jian Li, no matter the cost.
She continued to observe him, her eyes narrowed, her mind racing. The seeds of jealousy and ambition had taken root, and they were growing rapidly, fueled by suspicion and resentment.
The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the spiritwood. Jian Li stirred, yawned, and stretched, as if he had just woken from a pleasant dream.
He glanced around, his eyes briefly meeting Mei Lin's, before he casually walked away.
Mei Lin quickly ducked behind the bushes, her heart pounding in her chest. He had seen her. She was sure of it.
Had he suspected her all along? Was he playing some kind of game?
She gripped her notebook tightly, her knuckles white. She would not be deterred. She would not be intimidated. She would uncover the truth, and she would expose Jian Li for the fraud that he was.
As Jian Li headed back towards his quarters, he idly wondered who had been watching him. He hadn't gotten a clear look, but he suspected it was Mei Lin. He wasn't particularly concerned. Let her watch. He had nothing to hide. Well, almost nothing.
He chuckled softly to himself. The System was his little secret, and he intended to keep it that way. For now.
He reached his quarters, a small, sparsely furnished room on the outskirts of the disciple dormitory. He sat down on his bed, closed his eyes, and prepared for another night of… restful cultivation.
`[System Notification: Commencing Nightly Qi Enhancement Protocol]`
He smiled. Life was good. And it was only going to get better.