On the third day, Elder Liam arranged specialized tests. They started with elemental resistance training, where Lux stood passively while junior disciples launched basic elemental attacks at him.
The results confirmed the Grand Elders' observations. Fireballs diminished to embers before reaching him, water jets scattered into mist, earth projectiles crumbled at their edges, and wind blades lost cohesion.
"Your gray qi creates a localized field where elemental interactions are weakened," Liam observed, taking notes. "But notice how physical attacks are less affected."
Indeed, when training partners used pure physical strikes without elemental enhancement, Lux's defenses were significantly less effective. The gray qi specialized in countering spiritual and elemental forces but offered less protection against raw physical power.
The most significant discovery came during formation testing. A junior formation master set up increasingly complex barriers, and Lux practiced disrupting them with threads of gray qi.
"The gray qi doesn't overpower formations," Lux realized aloud during one session. "It... convinces and distort them they don't exist."
Elder Liam raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"It targets the spiritual connections that define the formation's structure. By slightly lowering the formation at those connection points, the formation simply... forgets what it's supposed to be."
The implications were profound. With precise application, Lux could disable formations without triggering their defensive mechanisms or alerting their creators.
By the fifth day, Lux had begun integrating his distortion abilities with basic combat forms art for qi cultivator, He could found in sect library
Create microscopic reality distortions at his fists and feet, allowing strikes to partially bypass physical defenses, Weaken incoming spiritual attacks by distorting their cohesion before they reached him, Enhance his movement by subtly distorting the air resistance around him, But each application carried the same risk the more he used his abilities, the more he felt a subtle... disconnect from the world around him. As if he was becoming a ghost in his own reality.
"The detachment effect is cumulative, worm." Mobius confirmed when Lux mentioned this. It dissipates with rest, but repeated use without adequate recovery could lead to permanent effects.
On the evening of the sixth day, as Lux prepared for his upcoming sparring match, Elder Liam delivered unexpected news.
"Your opponent will be William, an inner disciple at Qi Nurturing Realm Stage 3. He specializes in lightning-attributed techniques and has considerable combat experience."
Lux felt a knot form in his stomach. Lightning was among the most aggressive and difficult elements to counter.
"Remember, Lux," Liam said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't about winning. It's about demonstrating control, adaptability, and understanding of your unique abilities. The Grand Elders aren't looking for a victor they're looking for potential."
That night, as Lux meditated, he reviewed everything he'd learned. His gray qi gave him unique advantages but came with significant limitations. He couldn't match conventional cultivators in raw power or elemental mastery, but he could undermine the very foundations of their abilities.
Mobius reported, "Let me suggest you worm, against lightning attribute utilize localized reality distortion to disrupt electrical pathways. Defense priority maintain distance to avoid physical engagement. Optimal approach controlled, precise application of gray qi to neutralize key techniques."
Lux nodded, a plan forming in his mind. He wouldn't try to overpower his opponent. He would deconstruct the fight itself, using his understanding of reality's underlying mechanics to counter conventional cultivation.
As dawn approached on the seventh day, Lux opened his eyes, gray qi swirling gently in their depths. He was as ready as he would ever be. The engineering mind that had once designed complex systems on Earth was now focused on a different kind of problem how to fight a cultivator when you operated on different physical principles.
The private sparring arena of the Burning Sky Sect was a circular chamber fifty meters across, its walls inscribed with formations that could contain techniques up to the Core Formation realm. Lux followed Elder Liam into the space, his eyes immediately drawn to the figure waiting at the center.
William stood with the relaxed readiness of an experienced fighter. At fifteen, he already carried himself with the confidence of someone who had faced real combat. His black hair was tied back in a practical ponytail, revealing sharp features and eyes that held the faint crackle of lightning energy. The simple inner disciple robes couldn't conceal the lean muscle built through years of training.
Assessment Qi Nurturing Realm Stage 3, lightning affinity specialization. Muscle development suggests physical combat proficiency. Spiritual pressure indicates stable foundation, lux activate his measurment.
William bowed respectfully as they approached. "Elder Liam. Direct Disciple Lux."
He doesn't underestimate me because of my age, Lux noted. That makes him more dangerous.
Internally, William was having his own calculations. A nine-year-old Direct Disciple who reached Qi Nurturing in record time. They say his qi is abnormal. But the Sect Master himself ordered this sparring session I can't hold back, regardless of his age or status. This is my chance to prove myself .
Elder Liam took position at the edge of the arena. "This is a training spar. Continue until one party yields or is unable to continue. Begin!"
William moved first, his body becoming a blur as he closed the distance. Lightning qi crackled around his fists. "Lightning Rush Fist!"
Lux barely had time to react, channeling gray qi through his body as he'd practiced. As William's fist approached, Lux focused on the principles Mobius had outlined.
Distort Emission alter trajectory. Bone Distortion redirect impact force.
William's lightning-wreathed fist should have connected squarely with Lux's chest. Instead, it veered slightly at the last moment, the lightning dispersing harmlessly into the air while the physical force was redirected along Lux's arm, leaving only a glancing blow.
William's eyes widened momentarily before he followed up with a series of rapid strikes. Each time, Lux used subtle distortions to minimize the damage, but the strain was already showing.
Coefficient of Reality fluctuating 0.99984, Energy consumption at 23% per minute. This pace is unsustainable, Mobius warned.
"You're only defending!" William called out, creating distance. "How can I assess your capabilities like this?"
He formed hand seals, and the air grew heavy with ozone. "Chain Lightning Wave!"
Bolts of blue-white energy shot toward Lux from multiple angles. This was no simple technique it was a proper elemental art that would be difficult to dodge completely.
Neutral Field creation maximum coverage! Lux thought, pouring gray qi into the space around him.
The lightning bolts struck the grayish haze that formed around Lux and... slowed. Their brilliant intensity dimmed, the crackling energy becoming muted. Where they should have been blindingly fast, they now moved at a pace Lux could track.
Elemental suppression 61%. Significant improvement from previous tests.
Lux moved through the slowed lightning, his small frame weaving between the bolts. But William wasn't done.
"Lightning Web Formation!" William shouted, his hands moving in a complex pattern.
The slowed lightning bolts suddenly connected, forming a crackling net that surrounded Lux completely. The formation began contracting, the energy intensifying as the space available to Lux diminished.
Formation pattern detected. Distortion required at key connection points.
Lux extended threads of gray qi, targeting the spiritual connections that held the lightning web together. Just as with the formation tests, the web began unraveling where the gray qi touched it, sections of lightning simply ceasing to exist.
William stared in disbelief. "How...?"
This was Lux's opening. He charged forward, gray qi concentrating around his right fist. Distortion Punch - integrate micro distortion with physical strike.
William recovered quickly, raising a lightning-charged arm to block. But when Lux's fist connected, something strange happened. The lightning barrier didn't shatter - it simply parted around Lux's fist as if it weren't there, allowing the blow to land squarely on William's chest.
The inner disciple flew backward, landing hard on the polished stone floor. He coughed, the wind knocked out of him, the lightning around him dissipating completely.
Lux stood panting, his gray qi swirling erratically. Energy reserves at 18%. Reality coefficient destabilized to 0.99979. Immediate rest recommended.
For a moment, neither moved. Then William pushed himself up, a wry smile on his face. "So that's the power of a Direct Disciple."
Lux extended a hand to help him up. "Your lightning techniques are incredible. I could only counter them because my qi is... kinda different."
William accepted the hand, his expression thoughtful. "You didn't overpower my techniques. You made them irrelevant. That's more frightening than raw power."
Elder Liam approached, his face unreadable. "William, your assessment?"
"The rumors are true, Elder. His qi exists outside conventional elements. My lightning lost coherence when it entered his energy field. And when he struck..." William rubbed his chest. "It felt like my defenses weren't even there."
"Lux?" Liam turned to him.
"I can't match his speed or power," Lux admitted. "But I can create conditions where those advantages don't matter. The cost is high, though. I can't maintain this for long."
"Understood." Liam made a note on a jade slip. "William, you will report for sparring sessions with Lux twice weekly. The same confidentiality restrictions apply."
William bowed. "It would be my honor. Fighting you... it forces me to think differently about cultivation."
As William left the arena, Lux felt a connection forming. This was the first time he'd fought someone who didn't view him as either a freak or a prodigy, but simply as another cultivator with unique abilities.