Before the Storm

Silence cloaked the area after the leader's intervention. Long stared coldly at him, while the wounded instructor groaned on the ground, his hand gone, his consciousness drowning in pain and humiliation.

The leader spoke calmly, but firmly:

"Even if he's scum… he's still part of our clan. We'll need him in the upcoming battle."

Long let out a mocking laugh.

"Trash like him is only good as bait."

The leader gestured for patience.

"A friendly tournament is being held by the city's top sect. The winner gets a rare technique from the First Sect. But… participants must be below the Bone Tempering level."

Long: "And me?"

The leader smiled faintly.

"You're perfect."

Long paused for a moment.

"I'll accept… on one condition."

"Name it."

"I want the Level-3 Devil Root Herb… and one Level-2 pill."

The leader's expression changed slightly.

"That herb is rare… and the pain it causes is unbearable for most."

Long grinned fiercely:

"But it allows the body to absorb yin more efficiently… and I need it to break through."

---

Weeks later…

A sealed training chamber.

Inside a cave surrounded by barriers, Long sat cross-legged. The herb before him glowed with a dark green aura, like a demonic soul screaming in agony.

"Show me what you've got… Devil Root."

Then came the pain…

Screams, bones cracking and rebuilding, muscles tearing and reforming.

Days passed… then weeks…

After two months, Long emerged.

His features had changed. His body was more solid, his aura completely hidden — no one could sense his level.

Training Stage: Unknown.

Reality: He had reached the sixth level of the Echi Path.

---

In the clan's training ground, Long stood, observing.

Some younger disciples whispered:

"That's Long… he spent two months in seclusion and didn't change!"

"I thought they said he was a genius? Hah! Just another loser!"

One stepped forward mockingly:

"Did you sleep for two months, Long? Don't you know you've made no progress?"

Long said nothing.

Then — Zwoosh!

He moved faster than the eye could see, grabbed the boy by his collar, and lifted him off the ground.

He glanced coldly at the others.

"I'm not trash… like you."

He threw the boy to the ground without a blink, then walked away — leaving behind only stunned silence and fearful eyes.