The thin strand of Qi flowed sluggishly through Jin Yue's meridians like a hesitant stream navigating a rocky path. It was faint, almost imperceptible — but it was real. And for Jin Yue, it was everything.
He opened his eyes slowly, his breathing heavy but controlled. Around him, most of the disciples remained deep in meditation. Only a few had achieved even a partial connection to Qi. Jin Yue looked down at his own hands, slightly trembling from the strain.
I did it, he thought. I actually did it.
It wasn't a breakthrough by cultivation world
standards, but for someone who wasn't even supposed to survive the first arc of the novel he was trapped in, it felt like a rebellion against fate.
Before he could process it further, Elder Zhang's voice rang out once again. "Those who felt the stirrings of Qi, step forward."
A few disciples stood up. Jin Yue hesitated. Bai Zhen was among them, his chin raised arrogantly, eyes scanning for weakness in everyone else. Two others stepped forward confidently. Then, to Jin Yue's surprise, Lan Shuyin also rose.
Taking a deep breath, Jin Yue stood as well.
Murmurs spread through the disciples. One of them even scoffed, "He's bluffing. No way the weakest one succeeded."
Elder Zhang narrowed his eyes at the noise. "Silence. I will judge for myself."
He approached Jin Yue and placed two fingers on his wrist. A beat passed. Then another. The elder's eyebrows raised slightly.
"…You've drawn Qi," he said, almost begrudgingly. "Your meridians are weak, but open. This is a start."
Jin Yue bowed respectfully, hiding the wild grin that threatened to stretch across his face. A start is all I need.
But the moment was short-lived. From across the courtyard, a cool, familiar voice sliced through the crowd.
"Even trash can draw Qi under the right conditions," Li Feng said calmly as he approached. He stood a few paces from Jin Yue, arms crossed, his white robes fluttering with quiet authority. "The real question is whether he can survive the next stage."
Jin Yue met his gaze without flinching this time. "Then I'll answer it with results."
A flicker of amusement passed through Li Feng's eyes — the barest crack in his emotionless mask. "Very well. Don't disappoint me."
Later That Evening
Lan Shuyin and Jin Yue sat by a quiet lotus pond within the sect grounds. The moonlight shimmered on the water, and fireflies danced lazily around them.
"I saw what you did today," she said, dipping her fingers into the pond. "You kept your cool under pressure. That's not easy here."
Jin Yue chuckled. "Maybe because I've faced worse... just not in this world."
Lan Shuyin tilted her head, confused for a moment. "You're odd sometimes, you know."
"I've been told that."
A brief silence passed, peaceful and unspoken.
"Li Feng," she said softly, "He wasn't always like that. Cold. Sharp-tongued. He used to care."
Jin Yue glanced at her. "You knew him before?"
Lan Shuyin nodded. "Our parents were allies. When his clan was destroyed, he changed."
Jin Yue absorbed that quietly. So Li Feng has scars too.
Meanwhile…
Inside his private chamber, Li Feng stood alone, facing an ancient sword that hung on the wall. The moonlight filtering through the open window reflected off the blade's surface.
"He drew Qi," he said aloud.
Behind him, a shadow flickered in the corner. "Surprising, isn't it?"
Li Feng didn't turn. "No. I expected him to adapt… but not this quickly."
The shadow stepped forward, revealing a woman in dark robes — a spy of the sect's inner circle.
"You want him to grow?"
Li Feng didn't answer. He simply stared at the sword.
"…I want to see what he becomes when the world pushes him to the edge, how will he react?.