The morning light broke through the mist, painting Qingye Sect in hues of gold and green. Lin Ho woke early, his body fresh from a night of cultivation. He had slept little, his mind occupied by the recent events — his meeting with Elder Qiu, the mysterious power he held, and his ever-growing sense that something greater than the sect was watching him.
Today was the first day of training as an outer disciple.
He walked the quiet paths of the sect's outer area, passing by fellow disciples who eyed him curiously. Most of them were still in their early stages of cultivation, their minds focused on refining their spiritual roots, while others trained their bodies with basic martial arts.
Lin Ho had already surpassed many of them. The Chaos Bloodline had made his growth unorthodox, but it was also a hidden blessing. Despite his odd cultivation method, he felt he was more connected to his body, his Qi, than anyone else.
As he made his way to the training grounds, he was greeted by a young man with fiery red hair, standing with arms crossed.
> "You're Lin Ho, right?"
The young man's voice was loud, confident. He seemed a bit older than Lin Ho, likely in his late teens, with a confident air about him.
> "I am."
> "I'm Lei Zhan. I've been watching you. You passed the tests yesterday, but don't get cocky. You may be fast, but speed alone won't take you far in this sect. I'll be the one to test that."
Lin Ho glanced at him, surprised. Lei Zhan had the fiery temperament of someone who wanted to make a name for himself. His cultivation was at Meridian Forging – Mid Stage, meaning he was stronger than Lin Ho by a significant margin. Still, Lin Ho didn't react immediately.
> "If you're looking for a challenge, I'll accept," Lin Ho said, voice steady.
Lei Zhan grinned, cracking his knuckles.
> "I've been wanting to fight someone like you. I don't know why Elder Qiu took such an interest in you, but I'll show you that raw strength beats whatever it is you've got."
The two took their places in the center of the open arena. The air was still, and other disciples began to gather, forming a circle around the area.
> "The rules are simple: no life-threatening moves. First one to admit defeat loses."
Lin Ho nodded, his heart steady. He was used to battles like this—though this one had a different weight to it. Lei Zhan's eyes gleamed with pride, and Lin Ho could sense the prideful arrogance radiating from his opponent.
As the signal was given, Lei Zhan surged forward, his palms blazing with Qi as a red aura surrounded him. The fiery energy was clearly his own signature, and he aimed a series of strikes at Lin Ho, each one faster and more powerful than the last.
But Lin Ho didn't flinch. He had no need to dodge in the traditional sense. As Lei Zhan's fist came toward him, Lin Ho stepped aside, his body moving fluidly, as if guided by some unseen force. The moment Lei Zhan's attack passed by, Lin Ho's palm shot forward, delivering a clean strike to Lei Zhan's shoulder. A burst of golden-black Qi spiraled out, causing the air to hum.
Lei Zhan stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. His attacks had been fast, but Lin Ho's fluid movements had neutralized them without effort.
The crowd of disciples murmured. This wasn't what they had expected.
> "What… what was that?" Lei Zhan muttered, holding his shoulder where Lin Ho had struck.
Lin Ho remained silent, his Qi swirling around him in a controlled calm.
> "I'm not sure," Lin Ho said, his voice low. "But I know this: you are strong, but you fight with your anger. Strength can only go so far without control."
Lei Zhan's face flushed red with anger. He wasn't accustomed to being spoken to like that.
> "I'll show you control!"
He lunged again, this time more calculated, his aura shifting to something more refined — a steady, controlled burn of flame Qi. The intensity of his attacks was higher, and he moved with a focused grace.
Lin Ho's eyes narrowed. This time, he would have to be more careful.
Lei Zhan's fists and kicks moved like wildfire, a storm of power and fury. But Lin Ho, with his Chaos Bloodline, moved with perfect grace. He absorbed the Qi around him, his own energy pulsing like a quiet sea beneath the chaos of the battle. He didn't need to block Lei Zhan's attacks. Instead, he parried them, redirecting the force with subtle, swift movements.
With one last twist, Lin Ho's body flashed like a shadow, and Lei Zhan's momentum carried him forward, crashing to the ground.
Lin Ho stood above him, his palm raised slightly, but he hadn't delivered any further strikes. His eyes were calm.
> "You have great potential," Lin Ho said, "but until you learn to control your emotions, you will only ever be a flame that burns bright and then flickers out."
Lei Zhan lay there, breathing heavily, unable to speak for a moment. He was stunned, not by the defeat, but by how effortlessly Lin Ho had managed to redirect his energy.
The crowd of disciples stood silent. A few exchanged glances. Some of the elders watching from the distance nodded slightly. Lin Ho's power wasn't something they had anticipated, but it was undeniable.
Finally, Lei Zhan stood up, wiping the dirt from his face. His expression was conflicted, torn between admiration and anger.
> "You win this time, Lin Ho," Lei Zhan said, his voice tight. "But remember, I'm not finished. This isn't over."
Lin Ho gave a short, respectful bow.
> "I look forward to it
As Lin Ho turned to walk away, a voice rang out from the crowd.
> "Lin Ho! Wait!"
Lin Ho paused and turned around. A young woman with long black hair and sharp eyes stepped forward, her aura calm but sharp as a blade.
> "You're not like the others," she said, her voice steady. "You don't belong here."
The woman's words hung in the air like a challenge, and Lin Ho felt a strange pull, as if she saw something in him that no one else had.