Thomas Balvan's visit had lasting consequences. The patriarch's interest in Noah, while beneficial, had also painted a target on the young bastard's back. Two weeks after the confrontation with Damian and Kelvin, Noah found himself summoned to the inner ring.
"The patriarch has made his decision," Lily said nervously as she dressed Noah in his finest clothes. "You're to begin formal training with the other children of the main family."
Noah's enhanced intellect immediately grasped the implications. 'This is both opportunity and danger. Access to better resources, but also closer scrutiny from potential enemies.'
The inner ring was magnificent compared to their quarters in the outer ring. Four stories of polished wood and stone, with courtyards filled with training equipment and meditation gardens. Spiritual energy was noticeably denser here, a consequence of the family's accumulated cultivation resources.
[New Status Acquired: Dense Spiritual Environment] - Enhanced cultivation speed in spiritual-rich areas. Duration: While in location [+] [-]
Without hesitation, Noah made it permanent. Now, wherever he went, his body would respond as if surrounded by dense spiritual energy.
[Dense Spiritual Environment] - Duration: ∞
In the main training courtyard, Noah was introduced to his new companions - the legitimate grandchildren of the Balvan family.
"These are Evan's children," Thomas explained, gesturing to a group of young cultivators. "Neil and Lena will be your primary training partners, as they are closest to your age."
Neil Balvan, six years old like Kelvin, had the typical arrogant bearing of a noble child but seemed less malicious than his cousin. He studied Noah with curious brown eyes.
Lena Balvan, also six, possessed a sharp intelligence that reminded Noah of himself. Her gaze was calculating as she evaluated the infamous bastard grandchild.
"So you're the one who made such an impression on grandfather," Neil said with barely concealed envy. "Let's see if you can keep up with real family members."
The training master, Elder Marcus (who had also been Noah's tutor), explained the daily routine. Morning physical conditioning, afternoon weapon training, evening meditation and cultivation theory. For someone without a formal cultivation technique, like Noah, the focus would be on building a solid foundation.
'If only they knew I already have one,' Noah thought, feeling the spiritual energy flowing through his enhanced meridian system.
The first test came during the physical conditioning. The children were required to complete a series of exercises designed to strengthen the body for future cultivation - weighted running, flexibility training, and endurance challenges.
Noah had to be careful. His system-enhanced body could easily outperform children twice his age, but showing too much would reignite suspicions. He performed well enough to seem talented but not so well as to appear unnatural.
'It's like playing a character in a video game with cheat codes, but I have to pretend I'm playing normally.'
During weapons training, Elder Marcus introduced them to wooden practice swords.
"The sword is the noble weapon of choice for our family," he explained. "Each of you will learn the Balvan family's Seven Star Sword technique as your foundation."
As soon as Noah grasped the wooden sword, his system activated:
[New Status Acquired: Weapon Familiarity (Sword)] - Basic understanding of sword techniques. Duration: 7 days [+] [-]
[New Status Acquired: Muscle Memory Formation] - Rapid acquisition of physical techniques. Duration: 14 days [+] [-]
Both were immediately made permanent. The wooden sword in Noah's hands suddenly felt natural, as if he'd been born holding it.
Elder Marcus demonstrated the first form of the Seven Star Sword technique - "Falling Star." It was a simple downward strike, but performed with proper footwork and breathing.
The other children struggled with the coordination, but Noah's enhanced muscle memory and weapon familiarity allowed him to replicate it almost perfectly on his third attempt.
"Excellent!" Elder Marcus praised. "Young master Noah has natural talent with the blade."
Neil's face darkened with jealousy. "Beginner's luck," he muttered.
But Lena was watching Noah more carefully. "That wasn't luck," she said quietly. "Show me that form again."
Noah demonstrated "Falling Star" once more, this time deliberately adding a small imperfection to avoid seeming too skilled.
"Interesting," Lena murmured. "Your balance is better than it should be for someone who's never held a sword."
'She's perceptive. I need to be more careful around her.'
The afternoon brought an unexpected challenge. Kelvin arrived with his father Damian for what they called a "friendly sparring session."
"Since Noah has been making such impressive progress," Damian said with false warmth, "perhaps he'd like to test his skills against my son?"
It was clearly a setup designed to humiliate Noah, but Thomas was present and couldn't interfere without losing face.
"Very well," the patriarch said neutrally. "Let the boys spar."
Kelvin was older, stronger, and had been training for years. He also possessed a formal cultivation technique that allowed him to enhance his physical abilities with spiritual energy.
"Don't worry, bastard," Kelvin whispered as they took position. "I'll try not to hurt you too badly."
The spar began with Kelvin immediately going on the offensive. He was faster and stronger than Noah's apparent capabilities should be able to handle.
But Noah had advantages Kelvin couldn't see. His enhanced reflexes, permanent muscle memory, and weapon familiarity allowed him to read Kelvin's attacks and respond appropriately.
More importantly, during the exchange, Noah felt something stirring within him. The spiritual energy in his meridians began to move in response to the combat situation.
[New Status Acquired: Combat Instinct] - Enhanced reaction time and battle awareness. Duration: 30 minutes [+] [-]
[New Status Acquired: Adrenaline Enhancement] - Increased physical performance under stress. Duration: 1 hour [+] [-]
Both were made permanent instantly. The effect was immediate - Noah's movements became more fluid, his strikes more precise.
Kelvin's confident smirk began to fade as Noah not only defended against his attacks but began to counter-strike effectively.
"Impossible," Kelvin growled, increasing his intensity. "You're just a bastard with no training!"
But Noah was learning and adapting at an inhuman rate. Every exchange taught him more about combat, and his system was making those lessons permanent.
The spar reached its climax when Kelvin attempted an advanced technique - a feint followed by a thrust toward Noah's center. It was a move that should have easily defeated a novice.
Instead, Noah's enhanced combat instincts predicted the attack. He sidestepped the feint, parried the thrust, and delivered a perfect counter using the "Falling Star" technique he'd learned just hours earlier.
The wooden sword struck Kelvin squarely in the chest, sending him stumbling backward.
The training yard fell silent.
"Enough," Thomas said firmly. "An excellent display from both boys."
But Noah could see the calculating look in his grandfather's eyes. The old man knew something unusual had just occurred.
Damian's face was dark with anger. His son, a legitimate heir with years of training and a proper cultivation technique, had been defeated by a one-year-old bastard with a wooden sword.
As the crowd dispersed, Lena approached Noah.
"That was remarkable," she said quietly. "You learned and adapted in real-time during that fight. How is that possible?"
Noah met her gaze steadily. "Maybe I'm just a quick learner."
"Or maybe," she said with a small smile, "you're far more interesting than you pretend to be."
That evening, alone in his room, Noah reviewed his progress. The system had granted him multiple combat-related permanent enhancements in a single day. His foundation was growing stronger with each challenge.
But he'd also made new enemies and attracted more dangerous attention.
'If I'm going to be watched, I might as well make sure I exceed every expectation. In this world of cultivation and politics, half-measures will only get me killed.'
Looking out his window at the night sky, Noah made a promise to himself. He would master every technique, absorb every lesson, and turn every temporary advantage into permanent power.
The bastard son was becoming something far more dangerous than anyone realized.
---