Over the following days, subtle changes began to appear within the inner sect, as interactions between disciples became more strained, and small incidents started occurring in training areas, resource halls, and daily routines, creating an invisible tension that gradually affected everyone, especially those connected to either Li Hao or Zhao Kun.
Lin Xue was the first to voice it clearly. "They're isolating us."
Su Ling nodded. "Not openly, but it's happening everywhere."
Li Hao listened calmly, his expression unchanged.
"This is expected," he said.
Because true conflict rarely begins with open battle.
It begins with pressure.
And pressure reveals weakness.