The first light of dawn had yet to touch the Wen Clan estate. Lanterns still glowed faintly along the courtyard paths, casting long, wavering shadows that danced across the stone tiles. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and bamboo, and the usual morning hum of training had not yet begun.
Wen Chen sat cross-legged in his chamber, the red Luck Orb resting quietly on the table beside him. His Talent Panel hovered in front of him, golden lines and glyphs pulsating softly, as if alive.
The previous night's events—the absorption of the red orb, the unexpected activation of the Talent Evolution Mode, and the faint sensation of being watched—remained vivid in his mind. Yet his face was calm, composed, as always.
"Patience," he whispered to himself.
"Observation first. Action second."
With a gentle motion, he extended his hand toward the panel. A faint hum responded. He studied the new evolution pathways, noting subtle adjustments he could make to his cultivation and meridians. Each pathway offered him choices—strength, speed, endurance, or sharper perception.
As he traced a finger along a glowing meridian, he heard a sound outside—soft, deliberate footsteps, almost inaudible against the morning breeze.
Wen Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, not in fear, but in sharp awareness. He rose, moving toward the window with measured steps. The courtyard was quiet, but the feeling he had sensed the night before returned: someone was watching.
Not a disciple, not an elder, not anyone he recognized.
He observed carefully, blending into the shadows as he had learned from countless silent walks through the estate.
Then, across the courtyard, near the outer training grounds, he saw her.
A girl.
Her presence was unmistakable. Calm, composed, yet exuding a sharp, commanding aura. She stood with her back straight, arms folded lightly, observing the main training hall with a cool, calculating gaze. Her dark hair was tied neatly behind her head, and her eyes—though partially shielded—were sharp, intelligent, almost predatory.
Even from a distance, Wen Chen could sense her strength. Not just in body, but in mind. Every subtle movement, every measured breath suggested a disciple who was highly disciplined, highly skilled—and highly confident.
His inner panel responded immediately.
[STRONG EXTERNAL PRESENCE DETECTED — UNKNOWN]
[POTENTIAL TALENT: HIGH]
The red Luck Orb beside him vibrated faintly, as if acknowledging the new presence.
Wen Chen's lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly. Calm, steady, analyzing.
"An elite talent…" he thought.
"From the timing, she must be new to the clan—or at least, not part of the inner circles I know."
The girl's gaze shifted, scanning the courtyard with precision. Her eyes briefly flicked toward Wen Chen's chamber, and for the first time, he felt her awareness brush against his presence.
But she didn't enter. She only observed.
Wen Chen exhaled slowly, maintaining his calm composure. He didn't move hastily, didn't signal or react. Instead, he let her observation pass like a silent wind.
Inside, however, his mind worked quietly, calculating.
"She's strong," he noted.
"Careful, controlled… likely not here to make friends. I need to understand her purpose before anything else."
The Talent Panel pulsed again, highlighting new pathways for evolution that had not appeared before. It was responding not only to the red Luck Orb but also to the presence of another powerful disciple nearby.
Wen Chen's fingers hovered over the panel. He allowed himself a small, calm smile.
"Interesting," he murmured.
"It seems my growth is attracting attention… and someone with her strength is curious."
---
FIRST OBSERVATION
The girl remained still, motionless, for several minutes, her dark eyes scanning every angle. Then, without a sound, she moved closer, stepping lightly across the stone tiles. Each movement was precise, measured—no wasted motion, no hesitation.
Wen Chen watched, calm and unflinching. He didn't panic. His pulse did not rise.
Inside, his mind considered every possibility:
Was she a new elite disciple of the Wen Clan?
Was she sent to observe him specifically?
Or… was she testing the waters, seeing what kind of person he was?
She paused near the edge of the training grounds, eyes narrowing slightly, lips pressing into a firm line. From his perspective, she was completely unaware that he could see her as clearly as he did.
And yet, the Talent Panel reacted again, highlighting a hidden pathway labeled:
[EXTERNAL TALENT SYNCHRONIZATION — POTENTIAL OBSERVER DETECTED]
The red Luck Orb vibrated gently, reminding Wen Chen of its presence. The orb's energy seemed to resonate with her aura—not dangerous, but alerting.
Calmly, he withdrew slightly into the shadows of his chamber, letting her remain unaware of his full awareness.
"Patience," he whispered.
"Let her make the first move."
---
THE PANEL'S NEW FUNCTION
He glanced at the Talent Panel. The hidden function unlocked by the red Luck Orb—the Talent Evolution Mode—was now fully operational. It displayed new symbols he had never seen before:
Combat Flow Integration
Perception Amplification
External Talent Detection
Luck Resonance
Wen Chen's calm mind absorbed the data silently. He realized that the girl's presence had activated one of the new functions: External Talent Detection. The system was responding not just to his Luck Orbs, but to strong external auras in proximity.
A smile tugged at his lips. Calm, deliberate.
"So, the system evolves with experience… and proximity. Very well."
He allowed the panel to remain open, observing the girl without revealing himself. Each pulse of energy from the red Luck Orb strengthened the hidden function, giving him more precise readings on her potential.
---
A SUDDEN SHIFT
Without warning, the girl's stance changed. Her body tensed slightly, one hand brushing the hilt of a concealed blade. Her eyes flicked toward the east wall of the Wen estate, then back toward the training grounds.
The Talent Panel alerted him instantly:
[WARNING — HIGH LEVEL PRESENCE DETECTED]
[OBSERVE AND PREPARE]
Wen Chen's calm demeanor did not falter. He moved silently, keeping his distance, analyzing.
"She's testing something," he noted internally.
"Her strength… her precision. Not casual observation."
The panel pulsed again, highlighting an uncharted evolution pathway:
[Observer Synchronization — Potential Ally or Rival]
For the first time, the system labeled an external presence as a potential factor in his growth.
Wen Chen's pulse remained calm. His mind was sharp, calculating.
"So, she is strong, controlled, and curious… I can learn from this."