Morning sunlight crept through the cracks in Lin Chen's wooden shutters.
He stirred awake, feeling the faint warmth pooling in his core.
"Qi Condensation, First Layer…" he murmured, flexing his fingers.
His strength had grown — only a little. Barely noticeable to most.
But to him?
It was a mountain's worth of difference.
"One step up from crawling… now, let's see if I can stand."
---
Outside, the sect bustled as usual.
Outer sect disciples gathered at the training grounds, their chatter loud and chaotic.
Talk of yesterday's "mysterious Lin Chen" spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? That useless guy beat Wang Fei senseless!"
"Impossible! Lin Chen? The punching bag?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. He changed overnight!"
Lin Chen passed by quietly, their voices buzzing around him.
He didn't pay them much mind.
"Let them talk. Words don't strengthen bones."
---
His destination was clear: the Spirit Gathering Pavilion.
It was an old pagoda where disciples cultivated and borrowed spiritual energy from thin ambient air.
Crowded, noisy, but for now — the best place to soak in what little energy the outer sect had to offer.
---
Just as he was about to enter—
A figure blocked his path.
A tall youth, with sharp features and a faint smirk on his lips.
"Lin Chen, right?" the youth drawled. "I've heard you got lucky against Wang Fei."
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
He recognized this one: Zhou Kang, one of the inner bullies — stronger, more dangerous than Wang Fei.
Rumored to be at Qi Condensation, Fourth Layer.
"So the sharks are circling already," Lin Chen thought.
---
"Move," Lin Chen said simply, his voice calm.
Zhou Kang chuckled.
"Or what? You'll beat me too? You're just a one-hit wonder, trash."
The surrounding disciples started to gather, sensing a show.
Eyes gleamed with anticipation — they loved nothing more than watching one of their own rise… and fall.
---
Lin Chen's gaze swept over them once, then returned to Zhou Kang.
"Not today," he muttered. "I'm busy."
Without waiting, he stepped aside — choosing to enter the pavilion rather than escalate.
---
Inside, the air was thicker with spiritual energy.
Lin Chen found an empty spot, sat down, and began breathing slowly.
Drawing the faint strands of energy into his pores.
"Provoking Zhou Kang now would waste precious time," he mused.
"I need at least Qi Condensation, Third Layer before I challenge someone like him."
---
Hours passed.
Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he struggled to refine the weak energy.
His meridians resisted, clogged by years of neglect.
"Tch… stubborn things," Lin Chen grunted.
"But I've crushed mountains before. You're nothing."
His breathing deepened.
His body trembled as the energy slowly trickled into his dantian — drop by drop, painfully slow.
---
Outside the pavilion, a familiar soft voice asked around.
"H-Have you seen Senior Brother Lin Chen?"
It was Luna Yue.
Her hands clutched a small cloth-wrapped package — more buns, perhaps, or maybe medicinal herbs this time.
"That girl again… always chasing after him now," a disciple whispered, snickering.
"She used to avoid him. Funny how things change."
---
Inside, Lin Chen's ears caught faint echoes of her voice, even through his meditation.
A soft warmth spread in his chest — distracting, but not unwelcome.
"Little Yue…" he sighed inwardly.
"Always worrying. Always kind."
---
Crack.
Another faint sound echoed in his body.
A second pulse of energy sparked within his dantian.
"Qi Condensation, Second Layer."
His eyes opened, gleaming faintly.
"Another step. Not much… but Satisfying."
He smirked
---
Standing up, Lin Chen wiped the sweat from his brow.
His muscles felt heavier, denser — stronger.
He glanced toward the door, where Luna's voice had faded.
"Guess I made her wait again…"
---
But his lips quirked into a faint smile.
"No rush, little Yue."
"When I rise again… I'll make sure you never have to chase after anyone else."
---
As he stepped out into the sunlight, Lin Chen felt it — the faint pull of destiny tightening around him.
More challenges would come.
Zhou Kang wouldn't let this go.
But Lin Chen's steps were steady.
Not rushed. Not arrogant.
"Let them come."
"One step at a time… I'll climb back. From dust to stars."
---
Far away, across endless space…
A woman with golden eyes sitting atop a crimson throne frowned.
"His presence… it's faint… but I can feel him."
"Chen'er… My Husband?"
---
[End of Chapter 4]