The next morning began with chaos.
Li Chun burst through the door before sunrise, panting and wide-eyed.
"Heir Lin Qing! The Elders announced it!"
Lin Qing rubbed his eyes. "Announced what?"
"Your first lesson!" Li Chun said. "They're gathering every outer disciple in the northern courtyard! Elder Hei said the Heir will personally guide the Sect's next generation!"
Lin Qing froze mid-yawn. "...I'll what?"
Li Chun blinked. "Teach cultivation, of course. They said your insight surpasses Heaven itself!"
Lin Qing sighed and stood. "Wonderful. I hope Heaven accepts refunds."
---
The northern courtyard stretched wide as a parade ground, ringed by statues of long-dead Saints. Hundreds of outer disciples filled the area, sitting cross-legged in neat rows. All of them stared at him like he was about to reveal the secret of immortality.
Elder Hei stood to the side with arms folded. Saintess Yao observed from a high balcony.
"Disciples," Elder Hei said, voice booming across the field. "The Blood Heir shall pass down his first instruction. Open your hearts and learn."
Lin Qing stepped forward, trying not to look like someone who'd rather fake his own death.
He cleared his throat. "Right. Today… we'll start with breathing."
A confused murmur rippled through the courtyard.
Lin Qing continued, pretending it was all intentional. "Without the right foundation, even the greatest technique is just air. The mortal vein is like soil—if it's dry, nothing grows. So, breathe until it rains."
The disciples froze, processing his words. Then one of them gasped. "Breathe until it rains… he means to summon the internal qi rain!"
Another disciple whispered, "He's teaching us to harmonize with Heaven's pulse!"
In seconds, the field erupted in awe.
Lin Qing blinked. "...Sure. That's what I meant."
He sat cross-legged at the front, demonstrating slow, even breaths. The Heavenly Insight Divine Body activated instinctively, analyzing each disciple's technique. He saw flaws—blocked veins, broken rhythm, unstable flow. Without thinking, he adjusted his own breathing pattern to counterbalance them.
A wave of calm qi swept through the courtyard. The disciples gasped as the air thickened, carrying a faint red shimmer.
Elder Hei's eyes widened. "He's stabilizing the entire formation… through synchronized respiration?"
Saintess Yao watched silently, a small smile forming behind her veil.
The disciples felt it first. Their qi paths aligned for the first time in their lives. Energy flowed smoothly, like rivers cleared of debris.
"The Heir's breath cleanses impurities!" one shouted.
"He's reshaping our meridians just by existing!" another cried.
Lin Qing exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to bury his face in his hands. "Keep your focus," he said instead. "Follow the rhythm. Inhale the world. Exhale your limits."
The courtyard glowed faintly crimson as hundreds of disciples synchronized their breaths.
After ten minutes, the ground trembled lightly. Several disciples broke through their bottlenecks at once. Shouts filled the courtyard.
"I—I advanced a layer!"
"My veins cleared!"
"I felt the Blood Moon answer me!"
Lin Qing raised a hand. "That's enough for today. Overdoing it will tear your meridians."
Instant silence. Every disciple froze, afraid to breathe wrong.
He stood, brushing dust off his robe. "Remember this feeling. Don't chase it. Let it come to you."
They bowed deeply. "Yes, Heir Lin Qing!"
As they dispersed, Elder Hei approached. His mask hid his expression, but his voice carried awe. "In a single session, you raised over a hundred disciples. The Sect hasn't seen results like this in centuries."
Lin Qing shrugged. "Just breathing."
"Exactly," Elder Hei said. "Simple truths hide divine wisdom."
"Right," Lin Qing muttered. "That's me. Full of wisdom."
---
Later, in the observation hall, Saintess Yao watched the courtyard through the mirror screen.
"You knew he would surprise them," Elder Hei said beside her.
"I suspected," she replied. "He learns too quickly. The body he bears was made for reflection. When others train near him, their flaws are erased because he adapts their rhythm in real time."
Elder Hei tilted his head. "A dangerous gift. If he masters it fully, no army could stand before him."
"Or," she said softly, "no truth could hide from him."
Elder Hei looked down at the glowing courtyard. "The Elders are already whispering. Some call him the second coming of the Mirror Emperor."
"And others?"
"They wonder if the Blood Moon has made a mistake."
Saintess Yao's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then they can keep wondering. The Heir's strength speaks louder than their fear."
---
Meanwhile, Lin Qing collapsed back in his quarters, face buried in a pillow.
Li Chun peeked in. "Heir Lin Qing… that was incredible! They said the sky itself trembled!"
"Fantastic," Lin Qing mumbled. "Next time I'll teach them how to nap spiritually."
Li Chun nodded seriously. "A divine rest technique… I'll prepare notes!"
Lin Qing groaned.
But even as he tried to relax, he felt the qi around him growing denser. His body absorbed it on its own, no effort required. The Mirror Blood Scripture pulsed faintly under his skin, reacting to the collective energy of the disciples still training outside.
He wasn't cultivating alone anymore. The entire sect's qi flow resonated with his own.
Stabilizing his realm at Spirit Sea Early Stage Perfection.
He opened his eyes, silver light flashing briefly.
"This power grows faster when others do," he murmured. "No wonder they called it dangerous."
Outside, the moon rose higher, shining bright over the Blood Moon Demon Sect.
Tomorrow, the world would start to notice again.