The night air on the Azure Cloud Sect's cliffside was sharp and cold. The moon hung like a blade in the sky, its pale light spilling over the jagged rocks. Li Feng stood silently, his back straight, his eyes calm as ever.
Across from him, Wu Jian cracked his knuckles, a cruel grin spreading over his face. His two lackeys stood behind him, laughing mockingly.
"Look at him," one sneered. "The cripple dares to glare back at Senior Brother Wu? Hahaha, maybe humiliation has driven him mad."
The other added, "Doesn't matter. After tonight, he won't even be able to walk."
Wu Jian's aura flared, a suffocating wave of Qi pressing against the night air. He was at the Body Refinement 3rd Stage—not a genius, but strong enough to crush an ordinary outer disciple. Against Li Feng, who had been declared a talentless waste just hours ago, it should have been effortless.
Yet Li Feng's gaze remained steady, his expression calm. His fingers brushed the rough surface of the cliff behind him. His senses were heightened—not by fear, but by the system that pulsed faintly in his mind.
[Mission: Defeat Wu Jian → Reward: Unknown Evolution]
Wu Jian stepped forward, his footsteps echoing like war drums. "Trash," he spat. "I'll break your bones one by one. That way, you'll learn your place."
He lunged, his fist glowing faintly with Qi. The air cracked as the punch tore toward Li Feng's chest.
Li Feng twisted his body at the last instant. The blow grazed his ribs, sending a shock of pain through him. He stumbled, blood rising in his throat, but did not fall.
Wu Jian's brows rose slightly. "Oh? You didn't fall with one strike? Then I'll just hit harder."
He struck again, a sweeping kick this time. Li Feng tried to dodge, but he was too slow. The impact slammed into his side, hurling him into the cliff wall. Dust rained down as stone cracked.
Li Feng coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. His vision blurred for a moment.
And then—
[Emergency Mission: Survive combat for 3 minutes → Reward: +3 Evolution Points]
The system's cold voice echoed in his mind. A faint timer appeared, counting down from three minutes.
Li Feng wiped the blood from his mouth. His eyes sharpened. Three minutes… if I endure, I will evolve.
Wu Jian advanced again, laughing. "Is that all? You're even weaker than I thought. I'll end this quickly."
His followers jeered from the sidelines. "Senior Brother Wu, don't finish him too fast! Let the trash crawl a bit first!"
But Li Feng no longer heard them. Every ounce of his focus was on survival. He analyzed Wu Jian's movements—strong but arrogant, fast but predictable.
The first minute passed in a blur of dodges and desperate sidesteps. Li Feng used the terrain, rolling behind rocks, slipping just out of reach. Each close call left shallow cuts and bruises, but he endured.
Wu Jian's temper flared. "You dare dodge me? You think you can run forever?"
He unleashed a flurry of strikes, Qi surging through his arms. Li Feng barely avoided a crushing palm that shattered the stone beside his head.
Two minutes.
Sweat ran down Li Feng's back. His breathing grew heavy. His body screamed in pain. But his mind remained razor-sharp. Just one more minute.
Wu Jian's lackeys grew impatient. "Senior Brother, finish him! You'll waste your energy on this cripple!"
Wu Jian snarled, his pride wounded. "No. I'll break him slowly. I'll make him beg."
He charged again, fists like hammers. Li Feng stumbled, his body at the edge of collapse—
Ding!
[Mission Complete: +3 Evolution Points.]
[Evergreen Root → Verdant Spirit Root.]
Li Feng's vision cleared instantly. A surge of vitality flooded his body, repairing torn muscles, strengthening his bones. His meridians thrummed as energy flowed freely for the first time.
A new description appeared before his eyes:
Verdant Spirit Root – Absorbs one strand of energy every ten breaths. Enhances resilience and accelerates recovery.
Li Feng rose slowly to his feet. Blood still stained his lips, but his posture was steady once more.
Wu Jian paused, frowning. "What? You were half-dead a moment ago. How are you standing?"
Li Feng met his gaze calmly. "You spoke of breaking me. But tell me, Wu Jian… what will you do if I refuse to break?"
His voice was quiet, but the firmness within it sent a strange chill through the night air.
Wu Jian roared. "Arrogant cripple! You think one lucky breath will save you?"
He launched forward, throwing a vicious punch. This time, Li Feng's eyes tracked every movement. His body moved with newfound sharpness. He sidestepped cleanly, and for the first time, struck back.
His fist shot into Wu Jian's ribs, a precise strike that made the bully grunt in surprise.
Wu Jian staggered a step. "You…!"
Before he could recover, Li Feng twisted, grabbing Wu Jian's wrist as the next punch came. With a calm twist of his body, he redirected the force, sending Wu Jian stumbling forward.
The lackeys' laughter died in their throats.
Wu Jian turned, face twisted with rage. "You dare make me stumble?!"
He gathered Qi into his palm, the air around him vibrating. "Fine! If you want to die, I'll grant your wish. Watch closely—this is my Iron Crushing Palm!"
A golden sheen coated his hand, power surging. Even the air seemed to warp. This was a martial technique, far deadlier than his casual strikes.
The system's panel flashed in Li Feng's vision:
[New Mission: Endure or counter Wu Jian's Iron Crushing Palm → Reward: Skill Evolution.]
Li Feng's heart pounded, but his eyes remained calm. He adjusted his stance, grounding himself. His mind was cold, analytical. This is fate's test. If I survive this, I will rise beyond trash.
The cliffside howled as Wu Jian's palm tore through the air, descending toward Li Feng's chest like a mountain.
Li Feng clenched his fists, the system's glow reflecting in his dark eyes.
And as the attack neared, he whispered under his breath:
"If fate dares to call me trash… then I'll evolve even fate itself."
The chapter ended as the golden palm descended, the light illuminating the unshaken expression on Li Feng's face.