Three months.
Three months of sweat, blood, and endless repetition.
Li Wei sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his body trembling as qi surged through his meridians. The Wind Blade technique had become a part of him—every circulation, every projection, every blade of condensed wind flowed naturally, instinctively.
Yet…
Something was wrong.
He had reached the peak of Qi Gathering.
He had cultivated. Pushed. Focused. Spent countless hours fusing elemental power.
And still, he could not break through.
A heavy sigh escaped him.
It's not the technique… it's me.
Li Wei's mind raced. He understood clearly now: the next major realm—Qi Formation—would require more than just raw power. He needed resources, opportunities, and a chance to survive long enough to make the leap. And luck was never on his side.
Then, the notice came.
A formal compilation for entering the inner courtyard—the main Azure Peak—was announced.
All outer disciples were summoned. Attendance was mandatory.
Li Wei froze.
He had been in seclusion for three months. He hadn't expected this. He didn't know what awaited him.
He swallowed hard and left his room with Wang Hao trailing behind.
As he approached the assembly courtyard, movement and chatter filled the air. Outer disciples were talking nervously, some whispering about who would make it to the inner courtyard this year.
And then…
Zhao Yuan returned.
No announcement. No fanfare. Just him, walking with a calm smile that seemed to stretch across the courtyard like a shadow.
Li Wei's pulse quickened.
From afar, the System spoke in his mind.
[Extreme Hostility Detected – Zhao Yuan]
But something was different this time.
[One-Second Kill Possible – Target Eligible]
Li Wei's lips pressed together. His Wind Blade had reached a level where, in theory, he could erase Zhao Yuan in one second if necessary.
Yet the thought of the inner courtyard exam brought a chill.
Zhao Yuan isn't alone. He has senior sisters, senior brothers… his clan members… all of them could notice me.
Li Wei's stomach sank.
If all of them harbor hostility at the same time…
One second won't save me.
I'm done for.
Meanwhile, the previous mission surfaced again in his System window:
[Mission Active]
Objective: Kill Zhao Yuan within three days.
Reward: Ultimate reward unlocked.
Failure: Permanent cultivation suppression.
Li Wei clenched his fists, the weight of the System's law pressing down on him.
Three days… and now inner courtyard exam…
If Zhao Yuan's clan and sect seniors attack me simultaneously, Extreme Hostility will trigger repeatedly… and I can't afford multiple seals.
He exhaled, forcing his fear to the back of his mind.
I can only rely on speed. Precision. And Wind Blade.
This time, he would not show weakness.
The inner courtyard awaited.
Zhao Yuan awaited.
And within three days, everything could end in one second.
Li Wei's eyes narrowed, cold and calculating.
I will survive. I will grow stronger. And when the time comes…
They all will die before I blink.