CHAPTER 11
The Sect's Attention
The golden light did not fade quickly.
It clung to the Qi Sensing Stone like a divine brand.
For several long breaths, no one moved.
The training yard—once filled with noise, mockery, impatience—
had become a grave of silence.
Outer sect disciples stared as if they had seen a ghost.
Some looked frightened.
Some looked greedy.
Some looked like their entire understanding of cultivation had just shattered.
Elder Han's gaze sharpened.
It was no longer lazy.
It was no longer indifferent.
It was the gaze of a predator who had spotted something impossible.
He stepped down from his chair.
Each footfall carried weight.
He stopped before Zheng Wen Te.
"Name."
Zheng Wen Te swallowed.
"…Zheng Wen Te."
A murmur spread.
"That's not even a local name…"
"Sounds strange…"
Elder Han's eyes narrowed.
"Age?"
Zheng Wen Te hesitated.
He could not say fifty.
He could not explain Earth.
He answered carefully.
"…Twenty-two."
The elder studied his face.
Then his palm snapped forward—
Zheng Wen Te flinched instinctively.
But Elder Han did not strike.
Two fingers pressed against Zheng Wen Te's wrist.
A pulse of Qi entered him.
Cold.
Sharp.
Searching.
Zheng Wen Te's breath stopped.
It felt like being examined down to the soul.
The recruits behind him trembled, watching.
After a moment, Elder Han withdrew his hand.
His expression was unreadable.
"…No cultivation foundation."
The yard erupted into whispers.
"No foundation?!"
"Then how did the stone—"
Elder Han's voice cut through them like thunder.
"Silence!"
Instantly, all sound died.
He turned slightly, looking toward the higher mountain peaks hidden in mist.
As if considering something beyond his authority.
Golden Qi…
A sign.
A rumor.
A disaster.
Or a miracle.
Then Elder Han spoke again, slower.
"This matter will be reported."
Zheng Wen Te's heart clenched.
Reported?
To whom?
Before he could ask, a sharp voice rang out.
"Elder Han!"
A man in white robes approached from the stone steps.
Unlike the grey outer sect disciples, his robe was embroidered with flowing cloud patterns.
Inner sect.
His presence was different.
Refined.
Dangerous.
His eyes landed on the glowing tablet.
Then on Zheng Wen Te.
A smile curved his lips.
"Golden Qi."
"So the rumors were true."
Elder Han stiffened.
"Disciple Liu. This is outer sect business."
Disciple Liu chuckled softly.
"Outer sect business?"
He leaned closer, voice lowering.
"When golden Qi appears, it is no longer outer sect business."
The air grew tense.
Zheng Wen Te stood between them, feeling like prey caught between wolves.
Disciple Liu's gaze softened suddenly, almost kind.
He looked at Zheng Wen Te.
"Junior brother…"
"Do you know what you've done?"
Zheng Wen Te's voice came out hoarse.
"No."
Disciple Liu smiled wider.
"You have invited the eyes of the entire sect upon you."
The recruits behind him stepped back instinctively.
Even the arrogant disciple from earlier looked pale.
Zheng Wen Te's stomach twisted.
He had wanted sleep.
Oblivion.
Instead, he had lit a flame.
And flames in cultivation worlds…
always attracted storms.
Elder Han's voice was cold.
"Take him."
Two disciples immediately stepped forward.
Zheng Wen Te tensed.
"To where?" he demanded.
Disciple Liu answered gently.
"To see if you are a blessing…"
"…or a calamity."
As they escorted him away, Zheng Wen Te looked back once.
The Qi Stone still glowed faintly gold.
And deep in his palm…
the tiny orb pulsed again.
Like a heartbeat.
Like Shangdi watching.