The pale light of dawn filtered through the cultivation chamber's curtains, bathing the room in soft gold. Inside, Ren Wei opened his eyes slowly, the residual warmth of circulating Qi still coiling faintly around him. He exhaled deeply.
> "No breakthrough," he muttered. "Still within the first layer… Foundation Establishment requires more than effort. It demands patience."
He stood up calmly, his limbs loose from a night of continuous meditation. The power within him had grown, yes—but not yet enough to cross the invisible wall that separated the first level from the second.
He walked to the chamber door and gently slid it open.
"Su Yao," he called.
Within moments, Su Yao appeared from the corridor, her posture graceful, eyes calm.
"Yes, Young Master?" she said, bowing with practiced elegance.
"I'd like my morning meal in the courtyard," he said. "Prepare something light."
"As you wish." She bowed again and disappeared into the inner kitchens.
Ren Wei walked into the courtyard and sat at the table beneath the white plum tree, enjoying the cool breeze of the morning. Birds chirped on distant rooftops, and for a moment, it felt as if the world had paused just for him.
The quiet didn't last long.
Footsteps echoed lightly through the stone path. Sheng Lian entered the courtyard, her long violet robes fluttering with the wind. Without waiting for an invitation, she sat across from Ren Wei, her gaze sharp yet oddly relaxed.
"Mei Rou," she said softly. "Tea."
Mei Rou, who had been tending to the garden nearby, gave a small nod and hurried inside.
"You received my pill?" Sheng Lian asked, folding her arms.
Ren Wei raised a brow. "You came all this way just to ask that?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes studied him carefully.
"You're going to need that pill, you know. You'll be fighting Wei Wuxian. It's not a time to hoard resources."
Ren Wei let out a soft chuckle and reached into his sleeve. From a storage pouch, he retrieved two gleaming jade bottles—each sealed with Han Crest's sigil—and laid them on the table.
"Two pills from Han Suiren," he said, then placed a third bottle beside them. "And these five—crafted by me."
Sheng Lian's eyes widened. She didn't even glance at the Han Crest pills. Her focus was entirely on the ones he made.
"…You made these?" she asked, her voice dropping.
Ren Wei simply nodded.
She leaned forward, gently uncorked one, and let the scent rise. A verdant, fiery Qi curled from the bottle like mist, rich and concentrated.
"These aren't Foundation Establishment pills," she whispered. "They're… beyond. You crafted this while only just stepping into the realm?"
"I had good herbs," Ren Wei said casually, sipping the tea Mei Rou had just placed before him.
Sheng Lian murmured to herself, almost forgetting his presence.
> "At this level, your pills rival what the sect's elder alchemists produce… What happens when you reach Half-Immortal…"
She drank her own tea in silence, processing the revelation. The steam from the cups rose between them, veiling their expressions in the brief moment of stillness.
After a few more sips, Sheng Lian stood.
"I've said what I needed," she said, turning. "Don't waste the pill I gave you."
As she walked away, her voice drifted back with the wind.
"I'll be watching that duel. Closely."
Once she disappeared beyond the stone arch, Su Yao arrived, holding a steaming tray of freshly made buns, jasmine rice, and a clear broth infused with Qi herbs.
Ren Wei gave her a small smile and began eating.
---
At the Han Crest compound, Han Suiren stood in the main hall, speaking with three elder representatives. The conversation was political—standard updates about external sect movements, cultivation alliances, and resource flows.
But mid-sentence, Han Suiren paused. His brows furrowed.
"…He hasn't been to school for a week."
The elders exchanged confused glances.
"Ren Wei," he clarified. "That brat's been hiding in that villa for seven days."
He turned, brushing past the confused elders.
"I'll go see what that monster child is doing before he forgets the rest of the world exists."
---
The last bite of steamed jasmine rice vanished from Ren Wei's plate as he set down his chopsticks. Just as he exhaled in quiet satisfaction, a presence approached the villa gates. Mei Rou, always alert, stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Lord Han Suiren," she greeted.
Han Suiren returned the nod with a gentle wave of his sleeve. "Tea is enough," he said, eyes already fixed on the figure in the courtyard.
Ren Wei rose. "Elder Han."
"No need for titles today. I'm here as your… educator." He chuckled as he took a seat at the small table, the aroma of lingering breakfast still hanging in the air.
"Su Yao," Ren Wei called.
She entered quietly and began tidying up the dishes, her movements swift and graceful.
"You've been absent from school for nearly a week," Han Suiren said, lifting the tea to his lips. "I can handle the whispers and bureaucrats, but once in a while, you should at least show your face. Appearances matter—especially with so many eyes on you now."
Ren Wei gave a wry smile. "I was planning to go this morning."
Han Suiren arched an eyebrow. "Good. Still, for your battle against Wei Wuxian… you'll need every minute. I'll speak to the administration. With my backing, they'll give you some leeway. Perhaps even officially."
The tea cup clicked softly as he set it down.
"Cultivate well, Ren Wei. And survive." He stood up, his eyes sharp beneath a calm smile. "I look forward to watching history rewrite itself."
With a casual wave of his hand, Han Suiren strode from the villa, his figure soon swallowed by the misty morning light.
Ren Wei, after a quiet moment, called for Mei Rou and Su Yao.
"You two don't need to come with me today," he said. "Hold down the fort here."
"Yes, Young Master," they answered in unison.
He donned his school uniform—pristine, yet feeling foreign—and stepped into the city.
---
The Azure Fang Academy courtyard buzzed with chatter the moment Ren Wei arrived. Eyes darted his way, whispers trailing behind his footsteps like ghosts.
"Isn't that him? He hasn't shown up in a week."
"He even left his maids behind today…"
The heirs of the Four Great Families stood near the training arena, their glances sharp and hushed tones venomous. Ren Wei passed them without a glance, his stride steady, indifferent.
He walked into his classroom and took his seat. No one approached. No one dared. He had no allies here—only spectators waiting for his fall.
Two lessons passed in silence.
Then the classroom door opened, and a messenger beckoned him.
"The Director wishes to see you."
Ren Wei entered the school's administration building, where the Director sat behind a lacquered desk.
"Ren Wei," the man began, tone clipped, "why haven't you—"
The door opened again.
Han Suiren stepped inside, calm as ever.
The Director immediately stood, bowing low. "Lord Han Suiren! I… forgive my tone earlier."
He turned sharply toward Ren Wei. "Why didn't you greet him properly?! He's the protector of our entire—"
"There's no need," Han Suiren said with a soft laugh, waving off the formality. "I'm here on his behalf. Ren Wei's been under my care for the past week."
The Director said nothing more, merely nodding in deference.
"I'd like to make a proposal," Han Suiren continued. "Ren Wei becomes an honored student—funded directly by the Han Crest. He'll attend only as needed: once a week or even twice a month. The rest of his time will be devoted to preparation."
"Of course!" the Director said without hesitation. "Anything under your name is… more than approved."
Han Suiren nodded once and glanced at Ren Wei. "Now, may I speak with him privately?"
The Director bowed again and exited, his steps quick.
Ren Wei remained standing, expression unreadable as the door clicked shut behind them.