“That’s 500 contribution points,” the elder said with a note of admiration as he logged the points, “The emperor has a good eye for talent, you imperial disciples are truly living up to your status! If only the wastrels here were half as good. The sect would enter a golden age! Instead, they’re content with menial tasks! They have no eyes, no eyes! Prime disciple Luo Han was the only gem in half a century! Can you believe that?!” he ranted to an absent-minded Jiang Tao.

“Ah, Luo Han! A true genius, an unparalleled existence in the last five hundred years! Yet these other brats…” The elder paused and glared at the scroll, “They barely scrape together enough contribution points to stay in the sect, let alone distinguish themselves!”

Jiang Tao's mind wandered as the elder continued his rant, his words blending into the background. The recent confrontation with Li Hua still weighed heavily on him. Despite the elder's praise and the reward of 500 contribution points, Tao found little satisfaction in it.

The elder, oblivious to Tao’s distraction, continued his tirade. “The outer sect is full of dead wood!”

"Yes, Elder," Tao muttered, offering another absent nod.

The elder sighed deeply, finally stamping Jiang Tao’s contribution points into his logbook. "A shame indeed. But you, you have potential. Don’t waste it like the others. Keep pushing forward. Now, go on, before you catch their laziness."

Tao forced a smile, bowed, and turned away from the elder's desk, walking quickly toward the outer courtyard.

His thoughts drifted to Li Hua's cold, calculating gaze. I want you to owe me a favor.

His hand clenched into a fist. How had he been so naive? He wasn't a baby unfamiliar to the world he was living his second life for god sake. Yet here, in this world, he was outmaneuvered by a girl who seemed so far ahead of the game, that it was as if he were still learning social interaction.

I'm dumbass.

Maybe he was too ignorant of the nature of this world. He thought back to Yixing’s words, his friend was right. Cultivators were a different kind entirely, he was learning that more and more every day.

Li Hua had shown him that absolute control was the goal for everyone on the immortal path. Her actions made it clear that hard work and merit weren’t enough; power, influence, and manipulation often outweighed raw talent. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but if he’d learned anything in this life, it was that adaptation was key.

How long would he have to carry this favor hanging over him? Decades, centuries—her words echoed in his mind. Even though she swore a vow, it didn't make him feel any better about the situation.

He needed a plan.

I need to get stronger. he thought, his mind still lingering on the encounter with Li Hua. She was right—without a clan or backing, he was vulnerable. Even as an imperial disciple, he was still just a peasant in the eyes of many. Zhang Yuhan was a prince but aside from the title, and lineage, he had nothing too. Zhou Yixing had a clan but the Zhou clan was one amongst many.

Might was the great equalizer.

Li Hua, you have enlightened me and for that I am grateful. Have your favor but know I will return it in kind. Tao swore he would have his payback in some way or the other.

As walked he heard the familiar clash of weapons, the grunt of exertion from fellow disciples locked in practice duels.

Sparring grounds. He hadn't had a proper spar since he and Yixing fought in Black Vale Village.

His body itched for action—something to channel the storm raging inside his mind.

“Brother Tao!” A familiar voice called out.

Jiang Tao turned to see Wei Yichen waving from one of the training platforms. He was sweating, likely from a recent sparring session, his face flushed with excitement.

The outer sect disciple had become a sort of honorary younger brother for their trio even though he was older. Tao hadn't spent much time with him but he was pleasant enough. Zhang Yuhan and Zhou Yixing were the ones who took him under their wings.

It seemed to be working as he looked entirely different from the last time Jiang Tao had seen him, the liveliness about him seemed more genuine.

“Junior brother Wei,” He greeted with a small nod.

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The older disciple gave him a 15-degree bow. Tao couldn't but chuckle the other boy couldn't help being formal.

Wei Yichen straightened up from his bow, his face breaking into a sheepish grin. “You’re back from the expedition! Elder Ji’s expeditions are tough senior brother is really talented,”

He wouldn't agree on the tough part—mentally taxing, yes, but not difficult. “Junior Brother Wei is too kind,” he said, accepting the praise.

“Anyways how goes your training?” He asked, directing the focus of the conversation to Wei Yichen, who immediately perked up.

“The heavens have blessed me!” Yichen declared, excitement radiating from him.

“Blessed by the heavens?” Tao asked, his curiosity piqued despite the storm of thoughts in his head. “How so?”

“Can't senior brother tell?” Yichen said holding his hands out as if stating the obvious.

Jiang Tao raised a questioning brow before actually focusing on the outer disciple. His brow furrowed as he tried to discern the change.

“Oh, you had a breakthrough, congratulations junior brother Wei,” He said with a small smile genuinely happy for him.

Wei Yichen's grin widened at Jiang Tao's words. “Late qi awakening! Senior brother Yixing has been so helpful, the two rivers pill he gave me pushed me all the way to the door of the peak stage, I just need a little more time to achieve it,”

Tao blinked in surprise. A Two Rivers pill? Wow, Yixing’s being extra generous.

Jiang Tao’s surprise was genuine, though he tried not to show it too much. A Two Rivers Pill wasn’t something an outer disciple would ever see even with connections. Zhou Yixing must have been very generous, or at least saw something in Wei Yichen that was worth the investment.

“Also Senior Brother Yuhan says he knows of a way to get me a fire affinity,” Yichen whispered looking around to see if anyone was listening in. “If it works, I can cultivate the five phases!” the glee on his face was palpable.

The concept of acquiring an affinity piqued his curiosity, he would have to ask Yuhan more about that but he was curious as to why his friends were investing so much into Yichen.

His brows furrowed. They better not be taking advantage of him. There was helping and then there was helping.

After everything he had seen he doubted altruism for its own sake existed amongst cultivators, they were his friends but he had seen how ruthless Yixing could be. He would have to ask what their intentions with Yichen were.

“Since senior brother is here, would you like to trade pointers?” Yichen asked.

Jiang Tao snorted, “A breakthrough has you feeling confident Junior brother Wei, I am a whole realm above you,” then he paused considering it, “Fine, I’ll limit myself to peak qi awakening stage and I'll only use one hand. Fair?” he asked with a small smirk.

Thrashing people always puts him in a good mood.

Wei Yichen’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm at the challenge. “One hand? That sounds fair, but I won’t go easy on you!”

Tao chuckled, his earlier tension easing slightly. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

They moved to a clear area on the sparring grounds, the soft thud of their feet on the grass a familiar comfort. Jiang Tao took his position, adopting a relaxed stance while Wei Yichen squared up, determination radiating from him.

“Alright, Junior Brother Wei, show me what you’ve got!” Tao called, keeping his tone light but focused.

Wei Yichen launched forward, his movements surprisingly agile, a testament to his recent training. He aimed a flurry of strikes, fists darting like water flowing through a stream. Jiang Tao sidestepped easily, blocking with one hand, a smile creeping across his face as he watched Yichen’s spirited efforts.

“Not bad, but remember to maintain your center! Control your strikes and ground yourself” Tao advised, evading a particularly enthusiastic punch that would’ve sent most outer disciples sprawling.

Yichen nodded, panting slightly but grinning. “Right! I need to ground myself more!”

With renewed focus, he adjusted his stance and charged again, this time incorporating footwork to shift his balance.

Tao recognized the strategic seeds taking root in Yichen's approach and decided to let him test his skills a bit longer before countering with a punch to his core that sent Yichen sprawling.

“Oof,” He winced. He might have gone a little overboard.

The twilight flame disciple, groaned as he rose but his eyes were still fiery with determination. Yichen was back on his feet and crossed the distance with a flurry of palm strikes.

“Good! You’re getting it!” Jiang Tao encouraged, dodging the strikes, still holding back to keep things fair.

The boy’s determination was contagious, and soon Tao found himself slipping into the rhythm of the spar, feeling the thrill of combat.

“Let’s see how you handle this!” Yichen shouted, his voice tinged with exhilaration. He executed a sweeping kick aimed at Tao’s legs, a move that caught him slightly off guard.

With a swift reaction, Tao blocked the kick with his foot and followed through with a quick jab that tapped Yichen on the shoulder and knocked him off his feet. “Not bad! But you’ll need more than that to catch me off balance!”

Wei Yichen laughed, exhilaration coursing through him. “I won’t give up! Not after this breakthrough!”

“Is that Wei Yichen?” one disciple asked, pointing at Yichen. “He’s improved a lot!”

“Yeah! And he’s got an imperial disciple sparring with him!” another chimed in. “Seems like he’s been training hard.”

Tao caught snippets of the onlookers’ conversation and couldn’t suppress the smile forming on his face.

“Not bad, Junior Brother Wei. You’ve got potential,” Tao said, giving a genuine smile.

“Thank you, Senior Brother! I’ll get even better! You’ll see!” Wei Yichen beamed, his energy undiminished.

Jiang Tao rolled his shoulders all previous tension had evaporated off of him. "Let's go again."