The night was quiet.
Li Fan sat inside the hidden cave with his eyes closed. A small oil lamp burned beside him, its flame steady. The spiritual qi here was thin, but consistent. That was enough.
He adjusted his posture slightly and slowed his breathing.
Inhale.
Circulate.
Condense.
The system interface hovered faintly in his vision.
Train mode active.
Efficiency increase: Moderate
Risk level: Minimal
Li Fan ignored the numbers and focused on sensation.
Qi moved through his meridians smoothly.
There was no resistance. No swelling. No discomfort. The Spirit Dew Grass he had taken earlier was already fully absorbed. Nothing was wasted.
Most cultivators chased speed. They forced qi forward until their bodies cracked. Li Fan did the opposite. He let qi settle first, then guided it forward.
Time passed quietly.
An hour.
Then another.
The qi within his body thickened slightly. It gathered near the lower dantian, rotating slowly. Still not enough.
Li Fan opened his eyes.
Not yet.
He stood and stretched lightly. Muscles relaxed. Breathing remained steady. Pushing further now would reduce efficiency.
He extinguished the lamp and left the cave.
Back at the sect, dawn was approaching.
Li Fan returned to his room and slept briefly.
When he woke, the bell had not yet rung.
He washed his face, changed his clothes, and stepped outside.
The sect was beginning to stir.
Outer disciples gathered in small groups.
Some discussed cultivation. Others whispered about the upcoming evaluation. Tension was spreading.
Li Fan listened without reacting.
He walked toward the training grounds.
Observe.
Qi fluctuations appeared in his vision. Uneven. Wasteful. Emotional.
Most of them were anxious.
Anxiety led to mistakes.
Li Fan moved past them and found Chen Yu training near the trees.
Chen Yu noticed him immediately and stopped.
"Senior," he said quietly.
Li Fan nodded. "Continue."
Chen Yu resumed his movements. His breathing was controlled. His circulation path was correct.
Analyze.
Qi Condensation Level 2
Stability: High
Growth trajectory: Good
Li Fan watched for several minutes.
"Reduce your output by ten percent," Li Fan said. "Your control is improving, but your body has limits."
"Yes," Chen Yu replied without question.
Li Fan left.
He had no intention of staying longer. Oversight was useful. Dependence was not.
---
Later that day, Li Fan visited the sect library.
Outer disciples were allowed limited access. Most scrolls here were basic and incomplete. Still, information was information.
He selected several manuals and sat in a quiet corner.
Breathing methods.
Qi circulation diagrams.
Common mistakes during early realms.
Li Fan compared them to his memories.
Most of these techniques had flaws. Some were intentional. Sect elders did not want outer disciples advancing too fast.
He memorized everything anyway.
Knowledge was cumulative.
---
That evening, Li Fan returned to the hidden cave.
He prepared carefully.
He placed three Spirit Dew Grass portions beside him. Measured. Exact.
He activated the system.
Train.
Qi began circulating.
This time, Li Fan did not stop after stabilization. He guided the qi deeper. Slower rotation. Tighter control.
The pressure increased slightly.
Acceptable.
Minutes turned into hours.
The qi gathered and compressed. The rotation sped up naturally.
Li Fan felt the boundary.
Qi Condensation Level 2 was complete.
He did not rush.
He allowed the qi to settle first. He waited until the system confirmed full stabilization.
Only then did he continue.
The third condensation required precision. Too much force would damage the meridians. Too little would stall progress.
Li Fan adjusted his breathing again.
The qi condensed further.
His lower dantian felt warm. Heavy.
Then, quietly, something shifted.
The rotation stabilized at a higher density.
Qi Condensation Level 3 achieved.
Li Fan opened his eyes.
There was no surge of power. No dramatic change. Only clarity.
His body felt stronger. His senses sharper.
More importantly, there was no instability.
He stood slowly and tested his movement.
Smooth.
Acceptable.
He checked the system.
Cultivation: Qi Condensation Level 3
Condition: Stable
Recommendation: Pause advancement
Li Fan agreed.
He cleaned the area and stored the remaining herbs.
---
The following days passed without incident.
Li Fan did not advance further.
He trained lightly to reinforce his realm. He refined control. He practiced movement techniques.
He also continued preparing Chen Yu.
One afternoon, Chen Yu approached him quietly.
"Senior," Chen Yu said, lowering his voice. "Some outer disciples asked me how I improved."
Li Fan looked at him. "What did you say?"
"That I found an old breathing method and corrected myself," Chen Yu replied.
Li Fan nodded.
Correct answer.
"Do not share techniques," Li Fan said. "If pressed, act ignorant."
"Yes."
Li Fan watched Chen Yu leave.
He made another note.
Chen Yu was not clever, but he followed instructions well.
That was enough for now.
---
News spread through the sect.
The outer disciple evaluation would begin soon.
Not today. Not tomorrow. But soon.
Li Fan heard the announcements and adjusted his plan.
He did not need to prepare urgently. He was already ready.
That night, he reviewed everything.
Cultivation level sufficient.
Resources secured.
Hidden base established.
One loyal subordinate confirmed.
No unnecessary exposure.
No wasted effort.
He closed the system interface.
There was nothing more to do tonight.
Li Fan lay down and rested.
Outside, the sect continued to buzz with anticipation.
Most of them did not know it yet, but the gap between them and Li Fan was already widening.
(Chapter Ended)