The second day of the outer disciple evaluation began before sunrise.
Li Fan was already awake.
He sat on the stone steps near the eastern courtyard, watching disciples arrive one by one. Some walked quickly, eyes sharp with forced confidence. Others moved stiffly, exhaustion still clinging to their bodies.
Chen Yu approached quietly and sat beside him.
"Senior," Chen Yu said, lowering his voice, "I reviewed everything from yesterday. Many of them will not last today."
Li Fan nodded. "Correct. Day one exposed habits. Day two breaks them."
Chen Yu hesitated. "What should I focus on today?"
"People," Li Fan replied. "Not techniques. Not power. People fail because of themselves."
Chen Yu nodded slowly.
---
A bell rang.
An elder stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the courtyard.
"Today's evaluation will focus on adaptability and cooperation," the elder said. "Cultivation is not isolated. Those who cannot work with others will not advance."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Li Fan observed reactions.
Some relaxed. Some frowned. Some looked immediately for allies.
"Predictable," Li Fan muttered.
Chen Yu leaned closer. "Senior, does cooperation not create uncertainty?"
"Only if you do not control it," Li Fan said. "Cooperation is leverage."
---
Disciples were divided into small groups of four.
Li Fan glanced at the names being announced.
Han Bo.
Chen Yu.
The girl from the eastern pavilion.
Another outer disciple named Zhao Min.
Li Fan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Interesting," he said softly.
Chen Yu whispered, "Senior, that group is unstable."
"Yes," Li Fan replied. "Which makes it perfect."
---
The four of them gathered near a marked section of the courtyard.
Han Bo crossed his arms immediately. "I will take the lead."
Zhao Min nodded quickly. "Yes, Brother Han."
The girl hesitated, glancing briefly at Li Fan.
Li Fan said nothing yet.
Han Bo snorted. "What about you, Li Fan? Silent again?"
Li Fan looked at him calmly. "Leadership is not declared. It is proven."
Han Bo scoffed. "Then prove it."
Li Fan nodded once. "I will."
---
The elder's voice rang out again. "Your task is to pass through the illusion formation ahead. Inside, you will face simulated threats. Work together. Failure by one affects all."
The formation shimmered.
Han Bo stepped forward immediately. "I will go first."
Li Fan did not stop him.
Chen Yu whispered, "Senior?"
"Let him," Li Fan replied quietly. "Observation first."
---
Inside the formation, the environment shifted.
Fog thickened. Shadows moved.
Zhao Min panicked almost instantly. "I cannot see!"
Han Bo barked, "Stay close!"
The girl's breathing quickened.
Li Fan stepped forward slightly.
"Stop," he said.
Everyone froze.
"Han Bo," Li Fan continued, "you are walking too fast. Zhao Min's qi is destabilizing. If he collapses, we all fail."
Han Bo sneered. "You think you know better?"
"Yes," Li Fan said simply.
The girl looked at him. "What should we do?"
Li Fan turned to her. "Control your breathing. Ignore the illusions. Focus on your lower dantian."
She nodded quickly and did exactly that.
Han Bo noticed. His expression darkened.
"Zhao Min," Li Fan said, "count your breaths. Five in, five out. Do not move unless instructed."
Zhao Min obeyed without question.
Chen Yu watched silently, eyes wide.
---
The fog shifted again.
A simulated beast emerged from the shadows.
Zhao Min flinched.
Han Bo charged.
"Idiot," Li Fan muttered.
"Han Bo, retreat," Li Fan said sharply.
Han Bo ignored him and struck. The illusion shattered but released a backlash. Han Bo stumbled.
Zhao Min cried out as the formation reacted.
Li Fan moved instantly.
"Chen Yu, support Zhao Min's qi," Li Fan ordered.
"Yes," Chen Yu replied, reacting without hesitation.
Li Fan turned to the girl. "Focus. Stabilize your circulation. Do not look at the beast."
She nodded, eyes locked on Li Fan's.
The formation calmed slightly.
Han Bo gritted his teeth. "You planned this."
"Yes," Li Fan replied. "You always attack first."
Han Bo glared. "You used me."
Li Fan's tone remained calm. "You used yourself."
---
They continued deeper.
The formation shifted into a narrow path.
Zhao Min whispered, "I cannot keep up."
"You are not meant to," Li Fan said. "Just stay stable."
The girl moved closer to Li Fan unconsciously.
"Is this correct?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Li Fan replied. "Trust the process."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
The system interface flickered.
Target reliance increased.
Control effectiveness high.
Li Fan ignored the interface and focused on the path.
---
Another illusion struck.
This time, Li Fan anticipated it.
"Three seconds," he said calmly. "Prepare."
The beast emerged exactly as predicted.
Chen Yu reacted immediately, positioning himself perfectly.
Zhao Min remained stable.
The girl followed Li Fan's instructions precisely.
The illusion dispersed without backlash.
Han Bo stared at Li Fan in disbelief.
"How did you know?" he demanded.
Li Fan replied, "Patterns repeat. You simply do not observe."
---
They reached the end of the formation.
The elder's voice echoed. "Group three, pass."
Zhao Min collapsed in relief.
Han Bo clenched his fists.
The girl exhaled slowly.
Li Fan said nothing.
---
Outside the formation, Zhao Min bowed deeply to Li Fan. "Thank you. Without you, we would have failed."
Chen Yu nodded. "Senior controlled everything."
The girl hesitated, then spoke softly. "I would not have passed without you."
Li Fan looked at her. "You passed because you listened."
Her eyes lingered on him.
Han Bo scoffed. "Do not get arrogant. This is not over."
Li Fan turned to him. "Correct. And you are already behind."
Han Bo said nothing.
---
Later, during a rest period, the girl approached Li Fan again.
"Can I ask something?" she said.
"Yes," Li Fan replied.
"Why did you help me?" she asked. "You did not need to."
Li Fan met her gaze. "You are strong but inexperienced. That combination is dangerous. Guidance prevents waste."
She bit her lip slightly. "I… I see."
Li Fan added, "Do not mistake assistance for attachment."
She nodded quickly. "I will not."
Her tone said otherwise.
---
Chen Yu leaned in once she left.
"Senior," he whispered, "she trusts you completely now."
Li Fan nodded. "Trust is a tool. Handle it carefully."
"Will you keep guiding her?"
"Yes," Li Fan replied. "As long as it is beneficial."
---
The final test of the day was announced.
"One-on-one adaptability assessment," the elder said. "No fixed rules."
Han Bo was paired with Zhao Min.
Li Fan watched silently.
Han Bo lost.
Predictably.
Zhao Min adapted while Han Bo repeated mistakes.
Li Fan was paired next.
His opponent hesitated.
Li Fan spoke first. "Attack when ready."
The disciple rushed.
Li Fan stepped aside, redirected, ended it cleanly.
No wasted motion.
No exposure.
The elder nodded slightly.
---
As the sun set, the evaluation paused again.
Disciples were exhausted.
Li Fan stood quietly, observing the remaining candidates.
Chen Yu passed.
Zhao Min passed.
The girl passed.
Han Bo barely passed.
Li Fan passed without comment.
As they dispersed, the girl walked beside Li Fan again.
"I will listen to you tomorrow too," she said softly.
Li Fan replied, "Only if you think before acting."
"I will," she said immediately.
Li Fan nodded.
Everything was aligning.
The evaluation was not over yet.
But control was already established.
(Chapter Ended)