Alex went back to his house. He trained as usual. He was one step away from a breakthrough. However, he didn't plan to use these few days for his breakthrough. First, even if he used his Gathering Array for a few days, he doubted he would be able to achieve a breakthrough. Second, if he used his Fire Spirit Pills at this time, to refine the pill's efficacy will need some time. He would need to skip one or two days in the tournament, which not possible.
He was practicing as usual and planning to breakthrough after the tournament. That was the ideal situation for him. At least, he managed to deceive most of the people. Since he didn't use anything like his Sword Art or the others. People might think he was a body cultivator. After all, Charya had said his strength was as strong as body cultivator.
As long as his opponent thought like that. He can use that thinking at his convenience.