Chapter 4 - Chapter 4:Learning From Secrets

The sect was alive with morning bustle, disciples darting about like bees from one courtyard to another. Yet in my mind, the noise faded into nothing but a dull hum. My path through the sect felt heavier with each step, the stares following me sharper than blades. It was strange how quickly rumors spread—faster than fire on dry grass. A single misstep, a single defeat, and your name turned into a joke on their lips. I kept my face calm, my eyes cold, but inside, a storm churned. The Ling Xuan of the past—no, the Ling Xuan they thought they knew—was gone. I had buried that weak, naïve boy the moment I clawed my way back from death. The courtyard training grounds stretched ahead, bright sunlight spilling over polished stone tiles where disciples sparred under the watchful gaze of elders. Whispers buzzed as I passed, yet no one dared say anything aloud. That was fine. Let them whisper. Let them mock. Every careless word was fuel for the fire within me. I stopped beneath a towering pillar carved with ancient runes. This was the sect I'd once been proud to call home. The banners, the towering halls, the serene gardens—it all looked the same, but my heart no longer warmed at the sight. Betrayal had a way of staining even the most beautiful places. "Ling Xuan." The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Elder Zhao stood before me, his robe a pristine white, his narrow eyes sharp. Once, I'd looked up to him. Now, I wasn't sure if I trusted even his smile. "You've been absent from training these past weeks. The sect is patient, but patience wears thin. Are you ready to reclaim your position among your peers?" I bowed my head slightly, keeping my tone even. "Yes, Elder. I'm ready." His gaze lingered on me, searching for weakness, but I met it steadily. Finally, he nodded. "Then prove it. Tomorrow, the disciples will spar. Show us you're not the disgrace they say you are." A faint smile tugged at my lips. Perfect. A stage to test my newfound path, even if I had to hold back. That night, I slipped away from the sect grounds, silent as a shadow. The forest outside the gates was thick with mist, moonlight spilling through tangled branches. The world here was quieter, wilder—away from judging eyes, I could breathe. At a secluded clearing, I knelt on the cold earth and summoned the faint glow within me. My breath slowed, the sound of rustling leaves fading as I sank into meditation. The crimson flame that had bonded with me flickered faintly in my dantian, its warmth threading through my veins like molten silk. Yu Mei… Her voice was soft, echoing within my mind, carrying that same calm authority that had first unsettled me. "You're improving," she murmured. "But your control is sloppy. You let the flame dictate your rhythm. You must make it obey you." I gritted my teeth, sweat beading on my forehead as I tried again. The flame trembled, then roared, spiraling out of control, burning hot enough to sting my meridians. Pain lanced through me, but I held firm, guiding it with my will. Slowly, its chaotic energy dimmed, settling into a steady glow. "Better," Yu Mei said, her voice laced with approval. "You're beginning to understand. This flame isn't mere energy—it's a spirit. A will older than you can fathom. If you wish to master it, you must first earn its respect." I exhaled shakily, feeling the fire pulse like a heartbeat within me. "Easier said than done." A chuckle, soft and knowing. "Nothing worth having is easy. But you… you remind me of someone." Her voice trailed off, leaving a shadow of mystery hanging in the air. I didn't press. Every word she spoke felt carefully measured, like she was weaving a tapestry I wasn't ready to see yet. Hours passed in silence. The flame's warmth seeped deeper into my body, refining my meridians, strengthening them. My senses sharpened—I could feel the life pulsing in the forest, the soft flutter of wings, the shift of the wind. My cultivation was growing, subtle yet undeniable. By dawn, exhaustion weighed on me, but a faint smile tugged at my lips. In just weeks, I'd advanced further than years of sect training had ever given me. And this was only the beginning. I stood, brushing leaves from my robes, and turned back toward the sect. The sun broke over the horizon, casting golden light through the mist. For the first time in years, I felt a quiet thrill of anticipation. The next day, the training grounds were alive with energy. Disciples gathered in a wide circle, their voices low and eager. Elder Zhao stood at the center, arms folded, his expression unreadable. "Today," he announced, "we test strength and progress. Pair off. Show your worth." I stepped forward, calm but alert. The crowd parted slightly, their stares sharp with curiosity and doubt. "Ling Xuan." Elder Zhao's voice rang out. "You will face Bai Chen." A ripple of murmurs spread through the disciples. Bai Chen—a third-stage Spirit Condensation cultivator known for his speed and ruthlessness. I'd heard enough about him to know he wouldn't go easy on me. Bai Chen smirked as he strode into the circle, his robe fluttering. "Didn't expect you'd even show up, cripple," he said loudly, earning a few chuckles from the crowd. I met his gaze steadily. "And yet, here I am." We bowed briefly, and then Elder Zhao's hand cut through the air. "Begin." Bai Chen moved first, his body blurring as he closed the distance, his palm glowing faintly with spirit energy. His attack was fast, precise—a strike aimed straight at my chest. I shifted just enough to let it graze past me, the wind of his blow ruffling my hair. Surprise flickered in his eyes before he spun, sweeping a kick at my legs. I ducked low, twisting on instinct, and drove a palm strike into his ribs. The force was minimal—I couldn't risk revealing too much—but it sent him staggering a step back. Gasps rippled through the watching disciples. "Lucky shot," Bai Chen snarled, his spirit energy flaring brighter. He lunged again, strikes coming in a flurry. This time, I met him head-on. My body moved with precision I hadn't had before, every strike calculated, every dodge smooth. Yu Mei's lessons, the flame's subtle strength—it all came together. When Bai Chen overextended on a strike, I caught his wrist, twisting sharply, and sent him sprawling onto the stone floor. The courtyard went silent. I stepped back, calm but alert, my expression unreadable. Bai Chen groaned, pushing himself up, but Elder Zhao raised a hand. "Enough." His gaze lingered on me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Ling Xuan wins." Whispers exploded among the disciples as I turned away. Some looked shocked. Others suspicious. I ignored them all, walking calmly back to my place. The match had been nothing. I'd barely used a fraction of my strength. But that was exactly what I wanted. To them, it looked like I'd clawed back a fragment of my old skill. Nothing more. Inside, though, the flame pulsed in quiet triumph. I could feel Yu Mei's faint approval, like a warm breeze brushing against my mind. "Well done," she whispered. "But don't grow arrogant. This is only the first step. Greater storms are coming." I exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "I know." As the next pair of disciples stepped into the circle, I let my gaze drift upward to the towering sect gates in the distance. This place was full of shadows. And I would uncover every single one. That night, under the same forest moonlight, I sat cross-legged in meditation again, the flame whispering softly in my veins. Its voice was clearer now, like an ancient hum only I could hear. Each breath deepened my control. Each pulse of energy refined my body further. The world around me felt sharper, every leaf, every gust of wind carrying secrets. Somewhere in the distance, I heard a faint rustle. My eyes snapped open, senses prickling. The forest was never truly empty. But whoever—or whatever—watched me tonight remained hidden, their gaze like a ghost's caress in the dark. I smiled faintly. "Come then," I murmured softly, the flame flickering to life behind my eyes. Whether it was friend or foe, I was no longer the same boy they once knew.