Ambush

The next day, Seo-Jun was deep in his training, practicing the Blazing Sword Foundation Technique in a secluded corner of the training square. His movements were fluid and precise, each strike carrying the weight of his growing mastery. 

[Skill: Blazing Sword Foundation Technique]

Mastery: 62% (Intermediate Level)

Effect: Sword strikes are 20% faster and 15% more powerful. Basic understanding of sword intent achieved.

Just as he was about to execute a particularly complex maneuver, a sudden burst of energy came from his left. Seo-Jun's instincts kicked in, and he twisted his body to dodge the attack. A wooden sword sliced through the air where he had been standing moments before.

Seo-Jun spun around, his eyes narrowing as he faced his attacker. The system immediately analyzed the Attacker.

[System Alert: Cultivator Info]

Name: Zhang Wei

Cultivation Realm: Qi Condensation Stage 3

Age: 13

Skills: Unknown

Zhang Wei smirked, his stance cocky and his eyes filled with disdain. "Not bad, newbie. But let's see how you handle this!"

Before Seo-Jun could respond, another voice cut through the air, sharp and mocking. "Zhang Wei, don't waste your time. He's not worth it."

Seo-Jun turned to see another figure approaching. The system quickly identified him.

[System Alert: Cultivator Info]

Name: Luo Feng (Luo Jian's younger brother)

Cultivation Realm: Qi Condensation Stage 4

Age: 13

Skills: Unknown

Luo Feng's expression was cold, his eyes glinting with malice. "You've got a lot of nerve, Seo-Jun. Provoking my brother like that. Did you really think there wouldn't be consequences?"

Seo-Jun frowned, his grip tightening on his wooden sword. "I didn't provoke anyone. Your brother was the one harassing Mei Ling. I just stepped in to stop it."

Luo Feng sneered. "You think you're some kind of hero? You're just a nobody who got lucky. Let's see how long that luck lasts."

Without warning, Luo Feng lunged at Seo-Jun, his sword moving with deadly precision. Seo-Jun barely managed to parry the strike, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through his arm. Zhang Wei joined the fray, attacking from the side, forcing Seo-Jun to split his focus.

The fight was intense. Luo Feng's strikes were fast and aggressive, while Zhang Wei's attacks were erratic but relentless. Seo-Jun's system guided his movements, analyzing their patterns and predicting their next moves. He dodged a slash from Luo Feng and countered with a quick thrust that forced Zhang Wei to retreat.

But Luo Feng was relentless. He feinted to the left, then swung his sword in a wide arc. Seo-Jun ducked just in time, the blade grazing his shoulder. He winced but didn't falter, countering with a quick slash that caught Luo Feng on the arm. Luo Feng hissed, stepping back to assess the shallow cut.

"You're better than I thought," Luo Feng admitted, though his tone was still mocking. "But not good enough."

He attacked again, his movements even faster. Seo-Jun's system worked overtime, guiding him through the fight. He parried a strike from Luo Feng, then spun around to block Zhang Wei's attack. The force of the blows sent shockwaves through his body, but he held his ground.

Finally, Seo-Jun saw his chance. Luo Feng overextended on a strike, leaving his side exposed. Seo-Jun lunged forward, his sword Strikes Luo Feng's ribs. Luo Feng gasped, his eyes widening in shock. Seo-Jun followed up with a powerful slash across Luo Feng's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

Zhang Wei hesitated, his confidence wavering. Seo-Jun turned to him, his expression calm but determined. "Do you really want to keep going?"

Zhang Wei shook his head, backing away. "This isn't over," he muttered before turning and running off.

As Seo-Jun caught his breath, a familiar voice cut through the air. "What's going on here?"

Seo-Jun turned to see Luo Jian approaching, his expression dark. Luo Feng, still on the ground, scrambled to his feet and pointed at Seo-Jun. "Brother! He attacked me! He's trying to humiliate our family!"

Seo-Jun's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Luo Jian slapped his brother across the face. The sound echoed through the training square, and everyone froze.

"Enough!" Luo Jian barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "You think I don't know what really happened? You provoked him, didn't you?"

Luo Feng's eyes widened in shock. "But brother—"

"Silence!" Luo Jian snapped. "You're embarrassing yourself and our family. Don't interfere in my business again."

Seo-Jun was stunned. He had expected Luo Jian to side with his brother, but instead, he had reprimanded him. What kind of person is Luo Jian? Seo-Jun wondered. Is he really that honorable, or is there something else going on?

At that moment, Feng Yan, Zhong Yi, and Lin Tao arrived, their expressions tense. Feng Yan stepped in front of Seo-Jun, his sword drawn and his eyes sharp. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice calm but dangerous.

Luo Jian glanced at Feng Yan, then at Seo-Jun. "Nothing that concerns you," he said coolly. "This is a family matter."

Feng Yan's gaze didn't waver. "If it involves Seo-Jun, it concerns me."

Luo Jian studied Feng Yan for a moment, then turned to his brother. "Let's go. We're done here."

Luo Feng glared at Seo-Jun but didn't argue. He followed his brother, casting one last hateful glance over his shoulder.

Once Luo Jian and his brother were gone, Feng Yan turned to Seo-Jun. "What happened?"

Seo-Jun sighed, sheathing his sword. "Luo Feng and Zhang Wei attacked me. They said it was because I provoked Luo Jian yesterday. But when Luo Jian showed up, he slapped his brother and told him not to interfere."

Feng Yan raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Luo Jian's not the type to back down from a fight, but he's also not stupid. He knows picking a fight with us right now would only cause trouble."

Zhong Yi frowned. "Do you think he's planning something?"

Feng Yan shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe he's just trying to keep his brother in line. Either way, we need to be careful."

Lin Tao nodded. "The External Rank Competition is coming up. If Luo Jian sees us as a threat, he might try to eliminate us before then."

Seo-Jun's expression hardened. "Then we'll just have to get stronger. We can't afford to let our guard down."

As they walked back to the training square, Seo-Jun couldn't help but think about Luo Jian's unexpected reaction. What's his game? he wondered. Is he really that honorable, or is there something more to him?

Luo Jian POV:

Luo Jian was in the middle of his training, his sword slicing through the air with precision and power.

But his concentration was broken when one of his followers rushed in, panting and wide-eyed. "Senior Luo! Your brother—he's in a fight!"

Luo Jian's expression darkened. "Where?"

"At the main training square," the follower replied. "It's that new disciple, Seo-Jun. Your brother and Zhang Wei are—"

Luo Jian didn't wait to hear the rest. He sheathed his sword and strode out of the training ground, his pace quickening as he made his way to the main square. Luo Feng, what have you done now? he thought, his jaw tightening with frustration.

As Luo Jian approached the training square, he could see the commotion from a distance. A small crowd had gathered, their murmurs filling the air. In the center of the square, Luo Feng and Zhang Wei were locked in combat with Seo-Jun. But what caught Luo Jian's attention was the state of the fight.

Luo Feng, his younger brother, was clearly struggling. His movements were sloppy, his strikes lacking the precision Luo Jian had drilled into him. Zhang Wei wasn't faring much better, his attacks wild and uncoordinated. Seo-Jun, on the other hand, was calm and composed, his sword moving with a fluid grace that belied his relatively low cultivation level.

Qi Condensation Stage 3, Luo Jian noted, his eyes narrowing. And yet he's holding his own against two opponents, one of whom is at Stage 4. Interesting.

He watched as Seo-Jun dodged a strike from Zhang Wei, then countered with a quick slash that sent Luo Feng stumbling back. The crowd gasped, and Luo Jian's lips pressed into a thin line. This is embarrassing.

Luo Jian stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding attention. The crowd parted as he approached, their whispers falling silent. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp.

Luo Feng turned to him, his face flushed with a mix of anger and shame. "Brother! He attacked me! He's trying to humiliate our family!"

Luo Jian's gaze shifted to Seo-Jun, who stood his ground, his expression calm but wary. Then he looked back at his brother, his eyes narrowing with disdain. Luo Feng, you idiot. Do you really think I don't know what you're like?

Without a word, Luo Jian raised his hand and slapped Luo Feng across the face. The sound echoed through the square, and everyone froze.

"Enough," Luo Jian said, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority. "You think I don't know what really happened? You provoked him, didn't you?"

Luo Feng's eyes widened in shock. "But brother—"

"Silence!" Luo Jian snapped. "You're embarrassing yourself and our family. Don't interfere in my business again."

He turned to Seo-Jun, his expression unreadable. "This doesn't concern you. Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours."

Seo-Jun met his gaze, his eyes steady. "I didn't start this. But if you or your brother come after me again, I won't back down."

Luo Jian's lips twitched, almost as if he were amused. "We'll see."

As Luo Jian walked away, Luo Feng trailing behind him, the younger brother tried to speak. "Brother, I—"

"Don't," Luo Jian cut him off, his tone icy. "I don't want to hear it."

Luo Feng fell silent, his head bowed. Luo Jian didn't look back, his mind already racing with thoughts. Seo-Jun… He's stronger than I expected. And those movement of his… There's something unusual about him.

He glanced at his brother, his expression softening slightly. "Luo Feng, you need to understand something. The world isn't as simple as you think. Picking fights with people like Seo-Jun won't get you anywhere. Focus on your training, and stop meddling in things you don't understand."

Luo Feng nodded, though his expression was still sullen. "I understand, brother."

Luo Jian sighed, his thoughts turning back to Seo-Jun. He's a wildcard. If he keeps growing at this rate, he could become a problem. Or… an opportunity.