Chapter 19: Internal Disciple: Unseen Paths

Chapter 19: Internal Disciple: Unseen Paths

After Wang Xiao fell unconscious to the ground, a silence fell over the training grounds, which soon turned into a roar of applause and cheers. Duan Liyang stood there, his fist still clenched, the wind subtly swirling around him. The crowd was a mix of disbelief, shock, and excitement.

The Xiao family soldiers immediately entered the arena. They lifted Wang Xiao; his condition was serious but not crippling like Li Xiao, which indicated Duan Liyang's growing control. Wang Xiao's face was contorted with pain and humiliation. He was quickly taken away for treatment.

The crowd now looked at Duan Liyang with respect and awe. No one dared to meet his gaze, and the whispers no longer focused on his 'Level 0' status but on his incredible power. Ren Hao, trembling in a corner, darted a terrified glance at Duan Liyang and immediately fled.

Xiang Rui entered the arena and approached Duan Liyang, a calm, victorious smile on her face. "I told you, little brother," she said, pride in her voice. "You've exceeded expectations." She looked at Wang Xiao's unconscious body. "I think you'll receive another summons from the elders now. And this time, it won't just be about 'capability'."

Xiang Rui's words proved true. Within minutes, the elder with the longest beard, who was Xiang Rui's grandfather, entered the arena. Other prominent elders accompanied him, all with serious expressions. The Grandfather looked directly at Duan Liyang, his eyes seemingly piercing Duan Liyang's soul.

"Duan Liyang!" the Grandfather called out in a powerful voice. "Come with us to the main hall immediately." His voice held no emotion, only a clear command.

Duan Liyang nodded. He looked at Xiang Rui, who gave him a faint, reassuring smile. Duan Liyang knew this was inevitable. He looked at the crowd, who now made way for him, their whispers a mixture of fear and respect. His steps were calm and firm.

The Xiao family's main hall once again appeared solemn and grand. This time, almost all prominent elders were present in the hall, their faces filled with intense curiosity and concern. Among them, Duan Liyang was gestured to a seat. Tension hung in the air of the hall.

The elder with the longest beard began to speak. "Duan Liyang," he said, his voice slow and measured. "You have surprised us once again today. A 'Level 0' disciple has defeated an established Level 4 Peak cultivator like Wang Xiao. This is beyond our understanding of cultivation."

Another elder, whose voice was somewhat sharp, asked, "We need to know how you did this, Duan Liyang. What technique do you use? And what is your actual cultivation level?"

Duan Liyang raised his eyes. He answered, knowingly, "Elders, as the cultivation pedestal shows, I am still at Level 0." He felt his internal energy; its quality was extraordinary, but he still couldn't understand his exact status. "And my technique... it's simply my own understanding, which I've developed through my practice with wind and internal energy." He did not mention 'Ocean Blast' or any other secrets, as they were his deepest mysteries.

The elders whispered among themselves. They were disbelieving, but no lie was apparent on Duan Liyang's face. He appeared innocent, but his eyes held a depth far beyond his years.

Xiang Rui's grandfather raised his hand. "Calm yourselves. This boy's abilities are beyond our traditional understanding, as we've seen before." He looked at Duan Liyang. "We are not here to punish you, Duan Liyang. Your victory has brought honor to the Xiao family, even if its methods are mysterious. However, Wang Xiao has sustained serious injuries."

An elder asked, "So what do we do? Do we just let him be, a 'Level 0' who defeats Level 4s?"

Xiang Rui's grandfather shook his head. "No. His talent must be nurtured. We must place him in an environment where he can develop safely and where we can try to understand him." He looked around the hall. "According to the rules of the Xiao family, given Duan Liyang's capability and his victories over Li Xiao and Wang Xiao, he is now promoted to the status of an Internal Disciple."

The entire hall was in shock. An outer disciple, directly promoted to the rank of Internal Disciple? Without any further tests? This was unprecedented!

"You," the Grandfather gestured to Duan Liyang. "Will now be an Internal Disciple of the Xiao family. You will gain access to the Internal Disciple training grounds and resources."

Duan Liyang's eyes widened. Internal Disciple! This was an incredible opportunity, a dream he had never even dared to dream. It would provide him a direct path to understanding his power and reaching the peak of the world.

"And Wang Xiao..." another elder said. "He will be punished for his defeat and violation of rules. His rank will be stripped, and he will be assigned to the lowest-ranked family duties."

As for Ren Hao, his fate had already been sealed, but Wang Xiao's downfall ensured that Duan Liyang's adversaries had met their deserved fates.

After leaving the elders' hall, Duan Liyang was escorted to the Internal Disciple living quarters. Unlike the simple huts of the outer compound, the internal disciples' residences were more comfortable and well-organized, featuring individual small courtyards and rooms with better energy density for cultivation. This was a monumental change for him.

For the first few days, Duan Liyang spent his time adapting to his new surroundings. He explored the new training grounds, where the spiritual energy was far denser than in the outer grounds. He gained access to libraries and other resources, although he knew he would likely find little specific guidance for his unique cultivation method.

The reactions of other internal disciples were mixed. Some, familiar with the defeats of Li Xiao and Wang Xiao, feared Duan Liyang and kept their distance. Others were curious, eager to understand the mysterious power of this 'Level 0' boy. A few even tried to test him, but Duan Liyang easily dodged or unbalanced them using his speed and subtle wind control, shaming them without displaying any overt power. This continued to boost his reputation.

Duan Liyang delved even deeper into his training. In the environment with better energy density, he felt the hum within him more clearly than ever. He pushed 'Ocean Blast' to new heights, compressing air in his fist so rapidly that his punches now resembled small, invisible grenades. He used his unique vision to closely observe the flow of his energy and the dance of the blue particles within him, trying to understand their connection to his power. The headaches still came occasionally, but they were now more bearable, as if his body had found a rhythm with them.

The chubby boy often came to the Internal Disciple area gate, hoping to meet his friend. Duan Liyang would meet him, and they maintained their friendship, though a new distance had emerged between them. The chubby boy was overwhelmed by Duan Liyang's new power and his status as an Internal Disciple, and he was incredibly proud of his friend. "Duan Liyang!" he once exclaimed. "You're truly a real cultivator now!"

Xiang Rui also occasionally met Duan Liyang, especially when he was in the new training grounds. She offered him no direct advice, but her eyes observed his every move. There was a quiet understanding in her gaze, as if she knew Duan Liyang was on a path no one else could comprehend. Her presence provided Duan Liyang with a silent form of support.

As an Internal Disciple, Duan Liyang also began to glimpse the subtle political games and hidden information within the family. He overheard whispers that some elders still harbored doubts about his true abilities, while others saw him as a potential weapon. All this motivated him to be even more cautious, as he knew his journey was still fraught with dangers, and now these threats were not limited to external adversaries.

He knew that he would still face many unresolved mysteries and dangers. His true identity, his past, and the origin of the unique power within him – all these puzzles still remained to be solved. But today, he knew that he was no longer just 'Level 0 trash.' He was a boy who had achieved the impossible, and his new life as an Internal Disciple was just another step in his grand journey.

End of Chapter 19