"Number Seven, Wang Li… versus Number Three, Mu Waner."
The elder's voice echoed across the arena, and the crowd quickly fell silent.
A young boy stepped forward. His clothes were worn and patched, though carefully cleaned. He looked no older than twelve, with a lean frame and unusually calm eyes.
This was Wang Li—a boy who had somehow found himself inside a cultivation world.
What was absurd was that he had become younger after being transported in this world. He had no idea how all this happened, but he just had some basic understanding of this novel plot.
Even so, he was determined to enter the Spirit Stream Sect.
Based on his limited knowledge, this was a strong sect with vast resources that could give him a chance to grow.
Across from him, Mu Waner walked into the arena. She wore light leather armor despite the heat, moving with quiet confidence. She carried herself like someone who had never experienced defeat and expected none today.
They stopped a few meters apart and looked at each other.
"Fight."
The signal was simple, but the tension broke instantly.
Wang Li moved first.
In just two steps, he closed the distance. Lowering his body, he launched a sweeping kick aimed at Mu Waner's midsection.
The attack was fast and direct.
Mu Waner reacted immediately, drawing her sword and raising it to block.
A dull impact followed.
The force of the kick traveled through her blade and into her arms, pushing her backward across the arena. She steadied herself with effort, her expression turning serious.
"Strong," she said quietly.
Despite that, she showed no fear.
The crowd came alive with reactions.
"He attacked first?"
"That much force from a kid?"
"Doesn't he hold back at all?"
Wang Li ignored them.
This fight wasn't about pride or reputation. For him, it was about survival. He had no support, no background, and no room for mistakes.
So he stepped forward again.
This time, he threw a punch.
As his fist moved, the air around it compressed slightly under the force.
"Great Success Boxing Technique!" someone shouted.
Such a level of skill was something that only those that have became Martial artist, which is sometimes called the Qi stage could accomplish.
Wang Li was after all just like the rest of the participants here to seek a chance to join the sect.
Having gone this far in combat technique was already impressive especially when he was only at the Seventh level of body refinement.
A heavy pressure spread outward, enough for even the spectators to feel.
All those in the body refinement stage felt the blood in their bodies slow down.
Breathing become difficult, and some even turned pale.
Mu Waner remained steady. She wasn't weak.
'Zheng!'
A faint sound followed—clear and controlled. It was the resonance of a sword technique.
Her blade moved.
For a moment, it seemed to disappear, leaving only a faint afterimage.
"Perfection Sword Technique!"
This time the crowd was even more astonished.
This was unprecedented.
Having two geniuses clashing just at the beginning.
At their level, a perfected technique was nearly unbeatable.
The blade shot forward with precision, carrying a force that seemed to lock onto Wang Li, slowing everything around him.
Feeling this power, Wang Li's expression suddenly became that of excitement.
He had not met a worthy opponent from the start of this trial, but this woman was different.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
He had reached perfection with the Mountains and Seas Art before. After fusing other techniques into it, he degreased back to great success, but its strength didn't reduce, rather increased.
So he didn't show any hesitation or was there a change in expression at all. His figure just twisted his right hand slightly before making a move that surprised all.
The pressure around him gave way as his fist continued forward.
The two attacks met.
For a brief moment, everything seemed still.
Then the sound of breaking echoed.
Mu Waner's sword shattered.
Fragments scattered across the arena.
Her expression changed to shock, but she had no time to react.
Wang Li's fist struck her abdomen.
The impact forced her backward, lifting her off her feet before she crashed onto the ground.
Silence followed.
Mu Waner lay unconscious.
Wang Li remained where he stood, calm and composed, as if nothing unusual had happened.
After a moment, the elder spoke.
"Number Seven… Wang Li wins."
Even he sounded slightly uncertain.
The crowd reacted again, but this time with unease.
"He broke a perfected technique…"
"With his bare hands…"
"What kind of person is he?"
Their tone had shifted from excitement to caution.
Wang Li didn't respond. He simply stood quietly, waiting.
Soon after, the elder continued.
"Those who ranked at the top are now recognized as outer disciples of the Spirit Stream Sect."
A wave of excitement spread through the arena.
"Tomorrow, you will enter Spirit Mountain," the elder added.
The mood changed again.
"You must hunt and kill at least one Rank Two beast. Your performance will determine whether you are chosen by one of the nine peaks."
Not everyone would be selected.
Wang Li understood what that meant. Without being chosen, he would remain an ordinary outer disciple—with limited resources and no access to advanced techniques.
His cultivation had already slowed. Without new methods to learn and combine, he wouldn't be able to progress further.
Still, entering the sect meant opportunity.
For the first time, a faint hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes.
---
High above the arena, hidden within the clouds, several figures watched silently.
Each of them carried a powerful presence.
Among them was a woman with white hair and silver eyes, holding a wine jar. Her purple robes moved gently with the wind.
She hadn't paid much attention before.
But during the fight, she noticed something different.
"Fusion of techniques…" she murmured.
Not imitation. Not simple combination.
Something more complete.
Her gaze settled on Wang Li.
"Is it flawed perfection… or something beyond it?"
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Found someone interesting?" a man asked with a faint smile. "Thinking of taking a disciple?"
She took another sip before answering.
"Why? Is the Sect Master planning to interfere with my Tenth Peak?"
He laughed awkwardly. "Your peak has been empty for years—"
The air around them turned colder.
"Are you saying I'm old?" she asked calmly.
The others couldn't help but laugh, while the Sect Master quickly tried to respond.
"That's not what I meant—"
She cut him off.
"Then are you wishing for my early death?"
He fell silent.
Before he could recover, she continued.
"You're already middle-aged. Do you have a successor?"
The question caught him off guard.
Seeing his reaction, she smiled slightly.
"If you're so concerned about me, perhaps I should help you choose one."
Her tone was light, but carried an edge.
Far below, Wang Li stood quietly in the arena.
At that same moment, a similar faint smile appeared on his face.
Then, suddenly, a voice spoke directly in his mind.
"Brat… do you want to become my disciple?"
Wang Li's eyes narrowed.
The voice hadn't come from anyone nearby.
It had come from above.
Noticing that no one else reacted, he immediately became cautious.