Morning arrived slowly over the Azure Cloud Sect.
The bronze bell rang across the outer disciple area, its deep sound echoing against the mountainside. Disciples emerged from their rooms one after another, stretching, yawning, complaining about cultivation, chores, and life.
But today felt different.
Clusters of disciples gathered unusually close, whispering with restrained excitement.
"Did you hear?"
"Of course I heard."
"They say someone crippled three disciples last night."
"No way. Who?"
A brief silence followed.
Then a hesitant answer.
"…Lin Feng."
Laughter erupted instantly.
"Are you serious?"
"That trash? He can barely circulate qi."
"Someone must be using his name."
As the laughter continued, Lin Feng walked calmly through the courtyard.
He carried a wooden tray in his hands, heading toward the outer sect cafeteria. His expression was neutral, his steps unhurried, as if he were completely unaware of the glances following him.
Whispers trailed behind him like shadows.
"That's him."
"He looks the same as always."
"See? Still trash."
Lin Feng sat down at a long table and placed his tray in front of him. Inside were two grain buns and a low-grade body-tempering pill. He picked up the bun and took a bite.
Ding.
Consumption detected.
Minor growth increase.
He chewed slowly.
Across from him, two disciples stared openly.
One of them snorted. "Hey, Lin Feng."
Lin Feng glanced up.
"You should be careful these days," the disciple said with a grin. "People are saying you beat three men alone last night. That's dangerous talk."
The other disciple laughed. "Yeah. If the Law Enforcement Hall hears it, they might punish you just for the joke."
Lin Feng swallowed and replied calmly, "Then don't spread it."
The laughter died instantly.
The two disciples exchanged glances, suddenly uncomfortable. Something about Lin Feng's tone felt wrong. There was no fear. No defensiveness. Just indifference.
They stood up and left without another word.
Lin Feng continued eating.
Around him, conversations grew quieter.
Someone whispered, "Did you notice? He didn't deny it."
"Maybe… he really did it?"
"That's impossible."
Rumors moved faster than cultivation techniques.
By midmorning, the story had changed three times.
Some said Lin Feng had ambushed them at night.
Others claimed he had used a forbidden talisman.
One particularly imaginative version insisted he had crippled them with killing intent alone.
Lin Feng swept fallen leaves near the training grounds, listening to the exaggerated tales with mild curiosity.
"So now I crush people with my aura," he murmured.
Ding.
Chore detected.
Passive growth ongoing.
He swept another pile.
His body warmed slightly.
Nearby, a group of disciples trained under a supervising senior. One of them lost focus and was struck by his opponent, tumbling across the ground.
The senior scolded him harshly.
"Focus! Do you think cultivation is easy?"
Lin Feng swept past them.
Ding.
Growth detected.
By the time he finished his assigned chore, his breathing alone had increased his strength noticeably.
"System," Lin Feng called.
The panel appeared.
Realm: Body Tempering (4/10)
Multiplier: x2
He felt it clearly now. The x2 multiplier doubled everything. Walking, standing, breathing—all of it stacked relentlessly.
Lin Feng sat beneath a tree and poured himself a cup of cheap tea.
As he lifted the cup—
Ding.
Growth detected.
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"So even drinking tea counts."
"Confirmed," the system replied. "Sustained lifestyle actions contribute to long-term growth."
Lin Feng took a sip.
The tea was bitter.
Across the courtyard, the mood suddenly shifted.
Disciples parted instinctively as a figure approached in black robes. A silver badge marked with the scales of justice hung at his waist.
A Law Enforcement Disciple.
His gaze was sharp, cold, and clearly irritated.
"Lin Feng," he called.
The entire courtyard went silent.
Lin Feng set his cup down and stood.
"Yes?"
The Law Enforcement Disciple's brows furrowed. He had expected fear. Hesitation. At least nervousness.
"Come with me," the man said. "You're suspected of attacking fellow disciples."
Lin Feng nodded. "Alright."
That answer caught everyone off guard.
He didn't argue.
He didn't beg.
He simply followed.
Whispers exploded the moment they left.
"He admitted it?"
"Is he stupid?"
"He's finished."
They didn't go far.
Before they reached the Law Enforcement Hall, an old man stepped out from a side path. He wore plain gray robes, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were sharp.
Outer Sect Elder Zhao.
The Law Enforcement Disciple stiffened immediately. "Elder Zhao."
Elder Zhao's gaze shifted to Lin Feng, lingering for a breath longer than necessary. Something faint stirred in his expression.
"Why are you taking him?" Elder Zhao asked calmly.
"Three outer disciples were found crippled last night," the Law Enforcement Disciple replied. "Witnesses place Lin Feng nearby."
"Witnesses," Elder Zhao repeated. "Or rumors?"
The Law Enforcement Disciple hesitated. "The injuries were severe."
Elder Zhao nodded slowly. "And have you confirmed Lin Feng's cultivation?"
"…Body Tempering," the disciple replied. "Low level."
Elder Zhao smiled faintly. "Then tell me. How did a low-level Body Tempering disciple cripple three men without killing them?"
The Law Enforcement Disciple fell silent.
Elder Zhao waved his hand. "I will investigate. You may go."
The disciple clenched his fists, clearly unhappy, but bowed. "Yes, Elder."
He left.
Lin Feng remained standing calmly.
Elder Zhao studied him openly now.
"You're very calm," the elder said.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Lin Feng replied.
Elder Zhao chuckled softly. "That's not what I meant."
He turned away. "Return to your routine. Do not provoke trouble."
Lin Feng bowed. "Understood."
As he walked away, Elder Zhao watched his back, eyes narrowing slightly.
"That qi…" he murmured. "Strange."
Lin Feng returned to his cultivation room.
He sat down, crossed his legs, and began circulating his technique.
The x2 multiplier took effect instantly.
Ding.
Cultivation detected.
Growth efficiency doubled.
Pain surged—but less violently than before. His body adapted faster, smoother. His bones resonated faintly, muscles tightening and releasing in perfect rhythm.
Minutes passed.
Then—
Crack.
Ding.
Realm breakthrough detected.
Body Tempering advanced to Layer 5.
Lin Feng opened his eyes and exhaled.
He reached for his tea again.
Ding.
Growth detected.
Outside, Elder Zhao stood atop a nearby building, observing quietly.
He watched Lin Feng cultivate.
He watched the qi flow.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"…Impossible."
Within a single session, Lin Feng's aura rose again.
Ding.
Growth accumulation detected.
Approaching breakthrough threshold.
Elder Zhao inhaled sharply.
"This one," he whispered, "doesn't follow the rules."
Far away, within a lavish residence, Liu Kang listened to a disciple's report.
"Lin Feng?" Liu Kang repeated, amused. "That trash?"
"Yes. Elder Zhao stopped the punishment."
Liu Kang smiled slowly.
"Interesting," he said. "Very interesting."
He stood up.
"Looks like I need to personally correct a mistake."
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note
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This is a long-form cultivation + system novel with power growth, slice-of-life moments, and calm dominance. Lin Feng's rise will not stop here.
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Thank you for reading.