## Chapter Thirteen: The Unseen Resonance
The moon, a thin sliver of ivory in the inky sky, cast long, distorted shadows across the Outer Court. Yan Zhen, his heart a frantic drum against his ribs, could barely contain his restless energy. The image of the Grand Elder's secret garden, pulsating with pure spiritual qi, burned in his mind like a fever. He paced their small room, a tiger in a cage, his eagerness for the "siphoning" plan almost unbearable.
"Are you sure about this, Lin Feng? Tonight's the night?" he whispered, his voice hoarse with anticipation.
Lin Feng, seated calmly, meticulously buffing an unblemished practice sword, glanced up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The qi patterns of ancient formations are most susceptible during the waxing and waning phases of the moon, Zhen. Tonight, that particular resonance reaches its peak. It's risky, yes, but if we don't seize this chance, who knows when another might arise?" He spoke with a quiet authority that belied his usual 'lucky friend' demeanor, his eyes holding a calculated gleam. Internally, he hummed with satisfaction. *Yan Zhen's raw ambition is a delightful instrument to play.*
He had spent the last few days in quiet preparation. He hadn't just 'remembered' old folklore; he had meticulously calculated the precise lunar phase, the specific qi resonance points of the Grand Elder's primary defensive formations, and the subtle feedback loops of the Guardian Beast. He'd even 'found' a small, dark obsidian stone — a genuine, low-grade **Resonance Stone** he'd acquired in a forgotten corner of the sect's dusty alchemy hall — which, when channeled through correctly, could amplify minute qi vibrations, making the siphoning *possible*. He'd shown it to Yan Zhen briefly, calling it a "curious little rock," making it seem inconsequential.
As the hour approached midnight, a hush fell over the Outer Court, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets. They moved like wraiths, their steps light, their qi suppressed. Yan Zhen, invigorated by the sheer audacity of their mission, scaled walls with practiced ease, his **Body Tempering, Stage 5** strength flowing smoothly through his limbs. Lin Feng followed, his movements deceptively fluid, his own **Spirit Condensation, Stage 1** foundation allowing for a grace that surpassed his public persona.
Reaching the garden's perimeter, the familiar hum of the protective formations washed over them, heavier and more potent under the moonlight. The air here was alive, thick with raw qi that made Yan Zhen's pores tingle.
"Alright, Zhen," Lin Feng whispered, his voice serious. "This is where it gets tricky. See this spot?" He pointed to a small, moss-covered stone, barely visible in the shadows. "This is a subtle qi nexus for the outermost layer of the formation. Your pure spirit root is perfect for this. I need you to place your palm here, channel your qi, and act as an anchor. Think of it as a… pressure point. You'll be holding the door open, just a crack, while I do the delicate work."
Yan Zhen nodded, his jaw set with determination. He placed his palm on the stone, instantly feeling a powerful, resisting force. He pushed back, pouring his Body Tempering qi into the nexus, his brow furrowed with effort. He was a raw conduit, a brute force holding open a meticulously locked gate.
Lin Feng then moved with an unnerving precision. His fingers danced in the air, weaving intricate, almost invisible qi seals. He wasn't just 'siphoning'; he was dismantling a sub-section of the formation from within, creating a localized, undetectable leak in the Spirit Vein's flow. His hidden **Spirit Condensation, Stage 1** qi, refined by his past life's profound knowledge of formations, moved like a serpent through the unseen pathways of the spell. He placed the obsidian Resonance Stone near Yan Zhen's hand, subtly channeling a small portion of his own Spirit Condensation qi through it to amplify the minute vibrations. Yan Zhen, overwhelmed by the pure qi, would only feel the combined surge.
Minutes stretched into an eternity. Sweat beaded on Yan Zhen's forehead as he strained, his qi reserves being tested. He felt the formation resist, then give way in a subtle shudder. A torrent of impossibly pure qi, far denser than anything he'd ever experienced, surged into him. It was overwhelming, electrifying, making his very bones hum. His skin glowed faintly as his meridians expanded, absorbing the potent energy.
*This is it!* he thought, his mind reeling with exhilarating power. His vision blurred, then sharpened, as if the world had gained new clarity.
A soft *pop* resonated deep within him, not a sound but a sensation, as his body broke through another barrier. His aura flared, subtle but undeniable. **Body Tempering, Stage 6.** He was stronger, faster, his qi more robust. He felt an almost invincible euphoria.
"Yes! It worked, Lin Feng! It worked!" Yan Zhen gasped, his face alight with triumphant joy, ignoring the slight tremor in his hands.
Lin Feng, feigning exhaustion, leaned against a nearby tree, wiping his brow dramatically. "Phew! That was... intense, Zhen! Your raw qi, man, it just *forced* its way through! You're a beast! I just helped you find the right… resonance. You really pushed yourself." He clapped Yan Zhen on the back, a wide, relieved smile on his face. *Stage Six already. Excellent. And the tremor... perfect.*
Yan Zhen, consumed by his breakthrough, didn't notice the precise nature of Lin Feng's movements, or the chillingly cold satisfaction in his eyes. He certainly didn't notice the barely perceptible instability now present in his own qi circulation, a subtle consequence of forcing such raw, untamed energy into his Body Tempering foundation. He was now slightly more prone to irritability, a hair trigger for his temper, though for now, it was masked by elation. Lin Feng, however, observed every minute flicker of it, logging it away for future use.
As they slipped away, avoiding the scattered patrols still sweeping the area, Yan Zhen was practically vibrating with newfound power. "I can't wait for the next tournament match, Lin Feng! I'm going to show them what a *true* breakthrough feels like!" He was almost dismissive of Lin Feng's feigned fatigue, too caught up in his own triumph.
Lin Feng nodded, allowing himself a genuine, though fleeting, internal smirk. He had also absorbed a significant portion of the siphoned qi, further solidifying his **Spirit Condensation, Stage 2** foundation. He was now firmly entrenched in the Spirit Condensation realm, while publicly, he remained a **Body Tempering, Stage 2** disciple. The gap between his true power and his outward display was widening, a perfect shield.
Back in their room, Yan Zhen collapsed onto his mat, still buzzing. "I feel like I could fight a Spirit Guardian Beast bare-handed right now!" he boasted, a slight edge of bravado in his voice.
Suddenly, a sharp, unfamiliar twinge shot through Yan Zhen's left arm, a momentary, almost burning sensation in his meridians. He winced, rubbing the spot. "Huh. Must have just pushed myself too hard."
Lin Feng, who had been subtly observing Yan Zhen's qi fluctuations, feigned concern. "Woah, Zhen, you look a bit… flushed. And your qi feels a little… agitated. Maybe you overdid it? That was a lot of raw energy. Maybe we should have Xiao Li take a look? Just to be safe. She's great with qi imbalances." He subtly encouraged Yan Zhen to acknowledge the symptom, knowing Xiao Li's assessment would add a layer of validation to his own subtle hints about Yan Zhen's "overexertion."
Yan Zhen, though reluctant, eventually agreed. "Fine. Just for a quick check. I don't want anything messing up my momentum for the tournament."
Lin Feng's smile, though still tired, held a triumphant glint. *Excellent. Another thread woven.* He walked to the door, ready to fetch the gentle healer, knowing this little discomfort would be a perfect opportunity to deepen his bond with Xiao Li, while Yan Zhen was lost in the glory of his stolen power. The next round of the tournament awaited, and Yan Zhen, now stronger but subtly flawed, was walking right into its perfectly laid traps.
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