Chapter 16: Yang Kai

The next day, the sun gleamed down on the High Heaven Pavilion's grounds, casting a golden sheen over the vast sect. The morning air was crisp, and the scent of dew lingered on the stone paths.

In a quiet courtyard, a lone figure moved with steady precision. Yang Kai, dressed in his simple gray robes, swept the floor with slow, deliberate motions. His dark hair swayed gently in the breeze, but his face remained calm, as if unbothered by the world around him.

However, this peace was short-lived.

A group of disciples approached, their laughter breaking the morning stillness.

"Ah, isn't that Yang Kai?" one of them said, looking amused.

As he spoke, all the disciples present gathered around Yang Kai, their eyes filled with a mix of mockery and excitement.

"That's the Trial Disciple, Yang Kai," they muttered among themselves. "To this day, he is still at the Third Tempered Body Stage."

"It has been five days since he was last challenged…" someone pointed out, causing the surrounding disciples to stir with enthusiasm.

"Today is another chance to challenge him again!"

The atmosphere grew livelier as the disciples exchanged knowing looks. In the High Heaven Pavilion, any disciple could challenge another every five days. Winning a challenge would grant them contribution points, the sect's main currency, which could be exchanged for cultivation resources.

And Yang Kai?

He was nothing more than free contribution points. The weakest disciple in the sect, an easy target for anyone looking to advance.

Yang Kai, without a word, suddenly sat down, crossing his legs in the middle of the courtyard. His breathing slowed, his posture steady, and his eyes shut as he entered a meditative state.

The surrounding disciples, who had been eager for a challenge, blinked in confusion. Murmurs spread through the group as they exchanged puzzled glances.

"What is he doing?" someone whispered.

"Is he… preparing for the challenge?" another asked, frowning.

One of the disciples stepped forward with a mocking grin. "Yang Kai, I'd suggest that you stop wasting your effort. Just obediently let me beat you up a bit. We'll both be saving so much time, won't we?" He shook his head, thinking to himself, You're just a Third Tempered Body Stage. You'll obviously lose!

Another disciple laughed, arms crossed. "That's right, Yang Kai, please consider our feelings. We're different from you—once this fight is over, we still need to resume training."

Despite their words, Yang Kai remained completely indifferent. He ignored them, his breathing steady as if their taunts didn't exist.

The mocking continued, but Yang Kai never once opened his eyes. He simply sat there, unmoving.

Then—Dong!

The morning bell of the sect rang, signaling the start of the day.

Only then did Yang Kai open his eyes. Slowly, he stood up, dusting off his robes. His gaze was calm, unreadable, yet his posture exuded a quiet readiness.

One of the disciples suddenly stepped forward with a playful grin.

"Pick me, Senior Yang! I promise to go easy on you!" he said, laughing.

Before he could say another word—Thud!

A fist drove straight into his stomach, making him double over as the air left his lungs. His face twisted in pain as he stumbled back.

"Get out of my way!" the one who punched him scoffed. "Pick me! I only need a single punch to save us all some time."

That was all it took for chaos to break loose.

The surrounding disciples began jostling and shoving each other, each eager to be chosen.

"Pick me!" one shouted, pushing forward.

"No, no, pick me!" another yelled, grabbing at Yang Kai's sleeve.

Within seconds, the courtyard was filled with scrambling figures, each disciple trying to outdo the other for the chance to earn easy contribution points.

Yang Kai paid no mind to the ruckus around him. Without a word, he reached down and picked up the broom he had been sweeping with just moments ago.

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it into the air. The broom spun rapidly, twirling high above the gathered disciples. Everyone watched with anticipation, their eyes following its motion, waiting to see who would be chosen.

But just before it could land—

A hand suddenly reached out and caught it mid-spin.

"Seems like you're quite the famous one, Senior Brother Yang!" a voice said, carrying a hint of amusement.

The disciples immediately turned toward the one who had interfered, their expressions twisting in anger.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" one of them barked.

"Yeah! You just stole our chance to earn contribution points!" another snapped, frustration clear in his tone.

Murmurs of discontent spread through the crowd as they glared at the newcomer.

The newcomer chuckled, twirling the broom casually in his hand. "Stole? I didn't steal anything from you guys… the broom chose me. It landed in my hands, fair and square."

"It landed in your hands? What the fuck are you even saying right now?" one of the disciples burst out, his frustration boiling over.

The newcomer simply shrugged. "Well, it just happened. Now, are you gonna let me fight, or do you guys have any intention of bothering me further?" His tone was relaxed, but there was an underlying confidence in his words.

"This sucker… he's not worth the time," one of the disciples muttered, shaking his head in irritation.

"Tch, whatever. Let him have his fun," another scoffed, finally giving up.

And just like that, one by one, the gathered disciples started losing interest, stepping back to watch the fight unfold instead.

Yang Kai immediately narrowed his eyes at the newcomer, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face.

"Wait… aren't you the one who thought I knew you yesterday?"

The young man grinned, seemingly amused. "Yeah, such a coincidence, right, senior brother Yang?" He then took a step forward and bowed slightly. "Will you accept my challenge?"

Yang Kai held his gaze for a moment before returning the gesture with a slight bow of his own. "Yang Kai, Trial Disciple, 3rd Tempered Body Stage."

The moment those words left his mouth, the newcomer let out a chuckle. "3rd Tempered Body Stage? Senior Brother Yang, stop hiding your strength, or you won't even be able to put up a fight." His stance shifted fluidly, his aura subtly intensifying.

"Yan Xiu, Ordinary Disciple, 1st Initial Element Stage!"

To be continued...

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