With his awakening of the Celestial Eye and the sect master's continued guidance, Luo Chen's cultivation progressed at an accelerated rate. Within three months, he completed his advancement through all nine stages of Spiritual Awakening and achieved a breakthrough to the next realm: Qi Gathering.
In the Qi Gathering realm, cultivators focused on expanding their spiritual reserves—the amount of qi they could store and utilize in their dantian. It was also a realm where cultivators could begin to develop specialized techniques based on their affinities.
However, Luo Chen's advancement was not without complications.
As he rose through the ranks of outer disciples, he attracted increasing attention from others in the sect. Some looked at him with admiration and respect. Others looked at him with envy or suspicion. And among the most troublesome observers was a disciple named Liu Hao, who came from a powerful cultivation family within the sect.
Liu Hao was the nephew of Inner Disciple Zhao Ming, and he had been given special treatment throughout his time at the sect. His cultivation base was impressive, having reached the peak of Spiritual Awakening through a combination of talent and resources. But his achievements were largely a result of connections and resources rather than genuine talent or dedication.
When Liu Hao discovered that an orphan from the outer regions was progressing faster and more impressively than he was, despite having started from a lower position, Liu Hao became determined to establish his dominance.
One afternoon, as Luo Chen was leaving the sect's dining hall after lunch, Liu Hao intercepted him.
"Luo Chen," Liu Hao called out, his voice loud enough for dozens of other disciples to hear. "I challenge you to a match. I've heard rumors that you're being groomed for inner disciple status. Let's see if you truly deserve such recognition."
Luo Chen sighed inwardly. This was the third such public challenge in the past month. Yang Feng had made one early in his time at the sect, and another disciple named Wu Chen had made two subsequent challenges. Each time, Luo Chen had defeated them with minimal effort, which only served to increase his reputation and attract more challengers.
"I accept," Luo Chen said simply.
The sparring match took place in the main training arena within the hour. By now, Luo Chen's matches had become popular events, with dozens of disciples gathering to watch. He was building a reputation as a rising star, and many were curious to see how far he could go.
Liu Hao was competent—his cultivation base was solid, and his technique was refined through extensive training under his uncle's tutelage. But he was operating at the level of a top-tier outer disciple. Luo Chen, on the other hand, was essentially operating at the level of a lower inner disciple, using only a fraction of his true power to avoid excessive exposure.
The match lasted less than five minutes.
Luo Chen deflected Liu Hao's attacks with ease and, using a careful application of subtle spatial manipulation, maneuvered his opponent into a position where continuing to fight would be suicidal. Liu Hao conceded defeat, his face flushed with rage and humiliation.
As Luo Chen helped him up, as sportsmanship demanded, Liu Hao hissed, "There's something unnatural about you. You fight like you can see a moment into the future. Mark my words—you'll be removed from this sect before you become too dangerous."
It was only a boastful threat from a sore loser, spoken more from wounded pride than genuine conviction. But the words troubled Luo Chen. How many others were becoming suspicious of his abilities? How long before someone in the sect began investigating him more thoroughly?
These concerns proved prescient.