The first rays of morning sunlight pierced the mist hanging over the Jade Peak Sect, signaling another day of rigorous training and unrelenting progress. Wei Liang's recent breakthrough to the eighth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm had left him both invigorated and determined. But the path forward was steep, and he knew there was no room for complacency.
---
New Heights in Training
The courtyard buzzed with activity as the outer disciples assembled for another training session under Elder Cai's watchful eye. Wei Liang, Zhang Fei, and Han Xun stood near the back, exchanging quiet remarks about the challenges ahead.
Elder Cai's voice boomed across the courtyard. "Control and precision have been the focus of our training thus far, but strength and endurance are equally important. Today, you will spar with one another, but under a new restriction: you may only use defensive techniques. The goal is not to win, but to endure."
The disciples murmured among themselves, uneasy about the challenge. Defense required discipline, patience, and an acute awareness of the opponent's movements—all things that were easy to overlook in the heat of combat.
Elder Lin stepped forward, her tone softer but no less firm. "This exercise will test your ability to conserve energy while under pressure. In a prolonged battle, this skill is often the difference between survival and defeat."
---
The Sparring Begins
Wei Liang was paired with Chen Yi, the wiry disciple he had sparred with before. Chen Yi's quick movements and sharp strikes made him a challenging opponent, but Wei Liang focused on staying calm and reading his attacks.
As the match began, Chen Yi lunged forward, his strikes rapid and precise. Wei Liang parried each blow with controlled movements, his sword flashing in smooth arcs to deflect the attacks. He could feel his Qi stabilizing, his breathing steady as he adapted to the rhythm of the fight.
"Good," Elder Lin called out from the sidelines. "Remember to conserve your energy. Overexertion leads to imbalance."
Wei Liang nodded, stepping back to create distance as Chen Yi pressed the attack. The System chimed softly in his mind.
[Energy Efficiency Improved. Defensive Technique Mastery: 68%.]
The match ended in a draw, with both fighters stepping back at Elder Cai's command. Wei Liang felt a surge of quiet pride. Defense had never been his strongest skill, but the exercise had pushed him closer to mastering it.
---
Zhang Fei's Precision
Nearby, Zhang Fei sparred with a taller disciple whose powerful strikes forced her onto the defensive. But her sharp reflexes and precise movements turned the tide. Each time her opponent struck, she deflected the blow with her daggers, redirecting his energy and conserving her own.
"She's so efficient," Han Xun muttered as he watched. "Makes me look clumsy."
"She's focused," Wei Liang said, his admiration clear. "That's her greatest strength."
The match ended with Zhang Fei unscathed, her breathing barely labored. Elder Cai gave her a curt nod of approval.
---
Han Xun's Endurance
Han Xun's match was a study in resilience. His opponent was relentless, striking with unyielding force, but Han weathered each attack with his spear, his stance solid and unshaken.
"He's like a wall," Zhang Fei remarked, watching the fight.
Wei Liang smiled faintly. "That's Han for you. Stubborn and steady."
By the end of the match, Han's opponent was visibly exhausted, while Han himself stood tall, grinning through the sweat dripping down his face.
"I could've kept going," he said as he rejoined Wei Liang and Zhang Fei.
Zhang smirked. "Don't get cocky."
---
Lin Ziyan's Watchful Eye
Across the courtyard, Lin Ziyan watched the matches with a detached expression, his arms crossed as he leaned against a pillar. He had not been called to spar today—likely at the elders' request, as his overwhelming strength would have rendered the exercise meaningless.
But Wei Liang could feel his gaze lingering on them, particularly on him. Lin Ziyan's aura was as intense as ever, radiating confidence and control, but the faint tension in his posture suggested something else: calculation.
"He's watching us again," Zhang Fei said quietly.
Wei Liang nodded. "He knows we're getting closer."
Han Xun scoffed. "Let him watch. We're coming for him."
---
That evening, Wei Liang returned to the Spirit Mirror Pool, his mind focused on the challenges ahead. The climb to the ninth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm was still daunting, but each day brought him closer.
Sitting cross-legged by the pool, he began his meditation, guiding his Qi with deliberate care. The System chimed softly.
[Progress: Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm, 24%. Recommended Focus: Meridian Expansion Exercises.]
Wei Liang adjusted his breathing, compressing and expanding his Qi within his meridians to strengthen their capacity. The process was exhausting but necessary; without a strong foundation, the ninth layer would remain out of reach.
As he worked, the Lunar-Eye Lens pulsed faintly in his satchel, its presence a reminder of the tools and knowledge that had carried him this far.
---
The next morning, Wei Liang joined Zhang Fei and Han Xun at the training grounds for a private session. With fewer distractions, they could focus on sparring and refining their techniques.
Zhang Fei moved with her usual precision, her daggers slicing through the air as Wei Liang countered with his sword. Each exchange was quick and calculated, their movements a testament to the countless hours they had spent training together.
"You're getting faster," Zhang said, stepping back to catch her breath.
"And you're getting harder to predict," Wei Liang replied, a faint smile on his lips.
Han Xun joined in next, his spear sweeping in wide arcs as he tested Wei Liang's defenses. The weight behind each strike forced Wei Liang to adapt, relying on his shadow Qi to enhance his movements.
By the end of the session, all three were drenched in sweat but satisfied with their progress.
---
As the sun set over the Jade Peak Sect, the disciples retired to their quarters, their minds and bodies weary from the day's efforts. Wei Liang sat by the window of his room, gazing at the stars above.
The climb to the ninth layer was still ahead, and Lin Ziyan's dominance remained unchallenged. But Wei Liang felt a quiet confidence growing within him. He wasn't alone in this journey—Zhang Fei and Han Xun were by his side, and together, they were forging a path forward.
Strength wasn't just about power or talent. It was about perseverance, trust, and the resolve to keep climbing, no matter how steep the path.
And Wei Liang was ready for whatever came next.