Liu Institute.
Liu Ze sat upright in a chair, a cup of fine tea between his fingers, steam spiraling into the air.
"Dad!"
Liu Nianbo stopped practicing his Mantis Fist and walked over, wiping sweat from his brow. "I heard Gao Sheng failed in his attempt to reach Transmutation Force? Is that barrier... really so difficult to cross?"
His tone was tinged with disbelief.
"Naturally. Breaching these gates is like ascending to the heavens. In the Third Realm, each barrier is harder to overcome than the last."
Liu Ze's gaze was calm as he said, "I heard he didn't damage his foundation, so he should have a chance to try again."
Liu Nianbo fell silent for a moment, a flicker of longing in his eyes. "Dad, are my chances good?"
"You have a chance."
Liu Ze set down his teacup and said bluntly, "But it's not a great one."
The light in Liu Nianbo's eyes dimmed.
