The scent of damp earth and rust still lingered in the air when Li yuan tian and his group arrived back at Jinshui Village. The village, once the scene of an unsettling mystery, stood eerily calm in the soft light of early morning. The air was quiet—too quiet. There was no trace of the demonic corruption, no ominous blackened symbols or twisted talismans. It was as if the events that had unfolded here months ago had never occurred at all.
Elder Zhao had led an investigation team to the village shortly after Li yuan tian's return, but when they arrived, the signs of the demon cultivators had vanished. The strange residue left behind by the spirit flame had disappeared, and the twisted marks etched in the abandoned cart were gone, as if they had never existed. The crude, ominous bundle at the well was missing too. It was as if the demon cultivators had come and gone in the span of a single night, leaving nothing but empty land in their wake.
As Elder Zhao and his team combed through the ruins of Jinshui, they discovered that the demons had indeed moved on. Their objective was either achieved or abandoned—but what that meant remained unclear. Whatever dark forces had descended on the village had already shifted elsewhere, leaving only the whispers of their presence behind.
In the weeks that followed, the academy's focus shifted away from the mystery of Jinshui. The threat of demon cultivators still loomed in the back of their minds, but without concrete evidence, there was little to be done. The academy had its own agenda, and time would not wait for their suspicions to be confirmed.
---
Eight Months Later: A New Opportunity
Eight months passed since the investigation into Jinshui, and Li yuan tian's training had not slowed. He had spent countless hours refining his techniques and improving his skills, his body now fully attuned to the late stage of Body Tempering. Yet even with his newfound strength, a sense of restlessness lingered within him. The academy's halls were full of promising disciples, and though he had made significant progress, Li yuan tian knew there was still much more to learn.
It was during one of his training sessions, in the midst of perfecting his stance, that the summons came.
"Li yuan tian. Han Jue. Li Zhi." Old Bai's voice was gruff and commanding, echoing across the training grounds. "Report to my office immediately."
Li yuan tian wiped the sweat from his brow and exchanged a look with Han Jue. The seasoned brute of a martial artist nodded, and the two followed Li Zhi, a disciple known for his speed and agility who had reached the late stage of Body Tempering. Together, the three made their way to Old Bai's office.
Inside, the elderly instructor sat behind a desk, his weathered face set in a serious expression. He looked at them with a rare intensity. There was something in his eyes, a quiet expectation that both unnerved and intrigued Li yuan tian.
"Sit," Old Bai said curtly, motioning to the wooden chairs before his desk. "I've called you here because there's something important coming up."
As the three sat, Li yuan tian couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. He'd known Old Bai for long enough to recognize when his master was about to drop something serious on them.
"There's going to be a regional competition soon," Old Bai continued, his voice low and steady. "It's an annual event, but this year it's particularly important. This competition will feature the strongest disciples from across the region. It's a chance to test your abilities against other martial artists, to grow and develop. And perhaps, most importantly, it's an opportunity to make a name for yourselves."
Li Zhi, always the quiet one, spoke up first. "Master Bai, who will be our competition?"
Old Bai's eyes flickered for a moment, a brief shadow of uncertainty crossing his face. "The best of the best. You'll face off against disciples from powerful clans and academies. Some of the most skilled disciples from the Blood Opening Realm will be there. You'll be tested in every way possible—strength, speed, endurance, and tactics. Not just raw power."
Li yuan tian straightened in his seat, his mind already racing. A competition. An opportunity to prove himself.
"You three are my strongest disciples," Old Bai continued, his gaze turning sharp. "But I will not make the mistake of underestimating the other participants. You must be prepared. The competition will be brutal."
Han Jue cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like fun."
Old Bai nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I know you're eager, Han Jue. But don't take this lightly. Even you, with your raw strength, will need to refine your skills and discipline. This will be unlike any fight you've faced before."
Li yuan tian clenched his fists. He had been training for months, but a competition like this—against the best of the region—was exactly what he needed. It was a chance to test his limits and see how far he had truly come. The path to becoming a great martial artist was long, and this would be one of the steps on that journey.
"I'll do my best, Master Bai," Li yuan tian said, his voice steady.
"Good," Old Bai said, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "You'll need to be ready. The competition is fast approaching, and there will be no turning back once you enter the arena. Now go. Prepare yourselves."
With that, the disciples stood, bowing to their master before leaving the office. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Li yuan tian's heart raced with anticipation. This was the chance he had been waiting for—his opportunity to prove his worth. But it wouldn't be easy. The road ahead would be filled with obstacles, and only the strongest would emerge victorious.
The competition was drawing near, and Li yuan tian knew that his true test was about to begin.