Weeks had passed since Shiv's encounters with Su Yan and Xia Ning Chang. His progress in the High Heaven Pavilion had been steady, and with the help of his knowledge from his past life and his interactions with key figures, he had established a solid foundation. But beneath the surface of this apparent calm, Shiv sensed that the winds of change were coming—he knew the plot well enough to anticipate it.
At this point in his cultivation journey, Shiv's current strength mirrored that of Yang Kai's early levels—he was still in the **Body Tempering Realm**, the lowest stage of cultivation. While he had made small improvements, he was still seen as a bottom-rung disciple in the Pavilion. His reputation as a loser still lingered, but Shiv knew it wouldn't last for long.
He knew that he needed to take risks soon, push himself harder, and take advantage of the chaos that was about to unfold in the High Heaven Pavilion.
---
**The First Conflict: Confrontation with Chang Zhi**
On an otherwise quiet day, the sound of commotion echoed through the Pavilion grounds. Shiv was returning from his training session when he noticed a small crowd forming near the sparring ring. Curiosity piqued, he made his way to the center, where he saw Chang Zhi—an arrogant disciple known for bullying weaker students—taunting Xia Ning Chang.
Chang Zhi was in the **Qi Refining Realm**, a level above most new disciples, which gave him a significant advantage over Shiv's current cultivation state. He stood there, sneering down at Xia Ning Chang, who, despite her higher cultivation level (also in the **Qi Refining Realm**), was too kind-hearted to engage in pointless conflict.
"I don't know why you waste your time with these useless herbs," Chang Zhi mocked, kicking over a basket of medicinal plants Xia Ning Chang had been collecting. "Why don't you spar with me and prove you're worth something?"
Xia Ning Chang looked visibly uncomfortable, clearly unwilling to get involved in a fight.
Shiv, watching from the sidelines, felt his blood boil. This was his moment to step in—he could not let Chang Zhi humiliate Xia Ning Chang.
Stepping forward, he called out in a loud, firm voice. "That's enough, Chang Zhi. Why don't you pick on someone who's actually willing to fight?"
Chang Zhi's head snapped in Shiv's direction, his eyes narrowing. "And who do we have here? Shiv, the sect's weakest disciple, thinks he can play hero?"
The crowd's attention shifted to Shiv, some whispering and laughing at his audacity to confront someone stronger than him.
"You may be stronger than me now," Shiv said calmly, meeting Chang Zhi's gaze with an unwavering stare, "but that doesn't mean you can bully others. If you're so confident in your skills, prove it in a fair fight."
Chang Zhi grinned, clearly entertained by the challenge. "Very well, I'll enjoy this," he said, cracking his knuckles. "But don't cry when I break a few of your bones."
Shiv knew the risks of facing someone in the Qi Refining Realm when he was only at the Body Tempering level, but this was a critical point in the story—this was where Yang Kai's resilience and resourcefulness began to show, and Shiv was determined to make the most of this moment.
---
**The Fight: Strategy Over Power**
The crowd gathered around the sparring ring as Shiv and Chang Zhi squared off. Chang Zhi was grinning smugly, clearly believing this would be an easy win.
Shiv, however, had other plans. He knew that he couldn't overpower Chang Zhi directly, but he could outthink him. Shiv's confidence came from his knowledge of martial techniques and his future knowledge of Yang Kai's path.
As the fight began, Chang Zhi launched a flurry of attacks, his punches swift and precise, aiming to overpower Shiv with brute force. Shiv dodged swiftly, relying on agility and footwork rather than confronting him head-on. Every move Shiv made was calculated, avoiding Chang Zhi's strikes by the narrowest of margins.
The crowd murmured in surprise as Shiv continued to evade every attack. Despite the gap in their cultivation levels, Shiv's calm and calculated approach began to frustrate Chang Zhi.
"You're just running away!" Chang Zhi spat, his face red with anger.
Shiv smirked, using Chang Zhi's frustration to his advantage. He baited Chang Zhi into overextending himself with a heavy punch, leaving his side exposed. Seizing the opportunity, Shiv delivered a quick counterstrike, a solid punch to Chang Zhi's ribs that sent him stumbling back.
The crowd gasped. Shiv had landed a clean hit.
Chang Zhi recovered quickly, but now his anger clouded his judgment. He came at Shiv with reckless abandon, swinging wildly. Shiv continued to evade, using Chang Zhi's lack of control against him. It wasn't about winning through sheer power—it was about using his opponent's strength against them.
After a few more exchanges, Chang Zhi's stamina began to wane. His attacks became slower, less precise, and Shiv saw his chance. Feinting to the left, he dodged another punch and landed a decisive kick to Chang Zhi's knee, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Chang Zhi, the Qi Refining disciple, had been brought low by Shiv, the supposed weakest disciple of the sect.
Shiv stood over him, his voice firm but not without a hint of dominance. "I told you to pick on someone who was willing to fight. Next time, think twice before you try to bully others."
Chang Zhi scowled, clutching his leg as he limped away, defeated. The crowd began to disperse, many of them now looking at Shiv with newfound respect. It was the first time he had proven himself as more than just a weakling in the sect.
---
**Xia Ning Chang's Gratitude**
After the crowd had thinned, Xia Ning Chang approached Shiv, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Shiv," she said softly, her voice laced with sincerity. "You didn't have to step in, but I'm grateful that you did."
Shiv smiled, the intensity of the fight still coursing through him. "I couldn't stand by and watch him treat you like that. No one has the right to bully others, especially not someone as kind as you."
Xia Ning Chang blushed slightly, her usual shyness returning. "You were incredible out there… I've never seen someone fight with such strategy and skill, especially at your level."
Shiv's grin turned a bit more playful, his dominant yet respectful nature shining through. "Well, I have my moments. But I'll always step up for you, Xia Ning Chang. You're too important to let anyone push you around."
Her blush deepened, and she quickly excused herself, flustered but clearly impressed.
---
**Aftermath: The Path Forward**
Shiv knew that this victory, though small, was a stepping stone. His cultivation might have been behind, but his strategic thinking and his knowledge of the future would allow him to overcome these obstacles. He could feel the tides beginning to shift.
More challenges were to come, and Shiv welcomed them. With Su Yan and Xia Ning Chang at his side, and more significant encounters awaiting him, Shiv was ready to rise through the ranks of the High Heaven Pavilion.
The first battle had been won, but the real adventure was just beginning.