《The Prime God:1000x cultivation from start》 Cross the Worlds A storm raged over the city, lightning splitting the sky as heavy rain poured onto the darkened streets. In a cramped, rundown apartment, a frail-looking teenager sat before an old, flickering computer screen. Xiao Li, 15 years old, orphaned, and struggling to survive, stared at the last notification on his screen: "Your job application has been rejected." His stomach growled, but hunger was something he had long gotten used to. With a sigh, he leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Life is really unfair¡­" He had always tried his best, always worked harder than others, yet fate never gave him a break. No parents, no friends, no future. He was just another disposable existence in this cruel world. But fate wasn¡¯t done with him just yet. A loud explosion echoed from outside. Startled, Xiao Li rushed to the window. What he saw made his blood freeze. A truck was speeding out of control, heading straight for his apartment building! Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before he could react, the truck crashed into the lower floors. The entire building trembled violently, walls cracking, windows shattering. Xiao Li¡¯s body was thrown across the room, his head slamming against the wall. Blood trickled down his forehead as his vision blurred. The last thing he heard was the deafening sound of the building collapsing around him. Then¡­ nothing. Somewhere Beyond Time and Space¡­ Darkness. Cold. Silence. Xiao Li didn¡¯t know how long he drifted in this void. He couldn''t feel his body, yet his consciousness remained intact. "Am I dead?" Just as that thought crossed his mind, a powerful force surged through his soul. It felt ancient, overwhelming, and filled with boundless hatred. Suddenly, memories that weren¡¯t his flooded into his mind. A majestic palace floating in the skies. Countless powerful figures bowing before a single man. A betrayal. A blade piercing through the chest. The agony. The rage. The despair. And then, darkness once more. When Xiao Li opened his eyes, he was no longer the same person. He had inherited the memories of a supreme powerhouse from the God Realm, a being who once stood at the pinnacle but was ruthlessly betrayed by his own best friend. And now, their souls had merged. At that moment, an ancient voice echoed in his mind: [Universal Prime System Activated] Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Abandoned Young Master Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Abandoned Young MasterThe night was silent, but the scent of blood lingered in the cold air. In the deserted courtyard of the Xiao Family Estate, a figure lay motionless on the stone floor. His robes, once embroidered with the family crest, were torn and soaked in blood. His once brilliant eyes were dull, and his breathing was weak. This was Xiao Li, the once-talented young master of the Xiao Family. A genius? Once. A cripple? Now. His own half-brother, Xiao Feng, had shattered his dantian out of jealousy, destroying his cultivation. His own father, Xiao Zhen, the patriarch, had stood by and let it happen. And now, discarded like a useless dog, Xiao Li was left to die alone. ¡°How¡­ pathetic.¡± His vision blurred as his consciousness drifted. The mocking laughter of his relatives and clan members echoed in his mind. ¡°A cripple like you isn¡¯t worthy to live.¡± ¡°Such a waste of resources. Just die quietly.¡± Xiao Li¡¯s body trembled, but he could not even lift a finger. His injuries were too severe. His meridians were broken, his dantian in ruins¡ªno cultivator could survive such damage. His life was fading. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But at that moment¡ª BZZT! A golden lightning bolt streaked across the sky, illuminating the darkness. The heavens rumbled, and an unseen power surged into his body. [Universal Prime System Activated] [Soul Merge Complete] [Initializing 1000x Cultivation Speed¡­] [Initializing 1000x Comprehension Amplifier¡­] Xiao Li¡¯s lifeless body convulsed. A torrent of knowledge rushed into his mind, merging with his soul. Memories that were not his own. A Supreme Powerhouse from the God Realm¡ªbetrayed, slaughtered, erased from history. And now, their souls had become one. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes snapped open. He had returned. The pain that had once consumed him vanished. His body, once weak and broken, now buzzed with unimaginable energy. Xiao Li slowly lifted his hand. His fingers curled into a tight fist¡ªthe same hand that had been powerless just moments ago. ¡°This feeling¡­ I¡¯ve never been stronger.¡± His dantian, once shattered, was now completely restored ¡ªno, it was something more. A normal cultivator¡¯s dantian could only store a limited amount of Qi, but his felt bottomless, like an endless void. And the system¡­ [Host has obtained the Universal Prime System] [1000x Cultivation Speed Active] [1000x Comprehension Rate Active] [1000x Resource Effect Multiplier Active] Xiao Li¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. 1000 times the cultivation speed? 1000 times the comprehension rate? With this, who in the entire universe could stop him? Ding! [Mission Activated: Begin Cultivation] [Objective: Reach Qi Refining Stage] [Reward: 1000x Effect Bonus on First Breakthrough] A surge of excitement flashed through him. In his past life, it had taken him years to achieve breakthroughs. But now? One breath. One thought. He would ascend faster than anyone in history. Xiao Li sat cross-legged, his body instinctively pulling in the surrounding Qi. And then¡ª BOOM! A tornado of spiritual energy swirled around him, flooding into his meridians at an insane speed. [Qi Refining Stage 1¡­ Qi Refining Stage 2¡­ Qi Refining Stage 3¡­] Xiao Li¡¯s cultivation skyrocketed, crossing three entire levels in seconds. Had any other cultivator seen this, they would have thought it impossible. But for him? This was just the beginning. The first rays of morning sunlight shone over Linfun City. Xiao Li rose to his feet, his once weak body now overflowing with strength. His father abandoned him. His brother crippled him. His family spat on him. But now¡­ They would learn fear. He took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "The Xiao Family thinks I am dead?" A cold smile spread across his lips. "Then let¡¯s show them a ghost." Chapter 2: Return of the Chapter 2: Return of the "Dead" Young MasterThe Xiao Family Estate was bustling with activity as the first light of dawn broke over Linfun City. Servants scurried across the courtyard, preparing for the morning family assembly, where the clan elders would discuss important matters. No one paid attention to the bloodstained ground in the outer courtyard. To them, Xiao Li was dead. A cripple, discarded like trash. Not worth remembering. Yet, as the sun rose higher into the sky, a shadow slowly approached the Xiao Family¡¯s Main Hall¡ªhis black robes tattered, his body radiating an eerie presence. Inside the Main Hall, dozens of Xiao family members sat in an orderly fashion. At the highest seat, Xiao Zhen, the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, sat with a stern expression. His deep blue robes, embroidered with golden cloud patterns, signified his status as the clan head. To his left, several elders were gathered, whispering amongst themselves. And at the center of attention¡ª Xiao Feng, the second young master of the Xiao Family. A proud smirk played on his lips as he spoke. "Father, I have done what was necessary. That cripple was a disgrace to our family. His death is a blessing." The gathered members nodded in agreement. "Xiao Li was a waste of resources." "Better that he died than continue shaming our bloodline." "Even if he had lived, his cultivation was crippled. He was finished." Xiao Zhen¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but there was no sadness in his eyes. The once-talented Xiao Li had fallen. That was simply the law of the strong. "It is unfortunate," the Patriarch finally said, "but you are correct. He was no longer worthy of the Xiao name." Xiao Feng¡¯s smirk widened. "Then as his rightful successor, I will take his position as the first young master of the Xiao Family." Murmurs of approval swept through the hall. Xiao Li was dead. Xiao Feng would be the next ruler of the clan. Or so they thought. THUD. THUD. THUD. The sound of slow footsteps echoed outside the hall. The main doors creaked open. A figure stepped inside. His long black hair flowed freely down his back. His eyes, once dull and lifeless, now gleamed with chilling intensity. His posture straight, unwavering¡ªlike a war god stepping onto the battlefield. And on his face¡­ a smile. A smile that sent shivers down the spine of everyone present. "You talk about my death so casually, yet here I am." The hall fell into dead silence. Xiao Li had returned. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I¡­ Impossible!" Xiao Feng¡¯s voice trembled, his eyes widening in disbelief. He had personally shattered Xiao Li¡¯s dantian. He had personally watched him bleed out in the courtyard. There was no way he could have survived! Xiao Zhen¡¯s sharp gaze narrowed as he examined Xiao Li. His son should have been crippled. Weak. On the verge of death. Yet, the aura surrounding Xiao Li was calm¡­ powerful. Something was different. One of the elders, Xiao Yuan, rose from his seat. "Xiao Li, how are you standing?" Xiao Li¡¯s gaze swept across the room, his calm smirk never fading. "Disappointed?" Xiao Yuan froze, unable to speak. The Xiao family members whispered anxiously. "How did he survive?" "He shouldn''t even be able to walk, let alone stand with such confidence!" "Could it be that¡­ he regained his cultivation?" Xiao Feng gritted his teeth. He had already taken his brother¡¯s position, already declared him dead. He could not allow this humiliation. "Father!" he shouted, pointing at Xiao Li. "He is faking it! His dantian was destroyed¡ªhe¡¯s just putting on an act to embarrass me!" Xiao Li chuckled. "Oh? You believe I¡¯m still crippled?" Xiao Feng¡¯s face twisted in anger. "Of course! If you¡¯re so confident, then prove it!" A flicker of amusement flashed through Xiao Li¡¯s eyes. "Fine." He took a single step forward. And then¡ª BOOM! A terrifying wave of energy erupted from his body, shaking the very foundations of the hall. The Xiao Family Elders instantly turned pale. "This¡­ This is the Qi Refining Stage!" "No, not just the first level! He''s at least at the third!" Xiao Zhen¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! His cultivation was crippled! How did he recover¡­ and advance so quickly?" Xiao Feng stumbled back, his confidence shattering. He had expected his brother to crawl back in shame. Instead, Xiao Li stood before them stronger than ever. "H-How¡­?!" Xiao Li took another step forward, his smirk deepening. "Xiao Feng, do you still believe I am a cripple?" Xiao Feng¡¯s body trembled. But before he could speak¡ª WHOOSH! Xiao Li¡¯s figure blurred as he suddenly vanished. Before anyone could react¡ª CRACK! A slap echoed across the hall. Xiao Feng was sent flying backward, crashing into the stone floor with a sickening thud. The entire hall fell into stunned silence. Xiao Feng clutched his burning cheek, his eyes wide with shock and humiliation. "Y-You¡­ hit me?!" Xiao Li tilted his head, amused. "It seems your hearing is still working." He took another step forward, his cold gaze locking onto his brother. "I once tolerated your arrogance, thinking you were just a fool." "But you took advantage of that and tried to kill me." "Now, it''s my turn." Xiao Feng¡¯s face drained of color. For the first time in his life¡ªhe felt fear. And from the looks of Xiao Li¡¯s eyes, he knew¡ª This was just the beginning. Chapter 3: The Crippled Young Master’s Return Chapter 3: The Crippled Young Master¡¯s ReturnThe Xiao Family¡¯s Main Hall was deathly silent. Xiao Feng lay sprawled on the floor, his cheek red and swollen, his entire body trembling. He had never been humiliated like this before. Just yesterday, he had crippled Xiao Li with his own hands. He had declared him a waste, a dead man walking. Yet now, the very person he thought had been finished stood above him¡ªstronger than ever. "This¡­ isn''t possible." Xiao Feng gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his skin. He had spent years cultivating, struggling to reach his current level. But Xiao Li, who was supposed to be crippled, was already stronger than him?! "HOW?!" he roared, his voice shaking with disbelief. Xiao Li¡¯s expression remained calm, his eyes cold and unreadable. "You talk too much, Xiao Feng." He raised his foot¡ª THUD! ¡ªand stomped down on Xiao Feng¡¯s chest. CRACK! A scream tore from Xiao Feng¡¯s lips as he felt something snap inside him. Pain shot through his ribs, but the worst part was the humiliation. He¡ªthe supposed heir to the Xiao Family¡ªwas being stepped on like a worm! "Xiao Li, you dare?!" One of the Xiao Elders, an old man with a long white beard, slammed his hand on the table. "Unfilial child! You dare attack your own family in the main hall?!" Xiao Li didn¡¯t even glance at the elder. His foot pressed down harder, making Xiao Feng gasp in pain. "Where was your righteous talk when my own family left me for dead?" The elder¡¯s face twisted, but he had no response. Because Xiao Li was right. No one had lifted a finger when Xiao Feng had beaten and crippled his own brother. Now, seeing Xiao Li return with overwhelming strength, they were suddenly acting righteous? "Hypocrites," Xiao Li muttered, his voice laced with disgust. He lifted his foot, stepping away from Xiao Feng, who lay panting, humiliated, and enraged beyond reason. At the highest seat in the hall, Xiao Zhen, the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, finally spoke. "Enough." His voice was calm¡ªtoo calm. Xiao Li turned his gaze toward his father. Unlike the elders and disciples, Xiao Zhen showed no anger, no surprise, no warmth. Just cold indifference. "Xiao Li," he said, "you are still alive. That is unexpected." "Disappointed?" Xiao Li replied. A few gasps were heard from the clan members. Xiao Li¡¯s words were like a dagger, cutting straight through the unspoken truth. Xiao Zhen had abandoned him. Xiao Zhen¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "You were crippled. It was only natural that the family would no longer waste resources on you." "Waste resources?" Xiao Li chuckled, shaking his head. "I was your son." The room fell silent again. Xiao Zhen didn¡¯t flinch. "Blood alone does not make someone worthy of this family." Xiao Li¡¯s fist clenched. He had expected this reaction. He had known his father wouldn¡¯t suddenly welcome him back with open arms. Even so¡­ To hear it so plainly, so heartlessly¡ª "Then I suppose I should thank Xiao Feng for crippling me?" Xiao Li asked, his voice sharp. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Zhen didn¡¯t answer immediately. "You were too arrogant before," he finally said. "You had talent, but you lacked patience. Perhaps losing everything was the lesson you needed." A mocking smirk crossed Xiao Li¡¯s lips. "A lesson, huh?" Xiao Feng, still struggling to stand, grinned despite the pain. "That¡¯s right, brother," he sneered. "You should be thanking me for making you understand your place¡ª" BOOM! Xiao Li vanished from his spot, appearing in front of Xiao Feng in an instant. Before anyone could react¡ª CRACK! His fist smashed into Xiao Feng¡¯s face, sending him flying across the hall. Xiao Feng slammed into the stone wall, blood spurting from his nose and mouth. He collapsed onto the floor, groaning in agony. The room froze. Xiao Li lowered his fist, his calm expression never changing. "Let me make one thing clear," he said, his voice filled with quiet authority. "I am no longer the same person you crippled." He turned his gaze toward his father. "And if you believe I need to prove myself to this family again..." He took a step forward, his Qi swirling around him¡ªpowerful, overwhelming, far beyond what a mere Qi Refining disciple should have. "...then I will do it the way I know best." His eyes burned with cold determination. "Through absolute power." Chapter 4: The Challenge of the Xiao Clan Chapter 4: The Challenge of the Xiao ClanA heavy silence filled the Xiao Family¡¯s Main Hall. Xiao Li stood calmly, his gaze sweeping across the room filled with elders, disciples, and nobles¡ªall of whom had, just yesterday, considered him dead and worthless. Xiao Feng lay motionless on the floor, groaning in pain, his face swollen and bloodied. The once-proud heir of the Xiao Family, humiliated in front of everyone. Yet the most terrifying thing was not Xiao Feng¡¯s defeat¡ª It was the aura radiating from Xiao Li. This was not the crippled young master they had cast aside. This was a monster. And no one understood how he had become this powerful so quickly. Xiao Zhen, the Xiao Clan Patriarch, remained silent as he observed his son. For the first time in years, a flicker of interest appeared in his usually cold eyes. "Your cultivation... It is far stronger than before." Xiao Li smirked. "Disappointed?" Murmurs spread through the gathered family members. "How did he regain his cultivation?" "Could it be that he found a hidden treasure?" "This is impossible!" One of the Xiao Elders, an old man with long white hair, stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at Xiao Li. "You should be dead," he said coldly. "You were crippled beyond recovery. No medicine, no technique, no divine intervention should have been able to bring you back." Xiao Li¡¯s gaze met the elder¡¯s. "And yet, here I stand." The elder¡¯s face darkened. "You dare disrespect the family elders?" Xiao Li let out a low chuckle. "Respect?" His eyes gleamed with mockery. "Did you respect me when you stood by and watched me be crippled?" The elder¡¯s face twisted in anger. But before he could respond¡ª Xiao Li¡¯s gaze shifted to his father. "Let¡¯s not waste time." He straightened his posture, his voice calm, yet commanding. "I challenge Xiao Feng for the position of First Young Master of the Xiao Family." The entire hall erupted in chaos. "What?!" "He just returned, and he dares to challenge Xiao Feng?!" "Does he have a death wish?!" Xiao Zhen¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "You wish to reclaim your position?" Xiao Li¡¯s smirk deepened. "Wasn¡¯t it you who said that only the strong deserve their place in this family?" A flicker of amusement passed through Xiao Zhen¡¯s gaze. "Very well." He raised his hand, silencing the uproar in the hall. "Tomorrow at dawn, in the Outer Courtyard, Xiao Li will face Xiao Feng in an official duel." "The winner shall claim the position of First Young Master." The Xiao family members whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with anticipation and disbelief. A cripple who had miraculously recovered¡­ challenging the supposed heir of the family? No one could predict how this would end. But one thing was certain¡ª Tomorrow, the Xiao Family would witness a battle like never before. That night, Xiao Li sat cross-legged in his courtyard, his eyes closed as he focused on his cultivation. [1000x Cultivation Speed Activated] A surge of Qi flooded into his body, refining itself at a speed that would take other cultivators months, if not years, to achieve. [Qi Refining Stage 3 ¡ú Stage 4] [Qi Refining Stage 4 ¡ú Stage 5] Xiao Li¡¯s body trembled as an overwhelming wave of energy coursed through him. In just one night, he had already reached the fifth stage of Qi Refining. His power skyrocketed. His control over Qi sharpened. By the time the first rays of dawn appeared, Xiao Li stood up, his eyes burning with determination. "Xiao Feng¡­ Today, I will end you." The Outer Courtyard was packed with Xiao Family members, all eager to witness the duel. Some were curious, others eager to see Xiao Li fail, and a few were simply terrified of what he had become. At the center of the courtyard, Xiao Feng stood with his sword drawn, his face still bruised from yesterday¡¯s humiliation. "You should have stayed dead," Xiao Feng spat, his voice filled with venom. Xiao Li smirked, his hands still lazily resting at his side. "Are you sure you¡¯re in any position to be giving me advice?" Xiao Feng¡¯s fists clenched, his anger boiling over. "Enough talk! Let¡¯s see if your so-called ''return'' is anything more than a joke!" Xiao Zhen, seated at the judge¡¯s platform, raised his hand. "The duel between Xiao Li and Xiao Feng will now commence." "Begin!" BOOM! The moment the words left the Patriarch¡¯s mouth, Xiao Feng charged forward, his sword flashing with sharp Qi energy. "DIE!" His blade cut through the air with deadly precision, aiming straight for Xiao Li¡¯s throat. But¡ª Xiao Li didn¡¯t move. He simply stood there, watching. At the last moment¡ª WHOOSH! Xiao Li¡¯s figure vanished. The next thing Xiao Feng knew¡ª A fist slammed into his stomach. "GUH!" Xiao Feng staggered back, his eyes wide in shock. Xiao Li stood behind him, his expression unreadable. "Too slow." The Xiao Family gasped in disbelief. "What speed¡­!" "I didn¡¯t even see him move!" "How is this possible?!" Xiao Feng¡¯s mind reeled. "How¡­ how did you dodge that?!" Xiao Li tilted his head. "Dodge?" His smirk widened. "I didn¡¯t need to." Xiao Feng¡¯s face paled. "W-What?!" Xiao Li slowly raised his hand, a faint golden glow swirling around his fingers. "My turn." And then, in the blink of an eye¡ª BOOM! Xiao Li disappeared. Before Xiao Feng could even react, a devastating force slammed into his chest. CRACK! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Feng¡¯s body was sent flying, smashing into the ground with an earth-shaking impact. Dust exploded into the air. When it finally cleared¡ª Xiao Feng lay motionless, his sword shattered beside him. The Xiao Family fell into complete silence. No one could believe what they had just witnessed. A single strike. That was all it took. "I¡­" Xiao Feng tried to speak, but coughed out blood. Xiao Li slowly walked forward, towering over his fallen brother. "You thought you were strong." "You thought you had won." His eyes burned coldly. "You were wrong." And with that, he turned away. "This duel is over." The Xiao Family sat in stunned silence. Xiao Feng¡ªdefeated. Xiao Li¡ªunstoppable. The young master had returned. And this was only the beginning. Chapter 5: The Return of the First Young Master Chapter 5: The Return of the First Young MasterA dead silence engulfed the Xiao Family''s Outer Courtyard. Everyone''s eyes were locked on Xiao Feng''s motionless body, his face twisted in pain, his robes soaked in dust and blood. His once-proud sword lay shattered beside him, a clear symbol of his defeat. And standing tall above him¡ªXiao Li. "This duel is over." His voice was calm, almost indifferent, as though Xiao Feng had never been a threat to begin with. For a moment, no one moved. Then¡ª "Xiao Feng¡­ lost?" The murmurs started, spreading through the gathered crowd like wildfire. "Impossible! He was the strongest of the younger generation!" "Xiao Li was a cripple just a day ago! How did this happen?!" "A single strike¡­ Xiao Feng was defeated in a single strike!" The Xiao Family elders exchanged troubled glances. No one could understand. Xiao Li was supposed to be useless. A broken, abandoned young master with no future. Yet, today¡ªhe had crushed Xiao Feng with overwhelming force. This was not the Xiao Li they had once known. This was someone else. Seated at the highest platform, Xiao Zhen , the Xiao Family Patriarch, remained expressionless as he observed his two sons. His gaze lingered on Xiao Li for a few moments longer than usual. Then, he finally spoke. "Xiao Feng has been defeated." His voice was calm, but it carried a weight of finality. "As per the rules of our Xiao Family¡ªXiao Li shall reclaim his title as the First Young Master." The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd. The First Young Master. A position stripped away from Xiao Li after his crippling defeat. A position Xiao Feng had been groomed to take over. And now, it was returned. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The matter is settled," Xiao Zhen continued. "Xiao Feng, you have lost. Learn from this failure." The fallen young master groaned, struggling to lift his head. His eyes burned with hatred. Xiao Li had humiliated him in front of everyone. He wanted to scream in rage, to protest, to fight back¡ª But when his gaze met Xiao Li¡¯s, his body froze. Because what he saw in those cold, calm eyes¡­ Was absolute dominance. Xiao Feng¡¯s fingers dug into the dirt, but he forced himself to remain silent. For now. As the crowd began to disperse, an elderly figure approached Xiao Li. His robes were embroidered with the golden insignia of the Xiao Elders, his long beard flowing past his chest. This was Elder Xiao Yuan, one of the oldest and most respected members of the family. "Xiao Li." His voice was calm, but there was something beneath his words¡ªa warning. Xiao Li turned to face him. "Elder." Xiao Yuan studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Your strength has improved¡­ remarkably." Xiao Li said nothing. "But be careful," the elder continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Not everyone in this family will be pleased with your return." Xiao Li chuckled, shaking his head. "I expected nothing less." Xiao Yuan¡¯s expression remained neutral. "Strength alone will not secure your place, young master." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so that only Xiao Li could hear. "You have powerful enemies. And some of them¡­ do not play fair." With those cryptic words, the elder turned and walked away. Xiao Li watched him go, his smirk fading slightly. He understood the warning well. His return was only the beginning. There were forces within the Xiao Family that would never accept him¡ªpeople who saw him as a threat. And those people¡­ would act soon. Xiao Li exhaled slowly, his mind already calculating his next move. "Let them come." He had 1000x cultivation speed. He had knowledge of supreme techniques. No matter what plots they tried to weave, he would tear through them all. Later that evening, as Xiao Li sat cultivating in his courtyard, a messenger arrived. The servant bowed deeply, holding out a sealed scroll. **"Young Master, this is a personal invitation from the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes flickered with interest as he took the scroll. The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡ªthe most prestigious cultivation academy in the kingdom. Every year, they selected the most talented disciples from noble families and sects to train under their Grand Elders. Only the best of the best were invited. "They must have heard about my duel." Xiao Li¡¯s lips curled into a smirk as he unrolled the scroll. "Interesting." Not only would this be an opportunity to strengthen himself further, but it would also place him on a larger stage¡ªone where even greater enemies and challenges awaited. And he wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. "Very well." Xiao Li placed the scroll aside, his gaze burning with excitement. "I will go." Because this was only the beginning. And his true rise had just begun. Chapter 6: Departing for the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Chapter 6: Departing for the Azure Kingdom Royal AcademyThe morning sun cast its golden light over the Xiao Family estate, but the atmosphere within the clan was tense. Word of Xiao Li¡¯s victory over Xiao Feng had spread like wildfire throughout Linfun City. A cripple had returned from the dead. And not only had he regained his cultivation, but he had also defeated the so-called genius of the younger generation in a single strike. To the outside world, this was an unprecedented miracle. But within the Xiao Family¡­ "This is a disaster." Inside a dimly lit chamber, several Xiao Family elders sat in a secret meeting. The atmosphere was heavy with anxiety and dissatisfaction. One of the elders, Xiao Yuan, the same man who had warned Xiao Li after his duel, sat in silence, his expression unreadable. The others, however, were not so calm. "That boy should have died!" An elder slammed his fist on the table, his face red with anger. "How did he regain his cultivation?! He was supposed to be useless!" Another elder gritted his teeth, his expression dark. "His return has upset the balance within the family. Xiao Feng was our chosen heir¡­ and now he is nothing but a joke!" The elders murmured amongst themselves, but Xiao Yuan finally spoke. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What do you propose?" The room fell silent. An elder with a scar over his left eye sneered. "It¡¯s simple. We cannot allow Xiao Li to grow stronger." "Accidents happen all the time in the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy." A few elders nodded in agreement. "Yes¡­ an unfortunate accident. A beast attack. A duel gone wrong. A fatal cultivation deviation." Xiao Yuan closed his eyes, deep in thought. He had warned Xiao Li. And now, the hidden enemies within the Xiao Family were already moving. "Xiao Li¡­ I hope you are ready." Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard, Xiao Li sat cross-legged, cultivating. [1000x Cultivation Speed Activated] [Qi Refining Stage 5 ¡ú Qi Refining Stage 6] A wave of power surged through his body, refining his meridians and reinforcing his foundation. The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy would be filled with powerful disciples, scheming nobles, and hidden dangers. He needed to be ready for anything. "There will be strong opponents¡­ and hidden enemies." His eyes flashed with cold amusement. "Good. I need more stepping stones." At that moment, a knock echoed at his door. "Young Master Xiao Li, the carriage is ready." Xiao Li slowly stood up, dusting off his robes. His lips curled into a smirk. "Then let¡¯s not waste time." At the Xiao Family gates, several guards and servants were lined up, ready to send Xiao Li off. The carriage, pulled by two spirit horses, was a sign of prestige, granted only to those traveling under the Xiao Family¡¯s name. However, among those gathered, one person was missing. Xiao Feng. The disgraced former heir was nowhere to be seen. Xiao Li chuckled to himself. "Hiding in shame? Or plotting something already?" Either way, it didn¡¯t matter. Xiao Zhen, the Patriarch, finally spoke. "Xiao Li, your performance yesterday proved your worth." His voice was calm, unreadable. "Do not disgrace the Xiao Family name." Xiao Li smirked. "Of course." With that, he stepped into the carriage, and the journey to the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy began. "A new battlefield awaits." And Xiao Li was ready to dominate it. Chapter 7: Arrival at the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Chapter 7: Arrival at the Azure Kingdom Royal AcademyThe spirit carriage raced across the wide roads of the Azure Kingdom, pulled by two spirit beasts, their silver hooves glowing with faint spiritual energy. Inside, Xiao Li sat calmly, eyes closed in meditation. [1000x Cultivation Speed Activated] [Qi Refining Stage 6 ¡ú Qi Refining Stage 7] A surge of spiritual energy refined his body, strengthening his meridians. In just a few days, he had cultivated faster than most geniuses could in years. "The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡­" His destination¡ªone of the greatest cultivation academies in the kingdom. A place filled with geniuses, noble disciples, and future rulers. And also a place full of arrogance, betrayal, and hidden dangers. A smirk played on Xiao Li¡¯s lips. "Perfect." After three days of travel, the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy finally came into view. Massive stone gates, lined with mystic inscriptions, loomed ahead. Beyond them, towering pagodas, training fields, and martial arenas stretched as far as the eye could see. Disciples in luxurious robes moved about in groups, their auras revealing powerful cultivation levels. The Academy was divided into three divisions: ???? Outer Court ¨C For new disciples, the lowest rank. ???? Inner Court ¨C For elite students, handpicked by the elders. ???? Core Court ¨C Only the strongest, direct disciples of the Academy Masters. Xiao Li stepped out of the carriage, his presence going unnoticed among the crowd. But he could already feel several gazes locking onto him. "Look! Another noble brat joining the Academy." "Tch, another weakling from a small city." "Probably just another arrogant fool who won¡¯t last a month." Xiao Li chuckled. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let them talk." Soon, they would all understand who they were dealing with. As he walked toward the registration area, a group of luxuriously dressed disciples blocked his path. Their leader, a young man in gold-embroidered robes, sneered. "You there, peasant." Xiao Li didn¡¯t respond. The young man¡¯s expression darkened at being ignored. "Are you deaf? Do you not know who I am?" Xiao Li turned his gaze to him, eyes filled with amusement. "Should I?" The surrounding disciples gasped. "He¡­ he doesn¡¯t recognize Young Master Zhao Wu?!" "Zhao Wu is from the Zhao Clan! One of the strongest noble families in the kingdom!" Zhao Wu¡¯s face twisted in arrogance. "You¡¯re just a no-name disciple from some backwater city. Remember your place." He stepped forward, his Qi flaring. "Kneel, and I might let you go without breaking your legs." Xiao Li sighed, shaking his head. "You¡¯re in my way." Zhao Wu¡¯s lips curled into a cruel grin. "Then move me." The crowd held its breath. But Xiao Li simply raised a single finger. And then¡ª BOOM! A terrifying shockwave erupted, sending Zhao Wu flying backward, crashing into a stone pillar. "GAH!" The entire courtyard fell into stunned silence. The noble disciples who had been laughing froze in disbelief. "O-One move?!" "H-He sent Zhao Wu flying with a single finger?!" Zhao Wu groaned, struggling to rise, but his arms trembled uncontrollably. He stared at Xiao Li with shock and fear. "W-Who¡­ who are you?!" Xiao Li didn¡¯t even look at him. He simply walked past, his voice calm and indifferent. "Someone you can never afford to offend." And with that, he stepped into the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy. His new battlefield had just begun. Chapter 8: The Entrance Test Begins Chapter 8: The Entrance Test BeginsThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy was a place where geniuses from across the kingdom gathered, a place that determined the future powerhouses of the Mortal World. Xiao Li stepped through the grand gates, his gaze sweeping across the vast courtyard. Towering jade pagodas, intricate training arenas, and powerful formation barriers surrounded the academy grounds. The air buzzed with spiritual energy, and hundreds of disciples moved in groups¡ªsome filled with arrogance, others burning with ambition. He could already sense their cultivation levels. "Qi Refining Stage 5¡­ Stage 6¡­ Some even at Stage 7?" Xiao Li chuckled inwardly. These so-called "geniuses" had spent years reaching their current levels. He had done the same in mere days. "This academy¡­ will be nothing but a playground for me." The Academy Square was packed with new disciples, all standing in neat rows before a towering golden platform. Atop the platform stood several Academy Elders, their powerful auras radiating dominance. A gray-robed elder stepped forward, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Welcome to the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy." His voice boomed across the square, silencing the whispers of the disciples. "This academy does not tolerate the weak. Your rank here will be determined by your performance in the Entrance Test." He raised a hand, and in an instant¡ª BOOM! A massive stone tablet rose from the ground, glowing with ancient runes. "This is the Spirit Measuring Tablet. It will determine your cultivation talent." The crowd murmured in excitement. "That¡¯s the legendary talent-measuring artifact!" "It can assess one¡¯s potential up to the Celestial Grade!" "Only those who reach Earth Grade Talent or higher can enter the Inner Court!" The elder nodded. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. **"Each of you will place your hand on the tablet. It will judge your spiritual roots and assign you a rank¡ªMortal, Earth, or Celestial. "If you fail to meet the requirements, you will be expelled immediately." Xiao Li smirked. "A mere test? Let¡¯s see how they react to my talent." One by one, disciples stepped forward, placing their hands on the Spirit Measuring Tablet. "Mortal Grade Talent." A dull gray light flashed. The disciple lowered his head in disappointment¡ªonly those with Earth Grade Talent or higher could hope to enter the Inner Court. "Earth Grade Talent." A blue light flickered, and murmurs of approval spread through the crowd. "He made it into the Inner Court!" The true geniuses stepped forward next. A young girl placed her hand on the tablet¡ª "Celestial Grade Talent!" A golden light burst forth, and the crowd gasped. "She has celestial-level potential!" "She¡¯ll become a Core Disciple for sure!" The girl stepped away, her expression filled with pride. Then¡ª "Next!" Xiao Li stepped forward. The crowd turned to look at him, some still remembering his earlier humiliation of Zhao Wu. "Who is that guy?" "He looks confident. Maybe he¡¯s another genius?" Zhao Wu, still nursing his wounds from their earlier encounter, gritted his teeth. "Just wait¡­ he¡¯ll be nothing special!" Xiao Li placed his hand on the tablet. For a moment, nothing happened. Then¡ª BOOM! A blinding golden light exploded from the tablet, illuminating the entire square. The ground trembled. The elders gasped. The surrounding disciples were nearly knocked off their feet. "W-What is happening?!" A voice rang out from the tablet¡ª "ERROR! ERROR! Talent exceeds measurement!" The tablet cracked. Then, with a final BOOM¡ªIT SHATTERED INTO PIECES. The entire square fell into stunned silence. "He¡­ he broke the Spirit Measuring Tablet?!" "WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS HE?!" The elders stared at Xiao Li in disbelief. "Such overwhelming potential¡­" The gray-robed elder, who had remained composed throughout the test, finally spoke. His voice trembled slightly. "Xiao Li¡­ has surpassed Celestial Grade Talent." "His talent¡­ is at the Heavenly Grade." The crowd erupted into chaos. "HEAVENLY GRADE TALENT?!" "Isn¡¯t that just a legend?!" "How is this possible?!" Even the elders were shaken. Zhao Wu¡¯s face turned pale. "T-This can¡¯t be real¡­" Even in the entire history of the Azure Kingdom, there had never been a single disciple with Heavenly Grade Talent. Xiao Li stepped back, his expression calm. "That should be enough to make my mark." The gray-robed elder turned to the other elders, his face serious. "This boy must be taken in as a Core Disciple immediately!" Another elder hesitated. "We cannot make that decision alone. We must inform the Academy Headmaster!" Xiao Li smirked. "Heavenly Grade Talent, huh?" "Let¡¯s see how this shakes up the Academy." One thing was clear. The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy would never be the same again. And his legend was only beginning. Chapter 9 : Summoned by the Principal Chapter 9: Summoned by the HeadmasterThe Spirit Measuring Tablet lay in ruins. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Fragments of glowing jade littered the ground, the once-mighty artifact reduced to nothing but dust. The entire Academy Square was silent. Hundreds of disciples stared at the shattered remains, their minds unable to comprehend what had just happened. The Spirit Measuring Tablet had been used for centuries¡ªa divine tool capable of measuring anyone¡¯s talent up to Celestial Grade. Yet today, one person had broken it. And that person was¡ª Xiao Li. The Academy Elders, usually calm and indifferent, were visibly shaken. One of them, a white-haired elder, muttered under his breath. "Heavenly Grade Talent¡­ I have never seen it in my lifetime." Another elder nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Xiao Li. "Not even the most powerful geniuses in the Kingdom have reached such a level." The gray-robed elder, the one who had conducted the entrance test, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Xiao Li, come with me." Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. "Where?" "The Academy Headmaster wishes to see you." A murmur spread through the crowd. "The Headmaster?! He never gets involved in the entrance tests!" "He must see Xiao Li as an extraordinary case!" "Who exactly is this guy?!" Xiao Li remained calm as he nodded. "Lead the way." As he turned to follow the elder, he noticed a few hostile gazes in the crowd. One of them was Zhao Wu, his face pale with shock and rage. Another was a black-robed youth, standing among a group of Inner Court disciples. His cold eyes locked onto Xiao Li with a calculating gaze. "Interesting." It seemed his rise had already started attracting enemies. Good. He welcomed the challenge. Xiao Li followed the elder through winding corridors and past towering pagodas until they reached a grand temple-like hall. At the entrance stood two golden-armored guards, their expressions emotionless. Without hesitation, they stepped aside, allowing Xiao Li inside. The hall was vast, with floating golden lanterns illuminating the chamber. At its center sat an old man in deep blue robes, his aura like a boundless ocean, unfathomable and immeasurable. This was the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Headmaster, one of the strongest cultivators in the entire kingdom. "Xiao Li." His voice was calm, yet carried absolute authority. Xiao Li stepped forward, his expression unfazed. "Headmaster." The old man¡¯s eyes studied him for a long moment. "Your talent has caused quite a commotion." "I suppose breaking the Spirit Measuring Tablet would do that." The elders standing to the side twitched slightly at Xiao Li¡¯s bold words. Even the Headmaster raised an eyebrow. Then, after a moment, he chuckled. "You are quite different from the usual arrogant noble brats." His gaze sharpened. "Tell me, Xiao Li¡­ What do you seek?" Xiao Li¡¯s smirk faded, replaced by a cold determination. "Strength." The Headmaster nodded slightly. "And what will you do with that strength?" Xiao Li¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Crush those who stand in my way." The elders exchanged glances, but the Headmaster only smiled. "Interesting." He slowly rose from his seat, his aura causing the air itself to tremble. "Then, let me make one thing clear, Xiao Li." "You have attracted attention. Some will want to recruit you. Others will want to destroy you before you can rise any further." "Do you fear that?" Xiao Li chuckled, his gaze unwavering. "Why should I fear stepping stones?" The room fell silent. Then, the Headmaster laughed. "Good! Very good!" He turned to the assembled elders. "From this moment forward, Xiao Li is not an Outer Court disciple." The elders gasped in surprise. "He will enter the Inner Court directly!" The news sent shockwaves through the academy. News of Xiao Li¡¯s instant rise to the Inner Court spread like wildfire. In a secluded chamber, a group of black-robed figures gathered. At their center stood a young man with icy silver eyes, his expression dark. "Xiao Li¡­ has become too dangerous." A hooded figure stepped forward. "Do we eliminate him?" The silver-eyed man¡¯s gaze turned sharp. "No. Not yet." A slow smile spread across his lips. "He has no idea what he''s walking into." Later that evening, as Xiao Li walked through the academy gardens, he felt a strange presence. A figure in white robes stood under the moonlight, her long silver hair flowing like a waterfall of light. Her back was turned to him, yet he could sense something familiar. "Xiao Li." His eyes narrowed. "Who are you?" She slowly turned around, her crystal-blue eyes locking onto his. "Someone who knows the truth about you." Xiao Li''s expression darkened. "What truth?" She smiled slightly, but there was sadness in her eyes. "The truth about your past." And with that, the real mystery began. Chapter 10: The Girl Who Knows the Past Chapter 10: The Girl Who Knows the PastThe moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡¯s gardens. Xiao Li stood still, his sharp eyes locked onto the mysterious silver-haired girl before him. She was unlike any other disciple he had seen so far¡ªher robe was pure white, flowing like mist, and her crystal-blue eyes held an unreadable depth. Most importantly¡ª She had called him by name, as if she had known him for years. "Who are you?" The girl¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile, but there was something strange in her expression. "Someone who knows the truth about you." Xiao Li¡¯s gaze darkened. "The truth?" He took a step forward, his Qi subtly flaring, preparing for any potential threat. But the girl simply raised her hand, as if to assure him she meant no harm. "I do not come as an enemy, Xiao Li." "But if you want answers, you must first prove that you are ready for them." Xiao Li¡¯s smirk returned. "So, you want to test me?" The girl nodded. "Yes." She raised her hand, and suddenly¡ª BOOM! A wave of spiritual energy exploded from her body, causing the air itself to tremble. Xiao Li''s eyes flashed. "Qi Refining Stage 9?" No¡ªher energy felt even stronger than a normal Qi Refining cultivator. Her power was refined, controlled, and far more dangerous than the arrogant disciples he had fought before. This wasn¡¯t just a test. "She wants to see if I¡¯m truly worthy of her secrets." Xiao Li grinned. "Fine." His Qi surged, golden light flickering around his body. "Let¡¯s begin." The silver-haired girl moved first. "Frost Lotus Art¡ªFirst Bloom!" The air temperature dropped instantly, and crystalline ice petals materialized around her, glowing with sharp blue energy. "Ice cultivation techniques?" Xiao Li dodged backward as the petals shot toward him like flying daggers. WHOOSH! Each one sliced through the ground, freezing the stone where it landed. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li¡¯s expression remained calm as he twisted his body, dodging every attack with ease. The girl¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise. "Your movement technique is refined¡­ but how will you handle this?" She raised both hands, and suddenly¡ª BOOM! A massive frost lotus formed in the air, spinning rapidly, releasing waves of freezing energy that spread across the entire courtyard. The ground beneath them froze solid, and a layer of ice mist covered everything. "If you stand still for even a moment, your body will freeze." Xiao Li chuckled. "Then I won¡¯t stand still." And in the blink of an eye¡ª He vanished. The girl¡¯s eyes widened. "Wha¡ª?!" Xiao Li reappeared behind her, his Qi surging. "Too slow." He raised his palm , aiming directly at her shoulder¡ª But she reacted just in time, twisting her body and countering with an ice-covered palm strike. BOOM! Their attacks collided, sending shockwaves through the air. The girl skidded backward, her expression serious. "You''re much stronger than I expected." Xiao Li cracked his knuckles. "And you¡¯re not bad yourself." The girl suddenly smiled. "Then let¡¯s take this to the next level." She raised her hands, and the air around them thickened with spiritual energy. A second frost lotus began forming, but this time¡ª "Enough." Xiao Li¡¯s voice cut through the air, and in an instant¡ª BOOM! He vanished again, but this time, he didn¡¯t appear behind her. He appeared above her. "Heaven-Sealing Palm!" A golden palm strike descended from above, crashing toward her with immense force. Her eyes widened. "I can¡¯t block this!" She immediately tried to dodge¡ª But it was too late. BOOM! The ground shook violently as Xiao Li¡¯s palm landed just in front of her, sending a shockwave that knocked her off balance. As the mist cleared, Xiao Li stood completely unscathed, while the girl struggled to catch her breath. The battle was over. The girl slowly straightened, her crystal-blue eyes filled with curiosity. "You¡­ are even stronger than I thought." Xiao Li crossed his arms. "Now, tell me. Who are you?" The girl was silent for a moment. Then, she sighed softly. "My name is Xue Yue." Xiao Li''s eyes narrowed. "And how do you know about me?" Xue Yue''s gaze met his directly, her voice calm but serious. "Because I know the truth of your origins, Xiao Li." Xiao Li¡¯s expression darkened. "Explain." Xue Yue hesitated, then took a deep breath. "You were not meant to be born in Linfun City." "Your true origins¡­ are far beyond this Mortal World." Xiao Li¡¯s fingers clenched slightly. "Go on." Xue Yue¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. "You are connected to an existence that the heavens themselves fear." Xiao Li¡¯s mind raced. What did she mean? Before he could question her further, she turned away, her voice soft but firm. "If you wish to learn more¡­ grow stronger." She glanced back, her eyes filled with mystery and something else¡ªconcern? "Because soon¡­ your true enemies will come for you." With that, she vanished into the night mist, leaving Xiao Li alone with his thoughts. "My true origins?" His smirk slowly returned. "Fine. Let¡¯s see where this path leads." Because no matter what secrets awaited¡ª He would be ready. Chapter 11: A Target on His Back Chapter 11: A Target on His BackThe moon had disappeared beyond the horizon, and the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Xiao Li stood alone in the empty courtyard, his mind replaying Xue Yue¡¯s words from the night before. "You are connected to an existence that the heavens themselves fear." The meaning behind those words lingered in his thoughts, but he knew one thing for certain¡ª If what she said was true, then his enemies were far greater than just the Xiao Family or the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy. "Interesting." A small smirk formed on his lips. "Then let them come." No matter what forces lurked in the shadows, he would be ready. Elsewhere, in a secluded hall deep within the Academy, a group of Inner Court disciples gathered. Their leader, a black-robed young man with piercing silver eyes, sat at the head of the room, his aura cold and oppressive. "Xiao Li¡­" he muttered, tapping his fingers against the table. To his left, a muscular youth scoffed. "Just another arrogant fool." A slender woman in violet robes smirked. "No. He¡¯s dangerous. He broke the Spirit Measuring Tablet. Even the Headmaster took notice." The silver-eyed man¡¯s gaze darkened. "Then we must act before he grows any stronger." A hooded figure stepped forward. "Should we eliminate him?" The silver-eyed youth smiled coldly. "No. That would be too simple." He leaned forward, his voice dripping with malice. "We¡¯ll make sure he learns what happens to those who don¡¯t know their place." Later that morning, a large crowd of Outer and Inner Court disciples gathered at the Academy¡¯s Grand Hall. An elder stood at the front, his hands behind his back. "As part of your training, you will be assigned missions. These will test your combat abilities, teamwork, and survival skills." A massive stone board hovered in the air, covered in glowing inscriptions. The elder waved his hand, and several missions appeared, ranked from low to high difficulty. ???? Iron Rank Missions ¨C Basic herb gathering, escort tasks ???? Silver Rank Missions ¨C Hunting minor spirit beasts ???? Gold Rank Missions ¨C Subjugation of rogue cultivators ???? Platinum Rank Missions ¨C Only for Inner Court and Core Disciples "As new disciples, you may choose any Iron or Silver Rank mission." The disciples murmured among themselves, scanning the board. "Let¡¯s just pick an easy one." "No point in taking risks so soon." "I heard the Silver Rank missions have rewards. Maybe we should¡ª" Then¡ª A cold voice cut through the chatter. "I¡¯ll take this one." The crowd turned to see Xiao Li standing before the mission board, his finger pointing at a Silver Rank mission. The elder raised an eyebrow. "A bold choice. Are you certain?" Xiao Li smirked. "Why wouldn¡¯t I be?" The elder nodded and waved his hand. "Then your mission is set." A golden scroll floated toward Xiao Li. [Mission: Eliminate the Black Fang Bandits] [Location: Misty Cloud Forest] [Objective: Destroy the bandit hideout and retrieve the stolen resources] [Difficulty: Silver Rank] The crowd gasped. "The Black Fang Bandits?! They¡¯re notorious for ambushing cultivators!" "Even Inner Court disciples struggle with them!" "Is he insane?!" But Xiao Li simply took the scroll and turned away. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This should be entertaining." As Xiao Li left the Grand Hall, two figures watched him from the shadows. One was the silver-eyed youth from the hidden faction. The other was Zhao Wu, his face filled with resentment. "So he¡¯s taking the Misty Cloud Forest mission?" The silver-eyed youth smirked. "How convenient." Zhao Wu clenched his fists. "I don¡¯t care what you do. I just want him dead." The silver-eyed youth nodded. "Consider it done." Deep in the Misty Cloud Forest, a trap was already waiting. And Xiao Li was walking right into it. Chapter 12: Into the Misty Cloud Forest Chapter 12: Into the Misty Cloud ForestThe morning sun shone brightly as Xiao Li left the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, heading toward Misty Cloud Forest, the location of his mission. The path was rugged and overgrown, with dense trees stretching endlessly in all directions. Xiao Li walked calmly, his senses fully alert. "The Black Fang Bandits¡­ a group of rogue cultivators causing trouble outside the city." The mission details had mentioned that they were only at the Qi Refining Stage, making them weaklings in Xiao Li¡¯s eyes. But he also knew¡ªthis was a setup. He had noticed the gazes of hostile disciples when he accepted the mission. He was certain that someone had arranged for him to be ambushed. "It doesn¡¯t matter." A smirk played on his lips. "Let them come. It¡¯s been a while since I tested my strength properly." With that, he disappeared into the misty forest. Deep within the Misty Cloud Forest, a hidden camp lay nestled between rocky cliffs. Inside, a dozen figures dressed in black robes gathered around a table. Their leader, a scar-faced man with a cruel smile, sharpened his blade. "So, we¡¯re getting a visitor today?" A hooded figure stepped forward. "Yes. His name is Xiao Li." The bandit leader chuckled. "One of those Academy brats?" "Not just any Academy brat," the hooded figure said. "He humiliated the Zhao Clan¡¯s young master and even broke the Spirit Measuring Tablet." The room fell silent. One of the bandits frowned. "You mean¡­ he¡¯s strong?" The hooded figure smirked. "Not strong enough." "Zhao Wu and some of the Inner Court factions want him dead. All you have to do is¡­ make sure he doesn¡¯t return." The bandit leader licked his lips. "Heh. Fine. But I expect full payment." "Kill him first. Then we¡¯ll talk." The hooded figure vanished, leaving the Black Fang Bandits to prepare for the kill. "Alright, boys." The leader grinned, raising his blade. "Tonight, we hunt." As Xiao Li moved deeper into Misty Cloud Forest, the atmosphere grew eerily quiet. No birds. No beasts. Only silence. "They¡¯re close." Xiao Li¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "Let¡¯s get this over with." He took another step forward¡ª WHOOSH! An arrow shot out from the trees, aimed directly at his head. But¡ª "Too slow." Xiao Li tilted his head slightly, and the arrow barely grazed his cheek, embedding itself into a tree behind him. Immediately, figures in black robes emerged from the mist, surrounding him. "Well, well¡­ You¡¯re smarter than I expected," the bandit leader sneered. Xiao Li glanced around. "Only a dozen of you?" The bandit leader''s smirk faltered. "Arrogant little¡ª" Xiao Li raised a hand. "Enough talking. Come." The bandits hesitated. There was no fear in his eyes. Only boredom. The bandit leader gritted his teeth. "KILL HIM!" The bandits rushed forward, their weapons glowing with spiritual energy. Swords, daggers, and spears flashed through the air, aiming to tear Xiao Li apart. WHOOSH! But in an instant¡ª BOOM! A golden shockwave erupted around Xiao Li, sending the first attackers flying backward. He hadn¡¯t even moved. The bandits staggered, their eyes wide in shock. "What¡­ what kind of strength is this?!" Xiao Li vanished. Before the leader could react, a hand clamped around his throat. "Too slow." Xiao Li lifted him off the ground, his fingers pressing into the man¡¯s windpipe. The bandit leader gasped, his legs kicking helplessly. "P-Please¡­!" Xiao Li¡¯s eyes were cold. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I don¡¯t spare insects." And with that¡ª CRACK! He crushed his throat, dropping the lifeless body to the ground. The remaining bandits froze in terror. "M-Monster¡­!" Xiao Li smiled. "I gave you a chance to run." He raised his palm, and golden Qi erupted from his body. "Now, you die." The forest lit up with golden light¡ªand within seconds, the bandits were erased. High in the trees, a black-robed figure watched the battle unfold. His hands trembled. "H-He wiped them out¡­ effortlessly?!" He quickly pulled out a transmission talisman, his voice urgent. "Abort the mission. Do not engage Xiao Li. I repeat¡ªDO NOT ENGAGE!" From the other end, a cold voice responded. "Too late. He¡¯s already marked." The black-robed figure shivered. He turned back toward the battlefield, where Xiao Li stood alone, his golden aura flickering like a god of war. "If we don¡¯t kill him soon¡­" "No one will be able to." Chapter 13: The Shadows That Lurk Chapter 13: The Shadows That LurkThe Misty Cloud Forest was eerily silent. The only remnants of the battle were scorched earth, severed limbs, and bloodstained trees. Xiao Li stood in the center of the destruction, his golden aura slowly fading. The bodies of the Black Fang Bandits lay scattered around him, their lifeless faces frozen in terror. "Too weak." He sighed, shaking his head. "I thought they might at least give me a decent warm-up." He turned to leave¡ª But then. A faint killing intent swept over him. "Oh?" His lips curled into a smirk. He wasn¡¯t alone. High above, nestled in the dense tree branches, a figure in black robes watched Xiao Li carefully. He had been sent to observe¡ªbut after what he had just witnessed, he knew. "This is no ordinary genius." He had watched Xiao Li wipe out an entire bandit camp in mere seconds. His speed, strength, and Qi control were beyond anything expected of a mere new disciple. "This¡­ is a monster in the making." The assassin clenched his fists. He had been ordered to eliminate Xiao Li. But now¡ª "Retreat. Do not engage." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He activated his concealment technique, blending into the shadows. But¡ª "Going somewhere?" A calm voice whispered right behind him. The assassin¡¯s blood ran cold. "Impossible!" He turned¡ª And Xiao Li was standing right behind him. "W-Wha¡ª?!" "You should¡¯ve left faster." Xiao Li¡¯s hand shot out, gripping the assassin¡¯s throat. CRACK! The assassin choked, his vision blurring. He hadn¡¯t even sensed Xiao Li move. "Who sent you?" Xiao Li asked, his voice calm, yet commanding. The assassin gritted his teeth. "I¡­ will¡­ never¡­" Xiao Li smirked. "Wrong answer." His grip tightened. The assassin¡¯s face turned purple, and veins bulged as he struggled for air. But suddenly¡ª "Enough." A piercing voice echoed through the forest. A second black-robed figure appeared out of thin air, their aura vastly stronger than the first assassin¡¯s. "Release him, Xiao Li." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. This new enemy¡­ was different. Powerful. "And if I don¡¯t?" The new assassin smiled. "Then you¡¯ll be forced to face something you¡¯re not ready for." Xiao Li grinned. "Is that so?" His grip tightened further, and with a sharp twist¡ª CRACK! The first assassin¡¯s neck snapped. His lifeless body dropped to the ground. The second assassin¡¯s smile faded. "Hmph. You just made things worse for yourself." Xiao Li shrugged. "I like challenges." The black-robed figure vanished in an instant, disappearing into the forest. Xiao Li watched him leave, his expression unreadable. "A bigger game is being played here." He turned away, stepping over the corpses. "Fine." "Let¡¯s play." By the time Xiao Li returned to the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, the news had already spread. "Did you hear? The Black Fang Bandits were completely wiped out!" "They say Xiao Li finished the mission alone!" "Alone?! That¡¯s insane!" The rumors spread like wildfire. But while some were in awe, others were terrified. And one person, in particular, was furious. Inside a lavish training hall, Zhao Wu¡¯s face twisted in anger. "That bastard survived?!" His hand slammed onto the table, cracking the wood. Across from him, the silver-eyed youth from the hidden faction sighed. "Not only did he survive," he said, "he killed everyone we sent after him." Zhao Wu¡¯s eyes burned with hatred. "Damn it! We need to get rid of him before he grows any stronger!" The silver-eyed youth smirked. "Relax. We have other ways to deal with him." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a dark light. "The Academy Tournament is coming soon." "And when it does¡­" "Xiao Li won¡¯t leave the stage alive." Chapter 14: The Academy Tournament Announcement Chapter 14: The Academy Tournament AnnouncementThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy was buzzing with excitement. The air was thick with anticipation and ambition, and disciples gathered in large groups, whispering among themselves. Today was not an ordinary day. Today, something big was about to be announced. And at the center of it all, standing at the Grand Assembly Hall, was the Academy Headmaster. His deep blue robes shimmered under the sunlight, and his presence alone was enough to make the entire courtyard fall silent. Then¡ª "The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Tournament¡­ begins in one month!" The crowd erupted. The Academy Tournament was the biggest event of the year. It determined ranking, prestige, and future opportunities. More importantly¡ªit was the only way to earn the right to challenge the Core Court. For disciples, this was more than just a competition. It was a battle for power. And now, everyone wanted one thing¡ª "To win at any cost." ???? The Outer Court Disciples "This is our chance to rise!" "If we win, we can enter the Inner Court!" ???? The Inner Court Disciples "Tch, the weaklings don¡¯t stand a chance." "This is where the real battles happen." ???? The Hidden Factions "This will be the perfect time to eliminate Xiao Li." "He won¡¯t make it past the first round." ???? Xiao Li "...Interesting." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Xiao Li turned to leave, a figure suddenly blocked his path. It was a young man dressed in luxurious golden robes, his eyes filled with arrogance. "Xiao Li, correct?" Xiao Li¡¯s gaze remained calm. "And you are?" The youth smirked. "Liu Tian. Number one disciple of the Inner Court." Murmurs spread through the crowd. "That¡¯s Liu Tian! He¡¯s an elite genius!" "He¡¯s already at Qi Refining Stage 9!" "Why is he talking to Xiao Li?" Liu Tian crossed his arms. "I¡¯ve heard a lot about you." "Breaking the Spirit Measuring Tablet. Defeating the Black Fang Bandits. Quite impressive." His lips curled into a smirk. "But I don¡¯t believe the rumors." Xiao Li¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "So?" Liu Tian took a step closer. "So, I¡¯m giving you a warning." "Don¡¯t bother entering the tournament." Xiao Li finally laughed. "Oh? And why is that?" Liu Tian¡¯s smirk widened. "Because if you do¡­" His eyes gleamed with cold killing intent. "You won¡¯t leave the stage alive." The crowd fell silent. Xiao Li simply grinned. "I appreciate the concern." Then, his smile turned colder. "But what makes you think I¡¯m the one who will die?" Liu Tian¡¯s expression twitched slightly, but he quickly covered it with a smirk. "We¡¯ll see." With that, he turned and walked away. The crowd whispered in shock. "Xiao Li just stood up to Liu Tian!" "This tournament is going to be insane!" Xiao Li watched Liu Tian leave, then turned away. "Let them come." "The more enemies, the more stepping stones I have." And with that, he vanished into the mist. Chapter 15: Preparing for the Tournament Chapter 15: Preparing for the TournamentThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy was alive with frenzied energy. Disciples trained harder than ever, refining their techniques in preparation for the upcoming tournament. For many, this was their one chance to rise in status. For others, it was a battlefield where they could crush their enemies. And for Xiao Li¡­ "It¡¯s just another opportunity." The Academy Elders gathered in the Grand Hall, standing before hundreds of disciples. One elder, dressed in deep blue robes, raised his hand for silence. "The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Tournament will have three stages." A massive golden scroll floated in the air, displaying the rules. ???? First Round ¨C Survival Battle "All participants will be thrown into the Misty Cloud Battlefield, a spirit realm where you must fight for survival." "Only the top 100 participants will advance." ???? Second Round ¨C Arena Duels "The remaining 100 disciples will face off in direct combat. Winners will advance, losers will be eliminated." ???? Final Round ¨C King¡¯s Challenge "Only 10 participants will make it to the final round, where they will battle before the Academy¡¯s Elders and the Royal Family." A murmur spread through the crowd. "This is different from previous tournaments!" "A survival battle in the first round? That¡¯s brutal!" Xiao Li simply smirked. "Looks like things just got interesting." That night, Xiao Li returned to his courtyard and sat cross-legged, activating his cultivation. [1000x Cultivation Speed Activated] [Qi Refining Stage 7 ¡ú Qi Refining Stage 8] A wave of powerful energy surged through his body, reinforcing his foundation. Then¡ªhe opened his palm. A golden flame flickered into existence, dancing between his fingers. "It¡¯s time to refine my techniques." He stood up and threw a punch¡ª BOOM! A massive shockwave split the ground, carving a crater into the stone. His physical strength alone was enough to obliterate Qi Refining cultivators. "Still not enough." He moved into a new stance, focusing his Qi into his fingertips. "Heaven-Sealing Palm¡ªSecond Form." A golden palm imprint formed in the air, growing larger and denser with each passing second. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes sharpened as he launched it forward. BOOOOOM! The impact shattered a nearby boulder into dust. "Better. But still not perfect." He clenched his fists. "I need to push beyond my limits before the tournament begins." "I need to become¡­ unstoppable." Unbeknownst to Xiao Li, someone was watching him. A shadowy figure stood on a distant rooftop, his gaze locked onto Xiao Li¡¯s movements. His long gray hair swayed in the night breeze, and his eyes gleamed with interest. "This boy¡­ he¡¯s different." "Perhaps¡­ he is the one I have been waiting for." The elder¡¯s lips curled into a mysterious smile before he vanished into the night. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li had no idea that a powerful figure within the Academy had taken notice of him. And soon¡­ That would change everything. Chapter 16: The Invitation of a Hidden Elder Chapter 16: The Invitation of a Hidden ElderThe night sky over the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy was calm and silent, but within Xiao Li¡¯s courtyard, intense spiritual energy surged like a violent storm. Xiao Li stood in the center, his golden Qi swirling around him, his body refining itself with every breath. [1000x Cultivation Speed Activated] [Qi Refining Stage 8 ¡ú Qi Refining Stage 9] His bones hardened, his meridians expanded, and his body felt stronger than ever. Then¡ª A powerful aura suddenly descended upon his courtyard. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes snapped open. "Who¡¯s there?" A calm voice echoed from the darkness. "You cultivate well¡­ but you are still far from your peak." Xiao Li turned. A figure in dark robes stood atop the rooftop, his long gray hair flowing in the wind . His presence was powerful, but more than that¡ªit was unfathomable. Xiao Li¡¯s instincts screamed at him. "This man¡­ is strong." The elder stepped forward, his piercing gaze meeting Xiao Li¡¯s. "Come with me." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. "And if I refuse?" The elder smirked. "You won¡¯t. In the dead of night, Xiao Li followed the elder through a secret passageway beneath the academy. They emerged in an ancient underground chamber, its walls covered in mystical runes and forgotten scriptures. Xiao Li¡¯s gaze swept over the area. "This place¡­ isn¡¯t ordinary." The elder finally turned to face him. "My name is Elder Tian Feng." "I am the last guardian of the Forgotten Pavilion, a place that only a handful of people in this academy even know exists." Xiao Li remained calm. "Why did you bring me here?" Elder Tian Feng studied him for a long moment. "Because you are different." His voice was steady, but there was a deeper meaning in his words. "Your talent surpasses anyone I have ever seen. Even the Headmaster himself is watching you." Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li smirked. "And?" Elder Tian Feng¡¯s eyes gleamed. "I want to see if you are worthy of a true inheritance." The elder suddenly raised his hand. BOOM! An invisible force slammed into Xiao Li, sending him skidding backward. "Hmph." Elder Tian Feng vanished. Then¡ª "Behind you." Xiao Li reacted instantly, twisting his body as a palm strike shot toward his back. BOOOOM! He barely managed to block, but the sheer force sent him crashing into a stone pillar. Elder Tian Feng smiled slightly. "Still not enough." Xiao Li stood up, wiping blood from his lips. His eyes burned with excitement. "You want to test me?" He raised his hand, and golden Qi exploded outward. "Fine. Let¡¯s fight." The chamber shook as the two clashed. And for the first time in a long time¡ª Xiao Li felt truly challenged. Chapter 17: Trial of the Forgotten Pavilion Chapter 17: Trial of the Forgotten PavilionThe underground chamber trembled as Xiao Li¡¯s golden Qi erupted like a storm, colliding with Elder Tian Feng¡¯s overwhelming aura. This wasn¡¯t a duel between master and disciple. This was a test of worthiness. "Show me, Xiao Li." Elder Tian Feng vanished, moving at a speed faster than the naked eye could track. Xiao Li¡¯s instincts screamed¡ªDANGER! "Too slow!" A palm strike shot toward Xiao Li¡¯s chest. But¡ª BOOM! At the last second, Xiao Li countered, his own palm clashing against the elder¡¯s attack. A shockwave erupted, sending cracks through the chamber walls. The force behind Elder Tian Feng¡¯s strike was immense¡ªlike a mountain crashing down. But Xiao Li didn¡¯t budge. Instead, he grinned. "You¡¯ll have to try harder than that." Elder Tian Feng¡¯s eyes narrowed in interest. "Then let¡¯s see how you handle this." He flicked his wrist, and suddenly¡ª WHOOSH! The air itself froze, and thousands of sword-shaped Qi blades materialized, hovering above them. "Heavenly Sword Rain." With a wave of his hand, the blades shot toward Xiao Li at terrifying speed. "Tch." Xiao Li kicked off the ground, twisting his body mid-air to dodge the first wave. But more blades followed. He didn¡¯t have time to dodge them all. "Then I won¡¯t dodge." "Heaven-Sealing Palm¡ªSecond Form!" Xiao Li slammed his palm forward, and a golden energy shield erupted around him. BOOOOOM! The Qi blades shattered upon impact, but the sheer force still sent Xiao Li skidding backward. Elder Tian Feng chuckled. "Not bad. But can you withstand this?" He raised a single finger. The air shook violently as a black vortex formed around his hand. "Heaven¡¯s Wrath." A beam of condensed spiritual energy shot toward Xiao Li like a falling star. For the first time, Xiao Li¡¯s smirk faded. "This attack¡­ is dangerous." His entire body tensed. "If I take this head-on, I¡¯ll be severely injured." "Then¡­" His golden Qi flared, and he raised his right hand. "Let¡¯s see if this works." "Devouring Void Palm!" A massive black vortex appeared in front of Xiao Li¡¯s palm, swirling with chaotic energy. Elder Tian Feng¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "A devouring technique? Interesting." BOOOOOM! The two forces collided, shaking the entire underground chamber. Dust and debris exploded outward, filling the air with thick smoke. For a moment, silence. Then¡ª A figure stepped forward from the dust. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li stood tall, his clothes slightly torn, but his body unharmed. He wiped the dust from his sleeve. "That was fun." Elder Tian Feng stared at him¡ªthen suddenly laughed. "Not bad, Xiao Li." His aura receded, and the tension in the air vanished. "You pass." Elder Tian Feng turned, walking toward the center of the chamber. "Come." Xiao Li followed, and as they approached, a massive stone gate covered in ancient runes slowly opened. Inside was a floating jade tablet, radiating a golden glow. "This¡­?" Elder Tian Feng gestured toward it. "This is the inheritance of the Forgotten Pavilion." "It contains an ancient cultivation technique known as the Nine Heavens Domination Scripture." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡­?" Elder Tian Feng nodded. "It is a technique that allows one to devour the essence of heaven and earth itself." "And now, it is yours." Xiao Li stepped forward, placing his hand on the jade tablet. Instantly¡ª BOOM! A flood of information and power surged into his mind. [Nine Heavens Domination Scripture Acquired] [1000x Comprehension Bonus Activated] [Initial Mastery Achieved!] Xiao Li¡¯s body trembled as his Qi erupted, his very soul feeling like it was being reborn. Elder Tian Feng watched, a smile playing on his lips. "Let¡¯s see how far you will go, Xiao Li." Because this was only the beginning. Chapter 18: Mastering the Nine Heavens Domination Scripture Chapter 18: Mastering the Nine Heavens Domination ScriptureThe underground chamber pulsed with a golden radiance as the Nine Heavens Domination Scripture poured its knowledge into Xiao Li¡¯s mind. His Qi surged uncontrollably, his meridians vibrating with a power beyond comprehension. [1000x Comprehension Bonus Activated] [Assimilating the Nine Heavens Domination Scripture...] [Completion: 10% ¡ú 30% ¡ú 70% ¡ú 100%! Mastery Achieved!] Elder Tian Feng watched in shock. "What?! He mastered it instantly?" Even for a genius, learning a Supreme Scripture should have taken years. But in mere moments, Xiao Li had absorbed everything. Then¡ª BOOM! A terrifying aura exploded from Xiao Li¡¯s body, shaking the entire chamber. Golden Qi storms raged around him as his spiritual energy expanded exponentially. Elder Tian Feng narrowed his eyes. "This boy... is defying the very limits of cultivation itself." Xiao Li opened his eyes. They were no longer just gold¡ªthey shimmered with traces of cosmic energy, as if the heavens themselves had fused into his soul. He clenched his fist. "This power¡­" He could feel it¡ªhis body, his soul, his very existence had undergone a transformation. With this technique, he could devour the essence of heaven and earth itself¡ªstealing power from his enemies, absorbing tribulation lightning, even consuming celestial laws. This was not just a technique. This was a path to absolute supremacy. Xiao Li smirked. "Now, I¡¯m ready." Elder Tian Feng took a deep breath before speaking. "With this technique, your growth will become unstoppable. But remember¡­" He locked eyes with Xiao Li. "The moment you reveal this power to the world, you will no longer have just enemies within the Academy. Even the heavens may turn against you." Xiao Li chuckled. "Let them try." Elder Tian Feng shook his head with a smile. "You are bold¡­ but I like that." "Now, go. The tournament is about to begin." Xiao Li turned, his aura fully restrained, and vanished into the darkness. "Time to dominate." The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡¯s Grand Arena was packed with thousands of disciples, nobles, and elders. Massive floating platforms hovered above the battle stage, reserved for Core Disciples, Inner Court elites, and special guests. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the very top, sitting on a throne-like chair, was the Academy Headmaster, watching with intrigue. A massive golden bell tolled, silencing the crowd. An elder stepped forward, his voice booming through the arena. "The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Tournament... begins now!" The crowd erupted in cheers. "The greatest battle of the year is finally starting!" "I heard some monstrous talents are participating this time!" "Liu Tian is the favorite to win, but there are rumors about a dark horse..." Xiao Li stepped into the arena, his golden eyes filled with amusement. From the opposite side, Liu Tian, the number one Inner Court disciple, locked eyes with him, a smirk on his lips. "I hope you''re ready, Xiao Li." Xiao Li chuckled. "I was born ready." Because this tournament wasn¡¯t just about winning. This was his first step toward absolute domination. And he was going to enjoy every second of it. Chapter 19: The Survival Round Begins Chapter 19: The Survival Round BeginsThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡¯s Grand Arena trembled with excitement. Thousands of disciples filled the seats, their eager whispers and shouts of anticipation creating a deafening roar. The golden platform where the elders sat shimmered under the morning sun. At its center, the Academy Headmaster observed the battlefield with a calm, unreadable gaze. Then¡ª "Let the first round of the tournament begin!" BOOOOOOM! The arena floor rumbled, and in an instant¡ªportals appeared, swallowing all the participants into the first battleground: ???? The Misty Cloud Battlefield. A blinding light enveloped Xiao Li. When his vision cleared, he found himself in a vast, mystical forest, surrounded by thick white mist. Towering ancient trees loomed overhead, their leaves glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The ground was damp, and eerie whispers of wind echoed through the trees. "This is the battlefield?" Xiao Li examined his surroundings, sensing the presence of other competitors scattered across the area. The rules of the Survival Round were simple: ???? 300 participants enter. ???? Only the top 100 will advance. ???? You must either defeat others to earn points or survive for three days. Xiao Li smirked. "Three days? I won¡¯t need that long." The moment Xiao Li took a step forward¡ª WHOOSH! A shadow flickered behind him, moving at terrifying speed. "You shouldn¡¯t have come here, Xiao Li." A blade sliced toward his neck¡ªa killing move. But¡ª "Too slow." Xiao Li vanished. "What¡ª?!" Before his attacker could react, a palm strike crashed into his chest. BOOOOOOM! The force sent him flying through the trees, crashing into the ground twenty meters away. Xiao Li appeared beside him, stepping on his wrist before he could grab his weapon again. The fallen disciple¡¯s eyes filled with terror. "M-Monster¡­!" Xiao Li smiled. "Thanks for the warm-up." With a flick of his fingers¡ª CRACK! The disciple¡¯s consciousness faded as he collapsed. A golden talisman appeared in the air, signifying Xiao Li¡¯s first point. He caught it between two fingers, inspecting it lazily. "One down. Ninety-nine to go." Then, without hesitation, he vanished into the mist, hunting for his next prey. Across the Misty Cloud Battlefield, other battles raged. ???? Liu Tian, the Number One Inner Court Disciple With a single sword strike, he cut down three opponents at once. "Pathetic." ???? Xue Yue, the Mysterious Silver-Haired Girl Her icy aura froze an entire section of the battlefield. "You are not worthy of advancing." ???? Zhao Wu, the Humiliated Rival His burning rage fueled his attacks, seeking only one target. "Xiao Li¡­ I will kill you with my own hands!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ???? A Hidden Figure in the Shadows Watching from the darkness, an unknown competitor whispered. "The real battle begins soon." And at the center of it all¡ª Xiao Li, hunting down every so-called genius who stood in his way. Chapter 20: The Hunt Begins Chapter 20: The Hunt BeginsThe Misty Cloud Battlefield was filled with the sounds of combat¡ªshouts, explosions, and the clashing of weapons echoed through the dense forest. But for Xiao Li, this was not a battlefield. It was a hunting ground. And he was the predator. A group of three disciples in dark green robes moved cautiously through the mist. "Stay together! If we work as a team, we can advance!" The leader, a tall youth with a scar across his cheek, clenched his sword tightly. But then¡ª WHOOSH! A shadow flashed behind them. Before any of them could react¡ª BOOM! A golden palm strike landed on the leader¡¯s back, sending him crashing into a tree. "Gah!" The other two disciples turned¡ª But it was too late. BAM! A knee smashed into the second disciple¡¯s stomach, folding him over as he coughed blood. The last disciple¡¯s eyes widened in horror. "M-Monster!" Xiao Li tilted his head. "Haven¡¯t heard that one before." He flicked his wrist. CRACK! The last disciple collapsed, unconscious before hitting the ground. Three golden talismans floated into the air. Xiao Li caught them effortlessly. "Three down." He vanished into the mist once more. Elsewhere, Zhao Wu had already eliminated multiple opponents, but his expression was filled with frustration. "Where is he?!" He gripped his spear tightly, his aura burning with killing intent. "Xiao Li¡­ you dare humiliate me in front of the Academy?!" His teeth clenched. "I don¡¯t care if I win this tournament¡­ as long as I kill you first!" He suddenly turned his head, sensing movement in the mist. His eyes flashed. "Finally!" "XIAO LI!" He lunged forward, his spear piercing through the fog¡ª Only to hit nothing. Zhao Wu froze. "What?!" Then¡ª A chilling voice whispered behind him. "Looking for me?" Zhao Wu¡¯s body tensed. Before he could react¡ª BOOOOOOM! A golden palm strike slammed into his back, sending him flying into a boulder. "ARGH!" The impact shattered the rock, and Zhao Wu spat blood as he collapsed to one knee. Xiao Li stepped forward, completely unscathed. His expression was calm. "You talk too much, Zhao Wu." Zhao Wu¡¯s fury burned even hotter. "Damn you, Xiao Li!" He forced himself to stand, gripping his spear tightly. "This isn¡¯t over!" But Xiao Li smirked. "Yes, it is." He vanished. "Wha¡ª?!" CRACK! Xiao Li¡¯s fist smashed into Zhao Wu¡¯s stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. "GUH¡ª!" Zhao Wu¡¯s body crumpled. A golden talisman floated into the air. Xiao Li caught it effortlessly. "Thanks for the point." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, without another word, he walked away, leaving Zhao Wu unconscious. The Misty Cloud Battlefield was his now. And no one could stop him. Chapter 21: The Silent Assassin Chapter 21: The Silent AssassinThe Misty Cloud Battlefield was no longer a competition. It was a massacre. Disciples lay unconscious or defeated, their golden talismans floating in the air, marking their elimination. And at the center of it all¡ª Xiao Li moved through the fog like a ghost, his golden Qi flickering faintly around him. "Twelve down." He rolled a talisman between his fingers before storing it away. "Eighty-eight more to go." But as he continued forward¡ª His steps suddenly stopped. A faint killing intent brushed against his skin. His eyes narrowed. "Finally." High above in the trees, a pair of cold, calculating eyes watched Xiao Li from the shadows. Dressed in black assassin robes, his presence was so well concealed that even seasoned cultivators would fail to notice him. "He¡¯s powerful¡­ but not invincible." His fingers gripped a poisoned dagger, its blade coated in Midnight Serpent Venom¡ªa poison that could cripple even a Core Formation cultivator. He had been waiting for this moment. "Die." In an instant¡ª WHOOSH! The assassin vanished from his hiding spot, appearing behind Xiao Li, his dagger aimed directly at his neck. But¡ª "Too slow." Before the dagger could even touch his skin¡ª BOOM! A golden shockwave exploded outward, sending the assassin flying backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into a tree, coughing blood. His eyes widened in shock. "What?!" Xiao Li tilted his head. "That was disappointing." The assassin¡¯s mind reeled. His stealth technique was flawless. His attack was lethal. And yet¡ª Xiao Li had reacted instantly. "M-Monster¡­" The assassin struggled to stand, but Xiao Li appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye. "Tell me¡­" His golden Qi surged, pressing down like a mountain. "Who sent you?" The assassin gritted his teeth. "I will never¡ª" Xiao Li sighed. "I was hoping you''d say that." Before the assassin could react¡ª CRACK! Xiao Li¡¯s fist slammed into his stomach, making him spit blood. "GUH¡ª!" The assassin¡¯s vision blurred, his body completely paralyzed from the sheer force of the strike. A golden talisman floated into the air. Xiao Li caught it effortlessly. "Thirteen down." Then, without looking back, he walked away, leaving the assassin collapsed in the dirt. "Now, let¡¯s find the real opponents." Far away, standing atop a cliff overlooking the battlefield, a lone figure watched Xiao Li¡¯s movements with cold amusement. Liu Tian, the number one Inner Court disciple, smirked as he twirled his sword. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So¡­ he¡¯s this strong, huh?" He cracked his knuckles, his Qi surging. "Good." "That means he won¡¯t break too easily." His eyes flashed with excitement. "Xiao Li¡­ our battle will be legendary." The final clash was coming. And only one of them would leave victorious. Chapter 22: The Clash of Titans Chapter 22: The Clash of TitansThe Misty Cloud Battlefield was nearing its climax. Most competitors had already fallen or retreated, leaving only the strongest warriors still standing. And now¡ª Two of the most dangerous fighters were about to meet. On one side, Xiao Li, who had effortlessly crushed every opponent in his path. On the other, Liu Tian, the number one Inner Court disciple, known for his terrifying swordsmanship and battle experience. This was not just a battle. This was a collision between two monsters. Xiao Li walked calmly through the forest, golden Qi flowing around him like an untamed storm. Then¡ª He stopped. A figure stood in the middle of the clearing, blocking his path. "Took you long enough." Liu Tian smirked, his sword resting on his shoulder. His aura was sharp, like an unsheathed blade ready to cut through anything. Xiao Li tilted his head. "You¡¯ve been waiting for me?" Liu Tian¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Of course." "I wanted to see if the rumors were true." "And after watching you crush everyone else¡­ I have to admit, I¡¯m impressed." Xiao Li chuckled. "Is that so?" Liu Tian pointed his sword at him. "But now, it¡¯s time to see who the strongest truly is." "Xiao Li¡­ let¡¯s fight" BOOOOOOM! Before Liu Tian even finished speaking, Xiao Li vanished. "Fast!" Liu Tian¡¯s sword moved instinctively, slashing toward where Xiao Li had been¡ª But he hit nothing but air. WHOOSH! S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, Xiao Li appeared behind him. "Too slow." A golden palm strike shot toward Liu Tian¡¯s back. BOOM! But¡ª CLANG! At the last second, Liu Tian twisted his sword, blocking the attack with the flat of his blade. The force still sent him skidding backward, but he quickly recovered. His eyes narrowed. "Hmph. Not bad." He gripped his sword with both hands. "But I hope that¡¯s not all you¡¯ve got." Xiao Li smirked. "It¡¯s not." "Now, let¡¯s get serious." BOOOOOOOM! Their auras exploded, shaking the entire battlefield as they clashed at full power. ???? Xiao Li¡¯s palm strikes were overwhelming, each blow carrying the force of a collapsing mountain. ???? Liu Tian¡¯s sword was precise, cutting through the air with terrifying speed. They moved so fast that normal disciples couldn¡¯t even see them. But the shockwaves of their battle were enough to shake the earth. Every time their attacks collided¡ª BOOM! The ground cracked. The trees shattered. The very air trembled. The Misty Cloud Battlefield had never seen a battle like this before. And it was only getting started. Chapter 23: The Battle That Shakes the Battlefield Chapter 23: The Battle That Shakes the BattlefieldBOOOOOOOM! The Misty Cloud Battlefield trembled as Xiao Li and Liu Tian¡¯s attacks clashed, sending violent shockwaves rippling through the air. The forest around them shattered, ancient trees splintering apart, their roots ripping from the ground due to the sheer force of their battle. "This is madness¡­!" "Their power is beyond anything we¡¯ve ever seen!" The remaining competitors watched from a distance, too afraid to interfere. Because they knew. This was not just a duel between geniuses. This was a battle between monsters. WHOOSH! Liu Tian¡¯s sword flickered, his movements so fast that his blade seemed to disappear and reappear in multiple places at once. "Falling Sky Sword¡ªThird Form!" A blinding arc of sword Qi sliced toward Xiao Li, aiming to split him in half. But¡ª "Hmph." Xiao Li didn¡¯t even bother dodging. Instead, he raised his palm, golden energy swirling around it. "Heaven-Sealing Palm¡ªThird Form!" He slammed his palm forward, colliding directly with Liu Tian¡¯s sword Qi. BOOOOOOOM! The impact sent a tidal wave of energy surging in all directions. Liu Tian gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of Xiao Li¡¯s overwhelming strength pressing against his blade. "Tch¡­! He¡¯s blocking my attacks without even using a weapon?!" "What kind of monster is he?!" Liu Tian twisted his body, his sword humming with deadly Qi. "Falling Sky Sword¡ªFourth Form!" His blade moved like lightning, slicing toward Xiao Li¡¯s chest. This time, Xiao Li didn¡¯t block. He vanished. WHOOSH! Liu Tian¡¯s eyes widened. "Where¡ª?!" Suddenly, he felt a chill behind him. Xiao Li was already there. "Too slow." BOOOOOOOM! A devastating palm strike crashed into Liu Tian¡¯s back, sending him hurtling through multiple trees before he smashed into the ground. Dust exploded into the air as the ground caved in from the sheer force of the attack. Liu Tian coughed blood, his entire body trembling. "What¡­ kind of strength¡­ is this¡­?" He forced himself to stand. But when he looked up¡ª Xiao Li was already standing in front of him. Calm. Unscathed. Unstoppable. "You¡¯re strong, Liu Tian." Xiao Li¡¯s golden Qi flared, illuminating the battlefield like a burning sun. "But I¡¯m stronger." As the battle raged, deep in the shadows, figures watched carefully. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The silver-eyed youth from the hidden faction smirked. "It¡¯s time." At his signal, multiple assassins in black robes moved toward the battlefield. Their goal? Eliminate Xiao Li while he was focused on Liu Tian. The tournament was no longer just a competition. It had become a battle for survival. Chapter 24: Assassins in the Mist Chapter 24: Assassins in the MistThe battlefield was in ruins. The ground had been shattered, trees reduced to splinters, and the air thick with lingering Qi. At the center of the destruction, two figures stood. Xiao Li¡ªcalm, untouched, golden Qi flickering around him like a god. Liu Tian¡ªbreathing heavily, his sword trembling in his grip. The battle between them had shaken the Misty Cloud Battlefield. But before either could make their next move¡ª WHOOSH! A chilling presence filled the air. Hidden assassins emerged from the mist, their black robes blending into the shadows. Their leader, a tall figure with a silver mask, stepped forward, his voice calm. "Xiao Li¡­ your life ends here." WHOOSH! Ten black-robed assassins moved in unison, their daggers flashing toward Xiao Li¡¯s vital points. Their speed was terrifying, their coordination flawless. Any other disciple would have been slaughtered in seconds. But Xiao Li? He smirked. "So impatient." Just as the first assassin¡¯s blade was about to pierce his neck¡ª BOOOOOOOM! A golden shockwave erupted from Xiao Li¡¯s body, sending the assassins flying in all directions. Some crashed into trees, others were buried under collapsed stone. The leader of the assassins barely managed to stay standing, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What¡­?!" Xiao Li tilted his head. "That was your plan?" "Disappointing." The assassins regrouped, their expressions now filled with unease. "He¡¯s stronger than the reports said." The leader gritted his teeth. "All units, attack at full force!" "Use the forbidden technique!" The assassins bit their tongues, spitting out blood onto their blades. Instantly, their bodies trembled, and their Qi surged unnaturally. Their eyes turned black, and a dark aura of death surrounded them. "Blood Shadow Killing Formation!" The assassins vanished into the mist, becoming invisible phantoms. "Let¡¯s see how you handle this, Xiao Li!" The entire battlefield was suddenly silent. Xiao Li stood alone. Surrounded by unseen enemies. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A normal cultivator would have panicked. But Xiao Li? He closed his eyes. Smirked. And then¡ª "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡­ First Form." BOOOOOOOOOOM! A massive golden vortex erupted around Xiao Li, devouring everything in its range. The mist? Gone. The assassins¡¯ stealth? Useless. The so-called "Blood Shadow Killing Formation"? Destroyed instantly. The assassins stumbled backward, their bodies trembling in fear. "H-He¡¯s absorbing our Qi?!" Xiao Li opened his eyes. And at that moment¡ª They saw it. A golden symbol flickering in his pupils. A power that should not exist in the Mortal World. The assassins realized too late¡ª They weren¡¯t hunting Xiao Li. Xiao Li was hunting them. "My turn." He vanished. And then¡ª The massacre began. Chapter 25: The Massacre Begins Chapter 25: The Massacre BeginsThe Misty Cloud Battlefield trembled as Xiao Li unleashed his power. The assassins, once hidden in the mist, were now fully exposed, their bodies trembling under the force of his Nine Heavens Domination Scripture. The leader of the assassins, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, clenched his dagger tightly. "This aura¡­ it¡¯s devouring my Qi?!" The rest of his squad staggered, their faces twisted in horror. "We can¡¯t escape!" "This isn¡¯t normal Qi! It¡¯s something else!" "M-Monster!" But before they could react¡ª WHOOSH! Xiao Li vanished. And then¡ª BOOOOOOM! A golden palm strikeobliterated the first assassin, sending his lifeless body flying through the air. The second assassin tried to dodge ¡ª CRACK! Xiao Li¡¯s knee slammed into his ribs, crushing his organs. "GAAAAH!" The third assassin raised his sword, screaming¡ª "DIE!" But before his blade could even touch Xiao Li¡ª A hand gripped his throat. Xiao Li lifted him into the air, watching his panicked expression. "You were never a threat." And then¡ª SNAP! He crushed his throat like a twig. The golden talismans of the fallen assassins floated into the air, marking their eliminations. The Foundation Establishment assassin leader gritted his teeth. "Damn it! This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen!" He flashed through hand seals, activating a desperate technique. "Blood Escape Technique!" His body burst into a mist of blood, rapidly retreating to flee the battlefield. But¡ª WHOOSH! Xiao Li appeared in front of him. "You can¡¯t run." The assassin leader¡¯s eyes widened in terror. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Impossible!" "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡ªSecond Form." Xiao Li raised his hand¡ª BOOOOOOOOM! A golden vortex of Qi exploded, devouring the assassin leader whole. For a moment, the air twisted and bent around Xiao Li. Then¡ª Silence. The assassin leader¡¯s body was gone. Not a trace remained. Across the battlefield, Liu Tian (Qi Refining Stage 9 ¨C Late)staggered back, his face pale. He had seen many monsters before. But what Xiao Li just did? "He didn''t just kill them¡­ he erased them." His fingers trembled. "That technique¡­ It¡¯s not normal." Liu Tian was the number one disciple of the Inner Court. He was supposed to be the strongest. And yet, watching Xiao Li, he felt fear. Pure, undeniable fear. "Who¡­ what is he?" Far away, in the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, the Headmaster and several Elders sat in the observation hall, watching the tournament through a spiritual mirror. When Xiao Li activated the Nine Heavens Domination Scripture, the mirror shook violently. One elder stood up, his face filled with shock. "That energy¡­ it''s consuming Heaven and Earth itself!" Another elder clenched his fist. "This technique¡­ it shouldn¡¯t exist in the Mortal World!" The Headmaster¡¯s gaze darkened. "Xiao Li¡­ what are you hiding?" For the first time in Academy history, the elders were not just observing the tournament. They were watching Xiao Li. And some of them¡­ were afraid. Chapter 26: The Battle for Supremacy Chapter 26: The Battle for SupremacyThe battlefield was eerily silent. The assassins were dead. The mist had cleared. And now, only two figures remained standing. Xiao Li stood calmly, golden Qi flowing like a divine storm around him. Across from him, Liu Tian¡¯s fists clenched tightly around his sword, his entire body tense with battle intent. "You just erased a Foundation Establishment assassin like he was nothing." His voice was hoarse, his usual arrogance gone. Xiao Li smirked. "And?" Liu Tian¡¯s aura exploded, his sword radiating burning white Qi. "That means you¡¯re finally worth my full strength!" "Xiao Li! Let¡¯s end this!" BOOOOOOM! The ground shattered as Liu Tian lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with terrifying speed. "Falling Sky Sword¡ªFifth Form!" A massive arc of sword Qi shot toward Xiao Li, carrying the power to split mountains in half. Xiao Li didn¡¯t dodge. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡ªThird Form." He raised a single palm, and a golden vortex of Qi absorbed the sword strike completely. Liu Tian¡¯s eyes widened. "What¡ª?!" Before he could react, Xiao Li vanished. Then¡ª BOOOOOOM! A golden palm strike slammed into Liu Tian¡¯s chest, sending him crashing through ten trees before smashing into the ground. "ARGH!" Blood dripped from his mouth as he coughed violently. He forced himself up, his sword trembling in his grip. "This¡­ isn¡¯t over!" His Qi surged again, even stronger than before. "Burning Sky Domain¡ªActivate!" A wave of white flames exploded from his body, engulfing the battlefield in a raging inferno. Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. "Not bad." But as the flames surged toward him¡ª "Let¡¯s see if fire can burn the heavens." He took a single step forward, and his golden aura expanded, instantly snuffing out the flames. Liu Tian¡¯s eyes filled with disbelief. "Impossible!" Xiao Li grinned. "Your turn is over." Liu Tian gathered all of his strength, pouring every ounce of Qi into his sword. "Final Strike¡ªHeavenly Sword Descent!" His blade glowed brilliantly, its power condensing into a single, devastating slash. The very sky split open as the attack descended. The audience watching from the Academy gasped in awe. "That¡¯s Liu Tian¡¯s strongest move!" "No one has survived it before!" But Xiao Li only chuckled. "Let me show you the difference between us." "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡ªFinal Form." He raised his right hand, and a golden sphere of pure Qi appeared. "Devour." The moment Liu Tian¡¯s sword Qi touched it¡ª It vanished. Absorbed completely. Liu Tian¡¯s face turned pale. "No¡­ NO! THAT¡¯S IMPOSSIBLE!" Xiao Li appeared in front of him in an instant¡ª His golden palm pressing against Liu Tian¡¯s chest. "It¡¯s over." BOOOOOOOOOM! Liu Tian screamed as he was sent flying into the sky, crashing down with a deafening impact. His sword shattered. His aura collapsed. The number one Inner Court disciple had been defeated. In a single move. Back at the Academy, the elders watching through the spiritual mirror were stunned into silence. One elder gritted his teeth. "That technique¡­ it¡¯s unnatural!" Another elder narrowed his eyes. "He absorbed an attack that should have destroyed him." The Headmaster¡¯s gaze darkened. "Xiao Li¡­ just what kind of monster are you?" They all knew. This tournament was no longer about ranking. It was about controlling Xiao Li before he became unstoppable. Chapter 27: The Strongest Disciple Chapter 27: The Strongest DiscipleThe battlefield was silent.Liu Tian lay unmoving, his sword shattered, his aura completely collapsed. Xiao Li stood above him, calm and untouched, his golden Qi slowly fading. The number one Inner Court disciple had fallen. "Unbelievable¡­" The remaining competitors watching from a distance trembled. "Liu Tian lost?" "Not just lost¡­ he was completely dominated." "Xiao Li¡­ is a monster." And then¡ª A loud chime echoed through the Misty Cloud Battlefield. "The Survival Round has ended!" The battlefield shifted, and in an instant, all remaining competitors were teleported back to the Grand Arena. Thousands of spectators and disciples filled the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy¡¯s Grand Arena. The Academy Elders sat on their golden platform, their expressions serious. The Headmaster finally stood, his deep blue robe billowing in the wind. "The first round of the tournament is over." The massive stone ranking tablet flickered, and a new name appeared at the very top. ???? 1st Place: Xiao Li The crowd erupted in shock. "He wasn¡¯t even ranked before!" "Now he¡¯s first?!" "He crushed Liu Tian like he was nothing!" Xiao Li remained expressionless. "Expected." The Headmaster¡¯s gaze lingered on him. "Xiao Li¡­ step forward." Xiao Li walked to the center of the arena, standing before the highest-ranked elders of the Academy. "You have proven yourself to be the strongest in the Inner Court." The crowd held its breath. "As such, you are no longer an Inner Court disciple." The Headmaster¡¯s eyes narrowed. "From this moment forward¡ªXiao Li is a Core Disciple of the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy." BOOOOOOM! The entire arena exploded into chaos. "Core Disciple?!" "That¡¯s never happened before!" "No one has ever skipped ranks like this!" Liu Tian, still recovering, clenched his bloody fists in humiliation. "Damn it¡­ he¡¯s already surpassed me completely." But Xiao Li? He smirked. "Now things are getting interesting." As the crowd continued to roar, a figure stepped forward from the elder¡¯s seating area. His presence silenced the arena instantly. A man with long silver hair, dressed in flowing black robes, his aura far beyond any elder present. He was one of the Core Elders, a true powerhouse of the Academy. His gaze landed on Xiao Li. "Xiao Li." His voice was calm, yet carried absolute authority. "Come with me." A murmur spread through the crowd. "A Core Elder¡­ personally summoning him?" "What does he want with Xiao Li?" Xiao Li met the elder¡¯s gaze. "And if I refuse?" The elder¡¯s lips curved slightly. "Then you will never know the truth about yourself." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Fine." With that, he turned and followed the Core Elder. And as they disappeared into the Academy¡¯s depths¡ª The real game began. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 28: Secrets of the Core Elder Chapter 28: Secrets of the Core ElderXiao Li followed silently as the Core Elder led him through a hidden pathway within the Academy. The air was dense with spiritual energy, and the deeper they walked, the more ancient the surroundings became. Soon, they arrived at a secluded hall, its entrance carved from celestial jade, inscribed with mystical runes. Xiao Li stopped at the doorway, sensing an immense pressure radiating from within. "Not bad." His golden eyes flickered, unfazed. "Most would struggle to even stand here." The Core Elder, Bai Xu, turned slightly, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "And yet, you seem unaffected." Xiao Li smirked. "Should I be?" Elder Bai Xu let out a low chuckle. "Perhaps not." He motioned for Xiao Li to enter. "Come. There is much to discuss" Inside, the hall was vast, lined with ancient scrolls and celestial artifacts. Elder Bai Xu sat on a stone throne, studying Xiao Li carefully. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Tell me, Xiao Li. Do you know where your true origins lie?" Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. "I was born in the Xiao Family of Linfun City." Elder Bai Xu shook his head. "No. That is merely where you were raised." He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Your real past¡­ is something far more dangerous." Xiao Li remained silent, but his fingers curled slightly. "What do you know?" Elder Bai Xu exhaled. "The technique you used against Liu Tian¡­ it does not belong to this world." "The Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡­ was once wielded by an existence that the heavens themselves feared." Xiao Li¡¯s mind raced. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Feared by the heavens?" Elder Bai Xu nodded. "There was once a being in the higher realms known as the Prime God, an entity who could devour celestial laws, absorb tribulation lightning, and defy reincarnation itself." "The Prime God vanished thousands of years ago¡­ but his power did not." His eyes locked onto Xiao Li¡¯s. "And now, that power rests inside you." For a moment, the room was silent. Then¡ª Xiao Li laughed. Elder Bai Xu raised an eyebrow. "You find this amusing?" Xiao Li smirked. "So, you¡¯re saying I¡¯m connected to some legendary figure feared by the heavens?" He crossed his arms. "Sounds fun." Elder Bai Xu chuckled. "That¡¯s the response I expected from you." But his tone turned serious. "You must understand¡­ If the world learns of your connection to the Prime God, you will be hunted." "Not just by the Academy. Not just by the Kingdom. But by the entire cultivation world." Xiao Li¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t fade. "Then let them come." His golden Qi flickered, his aura unshaken. "I¡¯ll crush every last one of them." Elder Bai Xu smiled slightly. "Good." He tossed a jade token toward Xiao Li. "Then take this." Xiao Li caught it, inspecting the intricate carvings. "What is this?" "Your invitation to the Core Court." "Your real journey¡­ begins now." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes burned with anticipation. "Interesting." Because this was only the beginning. Chapter 29: Stepping Into the Core Court Chapter 29: Stepping Into the Core CourtThe morning sun cast a golden glow over the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, but today, the atmosphere felt different. Word had spread¡ªXiao Li had been accepted into the Core Court. For the first time in the Academy¡¯s history, a disciple had skipped the ranks, leaping from the Inner Court directly into the highest level of disciples. And not everyone was happy about it. The Core Court was an entirely separate section of the Academy, reserved for the strongest and most elite cultivators. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Massive jade gates, engraved with ancient runes, stood tall before Xiao Li. Several disciples in embroidered robes stood guard, their auras far beyond that of regular students. As Xiao Li approached, their gazes hardened. "So, you¡¯re the newcomer?" A young man with sharp silver eyes stepped forward, his presence exuding confidence and arrogance. Xiao Li sensed his cultivation instantly. "Foundation Establishment Stage 3. Mediocre." The disciple frowned. "I don¡¯t know how you got into the Core Court, but we don¡¯t welcome weaklings here." Xiao Li¡¯s golden eyes glowed faintly. "Weakling?" Before the silver-eyed disciple could blink¡ª BOOM! Xiao Li vanished and reappeared right in front of him, his palm pressing against the disciple¡¯s chest. A powerful shockwave blasted outward, sending the silver-eyed disciple crashing into the gates. The other Core Disciples stiffened. "What speed!" "He took down Yuan Feng in an instant!" Xiao Li cracked his knuckles. "If this is the best you have, I¡¯m already disappointed." The disciples gritted their teeth , but none of them dared to attack. Then¡ª "Enough." A voice echoed from above. A young woman dressed in elegant white robes sat on the roof of the Core Court, watching the scene unfold. Her long black hair flowed behind her, and her icy blue eyes locked onto Xiao Li with curiosity. Xiao Li narrowed his gaze. Her aura was different. Stronger than the others. Dangerous. "Who is she?" She smiled slightly. "I was curious to see what kind of person could skip directly into the Core Court." "But it seems¡­ you are even more interesting than I thought." She disappeared in a flash of light. Xiao Li watched her leave, his smirk returning. "Things are about to get entertaining." Because he could already tell¡ªthe real battles were just beginning. Chapter 30: The Core Court’s Strongest Chapter 30: The Core Court¡¯s StrongestXiao Li walked through the Core Court grounds, his expression calm and unreadable.Unlike the Outer and Inner Courts, the Core Court was a world of its own. Ancient pagodas, personal training halls, and massive cultivation arrays filled the landscape. Here, only the strongest could survive. And now, Xiao Li had stepped into the domain of true monsters. WHOOSH! A gust of wind carried a powerful aura as a tall, muscular figure landed before Xiao Li. His black robes were embroidered with golden flames, and his sharp eyes gleamed with battle intent. "So, you¡¯re the new Core Disciple?" Xiao Li sensed his cultivation immediately. Foundation Establishment Stage 8. Not bad. The disciple smirked. "I¡¯m Jiang Chen, ranked 3rd in the Core Court." "If you want to stay here, you¡¯ll have to prove yourself." The other Core Disciples gathered around, whispering among themselves. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Jiang Chen is testing him already?" "This newcomer is about to get crushed!" Xiao Li yawned. "And if I don¡¯t feel like proving myself?" Jiang Chen¡¯s eyes darkened. "Then you¡¯ll leave here in pieces." A powerful killing intent surged from his body. The pressure alone caused the ground beneath him to crack. But Xiao Li? He didn¡¯t even blink. Instead¡ªhe smiled. "You¡¯re welcome to try." The crowd gasped. "He¡¯s challenging Jiang Chen head-on?!" Jiang Chen¡¯s Qi surged as flames danced around his fists. "Good. Let¡¯s see how long you last." Just as the battle was about to begin¡ª BOOOOM! A powerful shockwave burst through the air, silencing the entire Core Court. A figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully between Xiao Li and Jiang Chen. She was the same mysterious woman who had been watching Xiao Li earlier. Her long black hair flowed behind her, and her icy blue eyes locked onto Xiao Li with curiosity. "That¡¯s Mu Qinglan!" "She¡¯s ranked 2nd in the Core Court!" Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. "Foundation Establishment Stage 7¡­ A step away from breaking through." Mu Qinglan smiled slightly. "If you two fight seriously, you¡¯ll destroy half the Core Court." She turned her gaze to Xiao Li. "You interest me." "But before you fight Jiang Chen, there¡¯s someone else who wants to meet you first." Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Who?" Mu Qinglan¡¯s smile deepened. "Someone from the Royal Family." The crowd stiffened in shock. "A Royal Family member wants to meet him?!" Xiao Li chuckled. "Alright. Let¡¯s see what they want." Because he could already tell¡ªthis was just the beginning. Chapter 31: Summoned by the Royal Family Chapter 31: Summoned by the Royal FamilyXiao Li followed Mu Qinglan through the inner corridors of the Core Court, heading toward the Secluded Pavilion¡ªa place where only special guests were entertained.The moment they arrived, he felt it. A powerful aura pressed down on the surroundings, subtle but undeniably oppressive. Inside the pavilion, a figure dressed in luxurious robes stood with their back to him, facing the spiritual waterfall that flowed behind the pavilion¡¯s balcony. Beside them, a black-robed man stood silently, his gaze as sharp as a blade. Xiao Li¡¯s instincts immediately sharpened. "Foundation Establishment Stage 9¡­ this isn¡¯t an ordinary servant." Mu Qinglan stopped and bowed slightly. "We¡¯ve arrived." The luxuriously dressed figure finally turned. A young woman, no older than twenty, with crimson-red eyes and flowing silver hair, looked directly at Xiao Li. Her beauty was ethereal, but her presence carried an undeniable sense of authority. She spoke softly, yet her words carried absolute weight. "You are Xiao Li." It was not a question. It was a statement. Xiao Li met her gaze evenly, unfazed by her status. "And you are?" The woman smiled slightly. "I am Feng Lizi, third princess of the Azure Kingdom¡¯s Royal Family." The surrounding disciples outside the pavilion gasped. "A princess?! She¡¯s here in person?!" "Why would someone of her status summon Xiao Li?" Xiao Li, however, remained calm. "I didn¡¯t expect royalty to be so interested in me." Feng Lizi studied him, her crimson eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Your rise has been¡­ unprecedented." "First, you break the Spirit Measuring Tablet." "Then, you dominate the Academy Tournament and defeat Liu Tian with ease." "And finally, you¡¯re personally accepted into the Core Court by a Core Elder." She took a step forward. "The Royal Family does not ignore such talent." Xiao Li smirked. "So? What does the princess want from me?" Feng Lizi¡¯s smile deepened. "A deal." She gestured toward the black-robed man beside her. "This is my personal envoy. He has information about a mission that only someone of your strength can handle." The envoy stepped forward, handing Xiao Li a golden scroll. Xiao Li opened it. The words inside were brief, but deadly. ???? Mission: Investigate the Forbidden Ruins in the Northern Wastes. ???? Target: Unknown entity awakening beyond the Mortal World. ???? Danger Level: Extreme. A silence fell over the room. Even Mu Qinglan¡¯s expression became serious. "The Forbidden Ruins¡­? That place has been sealed for centuries." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Interesting." Feng Lizi tilted her head. "So? Will you accept?" Xiao Li grinned. "Of course." Because he could already tell¡ªthis mission would change everything. Chapter 32: Shadows in the Core Court Chapter 32: Shadows in the Core CourtThe golden scroll in Xiao Li¡¯s hands contained few words but infinite meaning. ???? Mission: Investigate the Forbidden Ruins in the Northern Wastes. ???? Target: Unknown entity awakening beyond the Mortal World. ???? Danger Level: Extreme. He could feel it¡ªthis was not just another mission. Something far greater was in motion. Feng Lizi watched him carefully. "I assume you understand the risks?" Xiao Li smirked. "I thrive on risk." The princess¡¯s crimson eyes gleamed with amusement. "Good." But before any more could be said¡ª WHOOSH! A killing intent surged through the air. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes sharpened instantly. "Assassins." BOOOOOOOM! The roof above them exploded, and six black-cloaked figures descended from the shadows. Each one radiated killing intent, their movements precise and deadly. Feng Lizi¡¯s expression darkened. "Assassins inside the Core Court?!" Xiao Li didn¡¯t wait. "Nine Heavens Domination Scripture¡ªFirst Form." A golden vortex erupted around him, and before the assassins could react¡ª WHOOSH! Xiao Li vanished. BOOM! His palm strike shattered the ribs of the first assassin, sending him flying into the wall. The second assassin swung a poisoned blade toward Xiao Li¡¯s neck¡ª But Xiao Li caught it mid-air. "Not good enough." CRACK! With a single twist, he broke the assassin¡¯s wrist and launched a devastating counterattack to his chest. Another assassin tried to retreat, forming hand seals to activate a forbidden technique. But¡ª BOOOOOOM! A surge of black flames erupted, stopping the assassin mid-motion. Xiao Li turned his head slightly. Feng Lizi had moved. Her crimson Qi burned around her as she raised a single finger. "You dare attack a member of the Royal Family?" The assassin screamed as he was engulfed, his body turning to ashes. Xiao Li grinned. "Not bad." The last assassin, terrified beyond belief, tried to flee¡ª WHOOSH! But before he could escape, a black-robed figure appeared behind him and pierced his heart with a single strike. The assassin collapsed. Xiao Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. The one who had just moved¡ªwas the Royal Envoy. "Fast." The envoy stepped forward, his face still hidden under his hood. "These men were no ordinary killers." He turned toward the princess. "Your Highness¡­ this is a declaration of war." Feng Lizi¡¯s expression turned cold. "I had a feeling this mission would attract unwanted attention." She glanced at Xiao Li. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now you see, Xiao Li. This is not just an investigation." Her crimson eyes darkened. "This mission¡­ involves the fall of an entire kingdom." Xiao Li chuckled. "Interesting." He cracked his knuckles, stepping over the corpses. "Then let¡¯s get started." Because whatever was hidden in the Forbidden Ruins¡­ He was going to find it first. Chapter 33: Departure to the Forbidden Ruins Chapter 33: Departure to the Forbidden RuinsThe aftermath of the assassination attempt left the Core Court in chaos. But Xiao Li was unbothered. Instead, his mind was already focused on what lay ahead. The Forbidden Ruins. "An unknown force awakening beyond the Mortal World?" He smirked. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sounds fun." At dawn, Xiao Li, Feng Lizi, and the Royal Envoy left the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, moving toward the Northern Wastes. The journey was long and treacherous, but their speed was unmatched. Each step brought them closer to the ruins¡ªand the danger that lurked within. By the second night, they arrived at a massive canyon, surrounded by swirling black mist. The Forbidden Ruins. The very air hummed with ancient energy, and a sense of unease crept into their bones. Feng Lizi¡¯s crimson eyes narrowed. "There¡¯s something here¡­ something watching us." Xiao Li grinned. "Let it watch." "I¡¯ll kill it soon enough." As they stepped closer to the ruins¡ª BOOOOOOM! The ground trembled violently, and the air was filled with an ancient, oppressive aura. From the depths of the ruins, a dark presence stirred. Xiao Li¡¯s golden eyes flickered. "Here we go." Because whatever was hiding here¡­ It had just woken up.