Back at the Yunlan Sect, Ye Chen sealed himself in his chambers, beginning a period of intense closed-door cultivation.
Days passed quietly, and soon, the sect's grand competition was just around the corner.
Inside his room, Ye Chen sat cross-legged, his palms pressing against a glowing fourth-tier magic core.
His breathing was steady yet powerful, each inhale drawing torrents of energy into his body.
The Swallowing Origin Technique roared within him, refining the surging energy and forcing it into his qi cyclone.
Then, suddenly....something extraordinary happened.
Within the storm of energy inside his dantian, a faint silver light began to shine.
Slowly, the light condensed into a tiny crystal, no larger than a thumb, floating silently at the very center of the vortex.
Ye Chen's consciousness trembled as he stared at it.
The crystal radiated a gentle brilliance, fragile yet full of boundless potential.
From its very presence, a soothing comfort spread into his soul.
That crystal… was none other than the Dou Crystal.
The defining mark of a true Da Dou Shi!
A thrill ran through Ye Chen's body. In the world of cultivation, countless people struggled their whole lives just to condense this little crystal.
It represented the culmination of one's qi, the solid core of power that allowed a cultivator to truly step into the higher ranks.
From this moment onward, he was no longer a simple Dou Shi. He was something greater.
Ye Chen opened his eyes. His pupils gleamed with sharp light.
He clenched his fists, feeling the overflowing strength coursing through him.
"At last… I've broken through." His lips curled into a satisfied smile.
He stood and took a step forward. In that instant, his body blurred like a shadow, reappearing outside in the courtyard as if he had teleported.
Fixing his eyes on a large bluestone nearby, Ye Chen drew in a deep breath.
Silver light wrapped around his fist like liquid flame. With a sudden roar, he punched forward.
"Boom!"
The ground trembled as his fist smashed straight through the massive stone, scattering shards in all directions. Dust filled the air.
When the smoke cleared, Ye Chen withdrew his arm, staring at the gaping hole and the deep cracks left behind. A faint laugh escaped his lips.
He flexed his fingers, letting silver energy dance around them.
Then, with a casual flick, he shot a thin beam of energy outward.
"Swish!"
The silver light tore through the air like an arrow, striking the ground with an explosive bang that left a smoking crater.
Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Dou Qi release… this is the power of a Da Dou Shi!"
His laughter echoed through the courtyard. He had taken yet another step forward on his path to the peak.
And this was only the beginning.
The Yunlan Sect was buzzing with excitement.
At the heart of the mountain range stood a grand, majestic palace, its presence commanding reverence.
In front of the palace stretched a vast open plaza, large enough to hold thousands.
Today, this very plaza had been transformed into the arena for one of the most anticipated events of the year....the Inner Sect Tournament.
At the plaza's center, nine massive stone platforms rose high.
Each was carved entirely from obsidian-like rock, sturdy enough to withstand even the strikes of a Dou Wang powerhouse.
They loomed like dark monuments, a silent testament to the sect's grandeur.
By now, the entire square was already packed with people.
Disciples in white robes swarmed the grounds, filling every corner with their chatter and laughter.
The air hummed with anticipation, the noise so loud it seemed to shake the mountain itself.
Word of the Inner Sect Tournament had spread far and wide.
To disciples, this was not merely a competition...it was the stage where reputations were made and futures decided.
Even those who had no confidence in their strength still rushed over, eager to witness the spectacle.
Some had arrived long before dawn, staking out the best spots just to get a good view.
After all, such grand events were rare, and no one wanted to miss even a second.
When Ye Chen finally stepped into the plaza, he was greeted by a sea of faces.
The sight of so many people would have daunted most, but he simply swept his gaze calmly over the crowd before heading toward the palace.
At the front of the grand hall, a row of seats had been arranged, reserved for the highest-ranking members of the Yunlan Sect.
Today, more than a dozen elders sat there, their expressions solemn as they looked over the gathered disciples.
At the very center, on the main seat.....was none other than the sect master herself.....Yun Yun.
Her serene beauty was as awe-inspiring as ever, her posture straight, her aura calm yet unshakable.
As Ye Chen approached, her eyes shifted, locking onto him immediately.
"Teacher," Ye Chen greeted respectfully, bowing deeply before her.
Yun Yun gave a small nod in return, her tone faint but gentle. "Mm." Then, as if recalling something, her brows lifted slightly. "Ye Chen, come here."
Without hesitation, Ye Chen walked up to her. But just as he stopped before her, Yun Yun suddenly reached out, her slender jade-like hand gripping his arm.
A surge of refined Dou Qi flowed swiftly into his body.
Her eyes widened.
"You… you've broken through!"
A flicker of astonishment crossed her usually calm features.
What she sensed from his meridians was unmistakable.
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