The outer sect was noisy.
Hundreds of disciples moved through stone paths, training grounds, and wooden halls. Laughter, shouting, and the clash of weapons echoed constantly.
Lin Tian was assigned a small stone room near the edge of the compound.
Simple.
Clean.
No luxury.
He placed his bundle down and stepped outside.
He hadn't taken ten steps when someone blocked his path.
A group of three outer disciples stood there, their robes slightly newer, their expressions smug.
The one in front sneered.
"So you're the newcomer who broke the strength stone?"
Lin Tian looked at him calmly.
"And if I am?"
The disciple laughed.
"I'm Wu Fan, Outer Sect, Seventh Layer of Body Refinement," he said proudly. "Around here, newcomers pay respect."
Lin Tian tilted his head slightly.
"How much?"
Wu Fan blinked.
"What?"
"How much respect costs," Lin Tian said evenly. "So I know whether you're worth it."
The two disciples behind Wu Fan burst out laughing.
"Arrogant brat!"
Wu Fan's smile vanished.
"You think passing the entrance test makes you special?"
He stepped forward, releasing his cultivation.
Seventh Layer Body Refinement.
A strong pressure washed over Lin Tian.
Several nearby disciples stopped to watch.
"A newcomer's about to get taught a lesson."
Lin Tian sighed softly.
He took one step forward.
The pressure vanished.
Wu Fan's eyes widened.
"What—"
Too late.
Lin Tian's fist struck.
No technique.
No warning.
Just speed and overwhelming force.
Crack!
Wu Fan flew backward like a broken doll, slamming into a wooden pillar. The pillar snapped in half.
Silence.
The two disciples froze, their faces pale.
Lin Tian looked at them.
"Do you want to continue?" he asked politely.
They shook their heads frantically and dragged Wu Fan away.
Whispers exploded around the training ground.
"He beat Wu Fan with one punch!"
"He didn't even use qi!"
"What kind of monster is this newcomer?"
From a balcony above, an outer sect elder narrowed his eyes.
"Interesting."
Later that night, Lin Tian sat cross-legged in his room.
The Heaven-Defying Body Art circulated smoothly.
His strength stabilized further.
A knock sounded at the door.
Lin Tian opened it.
Su Yan stood outside.
"You're already causing trouble," she said, half-amused.
"They came to me," Lin Tian replied.
She sighed.
"You just humiliated a senior disciple on your first day. Challenges will come."
"Good," Lin Tian said calmly. "I need resources."
Su Yan stared at him.
"…You're planning to fight for them?"
Lin Tian nodded.
"The fastest way."
She hesitated, then handed him a small token.
"Outer Sect Arena," she said. "Formal challenges. Winner takes contribution points."
Her eyes met his.
"Be careful."
Lin Tian took the token.
"I always am."
As Su Yan turned to leave, another figure appeared from the shadows.
Mo Xue.
She leaned against a wall, arms crossed.
"You fight clean," she said. "No hesitation."
Lin Tian looked at her.
"I don't like wasting time."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Neither do I," she replied. "I'll be watching."
As night fell, Lin Tian closed his door.
Outside, his name spread faster than wildfire.
A newcomer.
One punch.
One day.
The outer sect had gained a problem.