I Can Only Cultivate In A Game

"Only one? The turn out this year is disappointing," one of the elders scoffed.

It looks like they were hoping to have more branded and anyone that got successfully branded was whisked away.

As for Victor? Nothing...

But Elder Qin Mu watched him more closely this time.

Not knowing he had the mark on his back and Victor was not about to reveal it either. It didn't seem like something that would give him freedom to move around like he needed to.

As they were being dismissed, Bai Heng nudged Victor.

"Damn, that was intense. What did you see in there?"

Victor smirked lightly. "Nothing much. Just old dust and silence."

Bai Heng shrugged. "Same. But someone said that chick Yu Wen got a mark. Lucky her."

Victor nodded absently as his mind swirled with curiosity. The Shadow Flame Mark… why had it appeared? And what was the "Forgotten Legacy"? It wasn't mentioned by any of the elders.

He suspected this wasn't part of the original design of the trials. Something had chosen him from within that legacy hall… something even the family may not know existed.

It seemed his infiltration had just unlocked an entirely new thread of mystery. One he didn't intend to pursue right now.

Victor was now officially a disciple of the annexed Qin and Bai family. On the outside, he was just another fresh young hopeful given entry into the powerful clan. On the inside, he was a snake slithering through golden halls.

His assigned courtyard was modest but refined with smooth stone tiles, clean-cut flower hedges, a meditation chamber, and a small open-air bath. It was more than decent for a "junior," especially one not of bloodline descent.

Every new disciple received this benefit. The real distinction, however, came from association and that was where Victor excelled.

He began laying low... Not flashy... Not eager... Just… helpful... Respectful... Useful.

He bowed a little lower when senior disciples passed by. He offered minor flattery during meal times. When sparring opportunities were open, he would modestly lose after displaying "above-average" skill enough to show worth, never enough to threaten egos.

And it worked.

In a matter of days, he became something of a fixture among a certain group of inner disciples.

They were pompous and arrogant, often boasting about their positions and how they belonged to the upper bloodlines of the Qin family. None of them suspected him.

Especially not his old nemesis... Qin Fei.

Qin Fei was the very definition of conceited wealth. He wore his status like a silk robe that was loose, expensive, and obnoxiously patterned with gold phoenix embroidery. Victor observed him carefully: the way he talked, his habits, his reactions when others brought up Bai Ting Ting.

That name had floated back to Victor's ears during hushed gossip among outer disciples.

"She hasn't stepped out since the wedding…"

"They say she never even acknowledged him as husband."

"Apparently, he already took a concubine to save face."

Victor was intrigued.

He remembered the situation from over a year ago... despite being betrothed to that pompous ass, she had loved someone else… Chen Wu.

How she had finally agreed to marry Qin Fei and never be seen with Chen Wu again after Chen Wu got bullied repeatedly because of her.

Now from what he was hearing she had been never appeared in public with Qin Fei since after they got married.

Which was over a year ago..

Victor wanted to know more and the only way to do so... was through Qin Fei himself.

So Victor decided to tighten the leash on his act.

On this day, Victor stepped through the heavy bronze doors of the Qin family's main courtyard trying to look every bit the dutiful new disciple he pretended to be.

His white hair was pinned back in a simple knot and behind him, the soft clip-clop of lacquered wooden clogs marked his approach.

A cluster of senior family members clustered near the central pavilion: ladies in fan-swept robes, elders in jade-trimmed cloaks, and, most importantly, Qin Fei himself.

The young master lounged on a carved rosewood bench with one knee drawn up.

His expression was a blend of boredom and mild irritation. A polished sword lay across his lap...

The Lion's Fang blade that every young cultivator in the Qin family whispered about.

It's hilt was wrapped in golden silk.

Victor squared his shoulders and approached.

Upon arriving before them, he bowed low. "Master Qin, your humble servant begs permission to offer assistance."

Qin Fei peered down at him with one brow arched. "You're the new Bai–Qin disciple?" with a bored but curious tone.

"Yes, young master. The name is Chen Fen," Victor answered with a humble smile but inside he snorted.

'Eugh, never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth.'

"Chen Fen... Show me your cultivation aura."

Without hesitation, Fang Chen inhaled deeply and let his qi bloom... emitting a third stage Qi Refining Realm aura.

Qin Fei's eyes widened with a pleased look. "Not bad," he said. "But I have more pressing concerns."

He lifted the Lion's Fang sword by its hilt with one hand and tapped the blade's fuller. Love this story? Show your support on M9VLEMPYR.

The metal vibrated yet the long blade had a shallow but unmistakable curve running along its length. "My sword rack collapsed last night," Qin Fei muttered while glancing around at the silent courtyard. "And this—" he ran a fingertip along the blade's curve "—tells me it wasn't an accident. Someone sabotaged my family's heirloom."

Victor seized his chance. "Master Qin, may I inspect it?" He stepped forward with a respectful demeanor and knelt beside the bench. He cradled the bent blade in his hands, turned it this way and that.

"Does this fool even know what he is doing?" One of Qin Fei lackeys voiced out.

"If you so much as put a stain on that blade you're finished," Another one added.

But Victor only lowered his head and chuckled politely; "I would never in a million years, young master. But I have just seen something."

This made Qin Fei lean in. "What do you see?"

Victor touched the bent fuller with a single fingertip. "See here," he murmured, "the curve's too uniform for a rack collapse. And these micro-abrasions"—he traced tiny scratches just above the edge—"were made by a tool, not accidental contact." He tapped the blade's ricasso gently with his knuckle. "This indent is fresh, the metal still warm."

Victor chuckled inwardly, knowing he caused this mess to bring about this encounter.

Qin Fei's eyes glinted. "You think someone here did it?"

Fang Chen nodded gravely. "Master Qin, I do not know of anyone who would dare besmirch your steel," he voiced while looking around, as if to point out that he was suspecting the people who would usually hang around Qin Fei.

"You little, how dar..." before one of the lackeys could complete his sentence, Victor interrupted.

"However, I can certainly fix this," he added.

Qin Fei folded his arms with a look of annoyance. "I shall certainly deal with this matter but first go fetch my personal chest in the east wing. It contains the blade's sheath and ribbon... if you can repair the curve without leaving a trace, I'll owe you a favor."

Victor rose and bowed, suppressing a pleased grin. "At once, Master." He glided away heartily.

---

Twenty minutes later, Victor returned with the lacquered oak chest.

The blade was realigned, the scratches closed and the metal's surging warmth dissipated. He folded the ribbon around the newly straightened scabbard and slid both back into the chest.

He rose and bowed again. "Master Qin, the blade is as it was. No trace of foul play remains."

Qin Fei drew the blade and tested its balance. A slow smile spread across his face. "Remarkable. You've a deft hand and keen eye." He handed Victor a small scroll sealed with the Bai–Qin family crest. "For your efforts. You may present this to the manor steward—your status is elevated."

Victor accepted the scroll with both hands, bowing so low his knuckles touched marble. "Your servant is honored beyond words."

As he straightened, he caught the eyes of the lackeys: Zhao Feng, Yan Hao, Liu Ming, and Bai Qiang

Qin Fei clapped Victor on the shoulder. "You're a resourceful one. I'll keep you close."

Fang Chen allowed himself a private smirk. Close was exactly where he wanted to be.

From this day on, he began complimenting Qin Fei more. Laughed at his terrible jokes. Praised his sword technique. Even gifted him a rare herb he had claimed to find while training near the cliffside.

That got more of Qin Fei's attention.

"Hmph," Qin Fei had smirked. "You're not bad, Chen Fen. You're not from our bloodline… but you're more useful than some of my useless cousins."

Victor bowed low. "Your words honor me, Young Master Fei."

It wasn't long after that Qin Fei began inviting Victor to join him and his lackeys for strolls.

During one of these walks, he mentioned he had somewhere private to be and left with only two lackeys.

The others stayed behind but Victor later excused himself and secretly followed them.