The courtyard was quiet, Li Yao sat across from Senior Brother Wei in the Azure Wind Courtyard, the tea between them long gone cold. Evening mist drifted over the peak, lending a gentle haze to the air, but the words Wei had spoken still lingered like thunder in Li Yao's mind.
"Only six spots are open for Foundation Establishment disciples," Wei had said, fingers tapping the rim of his teacup. "But I've heard from a reliable source that a total of ten people will enter the Secret Realm this time."
Li Yao frowned slightly. "So the sect has already assigned four spots?"
Wei nodded, his voice lowering. "Yes. Those four have already been reserved by the elders. No one's saying names, but it's clear- some disciples were chosen in advance."
A flicker of memory stirred in Li Yao's heart.
He remembered the quiet, steady voice of his master weeks ago. The old deacon had said, "This time, there are three geniuses in our sect. You'll be the fourth."
He hadn't understood it fully then. But now… it all made sense.
One of the four reserved spots… is mine.
The realization left him strangely conflicted. Relief warred with unease. He had no need to participate in the tournament like the other disciples, yet this privilege had come unearned. He hadn't fought for it.
Wei leaned closer, his tone growing thoughtful. "There's something else. This Secret Realm isn't supposed to open for another forty years."
Li Yao blinked. "What?"
Wei nodded. "The last time it opened was sixty years ago. Normally, these kinds of realms operate on a fixed cycle. But for some reason, the sect has decided to open it early- forty years ahead of schedule."
Li Yao's eyes narrowed. That was no small thing. To forcefully open a sealed realm decades before its natural awakening required immense resources, profound formations, and daring authority.
"Does anyone know why?" he asked.
"No one dares to say aloud. Maybe the higher-ups discovered something inside- an artifact or inheritance. Or maybe it has to do with nurturing a certain disciple."
Li Yao's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be because of me? No… that's impossible.
Shaking his head slightly, he forced the thought down. It must be a coincidence. Perhaps some genius entered the sect recently, and the timing just happens to match mine.
Still, the unease remained.
They spoke a while longer before Li Yao casually mentioned the zither-playing senior sister he had passed on the way.
Wei chuckled at once. "You mean Senior Sister Zhao Lianyin?"
Li Yao nodded.
"She's the first personal disciple taken by my master," Wei said with a smile of pride. "My senior sister. She and Master are both from the Zhao Clan of the Eastern Region- a powerful aristocratic family aligned with the sect for generations."
Li Yao blinked. That elegant young woman, playing her zither beneath the breeze, was from one of the famed clans of the continent?
Wei added, "She's a true genius. At only one hundred and eight years of age, she's already stepped into the Core Formation Realm."
A moment of silence passed between them.
Li Yao exhaled softly. "The Embercloud Sect is truly worthy of being called one of the great sects of the Mystic Heavens. So many monsters walk quietly within its walls."
Wei smiled faintly. "And you've become one of them."
Li Yao smiled, shook his head modestly, and stood. "Thank you for the tea, Senior Brother. I'll return to my courtyard."
The sun was dipping low over the peaks when Li Yao arrived back at his quiet courtyard. The walls were shaded orange, the trees casting long shadows across the polished stone. The silence settled over him like a robe. He stepped inside and took a deep breath.
There was no time to waste.
Drawing his Crimson Cleave manual from storage, he sat at the center of his cultivation platform, surrounded by a light incense mist and the flicker of spirit candles. With a smooth breath, he activated the technique.
Crimson Cleave.
Before, it had been no more than an outline of movements and intent. But now, with the True Fire Qi of Foundation Establishment supporting it, everything changed.
He took out his training axe- a heavy, broad-bladed weapon forged from spirit-iron and inscribed with faint runes. As he gripped the handle, a rush of energy surged through him.
His body moved instinctively, the axe carving wide arcs through the air like molten trails. Each swing seemed to ignite the wind around it, fire qi trailing in its wake. His breath fused with the qi in his meridians, pouring into his limbs and weapon. The axe felt alive- an extension of his will.
His vision narrowed. The world dissolved. He moved like a tempest of flame.
Minutes passed.
Then—
He staggered, nearly dropping the axe as the flames flickered and vanished. A hollow ache spread through his body, and he slumped onto one knee, gasping for breath.
His dantian was empty.
Utterly drained.
"In just over fifteen minutes… all my qi is gone?"
Li Yao frowned. His True Fire Qi was potent, but his reserves were still limited. Even a powerful technique like Crimson Cleave could only be fully unleashed once before recovery was needed.
Still, his mastery had grown. Each time he practiced, he slipped into a trance- a strange, dreamlike state where the movements became clearer, sharper. It was as if the world itself guided him through insight.
And so the days passed.
Four weeks swept by like falling leaves. Li Yao trained Crimson Cleave daily, pushing its limits and adapting his body. His progress was steady but slow, restrained only by his qi reserves. After nearly a month, he could now fully perform the technique with perfect execution- but still, only once per battle.
"It's powerful," he muttered one night under moonlight, "but I must find a way to expand my qi pool."
Just as he prepared to enter indoor cultivation for the night, a knock came at the gate.
"Junior Brother Li Yao!" a young voice called out. "Your master has returned and has summoned you!"
Li Yao's eyes lit up.
He abandoned everything and immediately left his courtyard.
Deacon Bai was seated in the same bamboo chair where he always sipped tea, his gaze resting on the dusky sky. The old man looked no different than when he had left—calm, reserved, his robes immaculate.
"Disciple Li Yao greets Master."
A rare smile touched Deacon Bai's stern face as he gestured for Li Yao to come closer.
"You brat," he said, voice warm, "I thought I'd find you still in seclusion. But to return and learn you've not only broken through but stabilized your foundation in just two months—ha! Excellent. Truly excellent."
Li Yao bowed his head. "It was only due to your guidance, Master."
The old deacon scoffed. "Bah! Who are you trying to fool with false modesty?"
Li Yao raised his head, blinking. "I only followed the Emberheart Sutra and your instructions. I… don't think I'm talented."
The old man's expression shifted. "Boy, have you truly never compared yourself to other cultivators?"
Li Yao hesitated, then slowly shook his head. "No. I… never had the luxury to."
A long sigh escaped Deacon Bai's lips. "You've no idea, then. The average outer disciple after perfecting their qi refining takes a year-if not more, to break through to Foundation Establishment."
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a worn jade scroll.
"Take this," he said.
Li Yao accepted it with both hands. The cover read:
[Blazing Heart Flame Scripture
Grade: High Earth Grade
Effects: Refines and empowers Fire-aligned True Qi. Enhances purity, speed of circulation, and control in battle.]
"This will suit you better than most sutras in the sect," Deacon Bai said. "It'll refine your fire qi to a purer form. Use it well."
Li Yao bowed deeply. "I will treasure it, Master."
They spoke a while longer, the master occasionally asking about Li Yao's experience during the breakthrough. But eventually, the conversation shifted to silence, and Deacon Bai simply looked up at the stars.
Li Yao stood and excused himself.
On the way back to his courtyard, Li Yao noticed something strange.
The air within the sect had shifted. Disciples were moving with purpose, excitement buzzing in their eyes. Wooden posters had been hung on jade pillars, and in every square and platform, spirited conversations echoed:
"The tournament will begin next week!"
All of them were eager to watch the tournament where real geniuses of the sect will participate.
Li Yao walked through it all, quiet, observant.
He was already chosen. But part of him longed to fight- to test himself among these young dragons.
He looked down at his hand, that were hardened by the practice of crimson cleave technique.
"There's still much to do," he murmured. "And more strength to gain."
He stepped back into his courtyard and closed the gate behind him.