The sky was still dark when Li Xuan woke up.His body felt sore, but lighter than last night. The bruises still hurt, but the pain didn't crush him the way it usually did.
He sat up slowly.
The tiny thread of warmth was still inside his body—weak, but steady. It proved everything that happened wasn't a dream.
He washed his face with cold water from a clay bowl, put on his robe, and stepped outside. The morning air was sharp and fresh, carrying the smell of wet pine. A faint mist covered the paths between the buildings.
The Twilight Ember Sect always looked peaceful at this hour.
Peaceful on the outside.Rotten on the inside.
Li Xuan walked toward the morning assembly hall. All outer disciples were required to gather there every sunrise. Even he had to show up, even if everyone wished he wouldn't.
He entered the hall quietly.
Dozens of disciples were already sitting in rows. Whispering. Stretching. Chatting.
When Li Xuan stepped in, the noise in the hall dropped for a moment. A few turned to look at him—some with boredom, others with mild disgust.
Zhao Ren was there too, stretching his arms. His face twisted into a smirk as soon as he saw Li Xuan.
"Oh look. The trash survived the rain."
Li Xuan didn't reply. He kept his head down and walked to the last row, where he always sat alone.
Zhao Ren clicked his tongue. "Still pretending to be alive. How annoying."
A few disciples laughed.
Li Xuan ignored them.He sat down quietly, breathing slowly to keep the warm Qi steady.
—Good, the Grand Immortal's voice said calmly. Do not react. They want to provoke you.
Li Xuan kept his head lowered.
Elder Qiu Renshan entered the hall—an old man with a long grey beard and sharp eyes that seemed to look through everyone. Most disciples straightened their backs immediately.
"The Sect Leader will inspect the outer disciples today," Elder Qiu announced.
A ripple of excitement ran through the hall.
The Sect Leader—Li Xuan's uncle.
To the disciples, this was a rare chance to show off their talent.
To Li Xuan, it was trouble.
Elder Qiu's eyes swept across the hall. When he reached Li Xuan, a faint frown appeared on his face, like looking at something out of place.
"Later," the Immortal voice said in Li Xuan's mind. Keep calm. Watch carefully.
Elder Qiu began the inspection training. "We will start with Qi sensing. Form a circle around the spirit stone."
Disciples gathered around a small pale-blue stone on a pedestal.
Anyone who could sense Qi would feel the stone's faint aura.
Li Xuan stood behind everyone, trying not to draw attention. He knew what would happen.
The first disciple touched the stone and nodded confidently.The next one stepped forward and felt the aura quickly.The third one smiled proudly.
One by one, they demonstrated their ability.
Then it was Li Xuan's turn.
Elder Qiu's voice seemed almost tired. "Li Xuan. Come forward."
Zhao Ren whispered loudly, "This will be good."
Li Xuan stepped up.His heart beat fast.The hall felt too quiet.
He placed his hand on the spirit stone.
Before yesterday, he would have felt nothing.Not even a hint.
But now…
He felt a tiny vibration—very faint, like a quiet heartbeat under the stone's surface. The warm Qi inside him responded slightly.
It wasn't strong enough to look obvious.But it was real.
Elder Qiu watched him closely.
Li Xuan controlled his expression.He pretended to feel nothing.
After a few seconds, he bowed his head. "Elder… I still cannot sense it."
Zhao Ren snorted. "As expected."
A few disciples chuckled.
But Elder Qiu didn't laugh. He stared at Li Xuan for a long second, then turned away as if he had seen something he didn't like.
"Step back," he ordered.
Li Xuan returned to the last row.
His heart was beating hard—not from fear, but from relief.
—You did well, the Immortal voice said. Do not show your abilities yet. That elder is dangerous. He wants you gone.
Li Xuan swallowed quietly. "Why does he hate me so much?"
—Because your father was the real Sect Leader, the Immortal replied. And people like him don't want the old bloodline to rise again.
Li Xuan lowered his gaze.
He had always guessed this…But hearing it confirmed made his chest tighten.
The training continued, and more disciples stepped forward to show their skills. Some were proud, some nervous, some excited.
Li Xuan sat quietly, watching everyone.
He noticed things he never saw before:How Elder Qiu favored certain disciples.How he ignored others.How Zhao Ren received too much attention.
The sect had many cracks.
—Remember what you see, the Immortal said. Every weakness can become your strength in the future.
Li Xuan nodded slightly.
At the end of the training, Elder Qiu dismissed them. "Prepare for the Sect Leader's arrival."
The disciples hurried out of the hall.
Li Xuan walked slower, his steps steady and calm.
He didn't know what would happen next.He didn't know if his uncle would notice him today.
But one thing was clear:
The boy they once ignored…was no longer the same.