Another week passed in Nuoding City. Tang San's routine remained unchanged: rising at dawn, cultivating silently in the courtyard, practicing hidden weapons, training Blue Silver Grass control in secret, and venturing into the forest when allowed.
But under the surface, things were shifting.
His spirit power had reached Level 17.
It was an ordinary milestone for many—but for Tang San, it marked something far greater: his inner circulation had become smooth enough that even while sleeping, a faint, instinctive absorption of spirit energy occurred.
Not only did the Mysterious Heaven Technique allow such refinement—it enhanced it slowly, subtly, deepening his core without ever drawing attention.
And now, Grandmaster had noticed.
---
"Your absorption rate is accelerating," Grandmaster said, holding a spirit crystal used to test flow rate. "It's clean. Natural. But something is different about your path."
Tang San didn't deny it. But he said nothing of the stone.
"I just trained harder."
Grandmaster narrowed his eyes but nodded. "That's possible. But I want you to push it further. The forest is too tame now. You'll be traveling a bit farther—just outside the controlled perimeter."
Tang San blinked. "Farther?"
"There's a den of Ironclaw Bears about two hours' walk from the city wall. You won't engage them directly. Just observe. Practice movement, stealth. I want you to understand battlefield judgment."
Tang San bowed deeply. "Understood."
---
Later That Day
He traveled light—just food, water, and a few hidden weapon cases. Blue Silver Grass stayed dormant within his palm, invisible.
The journey was quiet. His footwork left no prints, his breath was shallow, and his presence barely stirred the birds in the trees.
By noon, he arrived at a rise overlooking a large clearing. There, three Ironclaw Bears, each nearly 1000 years old, lounged around a spring.
Tang San lowered himself behind a boulder, carefully activating his spiritual perception. Their movements were heavy but fast, and he noted how they always guarded their backs.
He crept closer—ten meters, five meters—just to test how long he could go unnoticed.
Suddenly, one bear's ear twitched.
Tang San held his breath.
The bear turned, sniffed… but then growled and moved away.
Tang San smiled inwardly. His stealth had improved dramatically. Not only from footwork training, but from the smoother spirit power flow in his body.
---
That Night
Back in his room, Xiao Wu was waiting with snacks on his bed, pouting.
"You're training too hard. I barely see you now."
Tang San gave a gentle smile. "We're here to grow stronger, right?"
"But you're already better than everyone in our class!"
Tang San didn't reply. He simply sat down and began meditating.
This time, though, he felt something new.
His spirit energy moved faster—but not chaotically. It was as if his inner pathways had grown wider, allowing more spirit power to circulate at once.
The black stone in his dantian pulsed softly, then stilled.
And for the first time, Tang San felt like he was on the verge of something.
Not a breakthrough.
But the threshold before one.
---
Grandmaster's Test
Two days later, Grandmaster gave him a new assignment.
"I want you to fight an opponent who mimics a spirit beast. You will not use spirit rings. Only raw control, physical ability, and creativity."
Tang San entered the training hall where a senior academy instructor—an adult with Level 20 spirit power—stood waiting. He had no advantage in power.
The match began.
Tang San moved first—launching needles from his sleeve in a wide arc. The man dodged and charged.
Tang San leapt back, rooted Blue Silver Grass into the ground, then flicked his palm and changed direction mid-air, launching a second volley from behind.
The fight lasted five minutes. Tang San lost.
But Grandmaster was pleased.
"You resisted longer than expected. That's all I needed to see."
---
Another Night of Meditation
That night, Tang San sat under the moonlight on the dorm roof.
Blue Silver Grass swayed lightly in his palm, flowing with his breath.
His inner circulation felt… connected.
No blockages. No strain. Just rhythm.
He could feel the spirit energy of the world—not in great waves, but like ripples brushing his skin. It was almost time for his second spirit ring.
But not yet.
He wanted his control perfect. His timing flawless. And his foundation unshakeable.
---
As he sat in silence, he thought of his previous life, the Tang Sect, and the principles he lived by.
Control before power. Mind before might.
Tang San would not rush.
Not now.
Not ever.
He would rise—not by chance, not by miracle—but by choice.
Step by step.
---
End of Chapter 17