By afternoon, the training fields were busy again.Outer disciples practiced basic sword swings, footwork patterns, and Qi breathing exercises. The air was filled with shouts and the sharp "swish" of wooden swords cutting through the wind.
Li Xuan kept to himself in the corner of the main field.He practiced slow footwork, exactly the same way he always did—steady, careful, unremarkable.
He had to look normal.Invisible.
—Good, the Grand Immortal said. Let them think you are still harmless. You must not show a single change.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. He repeated the footwork until sweat rolled down his back. His bruises still hurt, but today the pain didn't control him.
Around him, the disciples whispered.
"Look at him. Moving like a turtle."
"How is he still in the sect?"
"Probably because the Sect Leader pities him."
Li Xuan ignored them all.
He was waiting.
He knew they would come.
And they did.
Zhao Ren walked toward him with a false friendly smile, followed by Chen Mu and Hou Shan. The three of them blocked the light like a wall.
"Well, well," Zhao Ren said. "Li Xuan, you should train with us today. You'll improve faster."
His tone was too sweet.Too fake.
Li Xuan stopped his footwork and looked at them with calm eyes. "I still have things to practice."
"Oh?" Zhao Ren laughed. "Come on, we're being friendly. Let's go to the east hall training ground. It's quiet there. Perfect for someone like you."
Chen Mu leaned close. "Unless you're scared."
Hou Shan cracked his knuckles loudly. "He's always scared."
Li Xuan kept his expression plain.
Inside, his Qi warmed slightly.
—Go with them, the Immortal whispered. It's better to face danger when you are prepared, not when they attack suddenly.—And I will teach you something today.
Li Xuan inhaled softly.Then nodded.
"Fine. Lead the way."
The three bullies exchanged triumphant looks.
"Good choice," Zhao Ren said smugly.
They walked together across the main field, down a narrow stone path, then behind the east hall where the shadows grew longer and the sounds of the sect faded away.
Here, the wind felt colder.The ground was uneven.No elders patrolled this area.
Perfect for their plan.
When they reached the empty training ground, Zhao Ren turned around and smiled.
A smile full of cruelty.
"This place is good, right?" he said. "Quiet. No one to disturb us."
Li Xuan stood in the center of the ground. His posture was relaxed, his eyes calm.
Hou Shan stepped forward. "So, Li Xuan… do you know why you're here?"
Li Xuan didn't answer.
He knew.
Zhao Ren tilted his head slightly, fake sympathy in his voice. "You embarrassed us today. The Sect Leader was watching, and your presence dragged the whole outer disciple group down."
"That's why," Chen Mu added, "you need another lesson."
The three circled around him like wolves around a rabbit.
But Li Xuan didn't feel like prey anymore.
Not today.
Zhao Ren cracked his knuckles. "Don't blame us. Blame yourself for being born useless."
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he spoke.
"Are you done talking?"
All three paused for a brief second.
They weren't used to him answering back.
Zhao Ren recovered first and sneered. "Still got a mouth, huh? Don't worry. We'll fix that."
He stepped forward to throw the first punch.
But at the same time—
—Li Xuan, the Immortal said calmly inside him, I will teach you a simple technique. Something even your weak body can use.—The Rain Breathing Method. It strengthens the senses and steadies your balance.
Li Xuan inhaled.
The warm Qi inside him moved lightly, spreading through his arms and legs.
Not strong.Not visible.But enough.
Zhao Ren's punch came fast—but Li Xuan's body reacted on its own.
He shifted one step back, light and precise.
The punch grazed the air in front of him.
Zhao Ren's eyes widened. "You—!"
Chen Mu darted forward next, grabbing for Li Xuan's collar. But Li Xuan twisted his body slightly; Chen Mu's fingers closed on empty air.
Hou Shan charged, swinging his arm like a hammer. Li Xuan stepped to the side—not fast, but just enough.
For the first time, all three looked confused.
Li Xuan didn't counterattack.He only avoided.
Because that alone was enough to shock them.
Zhao Ren stepped back, eyes narrowing. "What… what was that? You've never moved like this."
Li Xuan stayed silent.
His breathing was steady.His eyes were calm.His stance was light.
Inside him, the Rain Breathing Method flowed softly, letting him sense their movements a split second earlier.
Not power.Not strength.Just awareness.
But awareness was enough to survive.
Hou Shan spat angrily. "Stop dodging!"
He swung again, faster, and Li Xuan stepped aside like water slipping around a stone.
Chen Mu grabbed again, and Li Xuan bent his body slightly; the hand passed through empty space.
Zhao Ren gritted his teeth. "You little—stop running!"
Li Xuan met his glare.
"I'm not running," he said quietly. "You just can't hit me."
Their faces twisted with anger.
Zhao Ren shouted, "Get him!"
All three attacked at once.
Li Xuan inhaled gently.The warm Qi spread again.
His feet moved without thinking.His body flowed like the rain that once fell on him.
He avoided Zhao Ren's punch, ducked under Hou Shan's swing, and sidestepped Chen Mu's grab.
Three attacks.Three misses.
The sound of their failed strikes echoed in the empty training ground.
Zhao Ren's breathing grew heavy.Chen Mu's face darkened.Hou Shan looked like he'd swallowed a stone.
"How… how is he doing this?" Chen Mu whispered.
Zhao Ren glared at Li Xuan with pure hatred.
"You… trash… how dare you play with us?"
Li Xuan's breathing steadied again.His gaze was calm.His heart felt surprisingly quiet.
He had no power yet.No strength to fight back.
But for the first time—
He wasn't helpless.
And the fear in their eyes…
…was just the beginning.