Chapter 9: The Path of Preparation
The Azure Cloud Pavilion buzzed with anticipation as the outer disciple tournament loomed, a month away. Li Wei, now settled in his stone hut, felt the weight of Elder Mei's words: the tournament would test not just strength, but cunning and spirit. At the fifth stage of Qi Condensation, he was stronger than most outer disciples, but the pavilion teemed with talents—some at the seventh or eighth stage, and rumors spoke of prodigies nearing Foundation Establishment. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art scroll, tucked beneath his robe, pulsed as if urging him to rise to the challenge.
Each morning, Li Wei tended the spirit herb gardens, their Moonshade Leaves and Firethorn Roots glowing faintly under his Spirit Sense. The work was menial, but it allowed him to harvest scraps of herbs for his alchemy. Nights were for cultivation, refining qi with the Heavenly Breath Technique. The scroll revealed a new technique: Spirit Blade Formation, a defensive array that wove qi into a lattice of sharp, invisible blades. Practicing in the hut's cramped courtyard, Li Wei spun qi threads, forming a shimmering barrier that sliced through falling leaves with precision. The technique drained his qi, but its potential thrilled him.
Elder Mei summoned him to the Alchemy Hall for advanced lessons. "The tournament prizes include a Foundation Establishment Pill," she said, her silver hair glinting in the hall's crystal light. "It could propel you to the next realm. But you'll need more than brute force—refine a Spirit Enhancing Pill for the trial." The pill, she explained, boosted qi recovery during battle, a crucial edge.
Li Wei threw himself into alchemy, balancing the volatile qi of Starbloom Petals and Jade Serpent Vines. His Qi Flame Control steadied the cauldron's heat, but the process was grueling. On his third attempt, the pill formed—a translucent orb radiating soft light. Elder Mei nodded approvingly. "Your talent grows. But beware—others covet what you have."
Her warning proved prophetic. As Li Wei left the hall, Fang Luo blocked his path, his face scarred from their last encounter. Two inner disciples flanked him, their auras at early Foundation Establishment. "You humiliated me," Fang hissed. "But my cousin, Liang Wei, is an inner disciple. Cross me again, and you're done."
Li Wei met his gaze, his Spirit Sense detecting the inner disciples' restrained killing intent. "Threats won't stop me," he said, qi coiling in his dantian. Fang sneered but stepped aside, his eyes promising retribution. Li Wei knew the tournament would be a battlefield, not just of strength but of alliances.
That night, a new figure appeared at his hut—a young woman in azure robes, her hair tied with a jade pin. "I'm Lin Xue," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I saw your duel with Fang. You're bold, but you need allies. Fang's cousin is dangerous." Her qi, at the sixth stage of Qi Condensation, was steady, her eyes sharp with intelligence. Li Wei hesitated, wary of betrayal, but her sincerity disarmed him. "What do you propose?" he asked.
"Train with me," Lin Xue said. "I know formations. Together, we can counter Fang's schemes." Li Wei nodded, sensing an opportunity. The tournament loomed, and he would need every advantage.