The courtyard fell into a stunned silence as Liu Chen clutched his chest, his face a storm of disbelief and fury. Tian Yu, breathing heavily, stepped back, his palms trembling. He couldn't tell if it was from adrenaline or exhaustion, but he stood his ground, locking eyes with the enraged outer disciple.
"You dare…?" Liu Chen hissed, his voice low and venomous. He straightened, his whip dangling loosely in his hand. The other disciples murmured, their expressions ranging from shock to amusement.
Tian Yu didn't reply. Inside, he was cursing his boldness. A week ago, he would've groveled, taken the beating, and gone back to scrubbing floors. But now? The system and his tiny taste of power had awakened something inside him: a determination not to be trampled on again.
Liu Chen's hand tightened around his whip. "You're just a dog! I'll—"
"That's enough," a calm voice cut through the tension. A young woman stepped forward from the crowd, her features elegant and sharp, her outer disciple robes pristine. This was Zhao Yue, one of the more prominent figures among the outer disciples. Her arrival instantly quelled the rising confrontation.
"Senior Sister Zhao!" Liu Chen's demeanor shifted in an instant, his anger tempered with forced politeness. "This servant dared to attack me. I was simply—"
Zhao Yue raised a hand, silencing him. Her eyes, cool and unreadable, swept over Tian Yu. "I saw everything. You provoked him first, Liu Chen. Don't forget, even servants have their limits."
"But—"
"I said enough," Zhao Yue snapped, her voice carrying an edge of authority. Liu Chen visibly deflated, though his glare promised retribution. Zhao Yue turned back to Tian Yu, her gaze lingering on him as though appraising his worth.
"Impressive reflexes for a servant," she remarked, her tone neutral. "But don't mistake one lucky strike for strength. In this sect, the weak who defy the strong don't survive long."
Tian Yu bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for intervening, Senior Sister. I'll keep that in mind."
"See that you do." With that, Zhao Yue turned and left, the crowd dispersing shortly after. Liu Chen lingered for a moment, his expression dark, before storming off with his lackeys.
Tian Yu let out a slow breath, his heart still pounding. The encounter had left him shaken but also exhilarated. For the first time, he'd stood up to someone in this brutal world—and survived. But Zhao Yue's warning rang in his ears. He needed to grow stronger, faster.
Back in his shack, Tian Yu sat cross-legged, staring at his trembling hands. The thrill of victory was quickly replaced by the cold reality of his situation. Liu Chen wouldn't forget today, and retaliation was inevitable. His only advantage was the element of surprise—no one expected a lowly servant to fight back.
[New Quest Unlocked: Preparing for the Storm]
Objective: Defeat Liu Chen in your next encounter.
Reward: 50 System Points, Qi Stabilization Pill.
Tian Yu's eyes narrowed. The system's timing was almost eerie, but it aligned with his goals. He couldn't avoid Liu Chen forever, and when the time came, he needed to be ready.
He opened the system menu and reviewed his meager resources. His points were still insufficient for any significant upgrades, but he had one key item: the Iron Palm technique.
"I need to master this," he muttered, clenching his fists. While Liu Chen wasn't a core disciple, he was still an experienced cultivator at the second stage of Qi Condensation. One careless mistake, and Tian Yu would be crushed.
For the next few days, Tian Yu's routine became a relentless cycle. By day, he carried out his servant duties with quiet efficiency, drawing as little attention as possible. By night, he threw himself into training with a single-minded focus.
Iron Palm was a deceptively simple technique, but mastering it required precision and discipline. The system provided invaluable guidance, correcting his form and suggesting subtle adjustments to maximize power. Each strike against the practice post outside his shack reverberated through his body, leaving his palms swollen and blistered.
[Iron Palm Proficiency: 20% → 50% → 80%]
By the fourth night, Tian Yu could execute the technique fluidly. His strikes no longer felt clumsy or forced; they carried a weight that even surprised him. The system's guidance, combined with his determination, had accelerated his progress far beyond what should have been possible for someone at his level.
As the days passed, rumors of Tian Yu's clash with Liu Chen spread among the servants and lower-ranking disciples. Most dismissed it as a fluke, a lucky strike from a desperate servant. But some began to watch him with curiosity, wondering if there was more to him than met the eye.
One evening, as Tian Yu practiced in the courtyard, an unexpected visitor approached. It was Zhao Yue, her presence as commanding as ever.
"Senior Sister," Tian Yu greeted, bowing cautiously.
"You've been working hard," she said, her gaze flicking to the worn practice post. "That's good. Hard work can take you far… but only if you survive long enough."
Tian Yu straightened, meeting her gaze. "Do you have advice for surviving, Senior Sister?"
Her lips quirked into a faint smile. "Don't provoke those stronger than you. But it seems you've already failed at that."
He winced. "It wasn't intentional."
"Intent doesn't matter in this world," Zhao Yue said sharply. "Strength does. If you want to avoid being crushed, you'll need more than just hard work and luck. You'll need connections."
Tian Yu hesitated. Connections? That was easier said than done for someone in his position. "And how would a servant like me build connections?"
"That depends on what you can offer," Zhao Yue replied. "Impress me, and perhaps I'll consider lending you my protection."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Tian Yu didn't need a translator to understand: impress her, or she'd remain a passive observer when Liu Chen inevitably made his move.
"Thank you for the advice," he said finally, bowing deeply. "I'll do my best."
Zhao Yue studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "See that you do. I'll be watching."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Tian Yu to his thoughts. He couldn't tell if she was genuinely offering help or simply testing him, but either way, the stakes had just risen.
The day of reckoning came sooner than expected. Tian Yu had barely finished hauling a barrel of water to the main courtyard when Liu Chen and his lackeys appeared, blocking his path.
"Tian Yu," Liu Chen said, his voice deceptively calm. "I believe we have unfinished business."
The courtyard fell silent as others stopped to watch, sensing the brewing confrontation. Some wore expressions of pity, others of morbid curiosity.
Tian Yu straightened, setting down the barrel. His palms itched with anticipation. "I thought you'd come sooner."
Liu Chen's smirk turned into a snarl. "Arrogant dog! Let's see how long that attitude lasts."
As Liu Chen charged, whip unfurling like a serpent, Tian Yu's mind went still. He focused, his training and the system's guidance coalescing into a single, fluid motion.
When the whip snapped toward him, Tian Yu sidestepped, closing the distance in an instant. His palm shot forward, glowing faintly with the qi he'd painstakingly cultivated.
Iron Palm.
The strike connected with Liu Chen's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground with a gasp. The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs, their disbelief palpable.
Tian Yu didn't gloat. He stood tall, his gaze steady as Liu Chen struggled to his feet, clutching his ribs. The outer disciple's face was pale, his fury replaced by something much sweeter: fear.
The system chimed softly in his mind.
[Quest Complete: Preparing for the Storm.]
Rewards Granted: 50 System Points, Qi Stabilization Pill.
As Liu Chen retreated, humiliated and broken, Tian Yu allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. This was only the beginning. The world of cultivation was ruthless, but he had no intention of remaining an extra in someone else's story.
This was his path now, and he would walk it with unyielding resolve.