The Liu family's great hall transformed into a display of power and prosperity. Silk banners in azure and silver draped from carved beams while spirit lanterns cast ethereal light across gathered guests. Three allied clans had arrived for the quarterly feast—the Wang family from the eastern merchants, the Zhao family who controlled river trade, and the minor but ambitious Sun clan.
Zǔ Zhòu adjusted his formal robes, the deep blue fabric embroidered with silver tigers. Appearance mattered at these gatherings, each detail broadcasting status and strength. Tonight, he would reveal his Fifth Stage advancement—calculated timing after weeks of "struggling" with the temporal manual.
"Remember," Liu Chen advised, straightening his collar with brotherly care, "the Wang family values scholarly achievement. Mention your manual study. The Zhao appreciate martial prowess—your sparring improvement will interest them."
"What about the Sun clan?"
"Ambitious social climbers. They'll fawn over anyone who might rise in status." Liu Chen's assessment was casually dismissive. "Father maintains the alliance for their information network, not their strength."
Such naive honesty. Liu Chen saw political maneuvering as distasteful necessity rather than delicious opportunity. Another fundamental difference between sheep and wolves.
They entered together, Liu Chen's presence lending credibility to Zǔ Zhòu's transformation. Whispers followed their passage—the academy student and the reformed wastrel, two brothers who'd found different paths to power.
"Young Master Wei has changed," someone murmured.
"The deviation blessed him with insight," another replied. "They say he discovered an ancient manual."
"Fifth son of Wang believes he'll challenge Liu Feng within the year."
Delicious speculation, seasoned with just enough truth. Zǔ Zhòu catalogued each speaker, filing away their assumptions for future manipulation.
The feast began with formal presentations. Liu Tiansheng presided from the patriarch's platform, Core Formation aura carefully controlled to impress without oppressing. Each family presented gifts—spirit stones, rare herbs, cultivation resources that strengthened alliances through material exchange.
"And now," Liu Tiansheng announced as the formal ceremony concluded, "we celebrate advancement within our ranks."
Liu Feng stepped forward first, demonstrating his recent breakthrough to Qi Condensation Eighth Stage. The display drew appropriate admiration—genuine talent approaching the peak of Qi Condensation at nineteen. His techniques flowed with practiced perfection, each movement proclaiming his status as heir.
Other young cultivators demonstrated their progress. Zhao Manhong showed her mastery of water techniques. Wang Shuo performed calculations that turned spiritual energy into geometric attacks. Competent displays that established the baseline of allied talent.
"Liu Wei," his father called. "Present your advancement."
The hall quieted. Everyone knew of the third son's transformation, but few had seen direct evidence. Zǔ Zhòu stepped into the cleared space, letting nervous energy show in his posture.
"Three months ago, I suffered cultivation deviation," he began, voice carrying clearly. "That crisis became opportunity. Through Elder Feng's guidance and an ancient manual that resonates with my changed perception, I've reached..."
He released his carefully suppressed aura. Body Tempering Fifth Stage unfurled like a banner, the power dense and stable. Gasps echoed through the hall—not for the realm itself, but for the speed of advancement.
"Fifth Stage in three months," Wang patriarch murmured. "After stagnating at Third for years?"
Zǔ Zhòu demonstrated modified Raging Tiger techniques, each movement showing the temporal insights he'd "discovered." The forms flowed with impossible grace, present actions informed by future positions. Several senior cultivators leaned forward, recognizing something beyond normal Body Tempering comprehension.
"The manual speaks of temporal cultivation," he explained, completing the demonstration. "Time as a resource rather than limitation. My deviation created sensitivity to these concepts."
"Remarkable," Zhao matriarch commented. "Such speed risks foundation instability."
"A concern I share," Zǔ Zhòu replied with calculated humility. "Elder Feng monitors my progress carefully. Advancement means nothing if it cripples future potential."
The response was perfect—acknowledging the concern while deflecting it. Several young cultivators looked envious rather than suspicious now. Rapid advancement with careful supervision seemed fortunate rather than impossible.
During the social mixing that followed, Zǔ Zhòu played his role flawlessly. Eager student with the Wang scholars, discussing theoretical cultivation concepts. Respectful junior with the Zhao warriors, admitting his combat skills still needed refinement. Politely dismissive of Sun clan flattery while keeping options open.
"Your brother's transformation is remarkable," Wang Shuo told Liu Chen. "That manual—might others study it?"
"Father hasn't decided," Liu Chen replied. "The techniques seem specifically suited to Wei'er's condition. Wrong practice could cause deviations."
Perfect deflection, delivered with innocent honesty. Zǔ Zhòu mentally approved while maintaining his facade of scholarly interest in Wang Shuo's geometric theories.
Near the dessert courses, he overheard the conversation he'd been waiting for.
"—temporal distortions increasing in the eastern regions," a Zhao elder muttered to his companion. "Three merchant caravans reported time flowing strangely near Whispering Cave."
"Demon activity?"
"Unknown. The regional governor sent investigators, but they returned... changed. Aged decades in days, babbling about tomorrow's yesterdays."
Zǔ Zhòu drifted closer, showing idle curiosity. "Temporal distortions? Like cultivation deviation effects?"
The elder, drunk on spirit wine, nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Some theorize ancient battlegrounds where time itself was wounded. Others claim demon lord experiments. The governor offers rewards for information."
"Fascinating. My manual mentions temporal wounds as cultivation resources." He let excitement show. "Perhaps studying such phenomena could deepen understanding."
"Dangerous thinking, young man. Those who seek temporal anomalies rarely return unchanged."
"But those who do return with power," Zǔ Zhòu countered. "Risk and reward balance as always in cultivation."
The seed was planted. By feast's end, several would remember Liu Wei's interest in temporal phenomena. When he requested a training journey in coming months, the groundwork would already exist.
The evening's final entertainment proved most interesting. Young cultivators demonstrated artistic techniques—combat transformed into performance. Liu Mei participated, her basic forms still clumsy but performed with endearing determination.
"Sister works hard," a voice commented beside him. Zhang Ming, heir to the Zhang clan, watched Liu Mei with appreciation that went beyond her cultivation potential.
"She does," Zǔ Zhòu agreed neutrally, cataloguing the interest. Sixteen-year-old heir, Foundation Establishment Third Stage, known for collecting beautiful things. "Natural talent emerging slowly."
"Beauty often does." Zhang Ming's tone remained polite but his eyes lingered. "The Liu family produces remarkable flowers. Your own transformation proves it."
Warning delivered through compliment—'I notice your sister and acknowledge your new strength.' Political language at its finest. Zǔ Zhòu filed the interaction away. Zhang Ming's interest could become leverage eventually, though Liu Mei was too young for immediate concern.
"The Liu family protects its gardens carefully," he replied. "But we appreciate those who recognize beauty without needing to pluck it."
Zhang Ming smiled, understanding the counter-warning. They parted with mutual respect—two predators acknowledging territory without challenging boundaries. Yet.
As the feast concluded, Liu Tiansheng summoned his children briefly.
"Wei'er, your demonstration impressed appropriately. Continue this trajectory." He paused, studying his transformed son. "The manual you study—Elder Feng reports promising but dangerous techniques. Don't let ambition override wisdom."
"Never, Father. Power serves purpose, not pride."
"Well said. Chen'er, your academy insights proved valuable in negotiations. The Wang family remembers scholarly courtesy." Praise for the dutiful son before turning to the heir. "Feng'er, the Zhao matriarch expressed interest in joint training exercises. Coordinate with their martial master."
Each child received targeted acknowledgment—the patriarch maintaining family hierarchy while recognizing individual contributions. Zǔ Zhòu played grateful third son perfectly, basking in paternal approval he found aesthetically nauseating.
Later, in his chambers, he reviewed the evening's harvest with his anchor servant.
"Seeds planted for training journey. Zhang interest in Mei'er noted for future exploitation. Temporal distortion rumors confirmed—the eastern regions show increasing instability around my scars." He smiled coldly. "And Fifth Stage publicly established without excessive suspicion."
"The feast succeeded across all parameters."
"Indeed. The sheep accept the wolf because he learned their bleating. They see transformation and think 'deviation fortune' rather than 'wearing their kinsman's skin.'" He laughed, reality shivering slightly. "By the time they realize truth, I'll be too essential to remove."
"Young Master Liu Chen wishes to spend tomorrow training before he returns to the academy."
"Of course he does. The kind brother wants to help one last time." Zǔ Zhòu's smile widened. "I'll miss his naive assistance. Sheep who volunteer for shearing deserve special appreciation."
Tomorrow would bring more brotherhood performance, more documented progress under caring tutelage. But tonight, he savored the feast's success—another step in the careful dance from wastrel to genius to indispensable monster.
The allied clans had witnessed Liu Wei's rise. None suspected they'd actually witnessed the first course of their eventual devouring.
Patience made every meal more satisfying.