The Elder's Hall was quiet, carved from stone as ancient as the sect itself. Outer disciples rarely stepped foot inside unless summoned for praise—or punishment.
Today, it was the latter.
At the center sat Elder Zhou Yuan, eyes like cold steel, fingers rhythmically tapping against the armrest of his elevated seat.
Ling Xian stood calmly in the middle of the hall, his back straight, expression unreadable.
"Three injured disciples," Elder Zhou said, his voice echoing. "Broken ribs. Crushed tendons. One might not walk properly for a month."
Ling Xian clasped his hands behind his back. "They came to my doorstep uninvited. I gave them a warning. They chose to ignore it."
Another elder scoffed. "And so you nearly cripple them?"
"I promised that anyone who raised their hand to me again would pay the price." His voice was calm. Unapologetic.
Whispers stirred through the seated elders. Zhou raised a hand to silence them.
"You've improved quickly. Too quickly," he said. "We've been watching."
Ling Xian said nothing, simply meeting Zhou's gaze.
"You're strong, clearly. But strength requires discipline. So we'll test yours."
Zhou's gaze turned sharp.
"For your punishment, you'll report to the Mission Hall at dawn. Choose any outer sect mission ranked 'Yellow Tier' or higher. Complete it. Alone."
A brief silence followed.
Even some elders looked mildly surprised. Yellow-tier missions could include dangerous beast hunting, border patrol near demonic territories, or protecting caravans from rogue cultivators.
It wasn't just punishment — it was exile through trial.
"If you return," Zhou continued, "this matter will be considered settled. If not… then your arrogance will have dug your grave."
Ling Xian didn't flinch.
He bowed slightly, then smiled faintly.
"A mission is better than stable sweeping. I accept."
He turned and walked out with quiet confidence.
The moment the doors shut, a younger elder whispered, "That boy… is not ordinary."
Outside the Elder Hall
Disciples who had been waiting in the courtyard leaned in as Ling Xian walked past.
"Yellow-tier missions? Alone?" someone whispered. "Isn't that basically throwing him to the wolves?"
"He didn't even blink," another said. "Just what kind of monster is he turning into?"
Ling Xian passed them without a glance, hands behind his back, steps silent.
In his mind, a single thought echoed:
"Good. Let me stretch a little."