The moment Li Tian's hand caught Zhao Kang's wrist, the entire room fell silent.
Rain hammered against the roof of the small servant hut, but inside the air had become so tense it felt almost suffocating.
Zhao Kang stared at Li Tian in disbelief.
For a moment, his mind refused to process what had just happened.
"You…"
His eyes slowly widened.
"You're using Qi."
Behind him, the three outer disciples froze.
One of them muttered under his breath.
"That's impossible…"
"Didn't Elder Chen say his spiritual root was broken?"
Another disciple frowned.
"I felt it too… that was definitely Qi."
Li Tian released Zhao Kang's wrist slowly.
Inside his chest, his heart was pounding like a war drum.
His cultivation was extremely weak.
The Qi circulating through his meridians was barely stable.
If Zhao Kang truly attacked him seriously, Li Tian knew he would not last long.
But there was something he understood clearly now.
If he acted weak…
They would crush him without hesitation.
Zhao Kang suddenly laughed.
The laughter was sharp and cold.
"So the rumors were true."
Li Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Rumors?"
Zhao Kang rubbed his wrist slowly, staring at Li Tian with growing interest.
"There were whispers earlier today," he said.
"They said the servant boy with the broken root was seen sneaking around the sect grounds late at night."
Li Tian's mind immediately became alert.
"So you came here looking for trouble."
Zhao Kang grinned.
"Originally I just wanted to beat you for fun."
The three disciples behind him laughed.
"But now…" Zhao Kang continued.
"Things are much more interesting."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"A servant with a broken root suddenly able to use Qi."
"Don't you think that sounds suspicious?"
The other disciples nodded.
One of them stepped forward and folded his arms.
"Maybe he stole some cultivation treasure."
Another added,
"Or maybe he learned a forbidden technique."
The third disciple looked at Li Tian like a predator studying prey.
"Either way… the elders would definitely want to know."
Li Tian remained silent.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo spoke calmly.
"They are testing you."
"I know," Li Tian replied mentally.
"If you panic," the Echo continued, "they will immediately attack."
Li Tian took a slow breath.
Then he spoke.
"You came here to accuse me of murder."
Zhao Kang tilted his head slightly.
"Maybe."
"But you have no proof."
The room grew quiet again.
Zhao Kang's expression gradually darkened.
"You're awfully calm for someone in your position."
Li Tian shrugged slightly.
"What position?"
"A servant being questioned by outer disciples."
Li Tian looked directly at him.
"And?"
The tension in the room thickened.
Zhao Kang's smile disappeared completely.
"Servants should know their place."
Spiritual energy began to ripple faintly around his body.
The wooden floor beneath his feet creaked slightly as pressure filled the room.
Qi Gathering Stage.
Although Zhao Kang wasn't particularly strong among outer disciples…
He was still far more experienced than Li Tian.
"You think using a little Qi makes you special?" Zhao Kang said coldly.
"Even if you can cultivate now, you're still just a servant."
He took a step forward.
The air seemed to grow heavier.
Li Tian felt the pressure immediately.
His cultivation was far weaker.
But something inside him refused to back down.
The Primordial Echo whispered again.
"Good."
"Do not retreat."
Li Tian flexed his fingers slowly.
Qi circulated through his arm again.
Weak.
But real.
Zhao Kang noticed the movement and smirked.
"You really want to fight?"
Li Tian's voice remained calm.
"You came into my room in the middle of the night."
"What do you expect?"
The three disciples behind Zhao Kang laughed loudly.
"This servant is actually challenging you!"
"How amusing."
Zhao Kang raised his hand.
Spiritual energy gathered around his palm.
The faint glow of Qi illuminated the dim hut.
"Very well," he said slowly.
"Let's see how strong you really are."
Without warning—
He attacked.
His palm shot forward like a striking snake.
A basic martial technique used by outer disciples.
Iron Palm Strike.
The attack moved fast.
Far faster than anything Li Tian had faced before.
But the moment Zhao Kang moved—
Something inside Li Tian's mind reacted instantly.
Memories from the dead disciple he devoured surfaced automatically.
Combat training.
Footwork patterns.
Basic defensive movements.
Li Tian's body moved almost instinctively.
He stepped to the side.
Zhao Kang's palm slammed into empty air.
The wooden wall behind Li Tian cracked from the impact.
Zhao Kang's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh?"
Li Tian used the moment to strike back.
His fist shot toward Zhao Kang's ribs.
The Qi inside his arm surged forward.
But Zhao Kang reacted quickly.
He twisted his body and blocked the punch with his forearm.
Thud.
The impact echoed inside the small hut.
Li Tian was forced to step back.
The difference in strength was obvious.
Zhao Kang barely moved.
But Li Tian's arm felt numb.
"Your Qi is extremely weak," Zhao Kang said casually.
"But your movements… are surprisingly decent."
The other disciples looked more serious now.
"That footwork earlier…"
"That's outer disciple training."
One of them frowned.
"How could a servant know that?"
Zhao Kang's eyes sharpened.
"Exactly."
He suddenly attacked again.
This time faster.
His fist shot forward with greater force.
Li Tian barely managed to dodge.
The punch smashed through the wooden table behind him.
Splinters exploded across the room.
The other disciples quickly moved aside.
"Careful!" one shouted.
"You'll destroy the whole hut!"
Zhao Kang laughed.
"Then let's take this outside."
Before Li Tian could react—
Zhao Kang grabbed his collar and threw him through the door.
The wooden door shattered open.
Li Tian rolled across the wet ground outside.
Mud splashed across his clothes.
He quickly pushed himself up.
Rain poured heavily around him.
Several servant disciples had already gathered nearby, awakened by the noise.
They stared in shock at the scene.
"Outer disciples…"
"What's happening?"
Zhao Kang stepped out of the hut slowly.
His three companions followed behind him.
Their expressions were filled with curiosity.
One servant whispered,
"Is that Li Tian?"
Another gasped.
"He's fighting Zhao Kang!"
The crowd grew slightly larger.
But no one dared interfere.
In the sect hierarchy…
Servants were beneath outer disciples.
Interfering would only bring punishment.
Zhao Kang stretched his shoulders casually.
"Now we can fight properly."
Rain ran down his face as spiritual energy began gathering around him again.
Li Tian wiped mud from his cheek.
His breathing had become heavier.
"You're much weaker than him," the Primordial Echo said inside his mind.
"I know."
"Then why fight?"
Li Tian's eyes hardened slightly.
"Because running now will only make things worse."
The Echo chuckled softly.
"You're learning."
Zhao Kang suddenly rushed forward.
His speed increased dramatically.
Water splashed beneath his feet.
Li Tian reacted immediately.
He stepped back while raising his guard.
Zhao Kang's fist came crashing toward his chest.
Li Tian blocked.
CRACK.
Pain shot through his arms.
The force pushed him backward several steps.
Zhao Kang didn't stop.
Another punch followed.
Then another.
Li Tian barely managed to defend himself.
Each blow carried powerful Qi.
Compared to Zhao Kang's attacks, Li Tian's own strength felt insignificant.
But something strange was happening.
The longer the fight continued…
The more familiar the movements felt.
The combat memories inside his mind were slowly synchronizing with his body.
The dead disciple's experience was becoming his own.
Zhao Kang noticed the change.
"You're improving mid-fight."
His expression darkened.
"That makes you even more suspicious."
He suddenly gathered Qi into both fists.
"Let's end this."
Spiritual energy surged violently around him.
The watching disciples gasped.
"That's Zhao Kang's full strength!"
"He's not holding back anymore."
Li Tian felt the pressure immediately.
If that attack landed directly…
He might not survive.
The Primordial Echo spoke quietly.
"There is another method."
Li Tian's mind flickered.
"What method?"
"Use the ring."
Li Tian hesitated.
"How?"
The Echo's voice became colder.
"Devour."
At that moment—
Li Tian suddenly realized something terrifying.
The ring didn't only absorb souls of the dead.
It could also…
Drain the life force of living cultivators.
And Zhao Kang was standing directly in front of him.
Rain poured relentlessly across the servant courtyard.
The muddy ground reflected faint lantern light as dozens of servant disciples gathered at a distance, watching the fight with wide, fearful eyes.
No one dared step closer.
In the hierarchy of Azure Mountain Sect, servants were little more than laborers. If an outer disciple decided to beat one of them to death, few would question it.
At the center of the courtyard stood Li Tian and Zhao Kang.
The tension between them had reached its peak.
Zhao Kang's spiritual energy surged wildly around his body, rippling through the rain like invisible flames.
"You're finished," Zhao Kang said coldly.
Both of his fists were wrapped in concentrated Qi.
A basic but powerful martial technique used by outer disciples.
Twin Iron Palm Strike.
If it landed directly, Li Tian's fragile cultivation would be crushed instantly.
The watching disciples whispered nervously.
"He's really going to kill him…"
"Li Tian won't survive that."
"Why did that idiot challenge an outer disciple?"
But Li Tian stood motionless.
Rain ran down his hair and soaked his robes, but his eyes remained calm.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo spoke again.
"Now."
Li Tian hesitated.
The ring's power felt dangerous.
Unpredictable.
"What if I lose control?" he asked silently.
"Then you die," the Echo replied bluntly.
Li Tian almost laughed at the answer.
Zhao Kang stepped forward.
Spiritual pressure flooded the courtyard.
"Last chance," he sneered.
"Tell me how you learned to cultivate."
Li Tian slowly raised his hand.
The black ring gleamed faintly in the rain.
"I told you already."
"I didn't kill anyone."
Zhao Kang's patience snapped.
"Then die!"
He lunged forward like a hunting wolf.
Both fists shot toward Li Tian's chest with terrifying speed.
Gasps erupted from the watching servants.
But just before the strike landed—
Li Tian moved.
He stepped forward instead of back.
Zhao Kang's eyes widened slightly.
"What—"
Li Tian's hand shot forward.
Not toward Zhao Kang's chest.
But toward his wrist.
The black ring flashed with dark light.
The moment their skin touched—
Something terrifying happened.
A cold force erupted from the ring.
Zhao Kang's body suddenly froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
"What… is this?!"
The dark energy surged like a vortex.
Invisible threads of spiritual power were violently pulled from Zhao Kang's body.
His Qi began flowing uncontrollably toward the ring.
Zhao Kang screamed.
"MY QI!"
The watching disciples gasped in horror.
"What's happening?!"
"He's draining Zhao Kang's spiritual energy!"
Li Tian felt it too.
Power flooded through his arm.
Warm.
Violent.
Addictive.
The ring devoured Zhao Kang's Qi like a starving beast.
The Primordial Echo laughed inside Li Tian's mind.
"Excellent…"
"His cultivation is stronger than yours. Devouring his Qi will strengthen your foundation."
Zhao Kang struggled violently.
"Let go!"
He tried to pull away.
But Li Tian's grip tightened instinctively.
The energy flowing into the ring grew stronger.
Zhao Kang's face turned pale.
The watching disciples panicked.
"Help him!"
One of them rushed forward.
But the moment he reached Li Tian—
The ring's dark aura suddenly expanded.
A chilling pressure filled the courtyard.
The disciple froze mid-step.
His instincts screamed danger.
"What kind of technique is that…?" he whispered.
Zhao Kang's strength continued fading.
His attacks had completely stopped.
His body trembled as spiritual energy drained from him.
"Stop…" he gasped.
"Please… stop…"
Li Tian suddenly realized what was happening.
"I'm draining his cultivation…"
Fear flashed across his mind.
If Zhao Kang died here—
The sect would never forgive him.
"Enough!" Li Tian shouted.
He forced himself to release Zhao Kang's wrist.
The dark energy vanished instantly.
Zhao Kang collapsed into the mud.
Panting heavily.
His Qi had dropped dramatically.
Not destroyed.
But severely weakened.
Li Tian stepped back slowly.
The ring's glow faded again.
The Primordial Echo sounded slightly disappointed.
"You stopped too early."
"I don't want to kill him," Li Tian replied.
The Echo chuckled softly.
"You still cling to morality."
Zhao Kang lay on the ground shaking.
His eyes stared at Li Tian with pure terror.
"What… are you…?"
The three outer disciples rushed to his side.
"Senior Brother Zhao!"
"Are you alright?!"
Zhao Kang pushed himself up weakly.
His gaze never left Li Tian.
"That ring…" he whispered.
"It's a demonic artifact…"
The word spread through the crowd instantly.
"Demonic?!"
"Impossible!"
But Zhao Kang's fear was genuine.
"You were draining my Qi," he said hoarsely.
"That's a demonic cultivation technique."
Li Tian said nothing.
Zhao Kang slowly stood.
His legs trembled slightly.
"You're finished," he said coldly.
"If the elders learn a servant is practicing demonic cultivation…"
"They will execute you immediately."
The other disciples nodded grimly.
Demonic cultivation was one of the sect's greatest taboos.
Any cultivator caught practicing it would be destroyed without mercy.
Li Tian's mind raced.
"This is bad."
The Primordial Echo remained calm.
"They already suspect you."
"Yes, but now they have a reason."
Zhao Kang turned toward the watching servants.
"Spread the word."
"A servant disciple is practicing demonic arts."
Fear rippled through the crowd.
No one wanted to be involved.
But rumors spread quickly in a sect.
Li Tian clenched his fists.
"If the elders investigate the ring…"
Everything would be exposed.
Zhao Kang smirked despite his weakened state.
"You should run," he mocked.
"Maybe you can escape before dawn."
Li Tian looked at him silently.
Rain continued falling between them.
Then something strange happened.
The Primordial Echo suddenly spoke again.
But its voice carried a hint of curiosity.
"Interesting."
Li Tian frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"You're not the only one being watched tonight."
Li Tian's instincts immediately sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
Before the Echo could answer—
A slow clap echoed through the rain.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A tall figure stepped out from the shadows near the courtyard gate.
He wore the robes of an outer disciple.
But unlike Zhao Kang, his expression was calm.
Cold.
Almost amused.
The watching disciples recognized him instantly.
"Senior Brother Luo…"
"Luo Han!"
Even Zhao Kang's face stiffened.
Luo Han was one of the strongest outer disciples in their division.
He stood quietly under the rain, watching Li Tian with interest.
"So," Luo Han said slowly.
"The rumors were true."
His gaze moved toward the black ring on Li Tian's finger.
"That artifact…"
"It belongs to you?"
Li Tian remained silent.
Luo Han's smile widened slightly.
"Interesting."
He stepped closer.
The watching crowd instinctively parted.
Zhao Kang looked uneasy.
"Senior Brother Luo… this servant is practicing demonic cultivation."
"I saw," Luo Han replied calmly.
His eyes remained fixed on Li Tian.
"Draining Qi directly from another cultivator."
"A fascinating ability."
Li Tian felt a chill run down his spine.
This man's presence felt completely different.
Much more dangerous.
The Primordial Echo whispered quietly.
"Be careful."
"This one is far stronger than Zhao Kang."
Li Tian's heart sank.
"How strong?"
"Late Qi Gathering… perhaps close to Foundation Establishment."
The difference was enormous.
Luo Han stopped a few steps away.
Rain dripped from his hair as he studied Li Tian carefully.
"You're a servant with a broken spiritual root," he said.
"Yet you can cultivate."
"And you possess a ring capable of devouring Qi."
His smile slowly faded.
"That means only one thing."
Li Tian remained silent.
Luo Han's eyes glinted.
"You found an ancient inheritance."
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Because everyone present understood what that meant.
Ancient inheritances were treasures left behind by powerful cultivators.
Anyone who obtained one could rise rapidly in power.
Greed flashed in several disciples' eyes.
But Luo Han's gaze was the most dangerous.
"You're lucky I found you first," he said softly.
Then his spiritual energy suddenly surged.
Much stronger than Zhao Kang's.
A crushing pressure filled the courtyard.
Servant disciples stumbled backward.
Some nearly fell to their knees.
Li Tian felt the weight immediately.
His body trembled.
"You have two choices," Luo Han said calmly.
"Give me the ring…"
"Or die."
Rain continued to fall over the servant courtyard, but no one moved.
The atmosphere had completely changed.
Moments ago, the conflict had been between a servant and several outer disciples.
Now…
The strongest outer disciple in the area had stepped in.
Luo Han.
His presence alone was enough to silence the entire crowd.
Servants stood frozen at the edges of the courtyard, barely daring to breathe.
Even Zhao Kang and the other disciples looked uneasy.
They all understood one thing.
If Luo Han wanted something…
No one here could stop him.
Luo Han slowly stepped forward.
Each step splashed water across the muddy ground.
His eyes never left the black ring on Li Tian's finger.
"Ancient inheritances are rare," he said calmly.
"Most cultivators spend their entire lives searching for them."
He stopped three steps away.
"And yet a servant boy stumbled upon one by accident."
His gaze lifted to Li Tian's face.
"Life truly is unfair."
Li Tian said nothing.
But inside his chest, his heart was pounding.
The pressure coming from Luo Han was overwhelming.
This man was far stronger than Zhao Kang.
The Primordial Echo spoke quietly inside his mind.
"This one is dangerous."
"I can feel that," Li Tian replied.
"Running is impossible now."
Li Tian already knew that.
If he turned his back, Luo Han would catch him in seconds.
Luo Han extended his hand casually.
"Give me the ring."
The words sounded simple.
But everyone understood the meaning behind them.
Refusing would mean death.
Li Tian slowly raised his hand.
The black ring gleamed faintly under the rain.
"You want this?" he asked.
Luo Han smiled.
"Don't pretend you have a choice."
The watching disciples whispered among themselves.
"That servant is finished."
"Senior Brother Luo won't leave empty-handed."
"Even if he gives up the ring, he'll probably be killed anyway."
Zhao Kang watched silently.
Hatred still burned in his eyes.
But he was also curious.
Would Li Tian surrender?
Li Tian looked at the ring for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"No."
The courtyard froze.
Luo Han's smile slowly faded.
"You said… no?"
Li Tian met his gaze directly.
"You're not getting it."
Silence spread across the courtyard.
Even the rain seemed quieter.
Then Luo Han laughed softly.
"I admire your courage."
His spiritual energy surged violently.
But his expression remained calm.
"Unfortunately, courage without strength is just stupidity."
He moved.
His speed was terrifying.
One moment he stood several meters away.
The next moment—
He was already in front of Li Tian.
His hand shot forward like lightning.
Li Tian barely had time to react.
He jumped backward instinctively.
But Luo Han's palm still brushed his shoulder.
BOOM.
A burst of Qi exploded from the impact.
Li Tian was thrown across the courtyard like a rag doll.
He crashed into the ground, sliding through the mud.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"That was just one strike!"
Li Tian struggled to breathe.
Pain spread through his chest.
His cultivation was too weak.
The difference between them was overwhelming.
Luo Han walked forward calmly.
"You're surprisingly stubborn."
He looked down at Li Tian.
"But this ends now."
Li Tian pushed himself up slowly.
His legs trembled slightly.
Inside his mind, the Primordial Echo spoke again.
"You cannot defeat him like this."
"I know."
"Then stop holding back."
Li Tian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Let the ring devour more."
Li Tian hesitated.
"You mean drain his Qi?"
"No."
The Echo's voice grew colder.
"Devour his soul energy."
Li Tian's heart skipped.
"That would kill him."
"Yes."
Li Tian remained silent for a moment.
He had only just begun cultivating.
Killing another cultivator so quickly…
But Luo Han didn't give him time to think.
He attacked again.
This time even faster.
Li Tian barely managed to dodge.
Luo Han's fist smashed into the ground.
Mud exploded everywhere.
The watching disciples backed away in fear.
"Senior Brother Luo is serious now!"
Li Tian moved again.
He tried using the combat memories he had absorbed earlier.
Footwork.
Dodging patterns.
But Luo Han's experience was far greater.
Within seconds—
He landed another strike.
CRACK.
Li Tian flew backward again.
Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The Primordial Echo spoke coldly.
"You're dying."
Li Tian wiped the blood from his lips.
"…Not yet."
He stood again.
Luo Han tilted his head slightly.
"You're tougher than I expected."
He looked almost amused.
"Unfortunately, this is getting boring."
His Qi surged again.
A stronger technique was forming.
The air around him began to distort slightly.
Even Zhao Kang looked shocked.
"That's the Mountain Crushing Palm…"
"If it lands, Li Tian will die instantly."
Luo Han raised his hand slowly.
Spiritual energy gathered into a dense aura around his palm.
"Goodbye, servant."
He stepped forward.
The attack descended.
At that exact moment—
The ring suddenly reacted.
A deep vibration spread through Li Tian's body.
The Primordial Echo's voice echoed loudly in his mind.
"Now."
Li Tian didn't hesitate anymore.
He lunged forward.
Instead of dodging—
He grabbed Luo Han's wrist.
The black ring erupted with dark light.
For a split second, Luo Han looked confused.
Then his expression changed.
"What—"
The ring activated.
A far stronger devouring force exploded outward.
This time it wasn't just Qi.
Something deeper was being pulled.
Luo Han's eyes widened in shock.
"My spiritual core…!"
The energy inside his body began flowing toward the ring uncontrollably.
The ground around them trembled slightly.
Dark mist swirled around Li Tian's arm.
The watching disciples stepped back in terror.
"What kind of technique is that?!"
Zhao Kang's face turned pale.
"It's the same thing he used on me… but stronger!"
Luo Han struggled violently.
"You little—!"
He tried to pull away.
But the devouring force had already locked onto him.
His Qi drained rapidly.
Then something else began to slip.
Fragments of his spiritual essence.
Luo Han felt it immediately.
Fear flashed across his face.
"You're stealing my cultivation!"
Li Tian felt the energy rushing into the ring.
Stronger.
Much stronger than before.
The power flooding through him felt intoxicating.
But also terrifying.
The Primordial Echo laughed inside his mind.
"Yes…"
"More…"
"Devour him completely."
Luo Han roared in rage.
He slammed his free hand toward Li Tian's chest.
The attack landed.
BOOM.
Li Tian coughed blood.
But he didn't release his grip.
The ring continued devouring.
Luo Han's strength rapidly weakened.
The watching disciples were completely stunned.
"This can't be real…"
"Senior Brother Luo is losing!"
But just as the situation began turning—
A powerful voice suddenly echoed across the courtyard.
"STOP!"
The sound carried immense authority.
Everyone froze.
Even the devouring force from the ring weakened slightly.
A powerful spiritual pressure descended from above.
The disciples immediately bowed.
"Elder!"
A figure landed in the courtyard.
An older man wearing dark sect robes.
His aura was far stronger than Luo Han's.
Inner Sect Elder Mo.
His sharp eyes instantly took in the entire scene.
Luo Han.
Li Tian.
The dark energy surrounding the ring.
His expression hardened.
"What is happening here?"
Luo Han immediately broke free from Li Tian's grip and stumbled backward.
He knelt instantly.
"Elder Mo!"
Li Tian also stepped back.
The ring's glow faded.
The courtyard fell silent.
Elder Mo looked from Luo Han to Li Tian.
Then his gaze stopped on the black ring.
For a brief moment…
Something strange flashed in his eyes.
Recognition.
Shock.
Then his expression returned to calm.
He spoke slowly.
"Both of you."
"Explain."
Rain continued falling over the silent courtyard.
But no one dared speak.
Because everyone knew one thing.
Whatever happened next…
Li Tian's fate would be decided by this elder.
And the secret of the ancient ring might finally be exposed.