The outer grounds of the evaluation field were no longer quiet.
Dust rose from shattered stone platforms. Formation flags trembled violently as spiritual pressure clashed from multiple directions. Disciples backed away, faces pale, while elders shouted orders that no one followed cleanly anymore.
Something had gone wrong.
Li Fan stood at the edge of the stone platform, hands behind his back, eyes calm. His cultivation was sealed at Qi Condensation Level 3, just as the rules demanded. On the surface, he looked like another low level participant.
But he was already counting movements.
"Who allowed the Black Ridge disciples to enter this evaluation?" an elder roared.
"They showed a joint seal from the city hall," another replied urgently. "We could not stop them."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Black Ridge Sect.
In his first life, this sect had crushed three minor sects in this region and absorbed their disciples. They were known for using joint evaluations as an excuse to scout talent and eliminate threats early.
So they came earlier this time.
"Interesting," Li Fan muttered.
A group of seven cultivators stepped onto the central platform. Their robes were dark gray with red thread marks. All of them carried blades. None of them bothered hiding their cultivation.
Qi Condensation Level 6. Level 7. One at Level 8.
Too high for a standard evaluation.
A young man with sharp brows stepped forward, smiling arrogantly.
"So this is the famous evaluation?" he said loudly. "I expected more."
An elder stepped forward, anger clear. "This is not a battlefield. Follow the rules or leave."
The young man laughed. "Rules?"
He turned his gaze toward the crowd.
"We heard there are some talented seedlings here. Black Ridge Sect values talent. Those who perform well will be recruited. Those who do not…"
He let the sentence hang.
Li Fan observed quietly.
This was not random intimidation. It was selection through fear.
A female disciple clenched her fists. "This is unfair."
The young man looked at her. "Then prove me wrong."
He raised his hand.
"Second round. Free combat."
An elder shouted, "Stop this at once."
But before he could finish, one of the Black Ridge disciples leaped forward and struck the evaluation formation with a palm strike.
The formation shattered.
Gasps erupted.
Chaos followed.
Disciples scattered. Some retreated. Others froze.
Li Fan did not move.
The sharp browed young man noticed him.
"You," he said, pointing. "You are calm. Step forward."
Li Fan walked onto the platform.
"What is your name?" the young man asked.
"Li Fan."
The name meant nothing to him. Yet.
"What level?"
"Qi Condensation Level 3."
Laughter erupted from the Black Ridge side.
The young man sneered. "You dare stand here?"
Li Fan met his gaze. "You invited combat."
The young man laughed harder. "Fine. One strike. If you survive, you may leave."
The elders wanted to intervene. Li Fan raised a hand slightly.
"Elder," he said calmly, "this disciple accepts."
Silence.
The Black Ridge disciple stepped forward. Qi Condensation Level 6. His aura surged.
"You will regret this," he said.
Li Fan nodded. "Possibly."
The disciple attacked.
He moved fast, blade flashing toward Li Fan's shoulder.
Li Fan shifted his foot half a step.
The blade missed.
The disciple frowned and swung again.
Li Fan leaned back, barely avoiding the strike. His robe was cut, but his skin was untouched.
Murmurs spread.
"You are lucky," the disciple said angrily.
Li Fan spoke softly. "No. You are predictable."
He stepped forward.
At the moment the disciple raised his blade again, Li Fan's fingers tapped a point on the man's wrist.
Crack.
The blade fell.
The disciple screamed.
Li Fan did not stop. He turned his body and struck the man's chest with a condensed burst of qi, precise and controlled.
The disciple flew backward and crashed into the platform edge.
Silence followed.
The sharp browed young man's smile vanished.
"A Qi Condensation Level 3 did that?" he said slowly.
Li Fan stood straight. "Rules still apply?"
The young man's eyes darkened. "Interesting."
He stepped forward himself.
Qi Condensation Level 8 pressure flooded the platform.
Disciples staggered back.
"This is enough," an elder shouted. "You are crossing the line."
The young man ignored him.
"I am Xu Kai," he said to Li Fan. "Remember this name."
Li Fan nodded. "You may remember mine as well."
Xu Kai laughed coldly. "Bold."
He raised his hand.
Before he could strike, a voice rang out.
"Enough."
Everyone turned.
An old man in white robes descended slowly from the sky. His aura was restrained, yet oppressive.
"A city inspector," someone whispered.
Xu Kai frowned. "Senior."
The inspector looked at the shattered formation, then at the injured disciple.
"This evaluation is under city protection," he said calmly. "Black Ridge Sect has overstepped."
Xu Kai clenched his fist.
"We only tested talent."
The inspector's gaze shifted to Li Fan.
"Talent was tested," he said. "And found."
He looked back at Xu Kai.
"Leave."
Xu Kai stared at Li Fan for a long moment.
"This is not over," he said quietly.
Li Fan replied, "I know."
The Black Ridge disciples withdrew.
Only then did the tension ease.
The inspector turned to Li Fan. "You are precise. Controlled. Where did you learn that strike?"
Li Fan bowed. "Self study."
The inspector smiled faintly. "Continue cultivating."
He departed.
The elders rushed to repair the formation. Disciples whispered excitedly.
Li Fan stepped down from the platform.
A familiar female voice called out softly. "Li Fan."
He turned.
The girl stood there, hands clasped nervously. Her eyes were bright with awe and confusion.
"You were not afraid," she said. "Even when they were stronger."
Li Fan looked at her calmly.
"Strength is temporary," he said. "Position is what matters."
She did not fully understand. But she nodded anyway.
Li Fan looked toward the horizon where Black Ridge Sect had disappeared.
External enemies had revealed themselves earlier than expected.
Good.
That meant he could eliminate them earlier too.
The game had escalated.
And this time, he was already prepared.
(Chapter Ended)