Morning training at Qinghe Spirit Academy was mandatory.
The outer courtyard filled early, students gathering in loose formations while instructors observed from stone platforms. Spirit pressure spread evenly across the grounds, designed to suppress reckless movement and expose weak foundations.
Chen Yuan took his usual place at the back.
But today felt different.
As he began circulating his qi, he immediately noticed the change.
His breathing rhythm was smoother. The flow through his meridians met no resistance. Where there had once been dull friction, there was now a quiet responsiveness—like a well-oiled mechanism finally aligned.
So this is Seventh Layer, he thought calmly.
The system interface hovered faintly at the edge of his vision.
Daily Cultivation Optimization: Active
Efficiency Increase: +30%
Chen Yuan did not smile.
He focused.
"Pair sparring!"
The instructor's voice echoed across the courtyard.
Students exchanged glances. Some eager. Some nervous.
Chen Yuan's name was called.
Across from him stepped Wei Liang.
The bully's mouth curled upward.
"Looks like you're unlucky today," Wei Liang said, cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry. I'll go easy."
Chen Yuan inclined his head slightly.
"Please do."
The bell rang.
Wei Liang attacked first—fast, sharp, confident. His fist cut through the air with practiced force, aimed directly at Chen Yuan's shoulder.
Chen Yuan moved.
Not dramatically.
Just… correctly.
He sidestepped half a step, rotated his waist, and redirected the blow with his forearm. Wei Liang's eyes widened as his balance shifted unexpectedly.
Too light, Chen Yuan noted. Overcommitted.
Without thinking, Chen Yuan followed with a palm strike.
It was not powerful.
It did not need to be.
Wei Liang stumbled back three steps, barely managing to stay on his feet.
Murmurs rose instantly.
"What was that?"
"Did Chen Yuan just push him back?"
"Wei Liang's Seventh Layer—how did that happen?"
Wei Liang's face flushed red.
"You bastard!"
He charged again, this time reckless.
Chen Yuan felt the system respond—not with instructions, but with clarity.
Combat Insight Triggered
Minor Optimization Applied
Time did not slow.
But his understanding deepened.
Chen Yuan ducked, stepped inside Wei Liang's guard, and struck his ribs—precisely where he had been hit the night before.
Wei Liang cried out and collapsed to one knee.
The bell rang.
Silence.
The instructor narrowed his eyes, gaze lingering on Chen Yuan longer than necessary.
"Match concluded," he said flatly. "Wei Liang—loss."
Wei Liang looked up in disbelief.
"I wasn't ready—he—!"
"Enough," the instructor cut him off. "Return to formation."
Rules were rules.
No one could argue a clean exchange.
Zhao Ming watched from across the courtyard.
His expression darkened.
Seventh Layer? he thought. When did that trash advance?
Chen Yuan returned to his place, breathing steady.
His heart was beating faster—not from fear, but from controlled excitement.
Task Completed
Outcome: Non-humiliating victory
Reward: Foundation Stability +5%
The system's tone remained gentle.
You are progressing appropriately.
Avoid arrogance.
Greater opportunities will require greater resolve.
Chen Yuan nodded internally.
"I understand."
After training, a rumor spread quietly.
Chen Yuan had improved.
Not dramatically.
Not explosively.
But undeniably.
That was far more unsettling.
As Zhao Ming passed him later that day, he stopped.
"Don't misunderstand," Zhao Ming said coldly. "One small breakthrough doesn't change your position."
Chen Yuan met his gaze calmly.
"I never said it did."
He walked away.
Behind him, Zhao Ming clenched his fists.
This time, he felt something unfamiliar.
Unease.