Li Fan entered the training grounds early. The air smelled faintly of incense and sweat. Outer disciples were already stretching and warming up.
"Li Fan," a voice called. Chen Yu approached, bowing slightly. "Senior, are you ready for tomorrow?"
Li Fan glanced at him. "Do you feel prepared?"
Chen Yu hesitated. "I… think so. I've been practicing exactly as you instructed."
Li Fan nodded. "Good. That is all I asked. No extra effort. No unnecessary attention."
Chen Yu frowned. "But… won't others outshine me if I hold back?"
Li Fan's gaze sharpened. "Outshine? That is temporary. Speed is meaningless if it breaks your foundation. Discipline and precision matter more."
Chen Yu relaxed slightly. "Yes, Senior. I understand."
---
Li Fan walked further into the grounds, scanning the disciples. "System, observe key targets."
A small window appeared in his vision. It highlighted five outer disciples with potential for trouble.
"Chen Yu," Li Fan said, pointing subtly, "those three near the east fence, watch them. Note any unusual movements."
Chen Yu glanced over. "Yes."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed. "Don't interfere. Just observe. Tell me afterward."
Chen Yu nodded.
---
A loud shout came from the other side of the training grounds.
"You think you can beat me, Li Fan?"
Li Fan turned. A disciple named Han Bo was approaching, Qi fluctuating. Level 2, slightly higher than average. He smirked. "I heard you have been improving. Don't think you can hide it forever."
Li Fan's lips curved slightly. "Hide it? I don't need to hide, Han Bo. I simply choose not to stand out unnecessarily."
Han Bo laughed. "Choosing not to stand out? That is weakness."
Li Fan stepped closer. "Is it? Or is it calculation?"
Han Bo froze slightly. "What do you mean?"
Li Fan tilted his head, analyzing him. "You are strong, but reckless. You focus on what everyone can see. That is predictable. I prefer invisible advantage."
Han Bo's expression darkened. "You think you are smarter than me?"
Li Fan's tone was calm. "Not think. Know. Observe."
---
Chen Yu whispered beside him. "Senior, he seems angry."
Li Fan glanced at him. "Good. Let him underestimate us. That is useful."
Han Bo clenched his fists. "You talk too much. Let's see if words can fight."
Li Fan sighed, then spoke calmly. "No. Words are not for fighting. They are for predicting. You will strike predictably, and I will not."
Han Bo's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Li Fan's hand moved slightly. A qi fluctuation, subtle but sharp. "Your next move is a frontal lunge. You rely on brute force."
Han Bo blinked. "How—"
Li Fan interrupted. "Don't test me. Just attack."
Han Bo charged.
Li Fan stepped aside. Not fast, not flashy. He let Han Bo overshoot and stumble slightly. Minimal effort. No risk.
"Predictable," Li Fan said, straightening.
Han Bo glared. "You—"
Li Fan raised a finger slightly. "Stop. Before you damage your body."
Han Bo froze. Sweat glistened on his forehead. "How do you…?"
Li Fan smirked faintly. "Observation and calculation. You ignored the simplest signs."
Chen Yu tilted his head. "Senior, do you… do this to all stronger disciples?"
Li Fan's eyes narrowed. "Only when necessary. Attention is wasted unless it yields advantage."
---
After Han Bo stormed off, Li Fan glanced at Chen Yu.
"You understand the lesson?" Li Fan asked.
"Yes, Senior," Chen Yu said quickly. "Predictable behavior is dangerous. Observation comes first."
"Good. Repeat it to yourself until it is instinct." Li Fan's tone was calm, almost casual. "Tomorrow, during evaluation, you will not act without thinking. Do not follow instinct. Follow logic."
Chen Yu nodded.
---
Li Fan then approached a small group of outer disciples near the river. Two of them were arguing loudly.
"You are too slow! The herbs are mine!"
"I saw them first!"
Li Fan stopped beside them. "Enough."
The two froze and looked at him.
Li Fan tilted his head. "Do you want to make the same mistake as Han Bo?"
"What mistake?" one of them asked, wary.
"Revealing emotions before action. Losing focus. Damaging your own foundation."
The disciples exchanged glances. "But—"
Li Fan's tone hardened slightly. "No but. Discipline comes before desire. Control comes before strength. You are lucky I do not report this."
The group bowed automatically. "Yes, Senior."
Li Fan turned to Chen Yu. "See? Even small distractions matter."
Chen Yu frowned. "Yes, Senior. Even small errors can be fatal."
Li Fan smiled faintly. "Exactly. Evaluation is not about talent. It is about control."
---
Later, Li Fan returned to the hidden cave. The night was quiet.
Chen Yu followed quietly, as always.
Li Fan opened the system.
Mission Update:
Qi Condensation Level 3 – stable
Hidden base – fully operational
Subordinate loyalty – very high
Targets for observation – five outer disciples flagged
Li Fan's lips curved slightly. "Tomorrow begins the filtering process. But we are ready. No mistakes."
Chen Yu tilted his head. "Senior, should we prepare more herbs?"
Li Fan shook his head. "Resources are sufficient. Evaluation is about discipline, not quantity. Preparation is mental. Observation. Control."
Chen Yu nodded.
Li Fan continued. "Do you understand why I have not trained to Level 4 yet?"
"Yes, Senior," Chen Yu replied. "To avoid attention and instability."
"Correct. And one more thing," Li Fan said, leaning forward slightly. "Tomorrow, others will be chaotic. Some will cheat. Some will panic. Watch carefully. Learn from their mistakes as well as their successes."
Chen Yu's eyes widened. "I will remember."
Li Fan smirked faintly. "Good. Now rest. We move early tomorrow."
---
The next morning, the air was tense. Disciples were gathering near the central hall. Excitement and anxiety mixed with frustration.
Li Fan and Chen Yu arrived together. Chen Yu whispered, "Everyone seems nervous."
Li Fan observed quietly. "That is their weakness. Confidence comes from preparation, not luck. Observe carefully. Nothing more."
From across the hall, Han Bo glared at him. Li Fan did not respond. Let him think Li Fan feared nothing. That was enough.
A sect elder appeared. "Outer disciple evaluation begins shortly. Be prepared. No rules will be lenient."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Control. Observation. Prediction," he whispered to Chen Yu.
Chen Yu nodded.
Li Fan scanned the crowd silently. Five disciples he had flagged yesterday were moving nervously. Anxiety flickered in their qi. Predictable. Useful.
He noted everything. Every facial twitch, every breath, every qi fluctuation.
Tomorrow, the real test would begin.
But tonight, he was already planning three moves ahead.
No narrative. No poetic statements. Only calculation. Only observation. Only preparation.
Li Fan smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly.
Everything was proceeding exactly as he wanted.
(Chapter Ended)