Nie Yong's feet sank slightly into the soft soil at Martial Peak's foot. Before him stretched a towering mountain range shrouded in swirling mists, jagged cliffs, and ancient temples—this was the realm where fate and strength intertwined, where true cultivators made their mark.Unlike the chaotic wilderness of his earlier battles, this was a place where order reigned—sects fought quietly yet fiercely for resources, territory, and prestige. The Martial Peak was known far and wide as a place that either forged disciples into legends or broke them into dust.In the original tale of Martial Peak, Yang Kai had climbed from rags and obscurity through relentless struggle, cunning, and steadily advancing cultivation stages. Nie Yong's path mirrored this climb, but with the added burden of Lilith's dark covenant and the ability to copy others' strengths.The sect elders gathered to formally accept Nie Yong as a disciple of the Celestial Tiger Sect, bestowing upon him a jade token—a symbol of his right to train, explore, and compete within Martial Peak's domain. This token would open hidden resources and sect lands to him but also mark him as a target to rival factions.The Celestial Tiger Sect elders explained the harsh reality:
"Martial Peak will push you beyond everything you know. The cultivation here is unlike any other place. The trials grow harder, the enemies stronger. But only by climbing this summit can one hope to reach beyond the realms of mortals."Nie Yong nodded, recalling Yang Kai's tenacity. Like Yang Kai, his ascent would not be by lineage or birthright but by sheer will, determination, and mastery of the cultivation arts.He began exploring sect training grounds and trial zones where disciples sparred, tested new techniques, and sought breakthroughs. Every small victory was a step forward in this brutal climb. His system interface updated: new cultivation stages appeared, with increasingly mystic and dangerous thresholds—Earth Comprehension, Heavenly Ascension, and more.Nie Yong also observed the fierce politics playing out—alliances forged and broken over resources, scrolls, and hidden caves. Just like Yang Kai had navigated the treacherous sect dynamics, Nie Yong had to use both strength and wit to survive and grow.New friends and rivals emerged among disciples—some admired the mysterious shadow power he wielded, others feared it. The presence of Lilith's covenant made Nie Yong an enigma, drawing curiosity and suspicion.This marked the true beginning of his climb—not just the physical ascent of Martial Peak's slopes, but the intricate, perilous journey of climbing the cultivation ladder step by step, trial by trial, confrontation by confrontation.