The courtyard slowly emptied after the inspection. Groups of disciples walked away together, talking with excitement about the Ember Spring and the Sect Leader's praise.
Li Xuan walked alone.
The stone path beneath his feet was still damp from last night's rain. Water dripped from the leaves of the pine trees lining the walkway, tapping softly against the ground. It should have been peaceful.
But Li Xuan's mind wasn't calm.
Every word Elder Qiu spoke…Every glance Zhao Ren gave…Every time his uncle pretended not to see him…
All of it pressed lightly against his chest, like a hand that was too familiar.
He took a quiet breath and turned into the narrow path that led toward the bamboo grove—the closest shortcut to the outer disciple quarters.
That was when he heard them.
Voices.
"…so annoying. Why is he still here?"
Zhao Ren's voice. Sharp, confident, arrogant.
Li Xuan paused and stepped behind a cluster of bamboo stalks. The leaves hid him well.
Chen Mu was there too—thin, sneering—and Hou Shan, the large one who always laughed too loudly.
"Did you see the Sect Leader's face?" Chen Mu said. "He looked disgusted when Li Xuan stepped up."
Hou Shan laughed. "He probably wondered why the brat didn't die already."
Zhao Ren crossed his arms. "It's simple. We just need to remind him that this sect doesn't want him."
Chen Mu raised a brow. "You mean another lesson?"
Zhao Ren smirked. "Yes. But this time… let's make sure he doesn't appear in tomorrow's training."
Hou Shan cracked his knuckles. "Finally. Something fun."
Li Xuan tightened his jaw.
He didn't feel fear. Not anymore.
But he also knew he couldn't fight them yet.
His body was still weak.His Qi flow was barely a thread.One wrong move, and they would beat him again—maybe worse.
—Do not face them today, the Grand Immortal's voice said politely but firmly inside his mind. There is no advantage.
Li Xuan stayed hidden, breathing quietly, letting them talk.
Zhao Ren kicked at a fallen bamboo leaf. "We'll do it at the training ground behind the east hall. No elders go there."
Chen Mu nodded. "We can say he 'fell' while practicing."
Hou Shan snorted. "He falls all the time anyway."
Their laughter echoed through the bamboo grove.
They soon walked away, their steps loud and careless.
Li Xuan waited until their voices were far before stepping out from behind the bamboo.
His face was calm, but his eyes weren't empty like before.
Something was changing inside him.
—They underestimate you, the Immortal said. Use it. Let them think you are weak. Let them think nothing has changed.—Every enemy who underestimates you becomes your stepping stone later.
Li Xuan nodded quietly. "I understand."
He continued walking through the grove, the thin bamboo leaves brushing against his sleeves. For the first time in years, he didn't feel like a shadow passing through the sect.
He felt… awake.
When he reached his small room, he closed the door gently. The wooden walls creaked softly, and the thin blanket on the bed still smelled faintly of rain.
He sat down on the bed, straightening his back.
There was no time to rest.
He closed his eyes.
The thread of warmth inside him—that tiny bit of Qi—responded immediately.
It moved slowly, like a thin snake crawling through tight spaces.
Li Xuan breathed carefully, guiding it toward the cracked knot at his center.
—Good, the Immortal whispered. Remember: slow and steady. Do not rush. Breaking the blockage suddenly will tear your body apart.
Li Xuan nodded and continued to breathe.
The warmth pushed forward—
Crack.
Another tiny piece broke away.
His breath hitched, but he didn't stop.
Crack.
A wave of heat spread through his chest. His body trembled lightly, but he remained focused.
His forehead grew warm.Sweat formed along his hairline.His hands tightened into gentle fists.
The blockage that had trapped him for ten years was slowly falling apart.
After several minutes, the Immortal voice spoke again.
—Enough. Rest now. Pushing further tonight may harm you.
Li Xuan exhaled and opened his eyes. His body felt lighter. His arms tingled. Even his bruises hurt less.
Not healed.But no longer hopeless.
He looked down at his hands.
They were the same hands everyone mocked.The same hands that struggled with basic tasks.The same hands that did not glow with Qi today.
But for the first time… he believed these hands could change something.
He lifted his head, eyes calm but sharper than before.
"Zhao Ren… you want to corner me tomorrow?"
His voice was quiet.
"But things won't go the way you think."
The sun outside moved slowly across the sky, casting a warm glow through the cracked window.
Inside the small room meant for dust and forgotten disciples…
A spark began to grow.