By the time Li Xuan reached his small room, his legs felt like they were made of wet paper. The moment the door closed behind him, his knees almost gave out.
He leaned against the wooden wall, breathing heavily.
His shoulder burned from the hit he gave Zhao Ren, and his ribs felt tight, like something inside was pulling every time he inhaled. Sweat mixed with dried rainwater on his skin, leaving him cold and sticky.
But none of that mattered.
He survived.He fought back.He looked his enemies in the eyes and did not break.
He walked slowly to sit on the edge of his bed.
"You are reckless," the Grand Immortal's voice said quietly.
Li Xuan gave a tiny, tired smile. "Maybe… but I'm still alive."
—Barely. Those three were close to landing a real hit. Your body is still too weak.
Li Xuan lowered his head a little.
"Yes… I know."
The Immortal's tone softened, just a little.—But you made them fear you. Today's fight changed something. Not just in your body… but in your heart.
Li Xuan's fingers tightened on the blanket.
He didn't feel proud.He didn't feel brave.
He only felt something new — something small but steady.
Determination.
"Can I… train more tonight?" Li Xuan asked.
—Yes. But first, check your injuries.
Li Xuan lifted his sleeve.Purple bruises covered his arm.His shoulder was swollen.His ribs stung whenever he moved too fast.
—You took more damage than you let them see, the Immortal murmured.
He nodded lightly. "But I'm used to pain."
—Do not be used to pain, the Immortal said firmly. You will not grow strong if you accept suffering as normal. Pain is a warning, not a companion.
Li Xuan froze for a moment.
No one… had ever spoken to him like that before.
He took a quiet breath and sat cross-legged on the bed. "Teach me again."
—Good. Close your eyes.
Li Xuan obeyed.
The small thread of Qi inside him answered gently, like a weak flame waiting to grow. He guided it toward the half-broken knot at his center.
Slowly.Carefully.
The warmth pushed—
Crack.
A small piece of the blockage broke away.
Li Xuan's fingers tightened.
His breath trembled.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
He felt it again.
Crack.
A larger piece cracked this time. A soft wave of heat spread through his stomach and chest. His ribs hurt less. His breathing became smoother.
He felt… lighter.
—Good, the Immortal said. Your meridians are opening. Slowly… but surely.
"How many more cracks until it fully breaks?" Li Xuan asked softly.
—Dozens, the Immortal answered honestly. But each one will make you stronger. And once the blockage is gone… your real cultivation will begin.
Li Xuan nodded with determination.
His eyes stayed closed as he continued breathing.
But after ten minutes, a sudden pressure hit his chest. Sharp and heavy, like something pushing outward from inside.
He winced but didn't stop.
"Is this normal?" he whispered.
—Yes. Your body is adjusting to Qi flow. But stop now. Rest before you collapse.
Li Xuan opened his eyes slowly.
The world around him felt clearer.
Colors sharper.Sounds cleaner.His thoughts calmer.
He had only opened a few cracks…but the difference was real.
He looked at the small window.
Night had fallen completely.
A quiet breeze slipped into the room, brushing against his face. The moonlight through the cracked glass made the shadows on the floor stretch long and cold.
And yet, inside Li Xuan's chest, warmth slowly circled.
He lay down carefully, trying not to disturb his ribs. The bed creaked slightly under him.
As his eyes began to close, the Grand Immortal spoke again.
—Listen well, Li Xuan.—Your enemies will not rest. Elder Qiu is watching. Zhao Ren is angry. And the sect… is shifting.
Li Xuan's eyes opened halfway.
"What do you mean? Shifting?"
—Something is coming. A change. A stir. I can feel it in the Qi of the mountain.
Li Xuan swallowed quietly.
"What should I do?"
The Immortal answered calmly:
—Grow. Even if you break your bones, even if you bleed, even if the world ignores you… grow.—The night is long, but it cannot last forever.
Li Xuan let out a slow breath and finally allowed his body to rest.
His eyelids grew heavy.
The bruises hurt.His body felt weak.But his heart — for the first time in years — felt strong.
Tomorrow would not be easy.
But he would no longer live on his knees.
As he drifted into sleep, the final thought in his mind was simple:
I will rise.