Li Fan walked through the Eastern Pavilion courtyard. The early morning sun cast long shadows across the stone tiles. Most disciples were preparing for cultivation, but one figure stood out.
She was tall, elegant, and composed. Qi fluctuations were unusually strong for her apparent age. Yet her movements were hesitant, almost awkward, like a dancer missing a step.
Li Fan tilted his head. Interesting.
He approached deliberately, walking slowly. The system hovered faintly in his vision.
Target: Female disciple
Background: Noble lineage, rumored past life as a peak prodigy
Current State: Naive, overestimates strength, over-relies on reputation
Potential Loyalty: High if guided carefully
Li Fan's lips curved faintly.
---
"Good morning," he said calmly.
The girl turned sharply, eyes wide. "You… you're Li Fan?"
"Yes." His tone was neutral. "I noticed you were training alone. Care to explain why?"
She fidgeted, lowering her gaze. "I… I wanted to practice quietly."
Li Fan's gaze swept over her stance, her breath, her circulation path. Imperfect, sloppy, dangerous if uncorrected.
"Your qi is strong," he said casually. "But your foundation is unstable. You could injure yourself easily."
She blinked, surprised. "Really? I thought…"
"You thought your strength alone could protect you?" Li Fan finished. His voice was calm, not accusatory. "That is a mistake."
Her expression shifted slightly, unsure whether to be embarrassed or defensive.
Li Fan crouched slightly, examining her movements. "I can help you, but only if you follow instructions exactly. No deviation."
She hesitated. Then, with a faint nod: "I… I will listen. Teach me."
---
Chen Yu, watching from a distance, tilted his head.
Li Fan ignored him. He focused entirely on her.
"First," Li Fan said, "we need to stabilize your circulation path. Every meridian. Every pulse."
Her eyes widened slightly. "All of them?"
"Yes. You cannot rely on talent alone." Li Fan's tone was precise, calm, commanding subtly without raising his voice.
She swallowed. "I… I can do that."
Li Fan observed carefully as she attempted to follow his instructions. She made small mistakes. Her qi wavered at times.
"Too much force," Li Fan said. "Relax your shoulders. Breathe slower. Imagine the qi flowing naturally, not forcing it."
She tried again, hesitating less this time.
The system chimed faintly. Efficiency rising. Learning curve acceptable.
Li Fan smiled faintly, inwardly pleased.
"Good. Again," he said. "Do it exactly as I said."
Hours passed. Her foundation improved slightly, qi flow stabilizing.
"You are learning fast," Li Fan commented.
She looked up at him, admiration mixed with relief. "You… you really know how to see weakness. I've trained for years, but no one ever told me this."
Li Fan tilted his head slightly. "Experience matters more than effort. Talent is nothing without guidance."
She flushed slightly, but did not speak. Her dependence on him began forming naturally.
---
Later, as the sun climbed higher, a few other disciples wandered past, whispering.
"Look at her… she's strong, but…"
Li Fan did not respond. His focus remained.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked softly.
Li Fan paused. Analyze. Her sincerity was genuine. Vulnerability in front of someone capable was rare.
"Because you need it," he said. "And because guidance is better than wasted effort."
She blinked. "I… I've never met anyone like you."
Li Fan nodded slightly. "Then listen carefully. Everything I show you is for your stability. You rely on me only as much as necessary. Nothing more."
She tilted her head. "I… I can do that."
Good.
He observed her for a moment longer. The system chimed faintly again: Loyalty probability increasing. Subtle dependency forming.
Li Fan's expression remained calm. Nothing emotional. Everything calculated.
---
Before leaving, he said: "Rest. Tomorrow, we continue. You do not speak of this to anyone."
"Yes, I understand," she replied, bowing slightly.
Li Fan turned and walked away. His eyes swept across the courtyard casually, noting everything.
This will be useful later, he thought.
Her influence could be leveraged. Her dependence could be shaped. And all of it would strengthen his position without exposing himself.
She looked after him, curiosity and admiration lingering.
Li Fan's lips curved faintly. Not because of emotion, but because everything was proceeding according to plan.
(Chapter Ended)