At the Mountain Peak
Xue Lian returned to the mountain peak, her presence as elegant as a phoenix gliding through a winter storm. Her raven-black hair cascaded like silk down her back, contrasting beautifully with her blue eyes—eyes as deep and endless as the ocean itself. The morning breeze rustled her robes as she stepped lightly across the stone floor, her gaze softening when she saw her master.
He was seated in the center of the peak, cross-legged, motionless, surrounded by an eerie, shimmering black barrier. His posture radiated an air of serenity and strength, like an ancient monk on the verge of enlightenment.
"He's… breaking through?" she whispered, awe flickering in her eyes. "No wonder the sky feels heavier today."
It had been a full day since she'd left to hunt, and now her heart fluttered with excitement. The idea of her master growing even more powerful filled her with pride. She glanced down at her hands, casually dropping the two massive beasts she carried like they were mere chickens from the market.
One was a tiger—twice the size of an ox, its fur striped with flame-like patterns. The other was a serpent-like beast, its body still faintly glowing with residual energy. Both were peak-level Foundation Establishment creatures.
She stretched her arms with a satisfied smile. "Pfft, early-stage Foundation Establishment, and I'm already wrestling with peak-layer beast like it's lunchtime."
Her smile faltered slightly as her gaze settled back on the black barrier surrounding her master.
She tried to sense its energy.
Nope. Nothing.
She squinted harder.
Still nothing.
"What in the heavens is this barrier made of?" she muttered, poking it lightly. "Black iron? Spirit essence? Premium-grade stubbornness?"
She sighed and sat cross-legged a few meters away, determined not to waste time. If her master was cultivating, then so would she. That way, when he finally came out, she could flash her accomplishments with a humble yet obviously not-so-humble look.
---
Back in the Legacy Trial
I sat peacefully within the glowing chamber, legs crossed, eyes closed, calmly cultivating as if I hadn't just cheated death five times. Time passed in a haze, and soon enough, the others began to wake up.
Thirty minutes left until the Trial of Illusion ended.
Wang Tiewa was the first to emerge, second only to me in speed. I had to give it to him—he was consistent. A little annoying, but consistent.
Liu Maofan followed, yawning dramatically like he had just come back from a vacation. "Ugh, illusions. Why is it always spiders and heartbreak?"
Then came Yon Wuxie, adjusting his disheveled robes with a brooding glare. "Took longer than I thought," he muttered, brushing dust off his sleeve.
The last two participants, Hei Xianzun and Ge Wuzhang, failed to pass in time, returning empty-handed except for a consolation prize—an Earth-Rank technique.
The elders from their sects sighed like disappointed parents at a school play. "Ah, such potential... such a pity... but at least you didn't die."
Still, they applauded half-heartedly, like nobles forced to attend a poor cousin's wedding.
Then came the Battle Trial.
Liu Maofan and Yon Wuxie, both at Core Formation Early Stage, stepped forward confidently. Wang Tiewa and I were still at Foundation Establishment, though he was Peak Layer while I was, well… Early Layer.
Not that they were worried about me.
I stood quietly at the side, arms folded, looking like a bystander waiting for the tea to steep.
Then the Guardian appeared—a massive humanoid beast of stone and thunder. Its body was forged from mountain rocks and reinforced by ancient runes, glowing ominously.
The three geniuses charged in. At first, they were tossed around like laundry in a typhoon. But soon enough, they regained footing, their powerful techniques clashing against the Guardian with explosive force.
Bit by bit, cracks began to form on the creature's stony hide.
They were fighting tooth and nail, panting, bleeding, shouting war cries that could frighten birds ten miles away.
And me?
I smiled peacefully.
"Now, if I just… walk over there… and 'accidentally' land the finishing blow…"
It was perfect. They were too focused on the fight to notice me casually strolling toward the next gate, whistling like a tourist. They didn't even spare me a glance.
"Ah, sweet neglect," I whispered, pulling out a gleaming Earth-Rank sword.
The moment its aura was released, every sect elder watching sat up straight.
"Earth-Rank Sword?! From a Foundation Establishment kid?! Impossible!"
Someone gasped "his definitely from the Shadow Veil Sect!"
The battlefield froze just long enough for me to strike.
One clean cut.
The Guardian howled, then crumbled into dust.
Everyone was stunned.
A burst of ethereal laughter echoed from the skies. The old man overseeing the trial chuckled.
"Good! Good! Crafty one, aren't you?" he said. "Since you delivered the final blow, the extra reward is yours."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
"S-SHAMeless!" someone from the Wang Sect muttered through clenched teeth.
"He stole the kill!"
"Cheater!"
But no one could argue—the old man's word was law. Like, immortal-grandpa kind of law.
[System Notification: Host has slain a Core Formation Guardian while in Foundation Establishment Realm. Rewards Doubled.]
[Reward: Shadow Veil Sect Sword Technique (Complete). Bonus Reward: 'Perfect Compatible technique for Overflowing Sword' Technique Acquired.]
I beamed. My smile was so wide it could've lit up the entire trial grounds. From my perspective, everyone else just looked like angry vegetables.
The three geniuses stood frozen in place, faces twitching with fury. I could feel their killing intent rising like steam from a boiling pot.
But before they could do anything…
I waved and strolled straight toward the final trial.
---
The Trial of Determination
Before me stretched a towering staircase leading into the heavens—literally. Each step shimmered with spiritual pressure, and the higher it rose, the heavier the air became.
The old man's voice echoed again.
"The Trial of Determination. With every step, the pressure will increase. Only the one who reaches the top shall obtain the legacy."
I smirked.
"Sounds fun."
I stepped onto the first stair.
Pressure? Bah.
Second stair. Third. Tenth. Fiftieth.
Behind me, Wang Tiewa followed, then Yon Wuxie, then Liu Maofan. Each step was a battle, a test of willpower. The audience watched with bated breath as we pushed upward, sweat pouring, robes fluttering like torn sails in a storm.
Then came the wind.
A divine-level slap to the face.
Wang Tiewa stumbled. "Hah! Is that all?" he growled.
I wanted to curse. "Why is he so lucky?! No wind, no pressure—he just climbs like it's a morning jog!"
But I gritted my teeth and climbed.
My breath grew ragged. Blood leaked from my lips. My vision swam, but then—I saw it.
The legacy.
Just a few more steps.
I burst forward, ignoring the pain. My steps were wild, blood leaving a trail behind me.
"He's insane!" someone whispered below.
I laughed like a lunatic. "Insane? No I'm determined!"
Just one step left.
But so was Wang Tiewa.
We were neck and neck.
I glanced at him, then smiled coldly. "Stupid."
And I pushed him.
The crowd screamed.
The Wang Sect elders nearly fainted from rage.
Wang Tiewa tumbled down the stairs, shouting profanities, his fists shaking with helpless fury.
"HE—HE PUSHED ME!"
Fourth place for you, buddy.
I stepped into the temple with a satisfied sigh.
---
Back on the Mountain Peak
Meanwhile, back at the mountain peak, Xue Lian was still cultivating. A peaceful smile danced on her lips as she gazed at the sky, feeling the wind on her face
she whispered and smile "this is what freedom feels like…"
Her master's black barrier still pulsed silently in the background.
[4 powerstone for extra chapters TvT]