Chapter 24 – Invitations and Intentions
The courtyard was quiet when Lin Xuan returned, but his mind was anything but.
The metallic tang of blood still clung to his senses, no matter how thoroughly he'd cleaned himself before re-entering the sect. Bodies hidden in the forest would tell no tales, but he knew the people who had sent them would soon be searching for answers.
He wasn't going to give them any.
A polite knock came from the gate.
"Enter," Lin Xuan said, straightening his robe and masking the last traces of his killing intent.
The door slid open, revealing Elder Danfeng. The older man's eyes, sharp despite his relaxed smile, studied Lin Xuan in a way that made it clear he was weighing more than just his disciple's health.
"You've been… busy," Danfeng said lightly, stepping into the courtyard. "Your aura feels different. Tempered, like steel that's just been quenched."
Lin Xuan bowed. "I've been training outside the sect, Elder."
"Mmm. Training." Danfeng's gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer than comfort allowed, but then he let it drop. "Just remember, the sect is like a lake. Still waters hide deep currents. Stir them, and you may find yourself pulled under."
Lin Xuan inclined his head. "I understand."
---
The Yearly Sect Competition
Danfeng's tone shifted, becoming almost casual. "Speaking of currents, the sect's annual competition is approaching. You've been here nearly a month now — just enough time to understand its importance."
Lin Xuan listened as Danfeng explained:
The Combat Tournament, where disciples from all ranks clashed to determine the strongest fighters in the sect.
The Alchemy Tournament, where refiners produced pills under time pressure, with judges awarding points for quality, grade, and stability.
"The rewards are generous," Danfeng continued. "Rare techniques, premium cultivation resources, even personal audiences with the Sect Master for the winners. And for alchemy… the top three are given access to the sect's deepest stores of ingredients and pill recipes."
"You want me to compete," Lin Xuan said, already knowing the answer.
"Both events," Danfeng confirmed without hesitation. "Your strength is unusual, and your skill in alchemy will shock them. This is your chance to gain allies and… discourage certain kinds of attention."
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Attention?"
"Not all of it is the kind you want," Danfeng admitted. "But if you stand tall in both arenas, the ones watching will think twice before moving against you."
---
Acceptance
Lin Xuan leaned back, weighing the idea. Competing meant revealing more of himself, but it also meant drawing power toward him — in resources, in reputation, in leverage.
He could use all of those.
"I'll do it," Lin Xuan said. "But I'll need time. I want my performance in both events to be flawless."
Danfeng's smile widened. "Good. I'll arrange for additional resources to be sent to you — premium alchemy ingredients, a list of high-level pill recipes, and time in the sect's advanced cultivation chambers. Use them well."
---
Plans Within Plans
After Danfeng left, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in his courtyard, his mind already shifting into planning mode.
One month to:
Push his cultivation deeper into Foundation Establishment.
Refine his spear techniques, preferably with a heavier spear to match his physical strength.
Raise his defensive art to the next stage.
Perfect the stability of his Heaven-grade pills — and prepare at least one Celestial-grade pill for a dramatic reveal during the competition.
And perhaps most importantly, find an art to conceal his presence. Too many eyes were on him already.
---
A Watching Shadow
As he rose to go inside, Lin Xuan caught sight of a silhouette at the far pavilion — a figure standing very still, watching.
When Lin's gaze shifted toward it, the shadow vanished.
He didn't need to guess who it belonged to. Elder Qiu's hounds were patient, and patience only meant they would try something bigger next time.
Lin Xuan allowed himself a faint smile as he closed the courtyard gate behind him.
Let them watch. The competition will be the stage where I turn their curiosity into fear.
---
Outside the Sect – The Truth About Qiu
Night had fallen far beyond the sect walls.
A lonely cliff overlooked the dark stretch of forest below, the moon casting silver across the jagged rocks. Elder Qiu stood there, hands clasped behind his back, waiting.
From the shadows emerged a man in black robes patterned with faint crimson lines — the unmistakable mark of the Bloodfiend Demon Sect. His aura was sharp and cold, like a blade just unsheathed.
"You called for me, Elder Qiu," the man said, his voice low.
Qiu's lips curled into a thin smile. "There's a boy in the sect. Stronger than he should be. Talented in both combat and alchemy. He's hiding something… something worth taking."
"A seed worth cultivating for the sect?" the man asked.
"A seed worth stealing," Qiu corrected. "Once I know his secrets, I'll either break him… or deliver him to the Sect Master."
The man in black tilted his head. "And if he resists?"
Qiu's eyes glinted in the moonlight. "Then we uproot him before he grows."
Far below, the forest rustled in the wind, unaware that its next storm was already gathering.