Morning arrived quietly over the Green Bamboo Sect.
The events of the previous day had already spread throughout the outer sect completely. Everywhere disciples gathered, Fang Lin's name could be heard.
"A middle stage cultivator defeating Zhou Yan…"
"And forcing him into such a miserable state…"
"That movement technique was terrifying…"
"No wonder Li Shan backed him…"
Within a single battle, Fang Lin's reputation had risen sharply.
But along with reputation—
Came danger.
Inside room 53579, Fang Lin sat cross-legged on the bamboo bed, calmly circulating Qi throughout his body. The battle with Zhou Yan had exhausted a large amount of energy, but it had also stabilized his cultivation further.
The Qi within his meridians moved far more smoothly now.
His control had become sharper.
Especially after the breakthrough of Flowing Wind Steps.
Fang Lin slowly exhaled.
Then—
A knock sounded on the door.
He opened his eyes.
"Come in."
The door opened carefully.
A disciple dressed in grey robes stepped inside respectfully. Judging by the insignia on his chest, he was someone assigned to handle transactions and errands within the outer sect.
His eyes held obvious caution when looking at Fang Lin.
Clearly—
The battle yesterday had already intimidated many people.
The disciple stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Senior Brother Fang."
Fang Lin looked at him calmly.
"What is it?"
The disciple quickly took out a small pouch with both hands.
"I was instructed to deliver this."
Fang Lin accepted the pouch.
The moment he opened it—
A faint golden glow appeared.
Gold coins.
A lot of them.
"Two hundred gold coins," the disciple said respectfully. "Delivered on behalf of Senior Brother Zhou Yan."
Fang Lin's eyes flickered faintly.
So they actually paid.
The disciple hesitated briefly before speaking again.
"Also… Senior Brother Li Shan said that the debt between you two is settled."
Fang Lin nodded slightly.
"I understand."
The disciple bowed again before quickly leaving.
Only after the door closed did Fang Lin pour the contents onto the table.
Gold coins clinked softly.
Beside them—
There was another item.
A small token.
Fang Lin picked it up.
On the token was a single character.
"Li."
Fang Lin stared at it quietly.
Then suddenly—
He smiled faintly.
"That guy…"
He understood.
Li Shan wasn't asking for repayment.
The token itself was simply a way to establish contact.
Fang Lin placed it away carefully.
Then his gaze shifted toward the gold coins again.
Two hundred gold coins.
For outer disciples—
This was already considered an enormous amount of wealth.
Enough to purchase techniques, resources, weapons, or medicinal pills.
But Fang Lin's expression remained calm.
To him—
Money was merely a tool.
Strength mattered more.
Deep within the Green Bamboo Sect—
Inside a large hall shrouded in dim light—
Several elders sat in silence.
The atmosphere was heavy.
At the center stood Zhou Yan, his face pale and ugly.
His injuries had mostly stabilized, but the humiliation in his eyes remained intense.
One of the elders spoke coldly.
"You lost."
Zhou Yan lowered his head slightly.
"This disciple was careless."
"Careless?" another elder sneered. "You embarrassed the entire faction in front of the outer sect."
Zhou Yan clenched his fists tightly but did not dare speak further.
The elders' expressions were dark.
One of them slammed his hand against the armrest.
"That boy has become too arrogant."
"He publicly humiliated our people."
"And now the outer sect is discussing nothing but Fang Lin."
Another elder narrowed his eyes.
"He grows too quickly."
"Too dangerous."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
A killing intent surfaced faintly within the hall.
"Should we remove him?"
The words were spoken calmly.
Yet everyone understood their meaning.
Kill.
The atmosphere grew colder.
Another elder spoke slowly,
"He has Elder Feng's attention."
"So?"
The previous elder's eyes turned cold.
"Disciples die all the time."
"A cultivation accident."
"A failed mission."
"There are many methods."
Several elders nodded faintly.
Clearly—
The thought had already formed long ago.
Zhou Yan's eyes brightened slightly.
Hatred surged within them.
Yes.
Fang Lin should die.
Suddenly—
A voice echoed through the hall.
"Enough."
The entire hall instantly fell silent.
The elders' expressions changed slightly.
No one had noticed when—
Another figure appeared seated at the highest position within the hall.
Covered in shadows.
Even his appearance could not be seen clearly.
But the moment he appeared—
Every elder lowered their heads slightly.
Respectfully.
"Faction Master."
The mysterious figure remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"You've become impatient."
One elder spoke carefully.
"But that boy—"
"Is interesting."
The mysterious figure interrupted calmly.
His fingers tapped lightly against the chair.
"He defeated Zhou Yan despite a realm difference."
"And comprehended intermediate mastery during battle."
His tone remained indifferent.
"But his growth rate…"
Another elder hesitated.
"…is concerning."
The mysterious figure chuckled faintly.
"Which is exactly why killing him now would be foolish."
The hall became silent.
The elders exchanged glances.
The figure continued,
"If someone with such talent can be controlled, he becomes an asset."
"And if not…"
His voice paused briefly.
"Then killing him later won't be difficult."
Cold.
Absolute.
The elders lowered their heads further.
"Observe him for now," the mysterious figure said calmly.
"No one moves against him without my permission."
Zhou Yan's expression became unwilling.
"But—"
A terrifying pressure suddenly filled the hall.
Zhou Yan's face instantly turned pale.
The mysterious figure's voice became colder.
"Did I allow you to speak?"
Zhou Yan immediately knelt fully.
"This disciple was wrong!"
The pressure disappeared.
The figure leaned back slightly.
"Control yourselves."
"The sect is already watching our movements."
Those words caused several elders' expressions to change slightly.
The mysterious figure's lips curved faintly beneath the shadows.
"And besides…"
"I want to see how far this Fang Lin can truly grow."
Silence filled the hall once more.
But beneath that silence—
Danger quietly accumulated.
Meanwhile, unaware of everything happening—
Fang Lin stepped out of his room once more.
The moment he appeared, nearby disciples instinctively looked toward him.
Respect.
Fear.
Curiosity.
All mixed together.
But Fang Lin ignored the gazes completely.
His mind remained focused elsewhere.
The two hundred gold coins had solved one immediate issue.
Now—
He needed resources.
Pills.
Weapons.
And perhaps…
A better understanding of the sect itself.
His eyes gradually sharpened.
The battle with Zhou Yan had shown him one thing clearly.
He was still far too weak.
And in this sect—
The weak…
Could die at any moment.