Chapter 11: A Higher Challenge: The Twenty-Day Gauntlet
After his victory over Li Xiao, Duan Liyang's life changed overnight. He no longer woke up to clean stables or sweep courtyards. Instead, his new duty was to oversee the outer grounds of the Xiao family. This was a vast area encompassing dense forest sections, some old and disused buildings, and scattered outposts far from the main family compound.
For the first few days, Duan Liyang spent his time familiarizing himself with his new territory. He roamed these grounds, using his heightened senses to inspect every corner, every tree, and every stone. His vision allowed him to see even microscopic details, like dewdrops on leaves or the tiniest pollen particles floating in the air. His hearing had become so developed that he could discern various sounds hidden within the whispers of the wind flowing through the tree leaves.
This job was perfect for him. It provided him with ample privacy to practice his unique cultivation. As he patrolled the grounds, he quietly practiced concentrating the energy within him. He continued to refine his technique of compressing air in his fist. Each time he did so, he felt the bond between the air and his internal energy strengthening, and his 'pop' punch now felt more powerful than ever.
One evening, as he was passing by an old, almost crumbling gatehouse, he used his eyes to perceive the energy flowing within the gatehouse walls. He saw a strange energy pattern in the wall, something that shouldn't be present in ordinary stone. It looked like an ancient inscription that had faded with time. Duan Liyang tried to touch it, but the pattern vanished like an illusion. It was a mystery that fueled the curiosity within him.
He also utilized his new ability – the power to see others' cultivation levels. Whenever another outer disciple entered the outer grounds, Duan Liyang would use his eyes to observe their internal energy. He learned how the density and flow of energy revealed a cultivator's level. He observed that most outer disciples were at Level 1 or 2. This ability allowed him to accurately assess others' strength, aiding him in self-preservation and planning.
For Ren Hao, life had suddenly changed. He was assigned the most arduous physical labor tasks, and his monthly allowance was cut off. He received no respect now; his defeat had pushed him to the bottom tier of the Xiao family. Whenever he saw Duan Liyang from afar, his face would contort with fear and rage.
Li Xiao's condition was even worse. His cultivation meridians were so severely shattered that he had no hope of cultivating again. The Xiao family had made some attempts to treat him, but the elders ultimately declared him 'unusable.' He was no longer given any importance within the family and was condemned to spend his days in despair and pain. His fate served as a grim reminder to Duan Liyang of how destructive his power could be.
Duan Liyang often met with the chubby boy. The chubby boy was still excited about Duan Liyang's victory, and he was happy to hear about his new responsibility. "You're like a real disciple now!" the chubby boy had exclaimed, a sparkle in his eyes. Duan Liyang hadn't told the chubby boy about his new abilities, but he knew his friend was happy for him.
Xiang Rui also occasionally passed through the outer grounds, perhaps for her personal practice or for some other important family task. She would observe Duan Liyang from afar, a strange glint in her eyes. She did not approach Duan Liyang, but Duan Liyang could feel her gaze upon him. He remembered the day Xiang Rui had told him to call her 'Big Sister.' That word filled his heart with a strange warmth.
During his patrols in the outer grounds, Duan Liyang found that his new responsibilities were leading him to areas previously inaccessible to him. He often wandered into old, dense forests, where tree roots intertwined and an ancient, serene energy permeated the air. His heightened senses helped him hear sounds that ordinary ears could not – the whispers of animals, the melody of the wind passing through leaves, and even the slow vibrations from within the earth.
He continued his practice in these new environments. He would climb the highest branches of trees, balance in the air, and constantly refine his technique of compressing air in his fist. He used the flow of the wind to enhance his speed and agility, leaping through the trees. Each time, he felt the flow of his internal energy becoming more stable, and his eyes, which now held the subtle glow of blue particles, helped him perceive the world with a new depth.
Once, during a patrol, he observed two outer disciples from afar engaged in a small argument. Both were at Level 1, and envy and anger were clearly visible on their faces towards each other. Duan Liyang recognized them without looking – his new ability allowed him to read the flow of their internal energy. As they passed by him, they averted their gaze, intimidated by his reputation. Duan Liyang realized that no other outer disciple now dared to bother him. His new job granted him both a sense of privacy and respect.
He now frequently meditated deeply to understand the energy within him. In the solitude of his hut, he would close his eyes and concentrate on his internal energy. He now felt the hum much more clearly, as if it were a vortex of wind spreading throughout his body. He had to understand where this power was coming from, and why it made him different from others. The blue particles in his eyes glowed more intensely during his practice, as if absorbing energy, and the pain was now just a faint, reminding twinge.
One day, the chubby boy came to Duan Liyang's hut, his face unusually grim. "Duan Liyang," he whispered, a strange uneasiness in his voice. "I heard... new rumors are spreading in the family."
Duan Liyang looked at him. "About what?"
"About Wang Xiao," the chubby boy lowered his voice further. "He wants to challenge you."
Duan Liyang's eyes widened slightly. "Wang Xiao?" he asked. "Who is he?" He only knew Wang Xiao was a strong outer disciple with a good reputation, considered much better than Ren Hao or even Li Xiao.
The chubby boy looked at Duan Liyang with a hint of surprise. "What? You don't know Wang Xiao? He's Rank 20!" he exclaimed, then seeing Duan Liyang's bewildered expression, he continued. "Rank? You don't know what rank is, Duan Liyang?"
Duan Liyang nodded in embarrassment. "No."
The chubby boy explained, his voice now a little more confident as he knew something Duan Liyang didn't. "There's a ranking system in the Xiao family's outer grounds, Duan Liyang! It's determined by cultivation level and strength among the outer disciples," he clarified. "The most powerful disciples are at the top ranks. Li Xiao, whom you defeated, was at Rank 29. But Wang Xiao, he's at Rank 20!"
Duan Liyang's eyes glowed with blue particles. He focused his vision on Wang Xiao, even though he was far away. The flow of his internal energy... it was even denser and more stable than Li Xiao's! Duan Liyang recognized it just by looking: a Level 4 Medium Stage cultivator! Li Xiao was only at the Low Stage of Level 4. This Wang Xiao was far more powerful. Duan Liyang also saw a distinct energy pattern in Wang Xiao's aura – it was the effect of an Earth-Rank Medium-Level cultivation method, making him very strong.
The chubby boy continued speaking, worry in his voice. "Wang Xiao isn't like Li Xiao. He has also practiced an Earth-Rank Medium-Level cultivation method. He's very powerful, Duan Liyang. You... you should back out of this."
Duan Liyang's heart pounded rapidly. This was an even greater challenge than Li Xiao. But there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, a calm resolve shone.
"Alright," Duan Liyang said, his voice devoid of nervousness. "Then let him fight."
The next day, as Duan Liyang was on his patrol of the outer grounds, he was in a relatively open area when his gaze fell upon a lone figure approaching him. It was Wang Xiao, unaccompanied. His face held a calm, confident expression, different from Ren Hao's cruelty.
"I wish to challenge you, Duan Liyang," Wang Xiao stated directly, his voice powerful yet polite. "Your victory over Li Xiao... it has astonished everyone. I wish to understand your abilities, and also to uphold the family's reputation."
Duan Liyang looked at him, activating the blue particles in his eyes to perceive Wang Xiao's internal energy. His power was exactly as the chubby boy had described: a Level 4 Medium Stage cultivator, with an Earth-Rank Medium-Level method. Duan Liyang knew he couldn't face him immediately.
"Give me one month," Duan Liyang said, the memory of the challenge he gave Li Xiao in his mind. "In one month, I will fight you."
A strange glint appeared in Wang Xiao's eyes, and a faint smile spread across his face. "One month?" he said, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Do you think I'm as foolish as Li Xiao? I heard Li Xiao lost after giving you a month. You must have some secret trick that only works after a month." His smile turned slightly sharper. "No, Duan Liyang. I will not give you that much time."
Wang Xiao looked at Duan Liyang, a new resolve in his eyes. "I will give you twenty days. In twenty days, you will fight me. If you do not fight, I will have you expelled from the Xiao family. This is my challenge."
Duan Liyang paused to think. Twenty days. It was very little time, but it was better than nothing. Resolve returned to his eyes. "Alright," Duan Liyang said, his voice now firmer. "Twenty days. I will fight you."
Wang Xiao nodded. "Very well. In twenty days, meet me at the training grounds." He said no more, simply turned and walked away as calmly as he had arrived.
Duan Liyang stood there, only one goal in his mind: twenty days. He had to defeat an even greater enemy than Li Xiao.
End of Chapter 11