Chapter 6 Under Observation

By the time Lin Feng and Lu Cang returned to Room 404, the sun had already started to dip behind the mountain peaks. The outer sect dormitory hallway, which was usually noisy with disciples arguing over spirit stones or cultivation tips, fell noticeably quieter as they passed.

Several disciples who saw Lin Feng coming immediately found reasons to turn around or enter their rooms.

Lu Cang closed the door behind them with both hands and then collapsed against it, sliding down to the floor.

"It’s over My peaceful outer sect life is over. People are already looking at me like I’m your criminal accomplice."

"Now don’t be sad little Lu, I’ll take you as my disciple if they kick you out of here."

That only made Lu sob harder. Lin Feng sat down on his wooden cot and finally let himself look properly at the Tier 2 shop. New items had appeared, most of them still ridiculous, but a few looked genuinely useful.

He scrolled past something called "Instant Embarrassment Firework" and "Voice-Changing Cricket," then stopped on a simple looking talisman.

[Talisman: Borrowed Dignity (Price: 200 RP)]

[Description: For fifteen minutes, the user appears slightly more impressive and harder to dismiss. Does not actually increase strength. Side effect: After it ends, people feel inexplicably more annoyed by your existence.]

Lin Feng bought it without hesitation.

[200 Rage Points spent]

[Remaining Rage Points: 746]

He stored the talisman in his sleeve and glanced at Lu Cang.

"You’re being dramatic. We’re only under observation, not sentenced to death."

"That’s easy for you to say!" Lu Cang’s voice cracked. I only have weak meridians and a strong desire to live a long, boring life!"

Before Lin Feng could reply, a loud knock echoed on the door. Lu Cang flinched so hard he hit his head against the wood.

"Who is it?" Lin Feng called out.

A cold voice answered from the other side.

"Outer disciple Lin Feng. Step outside."

Lin Feng opened the door to find a young man standing in the hallway with his arms crossed. He looked about eighteen or nineteen, wore better quality outer sect robes, and had a small embroidered badge on his chest that marked him as a class monitor for their dormitory block.

Floating text appeared above his head.

[Zhou Ming – Outer Sect Class Monitor]

[Qi Condensation Level 4]

[Current Emotion: Strong Disgust]

Zhou Ming looked Lin Feng up and down, his gaze lingering on the still upright hair with open contempt.

"I see you got multiple complaints against you in a single day." Zhou Ming said.

"Disturbing the morning lecture. Causing a public incident at the Dining Pavilion. Dragging your roommate into trouble. As the monitor of Block C, I’m giving you an official warning. If I receive one more report, I will personally recommend your removal from this dormitory."

Lin Feng leaned against the doorframe.

"That’s a lot of responsibility for a class monitor. Must be stressful."

Zhou Ming’s eyes narrowed.

"Are you mocking me?"

" No brother, i’m expressing concern for you"

A faint flush of anger appeared on Zhou Ming’s neck.

[Zhou Ming’s disgust is rapidly turning into personal dislike]

[Rage Value +65]

"You think you’re funny," Zhou Ming said in a low voice.

"Let me make something clear. The outer sect has rules. People who refuse to follow them get crushed. Stay quiet, keep your head down, and maybe you’ll survive until the next assessment. Cause any more trouble, and I won’t need the Enforcement Hall. I’ll deal with you myself."

Lin Feng’s smile didn’t change.

"Understood, brother Zhou. I’ll do my best to stay boring."

Zhou Ming stared at him for another long moment, clearly unsatisfied by the response, then turned and left.

As soon as the footsteps faded, Lu Cang crawled over to his own bed and buried his face in the blanket.

"We’re going to die. He’s one of the more competitive outer disciples. He actually has a chance to enter the inner sect this year. Why did you have to talk back?"

Lin Feng closed the door and sat back down. The new passive from earlier still lingered around him like an invisible invitation. Even without finishing the full milestone, people were already getting angry at him faster than normal.

The outer sect was already adjusting to his presence. Avoiding him, warning him. Which meant the next time he decided to cause a problem, the reaction would be even bigger.

Lin Feng lay back on his cot, staring at the wooden ceiling with a small, satisfied expression.

The next morning, Lin Feng woke up to the sound of Lu Cang quietly packing again.This time the canvas sack was only half full. Lu Cang had clearly been debating the decision for hours.Lin Feng sat up, his hair still stubbornly upright from the lingering side effect. He scratched the back of his head and yawned.

"You’re still at it?"Lu Cang flinched and turned around, looking guilty.

"I’m not running away. I’m just... preparing for the possibility of needing to run away. There’s a difference."

A loud knocking suddenly shook their door.

"All outer disciples of Block C, assemble in the front courtyard! Mandatory announcement!"Lu Cang’s face went pale.

"Mandatory? That’s never good."

Lin Feng stood up and stretched.

"Or it’s an opportunity."

The next morning, Lin Feng woke up to the sound of Lu Cang quietly packing again.

This time the canvas sack was only half full. Lu Cang had clearly been debating the decision for hours.

Lin Feng sat up, his hair still stubbornly upright from the lingering side effect. He scratched the back of his head and yawned.

"You’re still at it?"

Lu Cang flinched and turned around, looking guilty.

"I’m not running away. I’m just... preparing for the possibility of needing to run away. There’s a difference."

Lin Feng ignored him and checked the system. His Rage Points sat at 811 after the previous day’s gains. The Borrowed Dignity talisman was still in his sleeve, unused.

A loud knocking suddenly shook their door.

"All outer disciples of Block C, assemble in the front courtyard! Mandatory announcement!"

Lu Cang’s face went pale.

"Mandatory? That’s never good."

Lin Feng stood up and stretched.

"Or it’s an opportunity."

When they stepped outside, most of the disciples from Block C had already gathered in the small open courtyard in front of the dormitory. Zhou Ming stood on the low stone steps with his arms behind his back, looking every bit the responsible class monitor. Two other outer disciples stood beside him, both wearing similar embroidered badges.

Zhou Ming’s gaze immediately found Lin Feng in the crowd. His expression tightened.

"Quiet down," Zhou Ming said. "I received notice from the Enforcement Hall this morning. Due to recent disturbances in the outer sect, random inspections will increase. Additionally, the monthly outer sect contribution assessment has been moved up. It will take place in five days."

A wave of uneasy muttering passed through the disciples.

Zhou Ming continued.

"Those who fail to meet the minimum contribution points will be assigned to the most difficult chores for the next month. Some may even lose their dormitory privileges."

His eyes locked onto Lin Feng again.

"Certain individuals should be especially careful. The sect has no obligation to keep troublemakers who contribute nothing."

Several disciples turned to look at Lin Feng. A few smirked. Others simply looked annoyed by his continued existence.

[Multiple minor sources of irritation detected]

[Rage Value +38]

Lin Feng met Zhou Ming’s stare and gave a small, polite nod, as if he had just received friendly advice.

Zhou Ming’s jaw clenched. After the announcement ended, the crowd slowly dispersed. Some disciples walked away quickly to start earning contribution points. Others stayed behind to discuss the assessment in low voices.

Lin Feng was about to return to his room when a shadow fell over him. Zhou Ming had stepped down from the stone platform and was now standing directly in front of him.

"Lin Feng," he said coldly.

"I checked your contribution record this morning. It’s almost empty. If you think you can coast through the assessment with tricks and cheap tricks, you’re mistaken."

Lin Feng tilted his head.

"Are you worried about me, Monitor Zhou?"

"I’m warning you." Zhou Ming replied.

"Stay out of trouble until the assessment is over. If you cause another incident, I will make sure it’s your last one in this sect."

He turned and left without waiting for a reply.

Lu Cang shuffled closer, looking like he wanted to sink into the ground.

"Well that’s as official as it can get. He’s targeting you now."

Lin Feng watched Zhou Ming’s back and slowly took out the Borrowed Dignity talisman from his sleeve. The paper felt slightly warm against his fingers.

Five days until the assessment. Lin Feng’s lips curved into a small smile and he activated the talisman.

A faint, almost invisible ripple of energy passed over his body. For the next fifteen minutes, he would look just a little more impressive, a little harder to dismiss, and a little more annoying once the effect ended.

He turned to Lu Cang.

"Come on. We’re going to the contribution board. I should at least pretend to care about points."

Lu Cang stared at him in horror.

"Pretend? You’re going to do something again, aren’t you?"

Lin Feng started walking, his posture slightly straighter than usual under the talisman’s effect.

"I’m under observation. I should at least give them something worth observing."