The courtyard was packed. Outer disciples lined up, whispers echoing across the stones. Even the elders seemed more alert than usual.
Li Fan walked calmly along the side, Chen Yu beside him. His expression neutral.
"Senior," Chen Yu whispered, glancing nervously at the crowd, "everyone seems tense. What if some of them try to cheat?"
Li Fan tilted his head, observing several disciples stretching aggressively. "Then we observe. Nothing more. We do not need to act unless necessary."
Chen Yu nodded, swallowing.
---
A sect elder stepped forward. His robe swept the ground as he raised his hand. "Outer disciple evaluation begins now. Remember, this is not just about strength. Strategy, observation, and discipline will be judged. Any violations are disqualification."
The outer disciples stiffened. Tension became visible in the qi fluctuations.
Li Fan's eyes scanned the crowd.
Han Bo.
The three flagged yesterday.
That girl near the east pavilion.
All are predictable.
He whispered to Chen Yu, "Watch carefully. Notice those who panic. Those who act impulsively."
Chen Yu nodded, adjusting his stance.
---
The first test was announced.
"You will form pairs and practice controlled combat," the elder said. "Discipline and qi control are essential. Begin."
Disciples immediately paired up. The crowd became chaotic.
Han Bo approached a smaller disciple, sneering. "Don't hold back."
Li Fan's lips curved faintly. Predictable.
Chen Yu whispered, "Senior, should we interfere?"
Li Fan shook his head. "No. Observe first. Let them expose themselves."
---
Across the courtyard, a quarrel erupted.
"You cheat! You moved your foot before I said!"
"I didn't!"
Li Fan moved closer, blending into the crowd. Subtle qi signals revealed instability.
They panic under pressure. Perfect.
---
Han Bo lunged at his opponent with brute force.
Li Fan tilted his head, analyzing. "Expected pattern: frontal rush. Overextension on third strike."
Chen Yu watched. "Yes, Senior. Third strike, he overreaches."
Li Fan nodded. "Good. Mark it mentally. Advantage comes from patience."
Han Bo's strike landed awkwardly. His opponent stepped aside easily, exploiting the opening.
Li Fan's eyes followed the subtle qi shift. He will not adapt. Predictable failure coming soon.
---
The girl from the east pavilion approached a taller, stronger disciple. She faltered slightly, qi unstable.
Li Fan whispered, "She is inexperienced. Control is weak. Focus your attention here. Observe her breathing and meridian flow."
Chen Yu did as instructed.
The system chimed softly: Target efficiency rising. Vulnerability noted.
Li Fan's lips curved faintly. He did not rush to intervene. Letting her struggle, but under subtle guidance, created loyalty and reliance naturally.
---
A commotion erupted on the north side.
"Li Fan!"
He turned slightly. Han Bo had noticed him. His expression was twisted with frustration.
"Why are you not participating properly?" Han Bo shouted. "Do you think you are better than us?"
Li Fan's tone was calm, controlled. "I am following instructions. Discipline matters more than reckless displays."
"Discipline?" Han Bo growled. "You are hiding!"
Li Fan stepped closer. Subtle qi pressure applied, enough to make Han Bo hesitate without revealing his true level.
Chen Yu whispered, "Senior, he's reacting."
"Expected," Li Fan said. "Now observe how he adjusts. He will overcompensate."
Han Bo lunged again. Predictable. His attack was wild, unrefined. Li Fan moved minimally, redirecting only enough to let the pattern continue.
All exposure is information.
---
The elder's voice rang out. "Next stage: obstacle traversal and minor tribulation handling. Proceed carefully."
Disciples began moving through a narrow section of the courtyard, weaving around formations.
Li Fan observed silently. He noted hesitation, panic, and impulsive movements. Each disciple revealed tendencies without realizing it.
He whispered to Chen Yu, "Notice the ones who hesitate under pressure. Avoid them for now. Their weaknesses are distractions."
Chen Yu nodded, taking mental notes.
---
Several disciples were now struggling with the minor tribulation formations. Sparks of energy misfired. Some fell to the ground, qi destabilized.
Li Fan glanced at the east pavilion girl. She stumbled slightly, qi flickering dangerously.
He leaned closer. "Focus your breathing. Ignore the sparks. Visualize your meridian path. Control comes before strength."
She looked up, wide-eyed. "Yes… Senior!"
Her movements stabilized slightly. Li Fan observed her silently, subtle pride forming not because of feelings, but because she now relies on him.
The system confirmed: Target dependency increasing. Efficiency rising.
---
A few minutes later, the elder announced, "Time for individual assessment. Show control and adaptability."
The crowd fell silent. Each disciple stepped forward. Qi flows became tense, unstable, unpredictable.
Li Fan turned to Chen Yu. "Remember. Control, not speed. Observation, not instinct."
Chen Yu nodded, visibly steadier than before.
Li Fan's gaze swept the area again. Han Bo, flustered from repeated failures, attempted a risky maneuver.
Li Fan tilted his head. Predictable.
He whispered, "Chen Yu, mark his overextension. Wait for the opening, not before."
Chen Yu's eyes brightened. He understood instinctively.
---
The east pavilion girl faced a simple challenge. She wavered, about to collapse.
Li Fan stepped forward. "Use your foundation, not your talent. Guide qi through the lower meridians first."
She did so, slowly. Her stance corrected, qi stabilized.
Li Fan whispered: "Good. You did not rely on strength alone. Observe your surroundings. Predict patterns."
She nodded, looking up at him with awe.
Dependency confirmed.
---
As the evaluation progressed, Li Fan continued silently, analyzing, predicting, guiding only when absolutely necessary.
Other disciples faltered. Some tried cheating. Some panicked. Each mistake, each pattern, Li Fan noted mentally.
Chen Yu followed, learning more in one evaluation than most could in months.
---
By the end of the first day, the elder called for a pause.
Disciples gathered, exhausted but alert.
Li Fan turned to Chen Yu. "What did you notice?"
Chen Yu thought for a moment. "Many overestimate themselves. They panic under minor tribulations. Weak control is more dangerous than weak power."
Li Fan nodded. "Exactly. You will remember this. Discipline is strength. Observation is power."
Chen Yu smiled faintly. "Yes, Senior."
Li Fan's eyes scanned the courtyard one last time. The disciples were restless, unaware of how much he had already calculated.
Tomorrow, the next stage would begin.
But for now, Li Fan had achieved complete mental dominance over the situation.
No flashy displays. No reckless moves. Just calculation. Observation. Control.
And his first true advantage over the field was secured.
(Chapter Ended)