The air within the council hall was heavy with silence.
Ancient pillars lined the vast chamber, each carved with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with hidden Qi. At the center, several elders sat in elevated positions, their expressions calm, but their eyes sharp.
Nothing escaped their notice.
And today
Their attention was fixed on one matter alone.
Li Shen.
A soft sound echoed as the doors to the hall opened.
She entered without haste.
Her steps were light, her presence calm, yet the moment she appeared, the atmosphere subtly shifted. The elders' gazes fell upon her instantly, each one measuring, observing.
She stopped at the center of the hall.
"…You called for me," she said simply.
The leading elder nodded.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he spoke.
"You took in a disciple two years ago."
It wasn't a question.
"…Yes."
"Li Shen."
She did not hesitate.
"Yes."
A brief silence followed.
"Explain him."
The words were simple but the weight behind them was not.
The hall grew quieter.
She remained still for a moment before answering.
"…He is talented," she said calmly. "His foundation is strong. His comprehension is high. I saw potential in him."
One of the elders frowned slightly.
"Potential alone does not allow a Body Refinement disciple to fight evenly against a Second Stage Qi Gathering cultivator."
Another elder leaned forward slightly.
"Nor does it explain what happened during the forest trial."
Her expression did not change.
"…The forest trial?"
The elder's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do not feign ignorance."
The pressure in the hall rose instantly.
Invisible force pressed downward, enough to suffocate an ordinary cultivator.
But she stood unmoved.
"…I heard that something went wrong," she said. "The trial was ended early."
"That is not what we are asking."
The leading elder's voice was calm but colder now.
"Multiple disciples reported an overwhelming aura in the forest. Beasts fled. Some collapsed. Even inner disciples felt it from a distance."
"…And at the center of it…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…Was your disciple."
Silence...
She said nothing.
Because she understood what they were asking.
What they were truly asking.
"…Does he possess an artifact?" one elder finally said.
The words hung in the air.
Her eyes shifted slightly.
"…Artifacts are not uncommon," she replied. "Many disciples carry items to aid their cultivation."
"This is not 'many disciples,'" another elder said sharply. "What was released in that forest was not ordinary."
The pressure in the hall increased again.
Even the air seemed to grow heavier.
"…If he possesses something beyond his control," the leading elder said slowly, "then it is a threat, not only to himself, but to the sect."
A long silence followed.
Then
She exhaled softly.
"…And if he does?"
The question surprised them.
Her gaze remained calm as she continued.
"…Would you take it from him?"
No one answered immediately.
But the intent was clear.
"Such power cannot remain in the hands of someone so weak," one elder said.
Another nodded.
"It must be secured." "Or sealed." "Or destroyed."
Each word was colder than the last.
But she did not react.
Instead
She asked one more question.
"…And if removing it kills him?"
Silence.
This time it lingered longer.
Because none of them could guarantee otherwise.
The leading elder's expression hardened slightly.
"…Then that is the price."
The answer was calm, decisive and final.
The hall fell completely silent.
She lowered her gaze slightly, her expression unreadable.
"…I see."
For a moment no one spoke.
She lifted her head again.
"…Then allow me to observe him further."
The request caused slight surprise.
"He has only just begun to show what he is capable of," she continued. "If the artifact is truly beyond control, I will confirm it."
"And if it is not?" one elder asked.
Her eyes remained steady.
"…Then you risk destroying a talent the sect cannot afford to lose."
Silence returned.
The elders exchanged faint glances, weighing and calculating.
After a moment, the leading elder spoke again.
"…You will watch him closely, for the sake of the sect."
Her expression did not change.
"Yes."
"If anything happens, anything beyond your control"
"I will report it," she said before he could finish.
Another silence followed.
"…Very well."
The pressure in the hall eased slightly.
The decision had been made.
"For now," the elder said, "we will not act."
But his gaze remained sharp.
"…For now."
She gave a small nod.
Then she turned and walked away.
---
Outside the hall, the sky seemed quieter.
But her thoughts were not.
"…So it has come to this," she murmured softly.
Her gaze shifted toward the distant outer disciple grounds.
Toward him.
"…Li Shen."
---
Far away, within his new residence, Li Shen sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as his Qi circulated steadily through his body.
The battle with Lin Xuan had pushed him to his limits.
But it had also shown him something clearly.
He was close, very close to breaking through.
His breathing slowed.
His mind focused.
The flow of Qi within him grew more refined with each cycle.
A voice echoed within him.
"…You are being watched."
Li Shen's eyes opened slowly.
"…ohhh."
Dao's presence lingered, calm yet faintly amused.
"They are curious. Fearful. Greedy."
Li Shen remained silent.
Because he understood.
Power, always drew attention.
"…Will they try to take you?" he asked.
A brief pause followed.
Dao chuckled softly.
"…Let them try."
The words were calm but beneath them was something far deeper.
Something far more dangerous.
Li Shen's gaze darkened slightly.
"…Then I'll just have to get stronger before they try."
His Qi surged again.