The mountain peak was silent, save for the faint rustle of the wind through the jagged rocks and the low hum of latent qi coiling around Li Xian. Even from a distance, the members of the Black Dragon faction could feel the weight of her cultivation aura pressing against the very air.
Lu Mao crouched behind a boulder, eyes sharp as a hawk, scanning the surrounding slopes. Chen Yuan, Bao Fu, and Yan Mei had taken strategic positions farther down the mountainside, their senses straining to detect any unexpected interference. Though the peak seemed deserted, the tribulation of a Spirit Master was no small event—its waves of energy could shred the unprepared, even injuring disciples from other factions foolish enough to wander too close.
Li Xian stood at the very edge, the pill in her dantian glowing faintly, integrating with her body's own qi. Her fingers twitched as the energies within her veins coiled like dragons seeking to be unleashed. Every breath drew in power, every heartbeat matched the rhythm of a storm waiting to break.
"I've trained for this," she whispered to herself, eyes narrowing. "I've survived countless battles, mastered the foundation of my qi, and endured the hardships of the Black Dragon faction. Now, it's time to break beyond the limits of Spirit Master."
The pill Lu Mao had given her wasn't just a medicinal boost; it was a key. Its refinement harmonized her chaotic qi, allowing her body to withstand the violent pressures of tribulation. Yet she knew it wouldn't be easy. The Spirit Master tribulation didn't simply test skill—it tested will, endurance, and the very harmony of one's soul with the world around them.
Suddenly, a tremor ran through the mountain. It began small, a subtle vibration in the rocks beneath her feet, but it quickly escalated. The air thickened, swirling with qi that coiled like serpents. The sky darkened, clouds spiraling as if the heavens themselves had taken notice of her challenge.
Lu Mao's eyes flickered. "Here it comes."
A bolt of energy erupted from Li Xian's dantian, streaking upward like a crack of lightning. The air hissed and sparked where it tore through, carrying with it the scent of ozone and the roar of compressed qi. Li Xian's body tensed, absorbing the pill's energy and directing it to stabilize the flow within her meridians.
The first wave of tribulation struck. It was violent, a tidal surge of raw qi that twisted and snapped around her. Even with the pill's assistance, her body screamed in protest. Veins glowed under her skin, meridians burning with heat as her foundation strained against the pressure.
Down the mountain, Bao Fu muttered nervously, "She's… still alive? That's… insane…"
Chen Yuan didn't answer. His gaze was fixed, barrier shields shimmering faintly as he prepared for any misfortune. Yan Mei, silent as a shadow, watched with her usual calm, but even she didn't hide the spark of awe in her eyes.
The second wave struck. This one was stronger, more chaotic. Rocks lifted from the mountain, spinning in the air as the energy surged outward, bending the trees along the slopes. The very qi of the mountain seemed to pulse and scream with her efforts.
Li Xian clenched her fists, feeling the pill's energy integrate with her qi. "Not enough…" she muttered, teeth gritted. "I can feel it… the bottleneck is breaking… I have to push further!"
A third wave shattered the air around her. Energy streaked in arcs, lightning coiling like serpents, as her body became a conduit for the raw force of the tribulation. The mountain trembled beneath her feet, and yet, despite the chaos, she remained standing. Each breath drew in power, every heartbeat harmonized with the storm within.
Lu Mao's expression was tense. "If she falters now… even with the pill, it could kill her. But she's holding… she's holding!"
In the distance, unseen observers from rival factions squinted, sensing the power surging at the peak. Whispers spread among the spies and scouts hiding in the forests.
"Is that… a Spirit Master tribulation?"
"But the aura… it's unlike anything I've felt before. She's… moving beyond the peak."
Li Xian's body shuddered violently as the final stage approached. The three stages of Martial General—the traditional gateway for Spirit Masters advancing into the War Blood Realm—loomed before her like titans. Normally, a cultivator would stagger, completing each stage with painstaking precision, slowly integrating the overwhelming qi. But the pill's refinement, combined with her innate talent and years of painstaking cultivation, allowed her to leap forward.
She let out a cry that echoed across the peaks, a roar of spirit and determination. Golden-blue qi burst outward, forming a halo around her. The ground shattered beneath her feet, rocks and earth spiraling into the air as if bowing to the power she wielded.
The first stage of Martial General collapsed beneath her will. She stepped into the second. The energy flared again, more intense, but her body moved like a dancer in harmony with the chaos. No tremor, no hesitation. The second stage passed in a blink.
Then the third. She didn't stop. Instead, her qi surged beyond the Martial General threshold entirely, ascending directly into the second stage of Martial King of the War Blood Realm. The mountain quaked violently, and the skies above roared with thunder. For a brief moment, time seemed to pause.
Below, Bao Fu's jaw hung open. "War… Blood… Martial King?!"
Chen Yuan's eyes widened, his sharp expression cracking into disbelief. "She… she skipped Martial General entirely…"
Yan Mei's lips parted slightly, admiration and calculation flickering in her gaze. "She's… not ordinary. She's beyond what anyone expected."
Lu Mao, standing slightly away, allowed himself a rare, small smile. His golden-black vein shimmered faintly. "That's my faction leader."
Li Xian's body glowed with radiant qi, her eyes opening slowly. Golden light spilled from her pupils, her aura stabilizing into something that dwarfed even the strongest War Blood cultivators in Tier One. Tears ran down her face, not from pain, but from the weight of years of struggle and the release of burdens long carried.
"I… I've finally broken free," she whispered, voice trembling with both exhaustion and elation. "All of it… all of it is gone…"
The Black Dragon faction celebrated wildly that night. Recruits from neighboring factions who had heard of Li Xian's breakthrough abandoned their own groups to join her. For the first time, the dormitory was full to bursting, a cacophony of voices, laughter, and excitement.
Bao Fu nearly fainted from sheer exhilaration. "We're unstoppable now! Spirit Apprentices, Martial Kings… who even dares challenge the Black Dragon faction?"
Yan Mei only smirked, shaking her head at Bao Fu's antics. "Don't tempt fate. Remember, every height has someone waiting to knock you down."
Lu Mao's gaze softened as he watched Li Xian amidst the chaos. "She's gone beyond even what I imagined… if we continue like this, the Black Dragon faction won't just survive—they'll dominate."
The following day, Shen Mu summoned the entire faction to the great hall. Silence fell immediately. Even the new recruits, buzzing with excitement from the previous night, straightened instinctively.
Shen Mu's expression was serious, his voice calm but carrying the weight of command. "Black Dragon faction, listen carefully. A message has arrived from Sect Leader Yan."
Whispers spread like wildfire. "Sect Leader Yan? What is it? Is it a mission?"
Shen Mu's gaze swept across the hall. "The Holy Labyrinths of the Black Mountains are awakening. Within weeks, their gates will open. These labyrinths contain treasures, artifacts, and secrets… beyond imagination. Many factions, including Tier One and Tier Two, will send disciples to compete."
A hush fell. Even Bao Fu stopped mid-breath, disbelief in his wide eyes.
"Each faction may send only two disciples," Shen Mu continued. "The labyrinths are dangerous. Their energies can crush the unprepared. Their trials will challenge every skill, every ounce of will. And the rewards… will be capable of shifting the balance of power in the world."
Chen Yuan's jaw tightened. "So, it's not just a test of strength… but strategy, intelligence, and survival."
Yan Mei's eyes gleamed faintly. "And only two? That means every decision counts. No room for mistakes."
Lu Mao's face darkened slightly, resolve hardening. "We'll need to prepare. Every recruit, every mission, every bit of cultivation… we cannot afford weakness. The Black Dragons will not enter unprepared."
Shen Mu's gaze rested finally on Li Xian, pride and caution intertwining. "Leader Li, your recent breakthrough has brought the faction to a new height. But the labyrinths… will test even you. Do not underestimate what lies within."
Li Xian bowed slightly, determination flaring in her eyes. "Understood, Master Shen Mu. We will be ready."
The hall emptied slowly, each member of the Black Dragon faction carrying the weight of the coming trials. The labyrinths would open, mysteries would call, and treasures that could shape the world awaited. But for now, their rise was undeniable, and their unity stronger than ever.
From the peak of the Black Mountains to the bustling streets of Azure City, the whispers of the Black Dragon faction's power began to spread. The storm was coming, and when it broke, every faction, every sect, every cultivator would know their name.
And at the center of it all stood Li Xian, her eyes glowing with the power of a Martial King, the burden of the past lifted, and the promise of a future forged in fire and qi.