Target: Valid

  His heart raced as he seemed to grasp something profound, but then the sensation was gone as quickly as it came. The elation that surged within him almost made him shout, but he caught himself just in time, aware of He Shan's bewildered expression. "Ah, nothing to worry about, just remembered something," he added hastily, trying to cover up his excitement.

  He activated the ability, and new details began to form before his eyes, golden words flashing vividly.

  Name: He Shan

  Cultivation: Mortal ( Hidden Strength: 2nd Realm of Qi Condensation )

  Cultivation Renewal: 9th Realm of Qi Condensation

  Spiritual Roots: Heavenly Grade Spiritual Roots

  True Disciple of the Abyssal Harmony Sect's Jadecrest Peak. He's 17 years old. Blessed by the Spirits of Rivers and Mountains. As he wanted to become a Sword Cultivator, his master gave him the Cultivation Renewal Technique and destroyed his cultivation base to have a firm foundation.

  He wants to cut down every obstacle in his path and become the Prime Disciple of the Abyssal Harmony Sect. He is quite surprised by your strength and believes that one day, he will surpass you.

  Zhen's heart skipped a beat as the golden words formed before his eyes, each revelation more shocking than the last. Hidden strength?

  The hell!

  He's not a righteous fool… he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

  His mind raced as he processed the information the golden words had revealed about He Shan.

  Cultivation Renewal? Zhen's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, there was that technique again. He had no idea what that technique was or what it entailed, but it should provide quite a boost to strength. If He Shan had undergone such a technique, it must be something serious, something powerful.

  Heavenly Grade Spiritual Roots? A True Disciple? His thoughts spun faster, his mind struggling to keep pace with the revelations. This guy's status is higher than mine, Zhen realized with a sinking feeling. He's not just any disciple—he's someone important.

  Although He Shan's talent was undeniably top-notch, and he was favored by the spirits of mountains and rivers, Zhen couldn’t shake the feeling that there was much more to this story. This guy is really blessed, Zhen thought, noting the lack of detail about what those blessings truly entailed. It was unsettling, like staring at the surface of a deep pool and knowing something lurked beneath, unseen and dangerous.

  He Shan is surprised by my strength, but he’s determined to surpass me? And become a Prime Disciple? Zhen hadn’t expected this level of fierce competitiveness from He Shan. The man had seemed so straightforward, so earnest in his ideals, but underneath that exterior was a burning desire for power and recognition.

  The realization made Zhen uncomfortable, a cold knot forming in his stomach. He had no idea what a Prime Disciple was, but it had to be more prestigious and powerful than a True Disciple.

  This is way too much entanglement, he thought, his unease growing with each passing second. I need to get away from this guy before I'm drawn into something I can't control.

  Zhen released a deep breath, a wave of relief washing over him as he noticed that He Shan didn’t seem to react to the golden words or the ability’s activation. Good, Zhen thought, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He hadn’t been caught, and that meant he still had time to distance himself from this potential disaster.

  He quickly bandaged his knees, wrapping the torn fabric tightly around the wounds. The act was more of a distraction than anything else, something to focus on while his mind raced for a way out of this situation. Finally, with a slight limp, he started to walk toward the outer sect area. "Well," he began, his voice clipped and brisk, "I should be on my way. There's... much to take care of."

  He Shan paused, sensing the shift in Zhen's demeanor. "Brother Zhen," he began, his tone thoughtful, "I appreciate what you did today."

  Please don't call me your brother… Zhen forced a smile, his expression tight. "Just a matter of circumstance," he said dismissively, but then decided to give the man some advice. "Listen, you need to be careful. Standing up to people like Wang Bo is commendable, but you also need to know your limits. Junior Brother was strong before, but now that you have fallen in cultivation, you should bide your time before any more confrontation."

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  He Shan looked at Zhen, his eyes filled with an unwavering determination. After a moment of thoughtful silence, He Shan spoke, "Senior Brother, if I don't confront evil when I'm weak, how can I claim to do so when I'm strong? It's not power that determines one's actions, but the choice to stand against what's wrong, no matter how difficult."

  For a moment, Zhen was caught off guard, the profundity of He Shan's words resonating deep within him. He couldn't easily dismiss these words as the foolish idealism of a young disciple, not when they came from someone blessed by the spirits of rivers and mountains.

  He noted the words to later reflect on them, his thoughts briefly wandering to the possibility that this was the kind of introspection that marked a protagonist.

  Zhen saw a reflection of his own past determination in He Shan's gaze, but the thought quickly soured as he came back to reality. When did I start thinking like that? Zhen wondered, a chill running down his spine. I just wanted to enjoy my life here, not fight against the heavens.

  With another turn of the loop of qi circulating through his meridians and acupoints, Zhen realized something remarkable—his own qi was helping him resist whatever this “protagonist effect” was. The circulation of his qi wasn’t just maintaining his strength; it was actively shielding him, keeping his mind clear and focused, preventing him from being swept up in the tide of He Shan’s convictions.

  So, my qi is protecting me from this, Zhen mused, a mix of relief and intrigue flooding his thoughts. But why?

  It must be due to the purple qi, Zhen couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity. It had become a mystery to him, something he had yet to fully understand. Now, it seemed to be playing a crucial role in keeping him grounded, shielding him from the overwhelming influence that seemed to radiate from He Shan.

  But as fascinating as this new revelation was, he quickly refocused on the present problem. Now was not the time to delve into the mysteries of his qi; he needed to deal with the situation at hand and ensure that he didn’t get pulled any deeper into He Shan’s orbit.

  The idea of being caught up in a protagonist's journey made him almost shudder. I'm not here to be someone's sidekick or to get dragged into their heroic destiny.

  He Shan said determinedly. "I'll get stronger. I'll make sure they can never push me around again."

  Zhen forced a faint smile, masking his unease. "Good," he said, his voice lacking its usual edge. "Keep that fire alive. You'll need it in this world." But even as he spoke, he could feel a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck, a small but growing sense of dread gnawing at the edges of his mind.

  With that, Zhen parted from He Shan, his steps deliberate despite the limp, each one carrying him further from the entanglement that now seemed inevitable. As he walked, he could feel the weight of his decision settling on his shoulders, a reminder that in this world, knowledge could be as much a curse as it was a blessing.

  The sun was at its zenith, casting harsh shadows that seemed to intensify the heat radiating from the stone pathways. Zhen felt the weight of the midday sun pressing down on him as he made his way toward the outer sect area.

  At least he could finally categorize He Shan as a protagonist. The signs were there: the Heavenly Grade Spiritual Roots, the mysterious blessings, the unyielding will even in the face of adversity. All of it pointed to someone who wasn’t just ordinary, someone who might be fated to shake the very foundations of the world.

  Zhen pondered the implications of being a so-called protagonist, someone whose life was shaped by forces beyond their control, for better or worse.

  If He Shan was indeed on the path of a protagonist, then anyone in his orbit could be swept up in the inevitable maelstrom of events—battles, betrayals, ascensions to power, and the ever-looming threat of catastrophic failure. Perhaps all of this was speculation, and he was assuming things. If that were the case, only time would tell.

  At the very least, he would get quite a show watching He Shan's journey unfold, a front-row seat to the rise—or fall—of someone destined for greatness. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

  How remarkable, Zhen thought, trying to suppress the conflicting emotions that roiled within him. He felt little to no jealousy for He Shan’s luck, as individuals like him were often favored by fortune and, simultaneously, by misfortune.

  There were many things he wanted to understand about how someone like He Shan came to exist. After all, while an ordinary person might ponder their life's path, someone like He Shan had the rest of his fate predetermined. Nobody was born so special without reason.

  If I’m right, Zhen thought, then He Shan’s journey is going to be filled with challenges that would break most people. Even if he succeeds… The thought trailed off, leaving Zhen to contemplate the power and danger of being tied to such a figure. Even if he succeeds, many around him might be dragged down due to association.

  But still, he thought, as he walked away, there’s no harm in keeping an eye on He Shan’s journey. If nothing else, it’ll be an interesting story to watch unfold.

  Suppressing the urge to delve deeper, Zhen turned away, his thoughts swirling as he struggled to make sense of the new reality unfolding before him. I need to be careful, he reminded himself, his resolve hardening with each step he took away from He Shan. This place is more dangerous than I ever imagined.

  Zhen shook his head slightly, pushing these thoughts aside for now. There was no use in getting lost in speculation. He needed to focus on what he could control—his own path, his own decisions.