Chapter 12: The Trial's Reward: A Path Unveiled
The previous night, Duan Liyang had returned to his hut after accepting the 20-day challenge against Wang Xiao. His mind was filled with resolve, but his body ached. He knew he had to prepare for the toughest fight of his life yet.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight spread across the outer grounds, Duan Liyang was engrossed in his regular practice outside his hut. His focus on the 'pop' punch technique was greater than ever, as Wang Xiao's challenge weighed heavily on his mind. He knew that the next twenty days would be the most crucial days of his life.
Just then, he heard a faint rustle. Duan Liyang opened his eyes and saw Xiang Rui approaching his hut. A faint smile graced her face, and her movements were as graceful as ever. Duan Liyang was a little surprised; Xiang Rui usually didn't visit him this early.
"Oh, look who it is," Xiang Rui said, a playful tone in her voice. She stopped beside Duan Liyang, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "I remember that day, how sad you were about being Level 0. It felt as if the world had ended."
Duan Liyang felt a little uncomfortable. He remembered how it was Xiang Rui who had comforted him that day.
Xiang Rui continued, her smile deepening. "And today? You've brought down a Level 4 cultivator! Who would have thought that the Xiao family's 'weakest' outer disciple would achieve such a feat."
She looked Duan Liyang up and down, as if trying to gauge his power. "And now, I believe an even more powerful opponent awaits you, doesn't he?"
Duan Liyang looked into Xiang Rui's eyes. He knew she was referring to Wang Xiao's challenge. Xiang Rui's eyes, usually calm and serious, held a strange glimmer today, as if she could see the hidden power within him.
"You know?" Duan Liyang asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Xiang Rui shrugged. "Rumors spread like wildfire in the Xiao family, Duan Liyang. Especially when a 'Level 0' disciple defeats a Rank 29 Li Xiao, and then challenges a Rank 20 Wang Xiao." A hint of seriousness entered her voice now. "Wang Xiao is not like Li Xiao. He practices an Earth-Rank Medium-Level method, and his cultivation is at Level 4 Medium Stage. You've only given him twenty days."
"He gave me twenty days," Duan Liyang corrected. "I had no other choice."
Xiang Rui looked at him for a moment, then her smile returned. "Be that as it may. I just can't wait to see what you do in these twenty days." She patted Duan Liyang's shoulder gently. "Some people in the Xiao family underestimate you, Duan Liyang. But I think you'll keep proving them wrong, again and again."
Having finished speaking, Xiang Rui then reached into her pocket and took out a small, white pellet. It looked like a tiny pearl, emitting a refreshing, faint aroma. "This is a 'Nectar Wind Pellet'," she said, placing the pellet in Duan Liyang's palm.
"My grandfather made this. It will help stabilize the energy within you and ease the internal pressure from your practice. It's not particularly valuable, but it will be useful in difficult times."
"And listen, little brother," she said, her voice now very soft. "You can call me 'Big Sister,' if you like." She gave Duan Liyang's head a gentle pat and then, with a final smile, she turned and walked towards the Xiao family's main compound.
As Xiang Rui left, some disciples patrolling the outer grounds saw her. Their eyes widened.
"That's Xiang Rui, isn't it?" one disciple whispered to another. "And she was talking to Duan Liyang? So intimately?"
"What... do they have a good relationship?" another disciple said in disbelief. "An Internal Disciple, soon to be a Core Disciple, and at Level 8 no less, talking like that to an outer disciple, a Level 0 one?"
Their faces were a mixture of shock and envy. This was another testament to Duan Liyang's growing reputation, astounding those around him.
Duan Liyang sensed their whispers and gazes, but he paid no mind. His focus was on the 'Nectar Wind Pellet' and Xiang Rui's words. He took a deep breath. Twenty days. It was a short time, but he had to make the most of it. He entered his hut and immediately focused on his training.
He had to make his 'pop' punch more powerful and faster. He began working on his technique of compressing air in his fist; each time he did so, he felt a new level of energy within him. He was trying to compress the air in his fist so rapidly and so densely that it would burst like a small explosion, increasing his punch's power exponentially.
He also experimented with his wind-control ability. He tried to control the air around his body, making himself feel lighter and increasing his speed and agility.
He leaped between trees, using the flow of the wind to control his movements, and even attempted to hover in the air for brief moments. It was a difficult practice, and each time he did so, a faint pain would surge in his head, and the blue particles in his eyes would glow more intensely.
Duan Liyang knew he also had to rapidly increase his internal energy. The 'Nectar Wind Pellet' was a powerful resource in his hand, and he knew he had to use it wisely.
Throughout the day and for several nights, Duan Liyang immersed himself in his cultivation. The privacy of the outer grounds was a boon to him, allowing him to practice his unusual abilities without drawing attention.
He knew that Wang Xiao was a serious opponent, and he had to push every one of his abilities to the extreme to defeat him.
When night deepened, Duan Liyang was utterly exhausted. His body ached, and his internal energy was almost depleted. He stumbled into his hut, and as his head hit the pillow, he immediately fell into a deep sleep. His sleep was heavy with fatigue, but even in his dreams, he could feel the power of his fist and visualize himself preparing to face Wang Xiao.
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight fell upon Duan Liyang's face. He awoke from sleep, his body still slightly aching, but he felt a new energy within him. He was about to get up when he heard a faint knock on his hut door.
"Duan Liyang!" a serious, yet familiar voice called out. It was a messenger disciple from the Xiao family elders.
Duan Liyang opened the door. The messenger handed him a folded letter. "It's a message from the elders. They have summoned you to the elders' hall immediately."
Duan Liyang's eyebrows furrowed. To the elders' hall? So soon? And for what? Many questions arose in his mind, but he clutched the letter tightly and nodded. "Alright. I'll come."
The messenger departed, leaving Duan Liyang alone, the letter in his hand. Twenty days remained until the fight with Wang Xiao, and now this unexpected summons. He didn't know what to expect.
He quickly prepared himself. As he stepped out of his hut and walked towards the main hall, he felt everyone's gaze fixed upon him. There was no fear on his face, but rather a calm, focused expression. He used his ability to see others' cultivation levels. He observed that most outer disciples, who now looked somewhat intimidated by him, were at Level 1 or 2. There were also some inner disciples, whose levels were above 5, and they looked at him with strange curiosity.
He reached the Elders' Hall, located in the central compound of the Xiao family, a vast and grand chamber adorned with intricately carved wood and ancient paintings.
This hall was typically used only for important gatherings and decision-making.
As Duan Liyang entered, he was slightly surprised. There were only two people in the hall: Xiang Rui and her grandfather, the elder with the longest beard, who sat at the center.
Their eyes were fixed on Duan Liyang, their faces serious and expectant. This was entirely different from the previous cultivation examination, where many elders had been present.
An elder gestured for him to sit, and Duan Liyang quietly did so. Silence filled the hall; only the faint sound of the wind and the hum of Duan Liyang's internal energy could be heard.
"Duan Liyang," Xiang Rui's grandfather said, his voice calm but powerful. "We have learned that you have accepted Wang Xiao's challenge."
Duan Liyang nodded.
"Yes elder"
Xiang Rui's grandfather continued. "Your abilities are mysterious, Duan Liyang. Despite your 'Level 0' status, you defeated Li Xiao, which astonished all of us. We know you possess a unique power, even if our examinations cannot fully measure it."
He placed a small, old, metal token on the table. "This is for you."
Duan Liyang looked at the token. It was about a finger long, with an ancient symbol of the Xiao family carved into it.
"Take this token," the elder said. "You will go to the Cultivation Technique Hall." He looked at Duan Liyang, a faint glimmer in his eyes. "You can choose one cultivation technique from there that can grant you power for the upcoming fight."
Duan Liyang was completely stunned. Cultivation Technique Hall? This was a place where only inner disciples and high-level cultivators were allowed. This was an incredible opportunity!
"Thank you!" Duan Liyang said, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Don't thank me," the elder said with a smile, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "This is all thanks to your Big Sister Xiang Rui. She is the one who recommended this for you."
Duan Liyang looked at Xiang Rui. She sat quietly, a faint smile on her face, her eyes fixed on Duan Liyang. She nodded gently.
"And besides," the elder continued, a slight seriousness in his voice. "Anyone who defeats Li Xiao is considered to be at least Level 4, even if the pedestal shows otherwise. And anyone who reaches Level 4 has the right to choose a cultivation technique from the Cultivation Hall.
" He looked at Duan Liyang. "So what if you are at Level 0? You can defeat a Level 4. Our family looks not at your 'level,' but at your 'capability.' Understand?"
Duan Liyang took a deep breath. He understood. He gave his elder protector and Xiang Rui one last grateful look and then exited the hall, the metal token clutched tightly in his hand. Twenty days until the fight with Wang Xiao. Now, he had a real chance.
End of Chapter 12