บท 25: Challenges
While Shi Li was basking in the joy which is achieving the peak of the first level on all of his three techniques, a wisp of qi entered his mind all of a sudden, prompting him to stop.
Shi Li scratched as to which person sent the wisp of qi to him, but after hearing the voice contained in that wisp, he couldn't help but make a serious expression.
"Shi Li, I want you to come to my room. I have something important to talk with you," the voice within the wisp of qi was extremely familiar to Shi Li to the point that he wouldn't fail at making a mistake in recognizing who owned that voice.
"It's Father!" Shi Li's eyes gleamed in the midst of listening. After getting the full message, Shi Li fell into deep thought as to why he was being called.
"Is it because I've done something wrong?" After a while, Shi Li shook his head. For the past month or so, he has been inside the clan, cultivating with full earnest rather than play around with women. "Hmm...that wouldn't be possible since Father knows I've been in this clan for a whole month already."
"Is it because he wants me to go out for once?" Thinking for a while, Shi Li thought that it was possible since he was stuck inside this clan for a month. It would be weird for his father that his son who used to go outside the clan often would all of a sudden stop.
As Shi Li was pondering, he heard towards his courtyard's training space and punched out with his full strength on the pillar. Once the usual white light dissipated and allowed Shi Li to see his current strength, a new possibility arose.
"Did Father call me because he knows that I've already reached the peak of the first Martial Novice stage?" At this moment, Shi Li thought that this was extremely possible. He cultivated for over a week to reach the peak of the first Martial Novice stage on all three techniques. With an aptitude at the Quasi-World level, it was almost a given that he would cultivate techniques quickly. But then again, his aptitude is still being improved by the red pearl.
After a while, Shi Li instead sighed as he said, "You know what? There's no point thinking over this. I'll just have to see for myself why Father called me." Summoning the strength from his body and soul as it is transformed by the fusion, Shi Li zoomed towards Shi Xingwan's room in a matter of minutes.
...
Shi clan, Shi Xingwan's room.
Knock knock.
"Hm?" Shi Xingwan raised his eyebrows as he looked at the door. He then sent out a wisp of qi through the door, finding out who was behind the door.
'Oh, it's my son. Wait, that's weird. Shouldn't he arrive like many minutes later?' Although this thought befuddled him, he still said, "Come in."
Creak...the door was opened, revealing Shi Li to Shi Xingwan. At first glance, Shi Xingwan noticed that his son had gotten stronger with how his son's muscles screamed power. Not only that, he could feel a faint aura coming from Shi Li.
Shi Li sat down at a nearby chair as he waited for his father to speak. But what his father said somewhat shocked him.
"Oho. It seems you've gotten stronger," Shi Xingwan looked at Shi Li and smiled. Shi Li, who was currently sitting in front of his father, felt the need to make a confused face but he suppressed the urge.
'Eh? He didn't know that I got stronger?' Shi Li was definitely confused as he maintained a calm face. 'Then why did Father ask me to come here?'
"Yes Father, I've achieved the peak of the first level for both my internal and external cultivation techniques," Shi Li respectfully replied as he completely lost the urge to ask a question.
Shi Xingwan's eyes glistened as he continued to ask, "How much ren can you exert at this moment?"
"30 ren, Father." There was no need for Shi Li to hide his strength since he somewhat had a hunch that his Father was worrying about him lately. Although he did want to hide the existence of his auxiliary cultivation technique.
"30?!" Shi Xingwan's eyes widened as he looked at Shi Li with shock. "30 ren is already at the strength of someone at the peak of the second Martial Novice stage...although I was sure that cultivating both techniques to the peak of the first level would give you the strength at the beginning of the second Martial Novice stage."
What Shi Xingwan said was true. If it wasn't for the auxiliary cultivation technique Shi Li obtained, Shi Li would only wield a strength equivalent to those at the beginning of the second Martial Novice stage.
'How did he...' Shi Xingwan pondered for a bit before reaching a conclusion, 'With his Quasi-World level aptitude, he must've found faults in the techniques and improved them.'
Since Shi Xingwan didn't know that Shi Li had a heavenly technique like that, this was the most plausible outcome.
He then maintained his composure as he let out a light cough. "Ehem...anyways, the reason why I brought you here Shi Li was about the Tri-clan Tournament."
"The Tri-clan Tournament?" Shi Li's eyes gleamed. Ever since he heard the news about the Tri-clan Tournament, he pushed himself even harder just to hit the minimum cultivation requirements.
"Yes. I won't hinder you from participating in the Tri-clan Tournament, but to assure that you don't make us lose face, I'll give you two challenges to achieve before entering," Shi Xingwan nodded as he replied.
"Two challenges..." Shi Li couldn't help but ponder. What could they possibly be?
"The first one..." Shi Xingwan raised one of his fingers, "Is that you should participate in the Martial Novice tournament that'll be held in our clan the following month. If you reach a place within the top 5, you obtain the prizes made for that rank and..."
"Get an auxiliary movement technique," Shi Xingwan smiled.
Putong.
An auxiliary movement technique. To Shi Li, it was like living a dream in reality. How many times has he imagined being a cultivator that move through countries and continents in the blink of an eye?
Shi Li, although maintaining his calm, exuded an aura of determination and excitement which wasn't left unchecked by Shi Xingwan's eyes.
Seeing this, he couldn't help but chuckle as he continued.
"The next challenge I want you to achieve is to reach the Martial Adept stage within two months. If you don't achieve the Martial Adept stage within the timeframe I gave you, you won't have the chances to enter the Tri-clan Tournament."
Although it contradicted his earlier statement, he really didn't want his son to suffer a crushing defeat in the tournament. Shi Li wanted to complain about this but he could sense the sadness within Shi Xingwan's eyes, thus not doing anything.
"But if you do reach it..." Shi Xingwan took a deep breath before continuing.
"You can enter the Shi Trial Tower."
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TrueDawn
TrueDawn Nothing can stop Shi Li from achieving these really. He has a Quasi-World level aptitude that is still being improved by the red pearl, and a comprehension level beyond compare. Who can stop him from achieving his dreams?
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