The days following Li Wei's breakthrough to Qi Gathering Stage 2 were met with a mixture of awe and suspicion from the Li Clan. Rumors spread like wildfire. The once talentless son of the clan leader had not only broken through a seemingly insurmountable barrier but had done so with such ease that even the elders, who had trained for decades, were left stunned.
But for Li Wei, this was just the beginning. In his private chamber, he sat cross-legged, meditating, his hands resting gently on his knees as he absorbed the Qi of the world around him. It was an ability he had honed over eleven lifetimes, and with the Immortal Ascension System, his control had reached new heights.
The room was still, save for the soft pulse of energy emanating from him. His breathing was slow, rhythmic, as he focused on refining his internal Qi. The system had made things easier, yes, but Li Wei knew better than to rely solely on it. There were secrets in the world of cultivation that no system could hand him on a silver platter. He would have to seek them out himself.
[Ding! New Mission Unlocked.]
The system's voice cut through his meditation, cold and emotionless.
[Mission: Defeat the Qi Gathering Stage 3 Disciple, Li Feng.]
[Reward: Spirit Essence Pill (Low Grade).]
Li Wei opened his eyes, the message hovering in his vision. Li Feng? He wasn't surprised. Li Feng was one of the Li Clan's top disciples, a rising star who had reached Qi Gathering Stage 3 years ago and had been groomed as a future clan leader. In his past life, Li Wei would have avoided such a confrontation. But now? He smirked.
Li Feng was a natural target. Not only was he the pride of the clan, but his arrogance was known far and wide. He often looked down on others, especially Li Wei, treating him as though he were an insect that could be crushed at any moment. The challenge was clear—this was more than just about power. It was about proving himself.
The reward from the system, a Spirit Essence Pill, was significant. Even a low-grade pill like this could enhance his cultivation and speed up his progress. But more importantly, defeating Li Feng would send a message to the entire clan: Li Wei was no longer a failure.
A knock came at the door.
Li Wei rose from his meditation mat, already knowing who it was before he opened the door.
Li Jun stood there, looking hesitant. "Wei, you've heard about Li Feng, right?" His tone was uneasy. "Word's going around that he's not happy about your sudden rise. He's been talking with the other disciples, and they're planning something. You should be careful."
Li Wei chuckled softly, stepping out into the hallway. "Let him plan whatever he wants. I'll be waiting."
Li Jun blinked, surprised at his friend's calm demeanor. "You're not worried?"
"Worried?" Li Wei's smile widened, his blue eyes glinting with a quiet intensity. "Why should I be worried? I've already broken through to Qi Gathering Stage 2. Li Feng is nothing I can't handle."
Li Jun scratched his head. "I don't know, man... he's been in Stage 3 for years. You've barely had time to adjust to your breakthrough."
Li Wei placed a hand on Li Jun's shoulder. "Trust me. I've got this."
The training grounds were buzzing with activity when Li Wei arrived later that day. The sparring ring, a wide open area surrounded by stone benches and spectators, was filled with disciples honing their skills. But today, the air was thick with tension. Everyone had heard the whispers of a showdown between Li Wei and Li Feng.
As Li Wei approached, the crowd parted. His short white hair and striking blue eyes drew more attention than ever before. He could feel the gazes of the disciples, some filled with curiosity, others with envy. His breakthrough had made him the talk of the clan, and many were eager to see if it had been a fluke.
At the center of the ring stood Li Feng.
Li Feng was tall and imposing, his aura sharp and oppressive. He had the air of someone who had been at the top for far too long, looking down on everyone beneath him. His long black hair was tied neatly behind his head, and his robes were embroidered with silver, marking him as one of the elite disciples of the clan.
"So, the failure finally shows his face," Li Feng sneered, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "I thought you'd be too afraid to show up."
Li Wei didn't react. He stepped into the ring, his expression calm and collected. Inside, he could feel the Qi flowing steadily through his veins, his body buzzing with energy. The system was already providing him with insights, highlighting Li Feng's weaknesses, and calculating the best strategies for victory.
Li Feng's smirk grew. "I don't know how you managed to break through, but I'll make sure you understand your place."
Without warning, Li Feng lashed out. His speed was impressive, his hand slicing through the air with a sharp whistle, aimed directly at Li Wei's chest. The power behind the strike was enough to injure most Qi Gathering Stage 2 cultivators, but Li Wei had been prepared.
[Qi Flow: Activate.]
Li Wei's body shifted with a speed that seemed almost unnatural. He dodged the strike effortlessly, his blue eyes locking onto Li Feng with a piercing gaze.
Li Feng blinked, his eyes widening. "What...?"
Before he could recover, Li Wei struck back. His palm shot forward, glowing faintly with Qi, and slammed into Li Feng's chest. The force of the blow sent him stumbling back, his feet skidding across the dirt floor.
The crowd gasped in disbelief. Li Feng, the prodigy of the Li Clan, had been pushed back by someone they had all considered a failure.
Li Wei's voice was calm as he spoke, though it carried an edge that cut through the silence. "Is that all you've got, Feng?"
Li Feng's face twisted in rage. "You...! Don't get cocky!" He roared, unleashing a flurry of attacks, each one faster and stronger than the last. His fists and feet became a blur of motion, and the ground beneath them cracked from the force of his strikes.
But Li Wei was no ordinary opponent. Each time Li Feng's fists came close, Li Wei would dodge with the grace of a seasoned warrior. His movements were smooth, efficient, and precise, as though he could predict every one of Li Feng's moves before they even happened.
[Ding! Combat Skill: Predictive Evasion Unlocked.]
Li Wei's eyes flashed as the system granted him yet another advantage. Now, he could read Li Feng's attack patterns with even greater accuracy. It was as if the fight had slowed down, and he could see every strike coming from miles away.
With one swift motion, Li Wei countered again. His fist, coated in pure Qi, slammed into Li Feng's gut. The force of the blow reverberated through the ring, and Li Feng's eyes widened as he crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath.
The onlookers were stunned into silence. The once invincible Li Feng lay on the ground, defeated, while Li Wei stood above him, completely unscathed.
Li Wei looked down at him, his voice quiet but firm. "Remember this feeling, Feng. This is what it means to be beneath me."
Li Feng glared up at him, his pride shattered, but he could do nothing. The difference in their power was clear now.
Without another word, Li Wei turned and walked away, the crowd parting for him once again. He didn't need to stay for their praise or their questions. He had won.
As he left the training grounds, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
[Mission Complete: Defeat Li Feng.]
[Reward: Spirit Essence Pill (Low Grade) has been added to your inventory.]
Li Wei smirked to himself. This was only the beginning. With each victory, with each mission, he was growing stronger, faster than anyone could have ever imagined. The path to immortality was long and treacherous, but with the system at his side, he would walk it with confidence.
And nothing—not even the clan's most talented disciple—would stand in his way.