The humiliation of Han Xun's defeat hung heavy in the air as Wei Liang walked back to the dormitories with his friends. Han limped slightly, though his wounded pride seemed to bother him more than his bruises.
"I thought I had him for a moment," Han muttered, shaking his head. "Then he just toyed with me."
"You held your ground longer than most would," Zhang Fei said firmly, her sharp tone cutting through his self-pity. "Lin Ziyan's strength isn't the problem—it's his ego. He's good, but he fights to humiliate, not to win honorably."
Wei Liang's fists tightened at her words. Lin Ziyan didn't just defeat Han Xun; he crushed him to send a message. It wasn't about skill—it was about control. Wei Liang vowed silently that the next time Lin Ziyan tried to belittle someone, he'd be the one to stop him.
As they approached the dorms, the System chimed softly in Wei Liang's mind.
[New Quest Unlocked: Defeat Lin Ziyan in a Formal Duel. Reward: Advanced Qi-Infused Strike Technique.]
Wei Liang sighed under his breath. "Easier said than done," he muttered.
"What's that?" Han asked, glancing at him.
Wei Liang shook his head. "Nothing. Just thinking about how to get stronger."
---
A Night of Reflection
That evening, Wei Liang found himself alone in the courtyard. The moon hung low in the sky, bathing the sect grounds in pale silver light. He practiced his stances and basic strikes, repeating them over and over until his muscles screamed in protest.
[Technique Progress: Basic Sword Form 68%. Progress Speed Enhanced by Determination.]
The System's cold efficiency felt oddly comforting. It didn't mock him or doubt him; it only gave him the tools to improve. But as he swung his sword again, frustration bubbled to the surface.
"How am I supposed to beat someone like Lin Ziyan?" he muttered. "He's faster, stronger, and has better techniques. What do I have?"
As if in answer, Elder Lin's calm voice drifted through the night air. "You have the ability to endure."
Wei Liang froze, turning to see the elder standing nearby, her jade-green robe flowing in the breeze. She regarded him with her usual serene expression.
"Endurance?" he asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
She nodded, stepping closer. "Lin Ziyan fights with arrogance. He relies on his superior Qi and refined techniques, but arrogance blinds him to his weaknesses. You, on the other hand, have something he does not."
"What's that?"
"A foundation built on struggle." She gestured to his sword. "You know what it means to push through pain, to learn the hard way. That will serve you far better than raw talent."
Wei Liang frowned. "But isn't talent everything in cultivation? Lin Ziyan's spiritual root is so much stronger than mine."
Elder Lin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Spiritual roots determine potential, not destiny. You have progressed faster than anyone with a low-grade Earth Root should. That tells me there is more to you than meets the eye."
Wei Liang didn't know how to respond. Was Elder Lin implying he had hidden potential?
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Continue training, Wei Liang. Build your endurance and refine your Qi. When the time comes to face Lin Ziyan, you'll find that arrogance is far easier to break than discipline."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Wei Liang alone in the moonlit courtyard.
---
Uncovering Strength
The next morning, Wei Liang returned to training with a renewed sense of purpose. Elder Lin's words echoed in his mind as he practiced, each swing of his sword more focused than the last.
Zhang Fei and Han Xun joined him later, their own training equally intense. "You're working harder than usual," Zhang Fei remarked, watching him strike at a wooden post.
"I have to," Wei Liang said, pausing to catch his breath. "If I'm going to face Lin Ziyan, I need every edge I can get."
Han Xun grinned despite his bruises. "Then we'll help you. If Lin Ziyan gets to show off his entourage, why shouldn't you have one too?"
Wei Liang couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, Han."
The three of them worked together, combining their skills and sharing techniques. Zhang Fei demonstrated advanced footwork, while Han Xun practiced defensive spear techniques that forced Wei Liang to adapt his strikes.
The System chimed as Wei Liang fought through his exhaustion.
[Sparring Progress: Combat Reflexes Enhanced. Basic Sword Form Mastery Achieved—100%. New Techniques Unlocked.]
Wei Liang grinned. For the first time, he felt like he was truly improving—not just surviving, but growing stronger.
---
As the day wore on, the shadow of Lin Ziyan loomed ever larger. The arrogant disciple continued to dominate every sparring session, his confidence swelling with each victory. Rumors spread through the outer disciple ranks that he was petitioning the elders for permission to enter the inner sect early—a rare honor reserved for the most talented.
"He's trying to skip ahead," Zhang Fei said during a break. "If he makes it into the inner sect, he'll be untouchable."
Wei Liang frowned. Lin Ziyan's ambition was relentless, but it wasn't entirely unwarranted. His skill and spiritual root made him a natural candidate for promotion. Still, Wei Liang couldn't shake the feeling that Lin Ziyan's rise came at the expense of others.
"I need to challenge him soon," Wei Liang said. "Before he moves beyond my reach."
Han Xun winced. "That's a tall order. You've improved, but…"
"I know," Wei Liang said, cutting him off. "I'm not ready yet. But I will be."
---
That evening, as Wei Liang meditated in the quiet of his quarters, the System presented a new notification.
[Opportunity Detected: Hidden Trial in the Spirit Mirror Pool. Completion will yield significant improvements to Qi Refinement and Combat Ability.]
Wei Liang's eyes snapped open. A hidden trial? The Spirit Mirror Pool was Elder Lin's domain, but if it could offer him a chance to grow, he couldn't ignore it.
The System's voice chimed again.
[Quest Updated: Prepare for Lin Ziyan Duel. Optional Objective: Complete Hidden Trial. Reward: Enhanced Qi Circulation Technique + Advanced Sword Form.]
Wei Liang took a deep breath. The trial would be risky, but it could give him the edge he desperately needed.
His path was becoming clearer. If he wanted to defeat Lin Ziyan, he'd have to uncover every ounce of strength this world had to offer—even if it meant stepping into the unknown.