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Chapter 17: Echoes of Greater Realms
The sky above the Outer Sect shimmered with the soft glow of a cloudless dawn. Mist clung to the training fields like a second skin, and the crisp morning air buzzed with the steady hum of Qi gathering disciples.
Clinton stood on a stone platform, breathing slowly. With each inhale, the Qi within his dantian swirled a bit stronger. More responsive. More alive.
He tightened his grip on the wooden sword—his companion since the first day—and began the Wind-Cleaving Slash.
Swish.
A visible ripple of air carved through the mist, and some nearby juniors paused to look. A few whispered among themselves.
> "Consistent improvement," Narvek noted. "You have adapted faster than projected. But your foundation is still fragile compared to the truly gifted."
"Gee, thanks again, Mr. Encouragement."
> "You asked for honest feedback. I can start lying, if that aids your morale."
Clinton snorted. "Nah, keep the sass. I'm getting used to it."
As he sheathed his training sword, he noticed someone walking toward him—an older disciple wearing the deep blue robes of the Inner Sect. His aura was calm, but there was a quiet sharpness to him, like a blade wrapped in silk.
"You," the man said, voice firm. "You're the outer disciple who's been ranked up quickly, right?"
Clinton bowed slightly. "Yes, senior."
The man's gaze lingered. "I'm Liu Fan. Inner Sect instructor. I'll be overseeing next month's evaluation trials. Keep practicing."
Then he turned and walked off without waiting for a reply.
> "That wasn't just casual," Narvek said. "He scanned your flow. He suspects something unusual—but not enough to act."
Clinton exhaled. "Guess I better keep things subtle."
> "Precisely. Our edge remains secrecy. You are not yet prepared for attention… especially their attention."
"'Their'?"
> "The ones who can feel beyond this realm. But we'll speak of that another time."
Clinton shivered. Not from fear—but from the feeling of something bigger looming.
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Later that day, Clinton sat with Suyin under a flowering spirit tree. She was folding a paper crane, her fingers nimble and delicate.
"You've been zoning out more lately," she said, glancing at him.
"I've just been thinking a lot," he replied, watching the leaves sway. "About how big this world really is."
Suyin smiled softly. "Big enough to make even masters feel small. Did you know the Elders sometimes speak of the Floating Kingdoms?"
Clinton blinked. "Floating… what now?"
"Realms above ours," she said. "Places where cultivators fight with stars as weapons, and mountains are tossed like stones. My grandfather says some geniuses are born with ancient beast blood or celestial bones."
> "She is not exaggerating," Narvek said. "The universe has layers. This Outer Sect? It's a grain of dust."
Clinton leaned back, letting that sink in. "Then I guess I better train harder."
"You already train too hard," Suyin said with a laugh. "Try sleeping once in a while."
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Later That Night...
In a hidden chamber, Clinton sat cross-legged.
A thin, glass-like interface hovered before him—Narvek's internal module.
> "Ready for a new function?" Narvek asked. "I've completed the scan of the third-tier body refinement manual from the Sect Library."
Clinton nodded.
> "Now installing: Qi Circulation Optimization Module. It'll increase your energy efficiency during training and combat. No visible effects. Still hidden."
A warm pulse rippled through his meridians.
And just like that, the night passed with quiet hums and subtle strength building from within.
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At Dawn
Clinton joined a morning drill.
This time, when he executed the Wind-Cleaving Slash, his blade was silent.
No wind burst. No ripple.
But a small stone twenty meters away split cleanly in half, without a sound.
The others didn't notice.
But Instructor Feng narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm."
Clinton bowed his head, pretending to breathe hard.
> "Maintain the illusion," Narvek said. "We're not ready for the storm."
Clinton smiled faintly, blade resting at his side.
Let them ignore him.
For now.
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