On the outer-ring pavilion, Elder Luo narrowed his eyes.
"So it really was Wu Shan who issued the challenge," he said. "To a mid-stage Body Tempering disciple."
The man beside him nodded. "Because that disciple climbed too steadily."
"Too steadily?" Elder Luo scoffed. "Courier missions. Patrol rotations. Low-risk tasks."
"Enough to accumulate merit," the man replied calmly. "Enough to enter Wu Shan's sight."
Below, the steward's voice echoed clearly.
"Outer Disciple Chen Yu advances."
Chen Yu stepped back from the arena, his breathing still controlled despite the ache spreading through his body. Jian was already at his side.
"You realize," Jian muttered, "Wu Shan only challenges people he thinks will become troublesome later."
Chen Yu wiped dust from his sleeve. "Then I was already troublesome."
Jian clicked his tongue. "That's not comforting."
Wu Shan descended from the platform shortly after. As he passed Chen Yu, he slowed.
"You didn't disappoint," Wu Shan said.
Chen Yu looked at him. "You didn't either."
Wu Shan smiled faintly. "Next time, I won't hold back my circulation."
"Next time," Chen Yu replied, "I won't rely only on my body."
Wu Shan paused, then laughed quietly. "Good."
He walked away, leaving behind a cluster of murmurs.
"So he really didn't issue the challenge…"
"Wu Shan picked him."
"Then that draw carries weight."
The bell rang again.
Those who advanced were instructed to disperse. The arena slowly emptied, but the gazes following Chen Yu did not.
As they walked away, Jian spoke again. "You know this isn't your first time in the Reward Hall, right?"
Chen Yu nodded. "I know the rules."
"Good," Jian said. "Because people will start checking how you earn your points now."
Lan Shiqi joined them from behind. "Wu Shan doesn't challenge shadows," she said. "Only people with a record."
Chen Yu didn't respond. He already knew.
The Reward Hall doors stood open, as they always had.
Inside, the flow was familiar. Stewards calling names. Disciples exchanging points. Quiet negotiations.
Chen Yu approached the same counter he had used many times before.
The steward looked up and raised an eyebrow. "You again."
"Yes."
"Mission merit accumulation," the steward said, scanning the token. "Consistent."
He paused. "Arena result… draw."
The steward glanced up. "You were challenged."
"Yes."
"That matters," the steward said neutrally. "Merit awarded: twenty."
Jian let out a low whistle. "That keeps him solvent."
The steward slid the exchange tablet forward. "Eligible rewards."
Chen Yu studied the options.
"Intermediate body-tempering manual," he said.
The steward hesitated. "You're still mid-stage."
"I know."
"You'll struggle without guidance."
"I already am," Chen Yu replied.
The steward stared at him for a moment longer, then reached beneath the counter—
"Wait."
The single word cut cleanly through the hall.
Several disciples turned.
An elder stood a short distance away, robes plain, presence unmistakable.
"Let me see his record," the elder said.
The steward stiffened. "Yes, Elder."
The jade slip changed hands.
The elder read silently.
"Repeated mission completion," he said."No background.""No teacher.""Yet enough merit to be challenged by Wu Shan."
He looked up at Chen Yu.
"Do you know why Wu Shan challenged you?"
Chen Yu answered honestly. "Because I kept moving."
The elder studied him for a breath longer, then handed the slip back.
"Proceed," he said to the steward.
Then, before turning away, he added, "Merit earned quietly draws the most dangerous attention."
The elder walked deeper into the hall.
The steward cleared his throat, retrieved the jade manual, and placed it on the counter.
"Intermediate Body Foundation — first layer," he said.
Chen Yu took it.
At the same moment, Jian leaned in and whispered, "You've just crossed an invisible line."
Before Chen Yu could respond, another steward's voice rose from the far end of the hall.
"Outer disciples—attention. Updated outer rankings will be posted shortly."
Several heads turned.
Including Chen Yu's.
And Wu Shan's name, not yet revealed, hung somewhere ahead—waiting to be read.