The days leading up to the evaluation were restless.
Li Fan noticed it the moment he stepped outside his room. The atmosphere within the sect had changed. Conversations were shorter. Training grounds were crowded from dawn until night. Even disciples who used to be lazy were now forcing themselves to cultivate.
Fear was a powerful motivator.
Li Fan walked calmly through the outer grounds, his expression neutral. He did not increase his training intensity. He did not display improvement. To everyone watching, he looked the same as before.
Unremarkable.
That was intentional.
Observe.
The system highlighted fluctuations in qi across the area. Several disciples were pushing past their limits. Some were attempting breakthroughs they were not ready for.
Li Fan mentally noted their faces.
Many of them would fail the evaluation. Some would injure themselves. A few might even damage their foundations permanently.
Short-term thinking always carried a cost.
He reached the training field and stopped near the edge, stretching lightly.
A group of disciples nearby glanced at him.
"Isn't that Li Fan?"
"The one who barely trains?"
"Why is he even here?"
Li Fan ignored them.
He began moving through a basic body-refining routine. Simple steps. Controlled breathing. Nothing that drew attention.
Inside, his qi circulated smoothly.
Qi Condensation Level 3 was stable. Solid. No leaks.
He could push for Level 4 if he wanted.
He did not.
The evaluation would test consistency, not explosive growth.
---
Chen Yu arrived shortly after.
He bowed slightly when he saw Li Fan.
"Senior," he said quietly.
Li Fan nodded. "How is your condition?"
"Stable," Chen Yu replied. "I did not push."
Good answer.
Li Fan gestured for him to train nearby
For the next hour, Li Fan observed silently.
Chen Yu followed instructions precisely. He adjusted output when needed. He did not look around. He did not seek praise.
Analyze.
Mental state: Calm
Loyalty probability: Very High
Potential: Moderate to High
Li Fan made a decision.
That evening, he would give Chen Yu one more piece of guidance. After that, Chen Yu would be on his own until the evaluation.
---
At midday, an unexpected interruption occurred.
A group of outer disciples blocked Li Fan's path near the supply hall.
Five people. All at Qi Condensation Level 2 or higher.
The one in front stepped forward.
"You are Li Fan," he said.
"Yes," Li Fan replied.
The disciple crossed his arms. "You have been taking resources lately."
Li Fan looked at him calmly. "Allocated resources."
The disciple frowned. "Don't play word games. Everyone is short right now."
Li Fan did not respond immediately.
Analyze.
Intent: Provocation
Threat level: Low
"What do you want?" Li Fan asked.
The disciple smirked. "Nothing much. Just curious why someone like you is wasting resources."
Li Fan understood.
This was not about supplies. This was about fear. People were looking for someone weaker to push down so they could feel secure.
Li Fan took a step closer.
"I will say this once," he said. "Move."
The disciple laughed. "Or what?"
Li Fan met his gaze.
There was no anger in his eyes. No emotion at all.
The disciple hesitated.
He felt it.
Pressure.
Li Fan released just a fraction of his qi. Not enough to reveal his true level. Just enough to create discomfort.
The disciple's smile vanished.
He took an unconscious step back.
Li Fan lowered his qi immediately.
"You misjudged," Li Fan said. "Do not repeat the mistake."
Silence.
The group parted without another word.
Li Fan continued walking.
He made another mental note.
Unnecessary enemies were inefficient, but controlled intimidation was sometimes required.
---
That night, Li Fan returned to the hidden cave.
Chen Yu arrived shortly after.
Li Fan did not waste time.
"Sit," he said.
Chen Yu obeyed.
"You will stop training two days before the evaluation," Li Fan said. "You will not attempt breakthroughs."
Chen Yu looked confused. "Senior, isn't that risky?"
"It is safer," Li Fan replied. "Stability matters more than level."
Chen Yu nodded slowly.
Li Fan handed him a small jade slip.
"This contains a correction to your circulation path. Read it once. Memorize it.
Destroy it."
Chen Yu's hands tightened slightly as he accepted it.
"Yes."
Li Fan watched him carefully.
Chen Yu read the slip. His eyes widened briefly, then returned to normal.
He crushed the jade slip without hesitation.
Loyalty confirmed.
"You will pass the evaluation," Li Fan said. "But do not stand out."
Chen Yu bowed deeply. "I understand."
After Chen Yu left, Li Fan sat alone in the cave.
He opened the system.
Mission Update:
Qi Condensation Level 3 achieved.
Hidden base operational.
Subordinate stabilized.
New Recommendation:
Avoid unnecessary conflict.
Prepare contingency plans for evaluation outcomes.
Li Fan closed the interface.
He already had contingencies.
---
The next few days were uneventful.
Li Fan trained lightly. He avoided attention. He gathered information.
He learned which elders would oversee the evaluation. Which disciples had backing. Which ones were desperate.
Patterns emerged.
By the fourth day, the announcement came.
The evaluation would begin in three days.
Li Fan adjusted his schedule.
He stopped all advancement training.
He focused entirely on control.
Each breath was measured. Each circulation cycle precise.
He slept regularly. He ate properly.
His body was at peak condition.
---
On the final night before the evaluation announcement ceremony, Li Fan stood outside his room and looked at the sky.
Stars were faint above the sect.
In his first life, this night had been filled with anxiety. Fear of failure. Fear of being left behind.
Now, there was none.
He reviewed his position calmly.
Qi Condensation Level 3.
No visible backing.
No enemies he could not handle.
Perfect.
He returned to his room and lay down.
Tomorrow, the sect would formally announce the evaluation schedule.
After that, the real filtering would begin.
Li Fan closed his eyes and rested.
Everything was proceeding as planned.
(Chapter Ended)