A Quiet Pressure

Murmurs spread like wildfire.

"Is that him? The one who slipped in through the backdoor?"

"Yeah. They say he's got a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root."

"Heh. So what? He's never trained a day in his life."

"I heard he used Shen Clan influence to jump straight to second-year disciple."

"Second-year? He just joined! Where's the respect for seniority?"

"Heaven-grade root or not, trash is still trash."

All eyes turned toward Shen Junming.

He stood quietly by the entrance of the second-year quarters, his expression dark. The conversations around him were full of sneers and venom.

'Too fast,' Junming thought coldly. 'I expected rumors… but this is too soon. Only six people knew I'm from Shen Clan. Han Yueru doesn't seem the type. Xueya and Liang don't even have the full story. That leaves the other two. But how did they find out so quickly?'

Then his expression shifted to a faint smirk. 'Well… this might be fun—'

Someone bumped into his shoulder, then another.

He turned his head slowly.

A broad-shouldered disciple, clearly the leader of the group, walked past him with two slim followers. They laughed loudly, intentionally brushing against him. But the moment the big one met Junming's gaze, his expression froze.

The atmosphere changed.

Junming didn't move.

He merely released his qi.

A thin thread of pressure slipped into the air like mist from a blade. It carried no form, no sound, yet every cultivator nearby felt their breath tighten.

The big guy's knees buckled slightly. Sweat broke across his brow. The two slimmer ones behind him gasped, their faces turning pale.

They recognized it instantly.

Core Condensation Realm.

Not a few stages, but an entire world above them.

They were only at the seventh and sixth stages of Qi Refinement. Nothing but ants in comparison.

Junming didn't say a word. His eyes alone were enough. Cold. Calm. The pressure of someone who had suppressed them with just his presence alone.

The big guy stumbled backward, bowing quickly. "A-Apolog… ies!"

The two with him followed, faces pale, trembling, before fleeing the courtyard.

Junming withdrew his qi.

The moment the pressure faded, a quiet wave of relief swept through the crowd. 

More murmurs broke out, this time hushed and shaken.

"Core Condensation Realm…"

"Wait, I thought he just joined yesterday!"

"Did you feel that? It was like my lungs stopped working."

"I couldn't breathe for a second back there…"

"No wonder he became a second-year disciple…"

Junming didn't even look at them. He closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled slowly.

Without a word, he walked to an empty bed in the corner.

That night, no one dared disturb him.

He slept soundly.

The next morning, the sun rose high above the sect.

Junming walked through the courtyard with steady steps, robes fluttering lightly. He made his way toward the Hall Master's chamber, stopping in front of the door.

He spoke in a clear voice.

"Disciple Shen Junming requests an audience with Hall Master Qiao Lian."

A moment passed.

From within, a calm voice replied. "Enter."

Junming stepped inside, offering a respectful bow. "Disciple Shen Junming greets Hall Master."

Inside, Qiao Lian sat behind her desk, writing on a scroll with graceful strokes.

Standing to her side was a woman Junming had never seen before.

She was not slim by any standard. Her body was curvaceous, full in the chest and hips, her robes snug. She wore glasses that gave her a refined, intelligent look, though there was a soft smile playing on her lips.

Qiao Lian did not look up from her scroll. "You've arrived at the right time. This is Elder Tang Mei. She will guide you today. Your task is to refine a middle-grade pill. Do your best. Even failure is acceptable for now."

Junming cupped his fists respectfully. "Understood."

After a few moments, the two stepped out of the Hall Master's room and began walking through the quiet corridor.

Elder Tang Mei turned toward him. Her voice was sweet, gentle. "Junming, Do you have any questions?"

Junming shook his head. "I appreciate your offer, Elder, but I don't have any questions."

She blinked, her expression betraying slight disappointment. As if she had prepared a long explanation and was excited to share it.

Out of kindness, Junming added, "Well… which room are we going to?"

Her face lit up instantly. "We're heading to the Third-Year Pill Room."

Junming raised an eyebrow. "Oh! By the way, may I ask… what realm is Hall Master at?"

Tang Mei smiled. "Last I remember, she was at the Second Stage of the Mind Sea Realm."

Junming froze for a breath.

Three realms above him… If she hadn't held back yesterday, being knocked unconscious would've been the least of his worries.

A chill crept down his spine.

They reached the pill refining room.

Inside, disciples stood at alchemy stations, focused and silent. Some wore thin cloths over their mouths, to protect themselves from fumes.

The smell of herbs and burning wood filled the air.

Junming's eyes scanned the room. He spotted a familiar face.

Han Yueru.

She walked over, her face bright with surprise. "Junior Brother? You became a second-year disciple right after joining… that's incredible!" She clapped her hands lightly, eyes gleaming.

Junming gave a sheepish smile.

Before he could say more, another figure stepped forward.

Lu Zhi.

His voice was polite, his tone smiling, but there was venom beneath the words. "So, this is the famous Shen Junming. The new disciple who soared straight into the second-year ranks. The Shen Clan must be quite generous with their favors."

Junming looked at him calmly. "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Lu Zhi's smile didn't fade. "I'm just curious, Junior Brother. Without proper training, without going through the usual process… what exactly did you do to gain such status? Used the backdoor? A gift of spirit stones?"

The crowd turned, sensing the tension.

Whispers rose.

"He's right. It doesn't make sense."

"He must have used his clan's influence."

"Just another pampered young master…"

Lu Zhi's eyes narrowed thin, amusement flickering within. "Those who rise without effort often fall just as fast."

Junming looked at him, expression flat. He raised a hand and stretched slightly.

Then he spoke.

"Yes, you're right. I didn't put in any effort."

Gasps. Some disciples froze mid-pour.

Junming's voice remained calm, almost lazy. "Because I didn't need to."

He adjusted his sleeve, eyes half-lidded.

"That's the difference between the talented… and the talentless."

Lu Zhi's smile twitched.

Junming's gaze sharpened. He met Lu Zhi's eyes without flinching.

"And unlike some people, I don't prey on my junior sisters."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Even the bubbling cauldrons seemed to quiet.

The crowd collectively drew in a breath.

"Did he just—"

"Call out Senior Brother Lu?"

"Oh my…"

"He insulted him right to his face…"

A vein bulged at Lu Zhi's temple as his qi began to stir, wrapping around him like storm clouds gathering before a strike.

His eyes locked on Junming.