Morning mist clung to the courtyard stones as outer sect disciples trickled toward the practice fields. Lin Yuan, as always, trailed at the rear of the group—quiet, expressionless, nearly invisible.
To the others, he was just another unremarkable face.
But within, silent waves of power surged.
He had mastered concealment to the point where even his occasional glimmers of talent had been forgotten. Some said he had plateaued. Others forgot his name altogether. That was fine. That was the plan.
By mid-morning, he had quietly slipped away from the training grounds, retreating to a hidden glade beneath a jagged cliff. Lush grass, untouched stones, and an ancient tree formed a perfect cultivation site—secluded and saturated with lingering spiritual energy.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, summoning the Orb's interface.
> [Orb Interface Activated]
Ambient Qi Detected: Wood (Strong), Earth (Minor)
— Absorption Initiated...
Energy Refined: +14 Units
— Efficiency: 94%
Purified Qi Stored in Dantian
He inhaled calmly, then lifted his palm. A low hum followed as he began to circulate the Whispering Flame Technique—an internal art that produced near-silent flames, ideal for assassins or those avoiding attention.
> Technique Detected: Whispering Flame
— Current Mastery: 64%
— Flame Stability: Moderate
Orb Support: Active – Elemental Flow Optimization
Lin Yuan's fingers lit with faint silver-red light. The flame didn't crackle or flicker—it pulsed like a whisper, held steady within the confines of his spiritual control.
He moved his hand, shaping the fire into a thin arc and slicing it through a nearby fallen branch. The wood split cleanly, seared without smoke.
> [Whispering Flame – Mastery: 100% Achieved]
— Flame Emission: Silent
— Qi Cost: Reduced
— Elemental Interaction: Enhanced
Bonus: Damage over Time effect applied to spiritual beings and constructs
A small smile played across Lin Yuan's lips.
He stood and began cycling through the other techniques.
First came Falling Leaf Palm, refined to fluidity. His hands danced like drifting leaves—soft yet unstoppable. When he struck a stone, it crumbled with barely a sound.
> [Falling Leaf Palm – Full Achievement]
— Passive Qi Control Boost: Active
— Stealth-compatible Impact Style
Then Earth-Forged Step—a footwork art that merged stability and silent motion. He glided across uneven terrain without so much as disturbing a blade of grass.
> [Earth-Forged Step – Full Achievement]
__Movement Speed +15%
__Surface Adaptation Bonus: Active
__Sound Nullification
Finally, Mighty Kick. He inhaled and coiled strength into his right leg, then released. The impact struck a massive boulder, vibrating it from the inside. The stone exploded without echo.
> [Mighty Kick – Advanced Mastery]
— Damage Transfer: Internal
— Next Tier Unlocked: Supreme Path (Locked)
Each technique had evolved quietly, without drawing eyes or raising suspicions. But together, they made Lin Yuan a silent storm—perfectly hidden, and increasingly unstoppable.
As he meditated again, the Orb gave a final update:
> [Technique Mastery Summary]
1. Whispering Flame Technique – Full Mastery
2. Falling Leaf Palm – Full Mastery
3. Earth-Forged Step – Full Mastery
4. Mighty Kick – Advanced
Realm: Qi Condensation – First Layer (Concealed)
Orb Status: Stable
Next Directive: Await Rare Origin Material for Orb Feed
By the time the sun began to fall, Lin Yuan had returned to the outer sect halls. No one noticed his absence. No one remembered his name clearly.
"That one? Just some outer sect errand boy," one disciple murmured, waving him off.
Lin Yuan passed by, head lowered, a slight curve at the corner of his lips.
He didn't need to stand out.
He just needed to keep growing, unseen.