The valley was silent. Too silent.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath as he stepped beyond the boundary, the lingering energy of the altar still buzzing faintly in his veins. The sect’s towering pagodas loomed in the distance, the sight familiar yet strangely distant.

Zhao Feng walked beside him, rubbing his wrists. “That wasn’t a normal training exercise.”

Lin Xuan didn’t respond immediately. He clenched his fists. The altar... those runes... the strange energy that had momentarily surged through his body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.

And the worst part? The elders knew.

“I think they wanted us to see it,” Lin Xuan muttered.

Zhao Feng glanced at him, frowning. “What do you mean?”

Before Lin Xuan could answer, a voice called out from ahead.

“Lin Xuan.”

A tall figure stood in the middle of the training grounds, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

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Wei Shen.

The strongest disciple of Warborn Hall.

Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed. He had never crossed paths with Wei Shen before. But judging from the sharp gaze fixed on him, that was about to change.

“You’ve been making waves lately,” Wei Shen said, tilting his head. “Defeating Inner Sect disciples, getting special training, and now... returning from a forbidden valley.”

Lin Xuan remained silent.

Wei Shen smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. The sect has its own rules. You may be climbing fast, but there are plenty of people waiting to remind you of your place.”

Zhao Feng stiffened beside him, but Lin Xuan didn’t waver. His eyes met Wei Shen’s.

“Then they can try.”

For a moment, the air was tense.

Then, Wei Shen chuckled. “Good.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Zhao Feng exhaled. “That guy’s dangerous.”

Lin Xuan didn’t disagree. He could feel it too.

But something told him—Wei Shen wasn’t the real threat.

This was just the beginning.

----------------------------------------

Inside the Infinite Pagoda…

Sect Master Yan sat on his throne, eyes half-closed as he listened to Elder Mo’s report. The room was dimly lit, incense curling in the air.

“The altar awakened,” Elder Mo said. “Lin Xuan and the others were exposed to it.”

Sect Master Yan didn’t react. “And?”

Elder Qin stepped forward. “The runes were glowing. The energy was stronger than before.” He paused. “It’s happening, isn’t it?”

The Sect Master finally opened his eyes. “Yes.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

“The outside world must not know,” Sect Master Yan said. “Not yet. The disciples are not ready.”

Elder Mo frowned. “And Lin Xuan?”

The Sect Master’s gaze darkened.

“He will be tested.”