Standing Ground
Morning bells rang across the inner mountain.
Kael stepped onto the main inner training field, wearing plain robes. Around him, inner disciples gathered in small groups, their voices low but sharp.
He felt it immediately.
Attention.
Not hidden.
Not subtle.
Open.
A stone platform at the center shimmered as a senior inner disciple stepped forward.
Rovan Kells.
His presence alone quieted the field.
"Inner disciples," Rovan said calmly, "today's training will include a public evaluation."
Murmurs rippled.
Evaluation meant comparison.
Rovan's gaze turned to Kael.
"Kael," he said. "You will participate."
Kael nodded. "Understood."
Several disciples exchanged looks.
"This is pressure."
"He just arrived."
"They're testing him."
Rovan gestured to the platform.
"Simple test," he continued. "Endure the Mountain Pressure Formation for as long as you can."
A few disciples stiffened.
That formation was not gentle.
Kael stepped onto the platform.
The formation activated.
Instantly, pressure descended like a mountain falling from the sky.
The stone beneath Kael's feet cracked.
His knees bent slightly.
Gasps echoed.
"He's still standing!"
Kael exhaled slowly and activated Void Tempering.
Pressure flooded inward.
Pain flared—
then settled.
Minutes passed.
One.
Two.
Three.
Sweat rolled down his face, soaking his collar.
The pressure increased again.
Kael's muscles screamed. Bones vibrated violently.
[Mountain Pressure Formation Detected.]
[Void Tempering Response: Optimal]
Kael clenched his fists.
He straightened.
The platform cracked further, lines spreading outward.
Silence fell.
Rovan's eyes narrowed.
"This pressure equals advanced inner disciple level," he said quietly.
Kael did not answer.
Five minutes.
Then—
the formation flickered.
Rovan raised his hand.
"Enough."
The pressure vanished.
Kael stepped down from the platform.
His breathing was heavy—
but steady.
Around him, inner disciples stared in disbelief.
"That was five minutes…"
"He didn't collapse."
"He didn't even retreat."
Rovan approached him.
"You didn't resist," he said softly. "You absorbed."
Kael met his gaze. "Pressure makes me heavier."
A faint smile crossed Rovan's face.
"Good answer."
But then—
another voice cut in.
"That proves nothing."
A woman stepped forward.
Tall.
Cold-eyed.
Her inner disciple robe bore two silver threads.
Senior Inner Disciple: Mira Vayne.
She looked at Kael with open disdain.
"Endurance alone doesn't make you strong," she said. "Fight."
The field went quiet.
Rovan frowned. "Mira—"
"I'll keep it fair," Mira interrupted. "One exchange. No techniques."
Her gaze locked onto Kael.
"Let me see if you're solid—or hollow."
Kael studied her.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
They stepped onto the platform together.
The air tightened.
Mira moved first.
Fast.
Her palm strike aimed directly at Kael's chest.
Kael raised his arm and stepped forward.
Their strikes met.
Boom.
The platform shook violently.
Dust erupted.
Kael slid back one step.
Mira slid back—
three.
Her eyes widened.
She steadied herself, shock flashing across her face.
"…Interesting."
Kael lowered his arm.
"Again?" he asked.
Mira stared at him for a long moment.
Then she smiled thinly.
"No."
She turned away.
"Today's enough."
The field erupted in whispers.
Rovan watched Kael with new eyes.
"He's no longer an experiment," he murmured.
"He's a variable."
Kael stepped off the platform.
For the first time among inner disciples—
no one blocked his path.
The training field slowly returned to noise.
But the sound felt different now.
Whispers no longer carried mockery—only caution.
Kael walked toward the edge of the field, feeling dozens of gazes follow his back. No one stepped in front of him. No one challenged him again.
That alone said enough.
Inside his body, the Void Tempering Art continued to work.
Every heartbeat compressed muscle and bone further, turning pressure into mass.
Kael could feel it clearly.
He was heavier than yesterday.
Rovan watched him leave.
"He didn't use Qi offensively," Rovan said quietly. "Not even once."
Mira crossed her arms. "That's what makes him dangerous."
Rovan nodded slowly. "If he reaches full stability…"
Mira's eyes darkened. "Then he won't just endure pressure."
"He'll return it."
Back in his courtyard, Kael sat down and finally released a slow breath.
Only then did the strain surface.
His arms trembled faintly. His skin burned as if heated from the inside.
He closed his eyes.
"System," he whispered.
[Body Tempering Status:]
— Current Progress: 41%
— Structural Stability: High
— Internal Stress: Acceptable
[Warning:]
— Excessive compression may cause delayed backlash
Kael smiled faintly.
"Worth it."
He adjusted his posture and began circulating Qi carefully, easing the strain without undoing the compression.
Minutes passed.
Then—
a knock.
Kael opened the door.
A junior inner disciple stood there, posture stiff.
"Senior Kael," he said respectfully. "You've been assigned a mission."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
The disciple nodded. "Joint mission. Three inner disciples. Departure tomorrow."
He handed over a jade slip and left quickly, as if afraid to stay longer.
Kael read the slip.
Mission:
— Location: Grey Rift Valley
— Objective: Investigate abnormal beast activity
— Risk Level: Medium
— Assigned Team: Mixed Inner Disciples
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Too fast," he murmured.
Inner disciples usually received missions after weeks, not days.
Someone was pushing him outward.
Testing him again.
He folded the slip.
"If they want to see how heavy I am," Kael said softly, "they'll find out."
That night, Kael cultivated under moonlight.
The mountain was quiet, but his instincts remained sharp.
Far below, in a concealed hall carved into black stone, lanterns flickered.
A hooded figure read a report.
"Pressure resistance exceeds projections."
"Combat exchange favors density-based response."
"Growth rate accelerating."
The figure tapped the table once.
"Grey Rift Valley," he said. "Suitable environment."
Another voice asked, "And if he survives?"
The hooded figure paused.
"Then he's no longer a test subject."
"Then he's a threat."
Back in his room, Kael suddenly opened his eyes.
His heart beat once—heavy, powerful.
He felt it.
Not fear.
Not danger.
Interest.
Something beyond the clan was watching.
Kael stood up and clenched his fist.
The air around his hand distorted slightly.
"Good," he said quietly.
"I was getting bored."
Outside, clouds drifted across the moon.
And far away—
the path ahead began to narrow.