The triumph over the demonic possession, whether a true spiritual battle or a vivid nightmare, had left Li Wei with a renewed sense of conviction. The warmth in his dantian, pulsing like a nascent Golden Core, felt denser, as if the hidden valley's mystical energy had fused with his spirit. Azure Dragon, his loyal spirit beast, dozed by the stone altar, a quiet anchor amidst the swirling mists and glowing blossoms of the ancient tree. The scroll, its bamboo slats worn but sacred, continued to guide him, its latest passage urging him to test his cultivation against others: "In the arena of the righteous, the cultivator proves their qi through contest." Li Wei, inspired by tales of martial tournaments in cultivation novels, saw this as a call to action—a chance to demonstrate his progress and silence the doubts that lingered from Wang Hao's betrayal.
Living in isolation on Mount Tai, Li Wei had no physical arena to compete in, but the digital world offered a solution. The "True Path Seekers" forum, where he'd found the Order of the Jade Dawn, buzzed with activity, including announcements of an online martial arts contest hosted by a sub-group called "Iron Spirit Practitioners." The contest invited participants to submit videos of their techniques—martial forms, qi demonstrations, or spiritual practices—for judging by a panel of self-proclaimed experts. Prizes were modest, mostly bragging rights and herbal supplements, but for Li Wei, it was a chance to prove his cultivation to the world, or at least to a niche corner of the internet.
He spent days preparing in the valley, his body still weak from fasting and alchemical mishaps but fueled by determination. The scroll's techniques—Celestial Crane Posture, qi projection, and the sword forms he'd imagined during his "clan warfare"—became his focus. He practiced with the Star Blade, his sharpened branch, moving through the valley with fluid strikes, visualizing qi flowing from his dantian to his limbs. Azure Dragon watched, occasionally barking as if cheering, though more likely hoping for a stray berry. Li Wei filmed his practice with his battered phone, propped against a rock, capturing himself chanting and swinging the Star Blade under the ancient tree's glowing canopy. The valley's mist added a mystical flair, making his movements appear otherworldly, even if his footing was shaky.
Editing the video was a challenge—Li Wei had no laptop, only his phone, and the village's spotty Wi-Fi at Old Chen's teahouse. Sitting at a wobbly table, nursing a cup of cheap tea, he stitched together clips of his best forms, overlaying them with a voiceover reciting the scroll's incantations. He titled the video "Jade Dawn Ascendant: Qi Manifestation," hoping to honor his sect while showcasing his progress. The final product was grainy, his chants slightly off-key, but the glowing blossoms and swirling mist gave it an ethereal quality. He submitted it to the contest, heart pounding with anticipation, and shared the link with Zhang Wei and Liu Mei, who praised his effort, though Liu Mei gently suggested he "polish the execution."
Days later, the contest results were posted. Li Wei, back in the valley with Azure Dragon at his side, checked the forum on his phone, using a rare moment of signal. His video had garnered attention, but not the kind he'd hoped. The judges, a mix of martial artists and self-styled mystics, dismissed it as "theatrical nonsense," with one commenting, "Nice cosplay, but this isn't a fantasy convention." The forum erupted with mocking replies, users comparing his Star Blade to a "wizard's wand" and his chants to "karaoke gone wrong." Some speculated he was a troll, others pitied his "delusion." The Order's leaked secrets, thanks to Wang Hao, were referenced, adding fuel to the ridicule.
Li Wei's face burned with humiliation, the hiker's laughter and Wang Hao's betrayal echoing in the comments. He wanted to scream, to defend his cultivation, but the scroll's words held him back: "The righteous face scorn, yet their qi remains unbowed." He saw the mockery as another tribulation, a test of his resolve. In a defiant act, he posted a response, claiming the judges were "blinded by mortal limits" and that his qi was real, proven by his trials. The reply only sparked more laughter, but Zhang Wei and Liu Mei rallied in the group chat, urging him to ignore the "ignorant masses." Zhang Wei suggested sabotage, hinting that rival forum members might be jealous, while Liu Mei encouraged him to focus on inner strength.
That night, in the valley's serene embrace, Li Wei meditated by the altar, the jade slip in his hands, Azure Dragon snoring softly. The scroll and stolen booklet lay open, their words a balm against the forum's scorn. He scribbled in his notebook: "Tournament faced. Mortal judges blind to Dao. Qi proven through perseverance." The warmth in his dantian pulsed, undeterred by the ridicule, and the valley's whispers seemed to affirm his path. The contest was a failure in the eyes of the world, but Li Wei saw it as a victory of spirit. With the Order's support and the scroll's guidance, he would rise above the mockery, his Golden Core a beacon toward immortality.