Elder Han, a respected figure within the sect, took the stage to make an official announcement. "Congratulations to Li Wei for his triumphant victory in the New Disciples Tournament!" he declared, his voice resonating throughout the arena. "Now, come forward to receive your well-deserved rewards from our esteemed sect leader."
The sect leader descended gracefully to Li Wei's side. With a mere snap of his fingers, the rewards materialized in the air before him. With a proud smile, he began to hand them over to the victorious disciple. The rewards were extraordinary, a testament to Li Wei's remarkable achievement. They included a set of Earth-grade combat clothes, renowned for their high defense and the ability to restore 2% essence every 2 hours. Alongside the clothes, Li Wei received a pair of Iron-grade boots, a Three-Star Vein Refining Pill, and a martial-grade technique known as "Essence Tempering." These rewards were truly exceptional, typically reserved for disciples who had made significant contributions to the sect.
"But wait, there's more," the sect leader whispered conspiratorially, catching Li Wei's attention. He instructed Li Wei to extend his hand, placing in it a special token. This token was reserved for dire circumstances, allowing its bearer to summon an elder when facing life-threatening situations. It was a precious gift, granted only to direct disciples and those under the protection of elders.
With the distribution of the final reward, the tournament officially came to a close. The disciples and elders returned to their daily routines, their hearts still filled with the echoes of the thrilling battles. Li Wei bid the sisters farewell as they exchanged warm goodbyes. Tai Feng visited Li Wei two days later, once he had sufficiently recovered from their intense battle.
Despite the passage of five days since the tournament, Li Wei found himself stuck at the threshold of the Form Realm, unable to make the breakthrough to the Inner Radiance Realm. Frustration and confusion plagued his thoughts as he sought answers. He turned to Sage Yu, hoping for guidance on how to progress.
Sage Yu, aware of the reason behind Li Wei's stagnation, simply advised him to take a few days off to enjoy himself. It was the second time he had been told to relax, and Li Wei found this advice perplexing. However, he decided to explore the sect's market in search of something that might aid his cultivation. Hours passed, but his search proved fruitless.
Disheartened, Li Wei began to head back to his quarters when he stumbled upon the sect's garden. Intrigued by the peaceful scenery, he sat down to savor the moment. To his surprise, the sisters appeared, approaching him with smiles on their faces.
"Hey there, Mr. Champion," Nan Yue greeted him playfully. "Why the long face?" Ling Yue joined in.
Li Wei couldn't help but share his dilemma with the sisters. They were astonished by his dedication to cultivation, as the usual response after a tournament victory involved boasting and belittling others to showcase strength and dominance.
Perplexed, one of the sisters inquired whether Li Wei had used his bloodline to stimulate his veins, along with the reward pill he had received. Confused, he asked for an explanation regarding what they meant by "bloodline."