The next few days passed in a tense hush. Within the Li Clan, disciples trained harder than ever. Whispers of Li Tianming's recovery spread beyond the estate walls, seeping into taverns and markets of Azure Cloud City.
Some scoffed at the rumor.
"Impossible. Once a cripple, always a cripple."
Others laughed.
"He was abandoned by Zhao Yue. What face does he have left?"
But a few, remembering Tianming's brilliance from years past, murmured cautiously.
"If it's true, then perhaps the heavens have not forgotten him after all…"
---
The Sect's Proclamation
At noon, the city's central plaza filled with thousands. On a towering platform, disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect unfurled a massive scroll, their blue robes fluttering in the breeze.
A clear voice rang out, amplified by spiritual qi.
"By order of the Sect Master, the Azure Cloud Sect Entrance Trials shall be held one month from today! All youths under twenty-five within the Northern Province are eligible. Those who prove themselves shall be admitted to the sect!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. For countless families and clans, this was the greatest chance for glory. To join Azure Cloud Sect was to gain protection, resources, and a path toward immortality.
More voices followed:
"This year's trials will be judged by Elder Qingxu of the Inner Court. Rankings will be determined by combat performance. The top ten will be granted special privileges."
Then, with a flourish, the herald added:
"Among the participants, Zhao Yue of the Zhao Clan, former fiancée of Li Tianming, is already recognized as the favorite to take first place."
The crowd roared. "Zhao Yue! The pride of Azure Cloud City!"
"Her talent is unmatched, her beauty like a celestial fairy. Truly, no one can rival her."
In the shadows of the plaza, Li Tianming stood quietly, his hood drawn low. His fists clenched as Zhao Yue's name echoed in the air.
Favorite to take first place? His lips curled into a cold smile. We'll see about that.
---
System Quest Update
As though responding to his thoughts, the System chimed.
[Ding!]
"Main Quest: Azure Cloud Sect Trials."
– Achieve Top 10 ranking.
– Bonus Objective 1: Defeat Li Hao publicly.
– Bonus Objective 2: Humiliate Zhao Yue in combat.
Reward: Spiritual Root Enhancement + Random High-Grade Treasure + Lottery Spin
Failure: -50 Points, Reduced Cultivation Speed
Li Tianming's eyes narrowed. "So the heavens themselves demand her humiliation."
For two years, she had spat on him, trampled on his pride, and abandoned him in his lowest moment. Now fate had arranged a stage for revenge.
---
Back at the Clan
That evening, the clan's training field buzzed with activity. Dozens of disciples sparred under the watchful eyes of instructors.
Li Tianming walked onto the grounds, wooden practice sword at his side. Instantly, whispers spread.
"That's him. The cripple who suddenly cultivates again."
"I heard he defeated Li Hao. Is that true?"
"Nonsense. Li Hao must have held back."
Ignoring them, Tianming drew his sword and began practicing the Nine Stances of the Basic Sword Arts. His movements flowed with deadly rhythm, qi humming faintly at each slash.
As he trained, his System flashed notifications.
[Sword Arts Proficiency: 36% → 52% → 71%...]
Within days, he had reached a mastery most disciples struggled months to attain.
An instructor watching nearby frowned. "This brat… his foundation is sharper than expected."
---
Encounter with Zhao Yue
Fate, however, had sharper plans.
One afternoon, as Tianming exited the training field, laughter and chatter rose from the gate.
A group of young cultivators in azure robes strolled in, led by a striking girl in white silk. Her figure was slender yet elegant, her features delicate as jade, her eyes like cold stars.
It was Zhao Yue.
The sight of her made the Li Clan disciples straighten in awe. Some bowed, others whispered eagerly.
"Fairy Zhao Yue has returned from her training."
"She's already at the Qi Refining 7th Stage. Truly astonishing!"
Tianming's jaw tightened. Once, those eyes had looked at him with admiration, even affection. Now they glanced past him as though he were dust.
Her gaze flickered briefly toward him, lips curving faintly. "So the rumors were true. You can walk upright again."
The disciples chuckled.
Li Tianming met her gaze coolly. "And you still speak as if your words carry weight over me."
Her eyes sharpened. "Be careful, Tianming. I don't know what trick you used to crawl back from being a cripple, but at the Sect trials, you will see the difference between heaven and earth."
He stepped closer, voice low but sharp. "Zhao Yue, when the day comes, I'll show everyone that casting me aside was the greatest mistake of your life."
Gasps rippled. No one dared speak to her like that.
Zhao Yue's face remained cold, but a faint twitch betrayed her irritation. With a wave of her sleeve, she turned away. "We'll see."
---
System Reaction
[Ding!]
"Side Quest Activated: Shut Zhao Yue's mouth within 10 moves at the Azure Cloud Sect Trials."
Reward: Rare Weapon – Heavenly Steel Sword
Tianming smirked. "Don't worry, System. I won't need 10 moves."
---
Su Ning's Resolve
That night, Su Ning visited Tianming's courtyard again. She looked troubled.
"Tianming… I heard Zhao Yue herself challenged you. You must be careful. She's not only talented, but the Zhao Clan will stop at nothing to elevate her."
He nodded. "I know. But that's all the more reason I can't falter."
She hesitated, then whispered, "Then… I will join the trials too."
Tianming blinked. "You? But Ning'er, your talent—"
She clenched her fists. "I may not be a genius, but I won't stand by while you fight alone. If you rise, I'll rise with you."
Her eyes burned with determination.
The System chimed.
[Potential Harem Member Su Ning – Bond Strengthened. Compatibility: 87%. Hidden Potential Unlocked.]
Tianming's heart stirred. Hidden Potential? So even Ning'er carries fate's secrets.
---
A Month to Prepare
Over the following weeks, Tianming pushed himself to the limit. Every day, he trained sword arts, circulated qi, and refined his body with the System's guidance.
[Daily Quests Completed: +20 Points each day.]
[Total Points: 340.]
With his accumulated points, he purchased Qi Condensation Pills and another Body Tempering Elixir. His cultivation surged.
[Ding!]
"Cultivation Breakthrough: Qi Refining 1st Stage → Qi Refining 3rd Stage."
His body thrummed with power. Each strike of his sword split the air with a whistle, leaving faint cracks in stone targets.
But he knew it wasn't enough. Li Hao was at 4th Stage, Zhao Yue at 7th. He had to climb higher—fast.
---
Elder Mei's Plot
Meanwhile, Elder Mei seethed in the shadows. Watching Tianming's rapid growth, her hatred only deepened.
"He must not be allowed to shine again. If he humiliates Li Hao at the trials, my son's reputation will be ruined."
She summoned a servant. "Spread word to the Zhao Clan. Tell them we will support Zhao Yue in exchange for ensuring Tianming never passes the trials."
The servant bowed deeply. "Yes, Elder."
---
The Final Night
The night before the trials, Tianming stood beneath the moon, sword in hand. Sweat glistened on his skin, but his eyes were sharp, unwavering.
"Li Hao, Zhao Yue, the entire Northern Province… tomorrow, you will witness my return."
As his sword cleaved through the air, a surge of qi rippled outward, shaking the courtyard walls.
[Ding!]
"Sword Arts Mastery Achieved: 100%. Basic Sword Arts evolved into 'Azure Cloud Sword Style.'"
Tianming exhaled, steady and calm. The time had come.