For the next month or so, Jian Li continued her training, training herself harder than ever before. She practiced with He Yu and she also tried practicing some of the advanced moves that her big brother Jian Chen had taught her. She was always thinking about how to improve her fighting techniques, and Jian Chen's teachings and her own instincts constantly drove Jian Li to try new ways to hone her abilities.
Jian Li's skills were slowly but surely progressing. Her swordplay was getting better and her internal energy was improving. She was starting to notice her body's movements becoming smoother and more precise. Her muscles were starting to adapt and change as well, becoming more flexible and agile.
She was also feeling her skin grow tougher and stronger. In terms of her physical cultivation level, she had already hit the peak of the Mortal stage but felt like about to break through it very soon.
One day, sensing that Jian Li was nearing a breakthrough, He Yu suggested something that she had considered for a long time already.
"Since you've definitely hit a bottleneck right now, why not enter in the Banmian tournament with Chen? The competition would be somewhere around Earth stage anyways so it would be the perfect place to try breakthrough your current limits.", He Yu said.
Jian Li thought it over for a few moments. She had already heard of the tournament since her elder brother Jian Chen was going to enter. The purpose of the tournament was mainly for the martial art sects to show off the talents of the new generation.
Battling people from other sects that specialize in things other than swordplay would be valuable experience though.
"That sounds interesting.", Jian Li finally responded. If it were a few months earlier, Jian Li would not be participating. But, since she finally has passed the threshold to participate, there was no reason not to.
He Yu then went over a couple things with Jian Li about the tournament and how to prepare. Jian Li also mentioned a couple concerns about how she was going to handle it, and she was assured that He Yu would take care of everything.
A couple hours later, Jian Li was called to a conference with He Yu, some of the sect elders and the sect leader Meng Liang. Just by walking into the meeting room, Jian Li could sense that things were somewhat tense.
"I have made arrangements to enter Jian Li into the Banmian Tournament, which will start soon." He Yu started.
"Thank you for your assistance earlier, Elder He." One of the elders in the meeting, a woman with long white hair, spoke politely.
"Not at all." He Yu responded humbly. "Anyways, I believe that my disciple Jian Li has currently reached a bottleneck in cultivation. Seeing as she has more or less reached the threshold to enter the tournament, I don't see why she couldn't."
"What bottleneck?" The sect leader Meng Liang questioned, his eyes narrowing as he studied Jian Li.
"She is currently at the peak of Mortal stage in her physical cultivation. With her proper training, she should be able to easily defeat many of the participants.", He Yu answered.
"You don't understand what we are doing here. This tournament is not for the average cultivator to have fun.", Meng Liang said with a stern tone of voice.
"This tournament is a display of the strength for the sects around Banmian. It is for the most talented individuals to compete for the right to prove themselves to the other sects."
"Jian Li is a promising new disciple, but she is still too young to enter a tournament like this. She doesn't have the experience needed to properly fight for the honour of her sect.", another elder chimed in.
"And how is she supposed to gain that experience in the first place?", He Yu said.
The elder didn't have a response to that and looked towards Meng Liang in silence.
"I do not plan to waste time with your objections. Jian Li is a child who has recently joined our sect. The reason she was chosen to participate in the tournament was because of her potential. She recently turned 11 and her young age only proves that she has a lot more to give.", He Yu said.
"I think this is not the right time for her to enter the tournament, if you ask me..." An elderly man in the corner of the room said.
"Jian Li should at least be given that chance to try her hand.", the white haired woman argued.
"There's no need for such dramatics. She hasn't even fully entered the Earth stage. You mustn't be so hasty to consider her an asset until she actually displays some results.", Meng Liang said, interrupting her.
Jian Li sat there quietly as she listened to their words, watching them argue like they did on the sidelines of a game.
"I have heard enough. No need to debate further. She will be joining. You all can continue your meeting by yourselves.", He Yu concluded, dismissing the meeting.
Sensing everyone's eyes on her, Jian Li stood up, feeling a bit dazed as she exited the room with He Yu following her. By the way He Yu spoke to Meng Liang, any outsiders would think that she was the sect leader instead.