Li Fan left the room before sunrise.
The sect grounds were quiet. Most outer disciples were still asleep, conserving their strength for morning training. To Li Fan, this silence was valuable. It allowed observation without interference.
He walked slowly, his pace steady, his breathing controlled.
Observe.
The system activated without sound.
Spiritual fluctuations appeared faintly in his vision. Not bright. Not impressive. This was expected. Azure Root Sect was a low tier sect in this era. Most disciples here would never leave Foundation Establishment in their lives.
Li Fan did not look down on them. Numbers mattered. Structure mattered.
He passed the outer training field. Wooden dummies stood in crooked rows. Crude formations carved into the ground showed signs of frequent mistakes. Inefficient breathing. Incorrect circulation paths.
In his first life, he had trained here with blind effort. He had followed instructions without question. Now, he could see every flaw clearly.
He continued walking.
Near the back of the sect grounds, close to the storage sheds, a faint fluctuation caught his attention.
Li Fan stopped.
Analyze.
The system responded instantly.
Name: Chen Yu
Age: 15
Cultivation: Qi Condensation Level 2
Talent: Moderate
Hidden Trait: High Mental Endurance
Loyalty Probability: Undetermined
Chen Yu was practicing alone. His movements were stiff. His technique was outdated. But his breathing was steady. He did not stop even when his arms trembled.
Li Fan watched quietly.
This boy had been here in his first life as well. Back then, Chen Yu had died during a resource dispute between outer disciples. Forgotten. Unrecorded.
Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Potential did not always mean talent. Sometimes it meant endurance.
He stepped forward.
Chen Yu froze when he sensed someone behind him. He turned quickly and bowed.
"Senior."
Li Fan nodded once.
"Your breathing is stable," Li Fan said. "But your circulation path is wrong."
Chen Yu hesitated. "This is the technique the sect provided."
"It is incomplete," Li Fan replied calmly. "If you continue, your meridians will suffer strain within three years."
Chen Yu's face paled. "Senior, then what should I do?"
Li Fan looked at him for a moment.
He calculated.
If he corrected the technique, Chen Yu's growth would improve. His loyalty probability would rise. The cost was minimal.
"Follow me," Li Fan said.
They moved to a quiet corner near the trees.
Li Fan demonstrated the breathing cycle once. Slow. Precise. Minimal movement.
"Memorize this," he said.
Chen Yu practiced. His breathing adjusted. The change was immediate. The fluctuation around his body stabilized.
The system updated.
Loyalty Probability: Rising
Li Fan nodded internally.
"Do not tell anyone," Li Fan said. "Train like this for seven days."
"Yes, Senior," Chen Yu said, bowing deeply.
Li Fan turned and left without another word.
He did not need gratitude. He needed results.
---
Later that day, Li Fan headed toward the Eastern Forest.
This area was not officially forbidden, but elders rarely patrolled it. Weak beasts. Low grade herbs. Most disciples considered it a waste of time.
Li Fan knew better.
Mission Active: Secure spiritual herbs from the Eastern Forest.
Prediction: 78 percent success. Risk level: Low.
Li Fan entered the forest calmly.
He avoided obvious paths. His steps were light. His senses open.
After half an hour, he found what he was looking for.
A cluster of Spirit Dew Grass near a fallen tree. Low grade, but pure. Enough to support early Qi Condensation cultivation.
He harvested carefully. Roots intact. No damage.
Then he stopped.
The system issued a warning.
Threat Detected.
A low level beast appeared from the bushes. Iron Fang Wolf. Qi Condensation Level 3.
Li Fan did not panic.
He analyzed distance, terrain, stamina.
He picked up a small stone and threw it to the left. The wolf reacted instinctively, lunging toward the sound.
Li Fan moved in the opposite direction, climbed a slope, and dropped down behind the beast. He struck once, precise, targeting the neck with a sharpened branch.
The wolf collapsed.
No wasted movement. No unnecessary risk.
Li Fan exhaled slowly.
"This body is still weak," he muttered. "But sufficient."
He continued harvesting.
---
That night, Li Fan returned to his room.
He arranged the herbs carefully. Measured quantities. No excess use.
Train.
The system guided his breathing. His cultivation progressed slowly but perfectly. No instability. No waste.
Qi Condensation Level 1 stabilized.
Li Fan opened his eyes.
Too slow for others. Optimal for him.
He reviewed the day.
One potential disciple identified. Resources secured. Risk minimized.
Acceptable outcome.
Before sleeping, the system updated again.
New Mission Available:
Establish a hidden base location.
Recruit one loyal subordinate.
Prepare for outer disciple evaluation.
Li Fan closed the interface.
"Step by step," he said quietly.
This world would not change in a day. Sects were not built overnight.
But foundations decided everything.
And his foundation was already forming.
The Silent Sovereign had taken his first real move.
(Chapter Ended)