For the past two days. The rumours about me had spread in the whole sect. And as a result the disciples continuously avoided me.

  But I ignored this all and concentrated on the only thing that mattered the most. My cultivation…

  The self-inflicted damage I'd caused to fool the sect was almost completely healed now. Elder Han's premium medicines had worked faster than I'd anticipated. The blocked pathways had opened and by the second day, I was back to full Foundation Establishment—Middle stage.

  My qi flowed smoothly showing no restrictions and ready to break through to the peak stage whenever I wanted.

  But I had to keep it like that because it wasn't the time. Not yet.

  That evening, after another day of being treated like a ghost in the sect, I decided to move forward with the plan.

  I left my quarters and headed straight toward the inner disciple area where Chen Wu lived.

  The sect was quieter in the evening. Most disciples were either in meditation or attending lectures. The paths were mostly empty except for the occasional patrol.

  When I reached Chen Wu's quarters and knocked…… there was no answer……

  I waited and knocked again—Still nothing.

  Strange, he should be here at this hour.

  Disappointed, I began to turn away when another inner disciple walked past. A young man I vaguely recognized from training grounds.

  "Excuse me," I called out. "Do you know where Chen Wu is?"

  The disciple paused and looked coldly at me.

  "He left this morning."

  "Left? Where?"

  "Mission assignment from Elder Yun. Some villages got attacked by Iron Fang Wolves. So, he went to investigate the situation and deal with the threat."

  My mind went still for a moment and I asked him again. "Wait. Was anyone sent with him?"

  The disciple glanced back. "Su Ling, and others." Then he was gone.

  I walked back to my quarters slowly. My mind was already running through the implications.

  Chen Wu was out there for a month, on a mission I knew nothing about and he will be fighting Iron Fang Wolves—which means he will be in a dangerous situation. The kind of situation that creates opportunities for growth and breakthrough.

  And I wouldn't be there, shit.. I have missed the greatest opportunity and the worst thing—

  Su Ling was with him. And there was nothing I could do about it.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I reached my quarters and sat down on my bed and started circulating qi out of habit. Trying to think through the situation logically.

  But my thoughts kept circling back to the same frustration.

  I was stuck here while Chen Wu gained advantages elsewhere. I stopped cultivating after an hour, no solutions came to my mind.

  Fine, If I couldn't think my way through this, I'd focus on something practical. My cultivation was fully healed but I'd been maintaining the damaged appearance. Maybe Elder Han had stronger medicines. Something that would give me an actual advantage rather than just healing what I'd broken.

  I stood up and left my quarters again.

  The Medical Hall was my best option right now for me. I walked through the sect grounds as evening turned to night. When I reached the boundary between outer and inner disciple zones, I saw three inner disciples standing near the entrance archway. Talking among themselves.

  I didn't recognize any of them specifically but I knew the type. Mid-Foundation Establishment. Decent cultivators but nothing exceptional.

  I approached the archway but they were blocking most of the path but there was room to pass."Excuse me," I said politely.

  The conversation stopped.

  One of them—a young man around twenty with sharp features, turned to look at me.

  His expression changed immediately, turning cold."Outer disciples aren't allowed in this area."

  I kept my voice calm. "I have authorization from Elder Yun and a token for Medical Hall access."

  "Token or not, you're not passing through here."

  "I need to see Elder Han. My treatment requires—"

  "We don't care about a dog's treatment."

  Another one stepped forward with broad shoulders and aggressive posture. "Turn around and go back to the outer disciple area where you BELONG."

  I felt a flash of irritation but kept it off my face.

  "This is— I have official authorization from an elder. You can't just—"

  "Can't we?" The first one crossed his arms. Smiled slightly. "We're not stopping you. We're just standing here and having a conversation. If you have a problem with that, feel free to file a complaint."

  "Elder Yun gave me direct access to—"

  "Elder Yun gave you charity." The third disciple finally spoke and he seemed older than the other two. "Pity, for a damaged cultivator who got lucky once and helped expose a spy by accident. That doesn't mean you belong in the inner areas."

  "I didn't do it by accident. I was investigating with—"

  "With Chen Wu, right." The broad-shouldered one laughed. "Chen Wu did all the real work while you just tagged along and almost got everyone killed by attacking too early. We all heard the real story."

  The real story, that bitch Su Ling’s poison was more thorough than I'd thought.

  "That's not what happened."

  "Isn't it?" The first disciple tilted his head. "You tried to kill Zhang Kun yourself and nearly died and had to be rescued later. That's what we heard from multiple sources."

  Multiple sources?

  "Look," I said, trying a different approach. "I don't want trouble. I just need to see Elder Han for my scheduled treatment. If you'll just let me pass—"

  "No….”

  I stood there for a moment……

  .

  ( Should I use force.. no) That would expose me and destroy the entire carefully maintained cover. Not worth it…

  Right then, I heard footsteps behind me.

  More disciples were approaching, drawn by the noise of our conversation. Within moments, a small crowd of maybe a dozen people had gathered—both inner and outer disciples—all of them watching.

  And I saw it clearly in their faces. Satisfaction…

  They were actually enjoying this. Watching me get blocked—watching me get handled. It was like they were finally seeing me put back in my place. The jealousy was obvious now that I knew to look for it.

  These disciples—both inner and outer—had been grinding and training for years. Following every rule and earning every scrap of advancement through blood, sweat and political maneuvering.

  Then I appeared out of nowhere. An outer disciple with damaged cultivation, with just one mission, I got premium medical access. Resources they'd never see and special treatment from an elder.

  Why? What made me special? How could they accept that?

  They couldn’t question the elder. They couldn’t question the sect. So the only thing left to question….was me.

  In their eyes, I wasn’t capable, I was just lucky.

  And luck is something people hate when it belongs to someone else….

  If they were given the same treatment, they would call it recognition and proof of their value. But when it’s someone else, it becomes favoritism.

  That’s human nature….

  Righteous sect hah,

  Righteous—that sounds noble, but most of the time, it’s just people trying to protect their own position.

  I looked at the three inner disciples blocking the archway. At the crowd watching with barely concealed glee. Waiting to see me humiliated.

  I could fight back and make a scene. Could demand they move aside or I'd report them to Elder Yun for obstruction.

  But it wouldn't change a thing. Even if these three moved, there'd be others. Other disciples who would try to block my path again.

  Su Ling had turned the sect into hostile territory for me and for now I can only retreat.

  "Fine, I'll come back another time."

  The first inner disciple's smile widened. "Good choice…Glad you understand your place."

  While I turned and walked away. Behind me, the silence broke into quiet laughter. All were satisfied.

  ? ? ?

  I walked back through the outer disciple area. The crowd dispersed behind me. Going back to their own business now that the entertainment was over.

  As I turned the corner near my quarters, I felt that someone was watching me, so I took a quick glance toward the shadows near a storage building.

  Mei was there. Standing partially hidden and watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read from this distance.

  Our eyes met for a moment. Then she stepped deeper into the darkness and disappeared.

  Really….I sighed and entered my quarters, closing the door behind me.