NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3 – Advancement
As Tian Ling opened his eyes, he sighed, unable to contain his excitement. He had reached the peak of the Mortal Realm and was on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Realm. During his cultivation, he had experienced something magical and irreversible: the sensation of being in perfect harmony with the heavens and earth. He couldn’t help but wonder, "How far can I go?" Feeling extremely motivated, he quickly reminded himself, "No, I can’t be arrogant. I need to stay grounded and cultivate seriously," he scolded himself mentally.
The thrill of being on the brink of a major breakthrough nearly overwhelmed him, but he knew he had to stay focused. With renewed determination, he decided to find the guards of the outer sect and request an audience with Elder Lian Ziyue. He needed to inform her of his progress. The thought of becoming an inner disciple filled him with enthusiasm, but as time passed, he almost forgot about the guardian system, which was beginning to feel like a distant illusion.
Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, under the sky of the Serene Mist Sect, the sect's central pavilion stood majestically, the size of a palace. The place was adorned with extravagant decorations and architecture that evoked the heavens, inspiring reverence in all who visited. The air was filled with a faint scent of lotus flowers, and the soft sounds of flowing water could be heard in the distance, completing the serene atmosphere.
Several elders were gathered, discussing preparations for the upcoming outer sect competition. In the center, a powerful figure stood out: a man with long black hair, wearing a gray robe. His eyes were deep, and his posture was elegant. He sat, radiating authority and power, yet with an aura of calm that dominated the room.
"Reporting to the sect master, we have many promising disciples for the upcoming outer sect competition. I believe more than five may directly advance and become inner disciples," said Lian Ziyue, bowing respectfully to the figure in front of her. This was Xue Yunzhi, the master of the Serene Mist Sect and one of the powerhouses of the Nine Stars region, a powerful cultivator in the True Soul Realm. His presence was imposing, his gaze cold, but his voice carried a profound serenity.
"Good work, Elder. We expect strong candidates for the coming years," he replied in a calm and serene voice that seemed to reverberate through the pavilion.
Lian Ziyue nodded and left the pavilion, but there was still much to be done in the inner sect before she could return to the outer sect to check on the disciples. However, deep down, the elder was thoughtful. The rapid progress of some disciples intrigued her, especially Tian Ling, about whom she had heard recent rumors.
Meanwhile, Tian Ling muttered to himself, barely containing his excitement. “Finally, I’ve broken through! I’m officially a cultivator!” He had just broken into the Foundation Realm and felt a renewed energy coursing through his body.
However, he also knew that breaking through a realm in cultivation required passing the Heavenly Dao's approval and facing a celestial tribulation, as proof of being worthy to be in harmony with the heavens and earth. But for the Foundation Realm, considered the start of the true path of cultivation, the Heavenly Dao did not require a tribulation. Thus, Tian Ling was able to advance with ease, and soon after, the elder had returned.
“All outer sect disciples, gather!” she called out in a commanding tone, summoning the disciples for an important announcement.
As the disciples gathered, Lian Ziyue spotted Tian Ling. Her face paled, and she froze for a moment. "What? He’s already in the Foundation Realm? But it’s been less than ten years since he started cultivating!" She was astonished and perplexed. Breaking through to the Foundation Realm is considered one of the first stages of cultivation, but also one of the most difficult. For a mortal, whose lifespan rarely exceeds ninety years, advancing to the Foundation Realm in such a short time is essential. However, with age, the body begins to weaken, making it harder to circulate energy and adapt to the necessary changes for breaking through. Achieving this before the age of fifty is considered a genius feat, but before twenty-five? He had far surpassed what is known as genius.
She tried to hide her surprise, but her thoughts were in turmoil. "This boy... What is he? Reaching the Foundation Realm at twenty-two is an absurd feat. He must have some hidden secret... or perhaps destiny is favoring him."
“I see that many of you have reached the Foundation Realm. The outer sect competition will take place in five years. You have until then to train and prepare. Elders representing the sect will be present, and if you gain their approval, you may become their disciples.”
As the elder finished explaining how they could become inner disciples, Tian Ling began to worry. "How am I supposed to stand out? I’ve never even fought before, and even though my cultivation has advanced, I don’t have any techniques. How can I compare?" He was thoughtful, but not discouraged. "I can’t miss this opportunity... I need to find a way to stand out."
After speaking to the disciples, the elder departed. As she left, she cast a discreet glance at Tian Ling, who seemed deeply troubled. "Be proud, boy. Even if you don’t fight well, an elder might still choose you. Reaching the Foundation Realm at twenty-two... that’s ridiculous," she thought, unable to suppress her admiration for the young man's talent.
It took Tian Ling about three months to consolidate his foundation. During this time, he devoted himself intensely to cultivation, realizing that more and more, the spiritual energy around him seemed insufficient. He knew that to continue advancing, he would need denser and purer energy, something the outer sect could not provide.
While consolidating his foundation, thoughts of Zhao Xun returned to Tian Ling’s mind. He couldn’t forget the cruel words Zhao had spoken. Outwardly, he maintained a calm posture, but inwardly, the words hurt. It wasn’t anger he felt, but a deep sadness. "How can someone despise another so easily? If I were as weak as he thinks, this would have destroyed me... But why don’t I feel hatred? Why do I only pity his ignorance?" Tian Ling reflected, realizing that his gentle nature prevented him from harboring resentment.
Just as his foundation was fully stabilized, the voice he had almost forgotten echoed again in his mind, and a familiar panel appeared before his eyes.
[HOST DETECTED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH TO THE FOUNDATION REALM AND INITIATED THE PATH OF CULTIVATION. HOST WILL RECEIVE: ONE JAR OF FOUNDATION PILL AND A SPIRITUAL GRADE SPELL]
[CONGRATULATIONS ON RECEIVING THE SPIRITUAL GRADE SPELL: HEAVENLY TEMPEST SWORD]
“Heavenly Tempest Sword? Spiritual grade?”
Tian Ling felt a mix of surprise and anxiety. The system he had nearly forgotten was back. With it came a power he could barely comprehend. "This power... Can I control it? What if I fail?" For a moment, fear gripped his mind. He knew cultivation was dangerous, and reckless ambition could lead to ruin. But amid the fear, he found a flame of determination. He wasn’t willing to give up.
As soon as Tian Ling spoke, another screen appeared before him.
[Heavenly Tempest Sword: A powerful sword spell that channels the wrath of the heavens. Upon activation, the cultivator raises their sword to the sky, summoning black clouds filled with thunder and lightning. The blade becomes enveloped in pulsating electrical energy, enhancing its cutting power and imbuing each strike with the destructive force of a storm. Would you like to receive it now?]
Tian Ling hesitated for a moment, still shocked by the system’s reactivation, but soon sat in a lotus position and answered with determination:
“Yes!” Suddenly, something exploded in his mind. All the information about the spell was transferred to him as if he had known it for years. The sensation was overwhelming, as if a sea of knowledge had flooded his mind all at once. Tian Ling abruptly opened his eyes, panting. He could feel the power of the spell coursing through him, but at the same time, he knew mastering it wouldn’t be easy.
“This is amazing! This spell is incredibly powerful... but it will take time for me to fully master it,” he murmured to himself, feeling both the weight of responsibility and the excitement of wielding such immense power. The fear he had felt earlier still lingered, but now it was accompanied by a renewed determination.
“All I need to do is practice, to refine myself. I can’t let this power control me, I must be the one to control it,” he thought as his mind calmed and he began to visualize the next steps in his cultivation.
Once he finished receiving the spell, he remembered something he had almost forgotten: “Ah, I nearly forgot about this.” With a quick thought, he said, “Status!”
[NAME: TIAN LING
AGE: 22 YEARS
RACE: MORTAL
REALM: FIRST LEVEL OF FOUNDATION
SPIRITUAL ROOT: HIGH GRADE
TECHNIQUES: FLOWING INTERNAL PATH
ABILITIES: HEAVENLY TEMPEST SWORD (SPIRITUAL GRADE)]
Seeing his abilities listed, Tian Ling felt a new wave of confidence. He knew there was still much to be done, but now he had a clear advantage in the upcoming competition. If he could master the Heavenly Tempest Sword in time, he would have a real chance
If he could master the Heavenly Tempest Sword in time, he would have a real chance to stand out.
Determined to master the Heavenly Tempest Sword and find a way to distinguish himself, Tian Ling felt a renewed surge of motivation. The journey would be difficult, but he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.
Two more years passed, and suddenly, someone came to speak with Tian Ling again.
“Well, well, look who’s here! Tian, the broken-root boy,” Zhao Xun mocked, an outer sect disciple. Zhao Xun came from the same city as Tian Ling, and the two had gone through the spiritual root test together. At that time, Tian’s spiritual root had been deemed trash, while Zhao Xun’s was of a mid-grade level. Since then, Zhao never missed an opportunity to ridicule Tian.
“You haven’t even reached the Foundation Realm yet, so how dare you boast in front of me?” Tian Ling thought, frowning. He didn’t feel anger or resentment towards Zhao Xun; rather, he pitied him. But this time, he realized something deeper within himself. Zhao’s words no longer hurt him as they once did. Tian was beginning to understand the true meaning of strength—not just the power to defeat enemies, but the resilience to remain steadfast in the face of provocation and scorn.
“Excuse me... you’re in the way. I need to speak with my brother,” said a firm voice behind Zhao Xun. As he turned, he saw it was Jin Yu.
“I-I’m sorry, Senior Sister. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” Zhao Xun quickly apologized, leaving in a hurry, muttering something under his breath.
“Are you alright?” Jin Yu asked, her gaze searching Tian Ling’s face. She knew he was stronger than he appeared, but his calm expression intrigued her. “You could easily deal with him, couldn’t you?” There was genuine curiosity in her voice, mixed with a slight concern. She couldn’t understand why someone with Tian Ling’s power didn’t react to the provocation.
Tian Ling looked at Jin Yu and smiled, but there was a new gleam in his eyes, a quiet confidence that hadn’t been there before.
“Why should I bother? My goal is to seek the Dao and become stronger. Stepping on the weak doesn’t interest me,” he replied, his tone firmer, almost arrogant, yet still carrying his characteristic gentleness.
Jin Yu was momentarily surprised but quickly smiled back. “I see. Well, I just stopped by to say hello.” She bid him farewell before returning to her cultivation, but something about Tian Ling had changed, and she couldn’t help but notice. "He’s different... more confident, more assured. Perhaps I’ve underestimated him," she thought as she walked away.
Like the wind blowing, time passed quickly, and soon the outer sect competition arrived...