That night, Ling Feng nursed his wounds in his hut when a shadow darkened the doorway. Elder Wu stood silhouetted by moonlight, holding the charred remains of Ling Feng's fire-enchanted staff.
"A clever trick," the elder said, tossing the staff onto the floor. "But fire moss and beast dung? Even outer disciples know better."
Ling Feng tensed. "It worked, didn't it?"
Elder Wu's gaze sharpened. "You stabilized Su Mei's curse. A coincidence?"
**[Persuasion Check: 45/100 (Partial Success).]**
"I saw an opportunity," Ling Feng said carefully.
The elder leaned closer. "The Soulforge Art was destroyed millennia ago. Yet your 'methods'… they reek of its heresy."
**[Warning: Elder Wu's Suspicion Level: 70/100.]**
Ling Feng's pulse spiked. *He knows about the system?*
"Survive the next round," Elder Wu said, turning to leave, "and I'll consider teaching you how to hide your gifts from prying eyes."