The main hall of the Li clan was grand and majestic, with towering stone pillars etched with ancient symbols of power and prosperity. Bright banners swayed gently in the breeze from the open windows, filling the air with a sense of regal pride. The hall was packed, every corner filled with eager clan members, all waiting to witness the reward ceremony for the newly selected team that would represent the Li clan in the upcoming Rite of Ascendancy.
Li Wei stood in the center with his teammates: Jin Rui, Zhou Wei, Mei Chen, and Li Jun. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces reflecting a mix of excitement and awe. The others appeared tense, their hearts racing in anticipation of the prestigious reward that awaited them. Li Wei, however, remained calm and composed, his expression unreadable.
Unlike his teammates, he was not impressed by the impending reward. His Immortal Ascension System had already gifted him with a superior pill when he had broken through a bottleneck in his cultivation. What the clan was offering, a Spirit Condensation Pill, while valuable, was far from extraordinary to him.
As the crowd hushed, Patriarch Li Tian rose from his high seat at the end of the hall. His robes, adorned with golden embroidery, shimmered in the soft light of the ceremonial hall. His presence was commanding, a constant reminder of his power and authority within the clan.
"Today," Li Tian began, his deep voice cutting through the silence, "we celebrate the success of these young cultivators, who have proven their worth in the illusionary test. They will carry the name of the Li clan forward into the Rite of Ascendancy. But success in the test was merely the first step."
The elders seated beside the patriarch watched on, their eyes filled with both approval and scrutiny. Among them, the Formation Master Elder Xuan, who had tested them, nodded in quiet recognition of Li Wei's extraordinary talent. Their gazes swept over the team, each elder evaluating them with the weight of their many years of wisdom.
Patriarch Li Tian continued, "As representatives of the Li clan, you will each receive a Spirit Condensation Pill, a treasure that has been handed down through the ages. This pill will allow you to condense your Qi to a purer form, increasing your cultivation speed and strength. It is not just a pill; it is a gateway to achieving greater power."
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. The Spirit Condensation Pill was a well-known treasure, capable of accelerating one's cultivation, especially at the Qi Gathering Stage. For most of the younger generation, this pill could make the difference between stagnation and breakthrough.
Li Wei's teammates, particularly Li Jun, couldn't hide their excitement. Li Jun's eyes gleamed, a mix of pride and disbelief as he thought about how much the pill would boost his cultivation. Jin Rui clenched his fists in anticipation, and Zhou Wei barely managed to suppress a grin. Mei Chen's lips quirked into a slight smile, her calculating mind already planning how best to use the pill in her training.
But Li Wei remained as calm as ever, his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes, bright blue under his white hair, betrayed none of the emotions stirring around him. The system's voice echoed softly in his mind, reminding him of the vastly superior Supreme Spirit Nourishing Pill it had rewarded him with not long ago. The Spirit Condensation Pill, while valuable to others, was insignificant to him now.
Jin Rui, noticing Li Wei's indifferent demeanor, leaned closer. "Aren't you even a little excited? This is a rare treasure!" he whispered, a trace of disbelief in his voice.
Li Wei simply smiled, shaking his head. "I have my own path, Jin Rui. This pill... it's a small step compared to the journey ahead."
Jin Rui blinked, still not fully understanding Li Wei's casual attitude, but something about his confidence put him at ease. There was something about Li Wei—something that Jin Rui, and perhaps even Li Jun, had only begun to grasp. He wasn't just stronger; he was walking a path far beyond what they could see.
The ceremony continued, and the atmosphere grew more intense. Patriarch Li Tian motioned for the clan's elder steward, who brought forward a tray holding five gleaming white pills, each encased in a crystal vial. The steward approached the team and presented each member with a vial.
Li Jun was the first to take his, his hands trembling slightly as he held the treasured pill. He could already feel its faint energy pulsating through the crystal. The weight of its significance was clear in his eyes. Mei Chen accepted hers with a polite bow, her expression thoughtful, as if already strategizing how best to use it. Zhou Wei was grinning ear to ear, barely able to contain his excitement, while Jin Rui held his with quiet reverence, clearly already imagining the breakthroughs he would achieve.
When the steward reached Li Wei, he took the vial with a small nod, showing no outward emotion. To him, the pill was just another tool—useful, yes, but not essential to his journey.
As the ceremony concluded, the crowd burst into applause. Their representatives were ready, their future bright. But beyond the celebration, there were murmurs about Li Wei. Several elders exchanged glances, noting his unusual calmness throughout the entire event.
"Something about that boy is different," one elder whispered.
"Indeed," another agreed. "He doesn't seem... impressed. It's as though he's far beyond the rewards we're offering."
Elder Xuan, who had been silently observing, nodded slightly. "He sees the world differently. There's more to him than meets the eye."
As the crowd began to disperse, Li Wei's team gathered at the side of the hall, eager to discuss the future. Li Jun looked at Li Wei curiously, still wrestling with his suspicions. He had known Li Wei for years, seen him grow up, and for a long time, thought of him as someone lazy and indifferent. But now, everything was changing. Li Wei had suddenly become more knowledgeable, stronger, and even more mysterious.
"Li Wei," Li Jun finally said, his voice hesitant. "I've been thinking... for a long time, you seemed... different. Almost as if you were pretending to be lazy or indifferent to cultivation. But now... it feels like you've always known something the rest of us didn't. What happened?"
Li Wei turned to face him, his expression softening. "People change, Li Jun. Sometimes, it takes a long time to realize your true potential. But I assure you, the Li Wei you see now is the one I've always been."
Li Jun frowned slightly, but before he could respond, Patriarch Li Tian's voice boomed once more, silencing the murmurs in the hall.
"The Rite of Ascendancy will begin in two months," Li Tian declared. "Prepare yourselves well, for this event will determine not only your future but also the fate of the Li clan."
Li Wei's teammates exchanged excited glances, each already planning their intense training regimens. But Li Wei remained calm, his mind elsewhere. The Rite of Ascendancy would be a challenge, but with the system's guidance, he knew that his true journey was only beginning.
As they left the hall, his thoughts drifted to the future, to the countless obstacles and adversaries that awaited him. But one thing was certain: he was ready.
And the world would soon know the name of Li Wei.