Wang Lin, mind ablaze with the promise of three spells, channeled his will. He invoked the incantations of the Flame Orb, fingers weaving the prescribed patterns. Alas, not a flicker ignited, not even the smallest spark. He frowned, and after a long pause, tried again.

Repeatedly, he failed. Only once did a momentary ember appear, only to vanish as quickly as it came.

“Talent… cursed talent!” Wang Lin sighed, a bitter taste on his tongue. He turned to a nearby stone and attempted the Earth-Shattering Strike. The effect was marginally better than the flame, yet he couldn’t help but despair at the shallow gouge, barely wider than his pinky finger. Such a spell might impress simple villagers at the mountain’s base, but in true battle, it would be utterly worthless.

Lastly, he practiced the Gravity Hand, but the results were equally underwhelming.

However, the Gravity Hand held a slightly higher success rate. Without a word, Wang Lin focused solely on this technique. The Gravity Hand, in essence, allowed the manipulation of objects from afar.

With increased dexterity and focused energy, he could someday aspire to the Art of Propulsion. Once his energy solidified and broke through the third level, entering the fourth, he might even venture to the Sword-Spirit Pavilion to claim a flying sword.

As dusk began to paint the sky, Wang Lin returned to his quarters. He had achieved the first level of Qi Condensation; his senses were sharp, his mind keen. Passing through the East Gate, he heard a familiar voice emanating from the Chore Division.

“Brother Liu, the task you assigned was to chop wood. I agreed to one hundred kilograms to complete it. Why now, you demand a thousand? I, Zhang Hu, am no newcomer. I’ve always shown respect. Are you determined to force me off the mountain?”

“Zhang Hu, don’t accuse me of being unfair. The year’s end is fast approaching. I am not having a good life, and you add eye drops at this time? The firewood you cut went to the Alchemy Hall, drawing the Alchemist’s ire. Upon inspection, it held at least thirty kilograms of water within the hundred you provided, you little scoundrel.”

“That is a lie. Is it not because Zhao Fugui gifted you a talisman, seeking preferential treatment? I saw it, but it was not my place to say. Are you truly so desperate to force me from Hengyue Sect? I will not stand for it! I will report you to the Elder!” Zhang Hu roared, his voice laced with outrage.

“Zhang Hu, you leave me no choice. Blame yourself for witnessing what you shouldn’t have! If the Elder learns of this, I will visit ruin upon your entire family!”

The voice of the youth, Liu, was heard, followed by a startled cry from Zhang Hu. Alarmed, Wang Lin burst into the Chore Division, kicking the door from its hinges.

Liu, his face contorted with malice, lunged with a dagger toward Zhang Hu, who stood paralyzed with fear against the wall.

Realizing he was too late to intervene physically, Wang Lin invoked the Gravity Hand. To his relief, it answered. An invisible force seized Liu, halting his advance. The dagger’s tip had already grazed Zhang Hu’s chest, drawing a bead of blood.

Liu was stunned. He felt as if an immense pressure was crushing him, preventing him from thrusting further.

Zhang Hu, pale and drenched in sweat, looked at Wang Lin with profound gratitude, scrambling away.

Liu struggled wildly, his body writhing against the unseen force. Sweat dripped from Wang Lin’s brow as he fought to maintain control. He had never bound a living being with the Gravity Hand before, and the exertion was immense. Seeing that Zhang Hu was not severely wounded, he breathed a sigh of relief. In that moment, his grip on the Gravity Hand loosened slightly.

Seeing Liu break free, a strange light flickered in Zhang Hu’s eyes. He glanced at Wang Lin, then back at Liu, a hint of something cruel twisting his features. He seized a woodcutter’s axe and approached Liu.

Fear flooded Liu’s face, and his struggles intensified. Zhang Hu gritted his teeth, muttering, “I bear you no malice, Brother Liu, but you force me to it! You threaten my entire family?”

“Zhang Hu, what are you doing!” Wang Lin cried, the Gravity Hand failing completely.

As Liu regained his freedom, Zhang Hu raised the axe and brought it down upon Liu’s head with a sickening thud. Liu never had the chance to dodge. His body twitched violently a few times, then fell still.

The axe clattered to the ground as Zhang Hu stared at the bloody corpse, a maelstrom of emotions warring within him.

Wang Lin stood rooted to the spot. It was the first time he had witnessed such a gruesome sight. After a long silence, he said, “Zhang Hu, what have you done?”

Zhang Hu met Wang Lin’s gaze, his face contorted with a feral expression. He spoke slowly, each word a venomous barb: “Wang Lin, you saw it. I did not want to kill him! But without you, I would have been the one lying dead on the floor. He forced my hand!”

Wang Lin remained silent, grappling with the horror of what had transpired.

Zhang Hu drew a shaky breath, a grim resolve hardening his eyes. He approached the corpse and pulled out a gray pouch. He opened it, revealing hundreds of immortal talismans, the sort used by disciples on leave to visit their families. Beside the talismans was a booklet. He scanned its contents and tucked it away.

Then, he searched the room, discovering a hidden compartment beneath the bed. Inside, he found a piece of yellowed paper.

After a moment’s deliberation, he turned to Wang Lin and said, “Wang Lin, I shall not forget your kindness today. I can no longer remain at Hengyue Sect. Once they discover Liu’s death, they will come for me. I must flee. I will take these items with me. The talisman that ignited this catastrophe must be a treasure, otherwise Liu would not have sought my death. Take this!” He handed the yellowed paper to Wang Lin.

Wang Lin hesitated. “Why did you do it? If you hadn’t killed him…”

Zhang Hu frowned. “Do not speak of it again. I have endured enough torment. If you truly consider me a friend, then take this talisman!”

Wang Lin reluctantly accepted it, falling silent.

“Wang Lin, I am leaving. This matter has nothing to do with you. The sect will only find me. By then, I will be long gone from Hengyue Sect. Zhao’s Kingdom is vast. I will not remain a disciple for the rest of my life.” Zhang Hu’s face held a complicated expression, and after a long time, he turned and left the room.