Morning spread through the Clear Stream Sect as if nothing had changed.
That was the worst part.
Zhou Wei walked the outer paths with a bundle of tools on his shoulder. He kept his head down and moved at an unhurried pace. The air carried the smell of wet stone and pine resin, fresh after the night's rain. Disciples passed by, discussing cultivation schedules, whose breakthrough had stalled, and trivial rivalries that meant everything to them and nothing at all.
The world had not noticed.
But Zhou Wei had.
Every step felt different now. His body moved with a quiet solidity that hadn't been there before. It wasn't strength, at least not yet; it was stability. His breath no longer caught when he climbed stairs, and his pulse remained steady. When he channeled spiritual energy through his meridians, it followed his guidance without resistance.
Foundation Establishment had settled into him like a second spine.
He kept it buried.
That was the most important thing. Power meant nothing if revealed too soon. Zhou Wei had endured too long as prey to forget that.
As he worked, his awareness expanded carefully, controlled and focused. He brushed against emotions without getting lost in them. Envy, ambition, boredom—the usual background noise of a sect waking up.
Then he felt it.
Attention.
Not Mei Lin's. Hers had become steady—muted but present, low and calm like embers beneath ash. This presence felt sharper and colder. It was focused.
Elder Zhang.
The elder stood near the main hall, speaking quietly with two inner disciples. He maintained a relaxed posture, hands folded behind his back, and his expression was mild. To anyone watching, he appeared to be the picture of patience.
Zhou Wei sensed the truth beneath it.
Irritation coiled tightly inside Zhang, forming something dangerous. Desire simmered beneath that, no longer satisfied with waiting. And threaded through it all was suspicion.
Not certain.
But close.
Zhou Wei slowed his steps slightly, allowing the flow of servants to pass around him. He bent to adjust a loose stone near the path, buying time and keeping his presence small.
Zhang's gaze swept the courtyard.
For a brief moment, Zhou Wei felt it touch him, testing. He drew inward, flattening his awareness until he felt as empty as he had before the jade shattered in his hand.
The gaze moved on.
Zhou Wei did not relax.
He finished his work and headed toward the storage yards, taking a longer route than necessary. He needed space to think and listen. The sect was beginning to tighten, its routines shifting in subtle ways that only someone accustomed to observing from the sidelines would notice.
More guards near the inner quarters.
Disciples lingering where they usually passed through quickly.
Questions asked twice instead of once.
Someone was looking for something.
Mei Lin remained hidden.
Zhou Wei checked on her once, indirectly, brushing his awareness lightly against the south wall storeroom. She was there as planned—tired, alert, and calm in a way that still felt strange.
No regret.
That eased something in his chest he had not realized was tense.
By midday, the sky darkened again. Clouds rolled in low and heavy, dulling the light. Zhou Wei was returning a set of tools when a ripple passed through the sect.
Not fear.
Authority.
He felt it before he heard it—a presence heavier than any elder of Clear Stream. Sharp, clean, and disciplined in a way that cut instead of soothed.
A righteous cultivator.
Zhou Wei stopped walking.
Disciples gathered near the outer gate, whispers spreading quickly. Zhou Wei allowed himself to be swept along with the servants, curiosity serving as a convenient mask.
At the gate stood three figures.
Two wore the robes of Heavenly Purity Sect disciples, white trimmed with silver, with straight postures and alert eyes. Between them stood an older man in pale blue robes, hands folded within his sleeves, expression neutral.
His cultivation pressed outward like a blade held just out of sight.
Zhou Wei's scalp prickled.
Heavenly Purity.
The elder spoke calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly.
"This sect is undergoing a routine inspection," he said. "There have been reports of irregular spiritual fluctuations in this region."
Zhou Wei felt Elder Zhang's presence sharpen immediately.
The Clear Stream Sect leader stepped forward, bowing deeply, his face composed. "Elder, you honor us. We have nothing to hide."
The Heavenly Purity elder nodded slightly. "We will see."
Zhou Wei lowered his gaze, his heart beating steadily despite the sudden danger. This was earlier than expected. Much earlier.
His breakthrough had left traces. Faint ones, carefully masked, but Heavenly Purity cultivators specialized in detecting corruption. Even rumors were enough to draw their attention.
Elder Zhang moved forward, joining the sect leader. His voice was smooth, almost eager.
"We welcome your scrutiny," Zhang said. "Our sect takes pride in discipline and purity."
The words made Zhou Wei's jaw tighten.
The Heavenly Purity elder's gaze moved slowly across the gathered disciples and servants. When it lingered on Zhou Wei, he felt it last just a fraction longer than comfort allowed.
He did not react.
He let his shoulders slump slightly and let his breath hitch as if he were nervous. He thought of nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The gaze moved on.
A murmur spread as the inspection began. Disciples were questioned. Courtyards were examined. Inner halls were entered and exited with polite authority. The sect's rhythm faltered under the pressure, routines bending but not yet breaking.
Zhou Wei retreated to the edges, making himself useful where needed and remaining invisible where not. Every sense was stretched tight.
This was the moment where mistakes could be fatal.
By late afternoon, the Heavenly Purity elder paused near the training grounds, frowning slightly.
"There is something," he said. "Faint. Recently stirred."
Zhou Wei felt Mei Lin's presence tense in response, even from a distance.
Elder Zhang spoke immediately. "Perhaps a faulty formation. We recently repaired several."
The elder considered that. His gaze sharpened again.
"I will conduct a deeper scan tonight," he said. "With your cooperation, of course."
"Of course," the sect leader replied.
Zhou Wei's thoughts raced, but his expression remained blank.
A deeper scan meant trouble. Real trouble. The kind that wouldn't be fooled by surface calm.
As the gathering dispersed, Zhou Wei slipped away, his heart pounding despite his control. He moved quickly but without haste toward the south wall.
Mei Lin was already waiting when he arrived, standing instead of sitting this time. She turned when he entered, eyes sharp.
"They're here," she said.
"Yes," Zhou Wei replied. "Heavenly Purity."
Her jaw set. "Because of us."
"Because of me," Zhou Wei corrected.
She shook her head once. "No. Because something changed."
That was true.
He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Listen to me. Tonight will be dangerous. They will search more thoroughly. You must stay hidden, no matter what you hear."
"And you."
"I will be moving," he said. "Watching. Preparing."
She hesitated, then nodded. "If they find me."
"They won't," he said. "And if they try, you run. Do not wait for me."
Her eyes flashed. "I won't leave you."
Zhou Wei met her gaze steadily. "You will if it keeps you alive."
The connection between them pulsed, tight and bright.
She exhaled sharply, then nodded once. "All right."
Zhou Wei turned to leave, then paused.
"This is not the end," he said. "It's the beginning of something much larger."
Mei Lin watched him go, her expression unreadable.
As Zhou Wei slipped back into the tightening sect, the weight of the Heavenly Purity elder's presence pressed down harder, probing and measuring.
The net was closing.
And this time, Zhou Wei would have to slip through it without tearing it open.
Or burn everything caught inside.