Zhao Jun stumbled through the Azure Sky Sect grounds, his breaths coming in short gasps. His legs burned from running, but he couldn't slow down. Not when he had such important news to share.

He weaved between groups of disciples, ignoring their startled looks. His eyes were fixed on his destination - the Core Disciple region. More specifically, Sun Jun's quarters.

As he approached the building, Zhao Jun slowed his pace. He took a moment to catch his breath and straighten his robes. It wouldn't do to appear too disheveled in front of a Core Disciple.

With shaky hands, he knocked on the door.

"Enter," a voice called from inside.

Zhao Jun pushed open the door and stepped into Sun Jun's quarters. The room was spacious and well-furnished, unlike the cramped dormitories of the Outer Disciples.

Sun Jun sat at a desk, poring over a scroll. His friend, Lu Chen, lounged on a nearby couch, idly tossing a spirit stone in the air and catching it.

Both young men looked up as Zhao Jun entered. Sun Jun's eyes narrowed.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone sharp. "This had better be important."

Zhao Jun bowed deeply. "Senior Brother Sun, I have news that I believe you'll find very interesting."

Sun Jun leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Zhao Jun took a deep breath. "It's about the new Legacy Disciple, Kai. He's... he's selling Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills."

The spirit stone Lu Chen had been tossing clattered to the floor. Sun Jun's eyes widened.

"What did you say?" Sun Jun asked, his voice dangerously low.

Zhao Jun swallowed hard. "I... I was just at a meeting in the Outer Sect. Chen Wei, who works for Kai, was selling Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills. Twenty of them."

Lu Chen sat up straight. "Twenty? Where did he get so many?"

"He said they were made by Kai himself," Zhao Jun explained. "Apparently, Kai has become a Novice Alchemist."

Sun Jun's fists clenched. "Impossible. He's only been here for a short time. How could he, a village bumpkin, have advanced so quickly?"

Zhao Jun shrugged. "I don't know, Senior Brother. But Chen Wei was very clear about it. He even said the pills had been verified by Alchemy Master Elder Xiao."

Sun Jun stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He began to pace, his face twisted in anger.

"Not only did he steal my Legacy Disciple spot," he spat. "But he is now trying to humiliate me further."

Lu Chen watched his friend. "What does any of this have to do with you?"

Sun Jun whirled to face him. "Don't you see? This Kai, this... this nobody from some backwater village, is not only a Legacy Disciple but now a Novice Alchemist too? And he's using these skills to gain influence among the Outer Disciples? He is trying to take any chance of me becoming the next Sect Master!"

Lu Chen nodded slowly. "I…see. But what can we do about it?"

A slow, cruel smile spread across Sun Jun's face. "We don't have to do anything. We just need to make sure the right people know about this."

Zhao Jun, who had been standing silently, spoke up. "What do you mean, Senior Brother?"

Sun Jun turned his gaze to the Outer Disciple. "Tell me, Zhao Jun, how much were these pills being sold for?"

"They started the bidding at 20 spirit stones," Zhao Jun replied. "But by the end, some were going for as much as 28 spirit stones each."

Lu Chen whistled. "That's not bad. Cheaper than the usual price, but still a tidy profit."

Sun Jun's smile widened. "Exactly. And do you know who usually supplies Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills to the Outer Disciples?"

Zhao Jun's eyes widened in realization. "Senior Brother Su Fang!"

"Precisely," Sun Jun said. "I wonder how Senior Brother Su Fang would feel about this new... competition."

Lu Chen stood up, a glint in his eye. "Are you suggesting we inform Su Fang about this?"

Sun Jun nodded. "It's our duty as loyal disciples of the Azure Sky Sect to keep our seniors informed of any... unusual activities."

Zhao Jun shifted uncomfortably. "But... won't that cause trouble for Kai? He is a Legacy Disciple, after all."

Sun Jun's eyes flashed dangerously. "Are you questioning me, Zhao Jun?"

The Outer Disciple quickly shook his head. "No, no, of course not, Senior Brother!"

"Good," Sun Jun said. "Because I think it's time we paid a visit to Senior Brother Su Fang. Don't you agree, Lu Chen?"

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Lu Chen nodded. "I think that's an excellent idea, Sun Jun."

Sun Jun turned back to Zhao Jun. "You've done well bringing this information to us. You may go now."

Zhao Jun bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Brother Sun."

As he turned to leave, Sun Jun called out, "Oh, and Zhao Jun? Not a word of this to anyone else. Understood?"

Zhao Jun nodded quickly. "Of course, Senior Brother. My lips are sealed."

As the door closed behind Zhao Jun, Lu Chen turned to Sun Jun. "Are you sure about this? Su Fang isn't known for his gentle temperament."

"That's exactly what I'm counting on,” Sun Jun smirked. “It's time this village boy learned his place. Legacy Disciple or not, he can't just waltz in here and do as he pleases."

Lu Chen nodded slowly. "And if Su Fang deals with him, our hands stay clean."

"Precisely," Sun Jun said. "Now, let's go pay our respects to Senior Brother Su Fang, shall we?"

The two friends left Sun Jun's quarters and made their way to Su Feng’s quarters.

This is perfect, Sun Jun thought. Su Fang, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, will put that upstart Kai in his place.

Lu Chen glanced at his friend, noting the satisfied smirk on his face. "You seem pleased with yourself," he observed.

Sun Jun chuckled. "Why shouldn't I be? This Kai has been a thorn in my side since he arrived. It's about time someone did something about him."

"And you're sure Su Fang will react the way you want?" Lu Chen asked.

Sun Jun's smirk widened. "Oh, I'm counting on it. Su Fang's pride won't allow him to let this slide. He'll crush Kai, that village boy will learn that the Azure Sky Sect isn't his personal playground."

As they approached Su Fang's residence, a grand building befitting a senior Core Disciple, Sun Jun paused.

"Remember," he said to Lu Chen, "let me do most of the talking. We're just concerned junior disciples bringing important information to our senior's attention."

Lu Chen nodded. "Of course. I'll follow your lead."

Sun Jun took a deep breath, composing his features into a mask of respectful concern. Then, he knocked on the door.

"Enter," came a voice from within.

Sun Jun pushed open the door, Lu Chen close behind him. They stepped into the room. At a large desk sat Su Fang, his sharp eyes fixed on the two young men who had just entered.

"Sun Jun, Lu Chen," Su Fang said. "To what do I owe this... pleasure?"

Sun Jun and Lu Chen gave a small bow. "Senior Brother Su," Sun Jun said, his voice dripping with respect. "We apologize for disturbing you, but we have information that we believe you should be aware of."

Su Fang leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Sun Jun straightened, meeting Su Fang's gaze. "It's about the new Legacy Disciple, Kai. We've just learned that he's selling Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills to the Outer Disciples."

For a moment, Su Fang's face remained impassive. Then, almost imperceptibly, his left eyebrow twitched.

"Is that so?" he said, his voice carefully neutral. "And where did you hear this?"

"One of the Outer Disciples came to us directly," Sun Jun explained. "Apparently, Kai's assistant held a meeting where he sold twenty Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills."

Lu Chen chimed in, "They claim the pills were made by Kai himself. That he's become a Novice Alchemist."

Su Fang's eyes widened slightly at this. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "A Novice Alchemist, you say? That's... interesting."

Sun Jun nodded eagerly. "Yes, Senior Brother. And what's more, they were selling the pills for as low as 20 spirit stones each."

This time, Su Fang couldn't hide his reaction. His fist clenched on the desk, and a flash of anger crossed his face.

"Twenty spirit stones?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Sun Jun fought to keep the satisfaction off his face. He's taking the bait, he thought. Now to reel him in.

"We were shocked too, Senior Brother," Sun Jun said, his voice full of false concern. "We know you've been supplying the Outer Disciples with pills. We were worried this might... interfere with your business."

Su Fang stood up abruptly, turning to look out the window. His back was rigid, his hands clasped tightly behind him.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention," he said, his voice tightly controlled. "You've done well, both of you."

Sun Jun and Lu Chen exchanged a quick glance. This was going even better than they had hoped.

"We're always happy to help, Senior Brother," Lu Chen said smoothly. "We just want what's best for the sect."

Su Fang turned back to face them, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. Well, if that's all, you may go. I have much to think about."

Sun Jun and Lu Chen bowed again. "Of course, Senior Brother. We'll take our leave."

As they turned to go, Su Fang spoke again. "Oh, and Sun Jun?"

Sun Jun paused, looking back. "Yes, Senior Brother?"

Su Fang's eyes bore into him. "In the future, if you hear anything else about this... Kai, I want you to come to me immediately. Understood?"

Sun Jun nodded, suppressing a smile. "Of course, Senior Brother. You can count on us."

As the door closed behind them, Sun Jun and Lu Chen walked quickly away from Su Fang's residence. Once they were out of earshot, Sun Jun let out a low chuckle.

"Did you see his face?" he said, his voice filled with glee. "He was furious!"

Lu Chen nodded, a small smile on his face. "You played it perfectly, Sun Jun. He took the bait hook, line, and sinker."

Sun Jun's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Just wait. Su Fang won't let this stand. He'll go after Kai, and when he does..."

"We'll be there to watch the fireworks," Lu Chen finished.

As they walked back to their own quarters, Sun Jun's mind raced with possibilities. Soon, he thought, soon that upstart Kai will learn his place. And when he falls, I'll be there to take what should have been mine all along.

***

Meanwhile, back in his quarters, Su Fang paced back and forth, his mind whirling with the information he had just received.

A Legacy Disciple selling pills? And not just any pills, but Low-Grade Qi Gathering pills. My pills.

He stopped at the window, looking out over the sect grounds. His eyes narrowed as he considered his options.

On one hand, this Kai was a Legacy Disciple. Going against him directly could be dangerous. But on the other hand, if he let this slide, it could seriously damage his business and his reputation.

I've worked too hard to let some newcomer ruin everything, and it’s not like this Kai is another Wang Lin, I’m not defenceless against him. But how to handle this...

He turned away from the window, his decision made. He wouldn't confront Kai directly, at least not yet. First, he needed more information.

Su Fang sat back down at his desk, pulling out a blank scroll. He began to write, outlining his plan.

First, verify the information. Then, if it's true, find out more about this Kai. His strengths, his weaknesses, his goals. And most importantly, find out why he's selling these pills. Is he trying to rile me up or is he just looking to make some spirit stones?

As he wrote, a new thought occurred to him. What if... what if I could turn this to my advantage?

Su Fang leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. Yes, this could work. Instead of seeing Kai as a threat, why not see him as an opportunity?

If he really is a Novice Alchemist, Su Fang thought, then he could be incredibly valuable. And if I could bring him into my operation...

With a Legacy Disciple as his alchemist, he could expand his business using the name of a Legacy Disciple. The profits would be astronomical.

Su Fang stood up, his decision made. He would meet this Kai, but not as an enemy. No, he would approach him as a potential business partner.

Let's see what you're made of, Legacy Disciple Kai, Su Fang thought as he headed for the door. This could be the beginning of a very profitable relationship... for both of us.