For the first time, Su Yanzhou found himself the center of attention.
It was not the kind of attention he enjoyed.
The next morning, the entire Outer Sect buzzed with rumors about the previous day's spar. Whispers followed him wherever he went.
"Did you hear? Su Yanzhou used some kind of strange movement art."
"He actually wounded Lu Fei!"
"Where did a rat from the outskirts learn that kind of technique?"
Even the Elders had taken notice. Elder Yun's public praise had sealed it — Yanzhou was no longer invisible.
And that was dangerous.
He had survived the fight, barely. His ribs throbbed with every breath, and purple bruises marred his side. Shadow Step had saved his life again, but it had drained him severely. Each time he used the technique, his body felt like it was tearing apart from within.
Too soon to rely on it fully, he thought grimly. I need to build a stronger foundation.
Yet there was no time to rest.
Less than a day after the spar, a crisp summons arrived.
To Su Yanzhou:
Report to the Hall of Elder Xu at second bell.
— By order of the Outer Sect Council.
Su Yanzhou stared at the message, fingers tightening around the paper.
I'm already on their radar.
He hadn't even fully digested what had happened. The Void Nexus was still a mystery. The concept of Anchors, of Reset — it all felt like standing on the edge of an endless abyss. One misstep and he would fall.
But what choice did he have?
He could not afford to show weakness now. The Sect would expect answers.
And if he couldn't give the right ones?
He forced himself upright despite the pain and made his way toward Elder Xu's Hall.
The Hall was carved into the side of the sect's central peak — a narrow, imposing structure of cold stone and dark wood. It was said that Elder Xu himself had reinforced the building with ancient array scripts, making the air inside heavy and oppressive.
Su Yanzhou felt it immediately upon entering.
The moment the great bronze doors was closed behind him, the room seemed to dim. His footsteps echoed loudly against the expensive floors as he approached the central dais.
There, seated cross-legged with a cup of wine, was Elder Xu.
An old man, thin as a blade of bamboo, with a long silver beard and eyes that seemed to pierce through bone and blood alike.
"Su Yanzhou," the Elder intoned without looking up. "You caused quite the disturbance yesterday."
Su Yanzhou bowed carefully, concealing his grimace.
"I apologize if I acted improperly, Elder."
"Improperly?" Elder Xu opened his eyes — two cold stars burning with ancient light. "No. You acted with skill and cunning. That is not improper. But it is… unexpected."
The words hung in the air, weighted.
"You have no formal training in advanced movement arts. You possess no clan background. And yet, you demonstrated a technique even Inner Sect disciples would covet."
A pause.
"How?"
Su Yanzhou swallowed.
He had anticipated this question. Rehearsed a half-truth.
"During my time in the outskirts, Elder, I encountered a wounded cultivator. Before he passed, he taught me the basics of void movement — a fragment of an incomplete art. I adapted it as best I could."
A lie, but plausible.
Elder Xu studied him for a long, uncomfortable moment.
Finally, he gave a faint smile.
"A clever story. Perhaps too clever."
The Elder rose slowly, sleeves trailing like wisps of smoke.
"Regardless. You are not the only one who noticed the opportunity. The Sect values strength, Su Yanzhou — but it values loyalty even more."
Another pause.
"From this day forward, you will report to Elder Yun's hall for specialized instruction. Do not refuse."
Su Yanzhou's breath caught.
Special instruction?
In the Outer Sect, such an invitation was rare — usually reserved for core disciples or those with powerful backers.
It was an opportunity… and a leash.
"I understand, Elder," he said quietly.
"Good." Elder Xu's eyes gleamed. "You may leave."
Outside, Su Yanzhou exhaled deeply.
So. The game begins.
He had drawn the attention of the Elders far sooner than he wanted. Now every step forward would be watched.
He made his way down the winding path toward his quarters, lost in thought.
That was when the familiar voice rang in his mind:
[Void Nexus: Anchor 1 stable.]
[System advisory: Additional anchors may be accelerated through high-risk encounters.]
Su Yanzhou stopped walking.
Accelerated?
He focused inward, letting the Void Qi guide his awareness.
[Next Anchor Condition: Survive a life-threatening battle.]
[Alternative Path Unlocked: Challenge combatants ranked in the top ten of the Outer Sect.]
A slow, cold smile touched his lips.
So that's how it is. The System rewards boldness.
But it also meant risk. The top ten disciples were monsters compared to the average Outer Sect members — Lu Fei had barely ranked seventh.
Was he ready to face stronger foes?
His body protested at the very thought. Every muscle ached. His Qi reserves were thin.
No. Not yet. But soon.
Two days passed.
Under Elder Yun's instruction, Su Yanzhou trained relentlessly.
Footwork, blade work, Qi control — everything was pushed to the limit.
Elder Yun, a grizzled veteran with sharp eyes and a sharp tongue, was merciless.
"You rely too much on instinct," the old man barked one afternoon. "Shadow Step is powerful — but without control, it is a crutch. Do you wish to become a cripple?"
"No, Elder."
"Then master the basics first."
And so he did.
Step by agonizing step, he refined his movements. Slowed the technique until he could feel the moment space bent, the instant Void Qi surged.
He learned to flow with the energy, not force it.
And with each small success, the System responded:
[Shadow Step Proficiency: Novice → Adept.]
[Void Qi Flow: Stable.]
The notifications were subtle, but encouraging.
Meanwhile, the Sect buzzed with rumors.
Lu Fei had retreated to closed cultivation, furious and humiliated.
Other Outer Sect elites had taken notice of the upstart from the outskirts.
Su Yanzhou found himself shadowed wherever he went — envious glances from rivals, calculating gazes from those seeking alliance.
Even Yu Lan had become jumpy.
"You need to be careful, Yanzhou," the boy whispered one evening. "I heard Zhang Yao is planning to challenge you soon."
Su Yanzhou frowned.
Zhang Yao — ranked fifth.
A brutal, heavy-handed fighter known for his iron staff techniques.
A true threat.
But then the System whispered again:
[Anchor 2 Progress: 0% → 10%.]
[Trigger Condition Imminent.]
Su Yanzhou's smile returned — cold and thin.
If they wish to come, let them. The Void favors those who dare.
He rose, gripping his blade.
Tomorrow, the ripples would spread wider.
And he would be ready.