Lin Yue left the room with her thoughts in turmoil. Her mind spun wildly, forming one speculation after another, to the point she almost failed to notice she was about to collide with someone.
"Thud."
"Huh-?"
Lin Yue staggered slightly. She did not fall, but her arm throbbed painfully, as if she had slammed into solid stone.
The person she bumped into reflexively glanced at her. His brows furrowed, not from pain, but mild irritation.
His face was sharp and well-defined, as though every feature had been carefully carved. When his brows knitted together, the pressure he gave off became unmistakable.
When he spoke to apologize, however, his voice stood in stark contrast to his appearance. It carried a gentle, courteous tone.
Lin Yue froze for a moment. That voice seemed to linger in her ears.
"…" She had expected him to be rough.
"No cultivation…" Though muttered, it was still loud enough to be heard.
The man's brows lifted slightly when his gaze landed on the token in Lin Yue's hand. Since when could someone without cultivation enter the sect?
He studied her for a moment longer, as if committing her to memory.
"You're the one who dragged out a baby kraken, right? Fortune favored you."
"Correct." Fortune? It was all training and instinct. Lin Yue had no intention of explaining.
"What's your name?"
"Lin Yue."
"A new disciple?"
Lin Yue nodded. "I suppose so."
She observed him carefully. This man was clearly someone important within the sect, possibly a direct disciple, or even of noble background judging from his appearance.
If possible, Lin Yue wanted to avoid people like him. The risk of her identity being exposed was far higher.
It would be easy for someone like him to eliminate her.
However, he seemed to believe she possessed a rare talent that had yet to be refined.
If he knew what she was thinking, Lin Yue might have laughed bitterly.
"My name is Mo Yuchen. I'm your senior." He added with a faint smile.
"It's unfortunate that I'm in a hurry and can't guide you today. If, in the future, you prove yourself capable, we may meet again."
His words were polite, yet carried an unspoken lack of interest toward those without ability.
Unfortunately for him, Lin Yue could not care less. In fact, she hoped this young master of the Mo family would never cross her path again.
"Very well, Senior. Please don't trouble yourself."
For now, their exchange was still civil. There was no guarantee it would remain that way next time.
Fortunately, Mo Yuchen asked nothing further and left.
Good.
.......
The rest of the day passed with Lin Yue continuing her routine physical training. This time, however, it was no longer as harsh or forced as before.
Training had become a schedule she could no longer abandon. Nearly all her days were consumed by it.
Her legs no longer ached when she ran. Her speed had increased. Her breathing grew steadier and lighter. She had even become proficient in other aspects.
What she once struggled to achieve now came naturally.
The results were real, though far from instant. It took a span of time that could not be measured in days for everything to reach its peak.
.
This time, Lin Yue felt confident enough to begin cultivating.
She sat on the bed in a meditative posture and focused her mind. Her breathing flowed evenly, her expression calm. Her expectations were higher than before.
Time passed.
Lin Yue remained motionless on the bed. Her expression did not change, yet she still could not sense Qi.
Even so, she remained calm.
Half a stick of incense burned away.
"…" No change.
One stick of incense passed.
"…" Her brows finally knit together.
When another half-stick burned away, Lin Yue could no longer endure it. She opened her eyes, unable to understand what had gone wrong.
Hadn't she strengthened her physical constitution? Shouldn't this have worked?
Was something wrong with her body? Or was it because she didn't originate from this world?
The more she thought, the more frustrated she became.
Lin Yue threw herself back onto the bed roughly. The impact shifted the table beside it, knocking something to the floor.
"Thud"
The sound startled her.
Looking down, she saw two tokens lying there.
She remembered now. One was the elite token belonging to Young Master Hu, the second elder's disciple, which she had yet to return.
The other was her own.
The contrast was striking. Hers was plain, while the elite token was lavishly engraved.
Lin Yue picked up the ornate one. To this day, she still didn't know what other functions it possessed.
Whether it was useful or not, she would return it sooner or later. Her purpose for entering the sect had already been fulfilled.
What came next was adaptation.
And survival.
With that thought, she resumed her cultivation attempt, immediately forming a lotus posture once more.
This time, her mind was calmer. The image of becoming stronger motivated her deeply.
After only a few breaths, Lin Yue suddenly sensed Qi.
She froze in shock.
"What…?"
The Qi felt like countless fine particles evenly dispersed through the air. The sensation was gentle, almost pleasant.
Lin Yue was overjoyed.
She finally could feel it.
But why?
The elite token might be the reason. It could be gathering Qi more efficiently during cultivation, increasing her sensitivity.
Perhaps she wasn't talentless after all. She simply needed a trigger.
This assumption, however, was merely Lin Yue's suspicion.
In high spirits, she attempted to draw the Qi into her body.
Unfortunately, it did not truly settle within her. It merely passed through her, flowing freely as if she were hollow.
Lin Yue couldn't understand what was wrong this time. Still, the disappointment was mild.
Being able to sense Qi at all was already enough for today.
Her previous training had clearly played a role, making her more receptive.
As for absorbing Qi…
Lin Yue was certain she would find a way.
No matter what.