When morning came, the Twilight Ember Sect was unusually noisy.
Li Xuan stepped outside his room, moving carefully so the bruises under his robe didn't stretch too much. The cool morning air brushed against his face, carrying the scent of pine and wet earth.
He expected the usual quiet path.
But today… disciples were whispering everywhere.
Some stood in small groups along the walkway. Others leaned near the training field. Every time someone passed, the whispers followed like a shadow.
Li Xuan kept walking, pretending not to hear.
But even if he tried to ignore it, one sentence reached him clearly.
"Did you hear about Zhao Ren's bruised chest?"
Li Xuan slowed a little.
Another disciple laughed. "He said he slipped during training last night."
"Slipped? That guy always thinks he's perfect. He must've bumped into something."
"Or someone!"
Their laughter spread.
Li Xuan remained expressionless on the outside.
Inside, his heartbeat tightened.
Zhao Ren had bruises?From the shoulder strike yesterday?
He hadn't meant to injure him that badly… but Zhao Ren was too arrogant to admit being hit by Li Xuan.
It didn't matter.Trouble would still come.
He reached the training area, and as expected, Zhao Ren stood at the far side, looking furious. A faint purple mark showed beneath his collar.
Chen Mu and Hou Shan were whispering beside him.
Zhao Ren's eyes scanned the crowd until they found Li Xuan.
Their gazes locked.
Zhao Ren's jaw tightened.Chen Mu's brows lowered.Hou Shan shifted uneasily.
They didn't approach him.Not this morning.
They weren't afraid of Li Xuan.
They were afraid of being seen near him.
Li Xuan kept walking quietly, heading to the last corner of the training field, his usual spot.
But the whispers didn't stop.
"…I heard Li Xuan dodged Zhao Ren's punch."
"No way. How? That guy can barely walk straight."
"Yeah. But someone said he moved really fast."
"Impossible. Li Xuan has no Qi. He's practically crippled."
Li Xuan's hands stayed still at his sides.
He didn't react.He didn't look up.
But this was bad.
If too many rumors spread—If Elder Qiu heard them—If the Sect Leader noticed a change—
Everything he gained could be taken away in one moment.
He tried to stay invisible.But yesterday's fight had already left a mark on the sect.
—Calm, the Grand Immortal whispered. Rumors are like wind. They blow hard at the start but weaken quickly.
Li Xuan exhaled slowly. "But someone might investigate."
—They will, the Immortal replied. But that is the price of progress. You cannot rise without shaking the ground a little.
Li Xuan lowered his eyes but didn't argue.
As he began practicing basic footwork again, Elder Qiu arrived at the field.
The disciples immediately quieted.
Elder Qiu's sharp gaze swept across the crowd… until it stopped directly on Li Xuan.
Li Xuan kept moving. Slow. Simple. The same footwork he always used.
Elder Qiu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he turned to the group and announced, "Today's training will focus on balance and body control. Pair up!"
Pairs formed quickly.
Li Xuan stood alone, as always.
Elder Qiu walked through the disciples, giving out instructions. But when he reached the back corner, he stopped in front of Li Xuan.
The air around them suddenly felt colder.
"Li Xuan."
Li Xuan bowed slightly. "Yes, Elder?"
Elder Qiu stared at him—not with the usual annoyance, but with something sharper. Something calculating.
"There are rumors," Elder Qiu said softly, "that you were practicing behind the east hall last night."
Li Xuan's heart skipped.
"I was in my room last night," he answered calmly.
Elder Qiu watched him for a long moment.
The silence stretched like a blade held between them.
Then Elder Qiu smiled faintly—not a friendly smile, but the kind a snake makes before striking.
"So you say."
Without another word, he turned and left the corner.
Li Xuan's breath finally escaped his chest.His palms felt cold.
—He suspects you, the Grand Immortal said. He may not know what happened, but he can smell change. Men like him always can.
Li Xuan tightened his fists.
"What should I do?"
—Watch him. Hide your growth. And prepare.—If Elder Qiu truly feels threatened, he will not wait long before making a move.
Li Xuan looked across the field.
Elder Qiu was now praising Zhao Ren loudly in front of the others, as if trying to reinforce who truly mattered in the sect.
Zhao Ren smirked. Chen Mu and Hou Shan stood behind him like dogs waiting for a command.
Li Xuan could feel it clearly.
The calm morning was only a surface.Underneath, something darker was shifting.
And the pressure around him was getting tighter.
But instead of fear…He felt something else stirring inside his chest.
A quiet, burning resolve.
"I won't die here," he whispered to himself.
The Grand Immortal answered like thunder behind his calm voice—
—No. You will not.—You will rise from this place… and they will remember you.