The silent passage of the night faded swiftly into the early hours of dawn.
Beneath a lush, verdant tree brimming with pure natural Qi, Wu Ming sat in still meditation. Hidden within the shade of its leaves, he drew in the surrounding energy of heaven and earth, guiding it steadily into his body as he refined and condensed the spiritual essence within his dantian. Over the course of a single night, he had opened every meridian in his body, allowing the flow of Qi to circulate without obstruction, smooth and complete.
Slowly, he opened his eyes halfway.
Suddenly-
As if the very currents of nature bent to his will, a violent surge of wind erupted outward from his position. The air trembled as invisible force rippled across the surroundings, sending birds scattering into the sky and beasts fleeing into the distance in startled panic.
Fwoooosh-
"My cultivation..." he murmured inwardly, calm yet resolute, "has stabilized at its absolute limit. In a few more days... I will be able to break through. Only this final bottleneck remains."
His gaze shifted slightly toward the horizon.
"Five days..."
"Until the Tournament of Talents begins."
He closed his eyes once more, his mind drifting back to the information Luo Ji had shared with him the previous night-particularly regarding the Second Trial of the competition.
The Second Round of the Tournament of Talents was not a test of brute strength, nor of direct combat.
Last night, beneath the dim lantern light, Luo Ji had been the one to say it first-her tone calm, almost indifferent, yet carrying an undeniable weight.
"This round..." she said softly, swirling the wine within her cup, "is where most so-called geniuses fall."
Wu Ming did not interrupt.
He simply watched the motion of the wine-slow, controlled, deliberate.
"It is called the Trial of Alchemical Refinement," Luo Ji continued, her gaze shifting toward him. "A test not of force... but of precision, understanding, and control over the essence of life itself."
Mao Bai blinked in confusion. "So... no fighting at all?"
Luo Ji gave a faint smile. "Not directly."
She placed her cup down.
"Instead, you will be required to refine spiritual herbs into medicinal pills... under strict and unforgiving conditions."
Wu Ming finally spoke.
"And this alone is enough to eliminate them?"
Luo Ji's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It is more than enough."
"Unlike the first round," she continued, "which simply filters out the weak through direct confrontation..."
"This round separates the refined from the crude."
Her fingers tapped lightly against the table as she spoke, each word measured.
"It is not enough to know herbs."
"Not enough to memorize formulas."
"You must control your Qi with absolute precision... regulate temperature without fluctuation... and maintain mental clarity without the slightest disturbance."
Mao Bai frowned.
"That sounds... annoying."
Luo Ji glanced at her briefly.
"Annoying?"
Then she looked back at Wu Ming.
"A single miscalculation... even the smallest deviation..."
"...can cause the furnace to collapse."
"Or worse-trigger a backlash that damages your meridians."
Her voice remained calm.
"That is why many who excel in combat... fail here."
Wu Ming's gaze remained steady.
"They lack control."
"Yes."
Luo Ji lifted the wine jar and refilled her cup before continuing.
"Each participant will be assigned a furnace."
"A personal one."
"And a standardized set of ingredients."
Mao Bai tilted her head.
"So everyone gets the same materials?"
"Yes," Luo Ji replied.
"But do not mistake that for fairness."
She leaned slightly forward.
"The herbs are carefully chosen... not for simplicity, but for conflict."
Her fingers traced a faint circle on the table.
"Some burn like fire."
"Some freeze like frost."
"And others..."
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"...are unstable, like condensed lightning essence."
Wu Ming spoke quietly.
"And they must combine them."
Luo Ji nodded.
"Not just combine."
"Harmonize."
"To force opposing natures into balance... and refine them into a single, stable pill."
She paused briefly.
"That is the true difficulty."
Mao Bai scratched her head.
"But if they don't give instructions... how would anyone know what to do?"
Luo Ji smiled faintly.
"That is precisely the point."
She turned her gaze toward Wu Ming.
"You will not be given formulas."
"Only a vague objective."
"For example-"
She raised one finger.
"Create a pill that restores vitality."
Another finger.
"One that enhances Qi flow."
"A third that stabilizes internal injuries."
She let her hand fall.
"And from that alone..."
"You must deduce everything."
"The ingredients."
"The proportions."
"The sequence of refinement."
Mao Bai blinked.
"That's insane."
"Yes," Luo Ji said calmly.
"And that is why most will fail."
Wu Ming's voice was quiet.
"Memorization will not suffice."
Luo Ji nodded.
"Only those who truly understand the principles of transformation..."
"...can succeed."
She took a small sip of wine.
"There is also the matter of time."
Her tone became more direct.
"Each participant is given a fixed duration."
"If you fail to produce a completed pill within that time..."
"You are eliminated."
"No exceptions."
Mao Bai groaned.
"So even if you're close, you're out?"
"Yes."
"And even if you succeed..."
Luo Ji added,
"You will still be judged."
She set the cup down once more.
"The pill must be evaluated."
"Not just on function..."
"But on purity."
"Stability."
"Structural integrity."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"A pill filled with impurities..."
"...or unstable energy..."
"...will be deemed inferior."
Wu Ming's gaze flickered faintly.
"Even if it works."
"Yes."
For a moment, Luo Ji said nothing.
Then she added quietly-
"There is another layer."
Wu Ming looked at her.
"A hidden one."
"The furnaces themselves..."
"...are not ordinary."
"They are inscribed with subtle formations."
"Formations that react to Qi."
Mao Bai frowned.
"So... the furnace fights back?"
"In a sense."
Luo Ji nodded.
"If your control is unstable..."
"The furnace will amplify that instability."
"Your errors will grow."
"Your refinement will collapse faster."
She paused briefly.
"But if your control is precise..."
"It will respond smoothly."
"Almost... as if assisting you."
Wu Ming's eyes dimmed slightly.
"A mirror."
"Yes."
"A reflection of your foundation."
Mao Bai suddenly looked uneasy.
"Wait... what about other people?"
"They'll just mind their own business, right?"
Luo Ji gave a faint, knowing smile.
"Not necessarily."
"Direct attacks are forbidden."
"But..."
She leaned back slightly.
"Subtle interference is not."
Mao Bai froze.
"You mean-"
"Yes."
"Qi fluctuations."
"Pressure."
"Disturbances."
"All of these..."
"...can be used."
Wu Ming spoke quietly.
"To disrupt focus."
Luo Ji nodded.
"And many will fall because of it."
"Not due to lack of skill..."
"But because their minds cannot remain steady."
The lantern flickered.
Shadows shifted.
"At the end," Luo Ji concluded, her voice returning to calm neutrality,
"All pills will be evaluated by a panel."
"Master alchemists."
"High-ranking cultivators."
"They will judge every aspect."
"And only a limited number..."
"...will advance."
She lifted her cup one last time.
"This round..."
"...is where pretense ends."
Back in the present-
Beneath the tree-
Wu Ming sat in silence.
The memory faded.
But the understanding remained.
Clear.
Complete.
....
....
.......
"The trial of alchemical refinement..."
Wu Ming's thoughts stirred quietly beneath the calm surface of his mind as he remained seated beneath the ancient tree, the flow of natural Qi still circulating steadily within his meridians without the slightest obstruction.
This was not a trial that could be approached with brute force or reckless confidence, for unlike battle where power could overwhelm weakness, the path of alchemy demanded a level of precision so absolute that even the smallest fluctuation could lead to complete failure, and the consequences of such failure were not merely defeat-but internal collapse.
"It seems... I must make certain preparations."
His gaze remained steady, yet within that stillness lay a depth that seemed to measure countless possibilities at once, as though every variable of the upcoming trial was already being calculated within his mind.
The refinement of pills was not simply a matter of combining ingredients, but the act of guiding conflicting forces into harmony, and to achieve such a state required not only control over Qi, but an understanding of the unseen balance that governed transformation itself.
"To pass this trial..." he continued inwardly, his thoughts clear and unwavering, "the control of heat must not waver even for a single breath, and the purity of the pill must reach a level where no impurities can remain hidden within its structure, otherwise even if it succeeds in form, it will fail in essence."
A slow breath escaped him, not out of exhaustion, but as a deliberate act to cast aside all unnecessary distractions, allowing his mind to return to a state of perfect clarity where no external thought could disturb his focus.
Within that moment of stillness, his awareness sharpened, and every flow of Qi within his body became as clear as a reflection upon a calm lake.
"Even without a mystical flame..."
His thoughts did not waver in the slightest, nor did they carry any trace of doubt, for he had already accepted the limitations of his current state without resistance, and it was precisely because of that acceptance that he could begin to see beyond those limitations.
The absence of a true alchemical flame did not signify impossibility, only that a different path must be taken-one that relied not on external tools, but on the refinement of one's own internal power.
"Qi itself can be shaped... condensed... and ignited into heat," he reflected, his understanding gradually aligning with the principles he had long grasped but rarely applied in this context.
Though such a method would be far more difficult to control and far less stable than a true flame, it was not without merit, and if guided correctly, it could serve as a substitute-imperfect, yet sufficient.
With that thought, Wu Ming slowly closed his eyes once more, allowing his consciousness to descend beyond the surface of his mind, sinking deeper and deeper into the boundless expanse that lay within.
The external world faded away without resistance, its sounds dissolving into silence as his awareness withdrew completely, leaving behind only the vast, infinite domain of his own inner existence.
Within that immeasurable space, he stood once more before the towering structure that dominated his consciousness-the Pagoda of Consciousness, an ancient construct that seemed to transcend both time and understanding, its upper layers hidden beyond a veil that could not be pierced by his current level of perception.
Even standing before it, one could feel the oppressive depth of the knowledge it contained, as though each layer represented a realm of understanding far beyond ordinary comprehension.
"At present... I can only remain within the first layer," he spoke softly, his voice echoing within the endless void
Not with frustration, but with calm acknowledgment of his current limits, for to deny one's limitations was to blind oneself to growth. "Yet even within this layer... there are fragments that are sufficient for my current needs."
As his gaze shifted, the space around him began to transform, unraveling into a vast cosmic expanse where countless fragments of memory and knowledge floated like distant stars, each one sealed by invisible constraints that prevented access beyond his current level of understanding.
These were not merely techniques, but inheritances left behind by a version of himself that existed far beyond the present, and to forcefully access them would not grant enlightenment-but destruction.
"I can feel it..."
His voice shifted into a deeper introspection, now fully within the first-person perspective of his consciousness, as his awareness extended toward the countless sealed fragments.
"These are not things that can be taken... they must be reached when I am capable of understanding them, otherwise their meaning would collapse before I could even grasp it."
Most of the fragments remained distant, unmoving, as though they existed in a realm far beyond his current reach, yet among that infinite sea of sealed knowledge, one fragment began to resonate faintly with his presence, emitting a subtle glow that did not overwhelm, but instead aligned perfectly with the rhythm of his current state. It did not call to him, nor did it impose itself-it simply existed, waiting to be chosen.
"This one..."
He murmured, his consciousness drifting closer, not with haste, but with absolute certainty born from instinct rather than thought, as though the decision had already been made long before this moment.
"It is neither beyond me... nor beneath me. It is... appropriate."
The moment his awareness touched the fragment, the surrounding void trembled slightly as a stream of structured knowledge flowed into his mind, not in chaotic bursts, but in a steady, controlled sequence that unfolded layer by layer, allowing him to comprehend each aspect without resistance or confusion.
"This is an alchemical scripture..."
His thoughts deepened, absorbing the information with calm precision as the structure of the technique revealed itself in full.
"A method that does not rely solely on flame, but integrates Qi, formations, and natural laws into a unified system of refinement."
As the knowledge continued to unfold, his understanding sharpened further, revealing the core principle behind the technique-not domination, but guidance; not forcing transformation, but allowing it to occur within controlled parameters.
"I see now..."
He continued in quiet realization, "this method constructs a layered system within the furnace itself, using Qi as both fuel and control, while formations stabilize the environment and regulate the interaction between conflicting energies, preventing collapse while maintaining balance."
More details surfaced, each one reinforcing the complexity and elegance of the technique, yet none of it felt excessive or beyond his grasp, for everything within it aligned perfectly with his current level of comprehension.
"It can be applied even without a true alchemical flame," he concluded, his voice calm but decisive, "by using Qi as a substitute heat source while embedding micro-formations to compensate for instability, effectively creating a controlled environment where refinement can proceed without deviation."
A faint pause followed, as the final layer of understanding settled into place
"This... will suffice."
The light of the scripture gradually merged with his consciousness, no longer separate, no longer distant, becoming a part of his understanding as naturally as breath itself. It did not overwhelm him, nor did it burden him-it simply existed, ready to be used when needed.
When Wu Ming opened his eyes once more beneath the tree, the world had not changed-but his perception of it had. The flow of Qi, the movement of wind, even the stillness of the air-all of it now carried a structure that he could perceive more clearly than before.
"A method has been found..."
His gaze shifted toward the distant horizon, calm and unwavering, as though the outcome of the trial had already been decided within his mind long before it had even begun.
.....
........
........
Beyond the depths of his inner consciousness-
Wu Ming slowly opened his eyes once more, his gaze tranquil and undisturbed as though no time had passed at all.
The surrounding world beneath the verdant tree remained unchanged, yet within him, subtle transformations had already taken root, shaping his perception and refining his awareness to a sharper, more cohesive state than before.
Without haste, he began to examine himself with meticulous care, tracing the flow of Qi through every meridian, observing the stability of his dantian, and confirming that the knowledge he had just absorbed had settled without conflict or deviation.
"I have obtained the method of refinement..."
His thoughts moved with quiet clarity, devoid of surprise or excitement, as though such gains were merely a natural progression rather than an extraordinary occurrence.
The technique, though profound in structure, had integrated seamlessly into his understanding, forming no resistance within his consciousness, and instead aligning with his existing foundation as though it had always belonged there.
"It is... unexpectedly straightforward," he reflected inwardly, his perception of the process already beginning to unfold layer by layer within his mind.
"To refine, to harmonize, to merge intent and method into a singular flow-when comprehension is reached, the technique itself ceases to be complex."
There was no arrogance in this thought-only recognition.
Wu Ming closed his eyes once more, his mind settling into stillness as his consciousness descended again into the inner world he had shaped -the domain where his will and perception had already begun to merge into a unified existence.
This was no longer merely a passive space of thought, but a world that resonated directly with his intent, responding to his awareness as naturally as a limb obeys the body.
Within that inner realm, he stood once again-yet this time, the sensation was different.
The world no longer felt separate from him. Instead, it moved in accordance with his presence, as though every fragment of space, every trace of energy, and every unseen law within it existed as an extension of his own will.
"This world..."
His voice echoed softly, yet carried a subtle depth that seemed to resonate through the entire domain.
"...is no longer something I merely observe."
"It is something I command."
The realization did not come as a revelation, but as a quiet certainty that had always existed beneath the surface, now brought into clarity through understanding.
His gaze shifted.
Far in the distance-yet also impossibly near-stood the towering tree that pierced through the heavens of this inner world.
Its presence was absolute, unmoving, and beyond conventional comprehension, as though it had existed long before the division of heaven and earth, anchoring the very structure of the domain in place.
The ground beneath it seemed to carry the weight of ages, unmoved by time, unshaken by change, as if it alone stood at the boundary between all that was and all that could be.
Wu Ming observed it in silence.
No matter the direction from which he viewed it, the tree remained.
Unchanging.
Unavoidable.
"It exists... everywhere."
The thought arose naturally within him, not as speculation, but as understanding.
The tree was not bound by position or direction-it was a constant, an axis upon which this entire world revolved.
To look away from it was meaningless, for it would still be there, waiting, unmoved and eternal.
"Within this domain of will..."
Wu Ming's thoughts deepened once more as he began to assess the nature of this space with greater clarity.
The flow of time here differed drastically from the external world, moving at a rate that defied ordinary perception, allowing moments within to stretch into extended durations beyond measure.
"...time flows differently."
He could feel it now-clearly.
"For every single moment that passes outside..."
"...fifty unfold within this space."
This realization alone carried immense significance.
It meant that what would require days in the external world could be accomplished in a fraction of that time, provided one had the mental endurance to sustain prolonged focus within this domain.
"That is more than enough," he concluded calmly, his thoughts already aligning with the task ahead.
"To familiarize myself with the art of alchemical refinement... to grasp its foundation, its structure, and its flow... this span of time will suffice."
Without further hesitation, Wu Ming began to move.
His steps were slow, deliberate, yet unwavering as he advanced toward the towering tree once more.
The ground beneath his feet remained steady, yet the deeper he ventured, the more the surrounding space seemed to grow heavier, as though an unseen force was beginning to press down upon him from all directions.
And just as before-
It came.
A crushing pressure, vast and formless, descended upon him like invisible chains, binding his movement and resisting his advance with absolute authority.
It did not strike violently, nor did it erupt with force-instead, it restrained, suppressed, and anchored him in place as though the world itself refused to allow him to proceed any further.
Yet Wu Ming did not stop.
He did not resist violently.
Nor did he withdraw.
"This pressure..."
His voice remained calm, even as the weight continued to increase with each step forward.
"...is not meant to harm."
"It is a boundary."
A test.
Or perhaps-
A law.
Though his body could not advance further, his gaze remained fixed upon the tree, unwavering and undisturbed by the invisible restraints that sought to halt him.
The pressure continued to bind him, yet it could not shake his will, nor could it force him into retreat.
Though his body could not advance further, his gaze remained fixed upon the tree, unwavering and undisturbed by the invisible restraints that sought to halt him.
The pressure continued to bind him, yet it could not shake his will, nor could it force him into retreat.
Instead-
He simply stood there.
Calm.
Silent.
Unyielding.
"I do not need to reach it... not yet."
The thought arose without hesitation.
"For now..."
"...understanding is enough."
And within that boundless world of will
Wu Ming remained where he stood, unmoved by the unseen chains, as his consciousness began to shift once more... preparing to turn that understanding into action.
I can feel it...
An unseen force, intangible yet undeniable, binds itself to my body. It is like countless fine threads-thin, sharp, and endless-entwining around me from all directions. Though they cannot be seen, their presence is absolute, and I know with certainty... that if I were to take even a single step beyond this boundary, those threads would tighten without mercy and tear my body apart into fragments.
I slowly draw in the energy of heaven and earth.
It flows into me like a silent tide, entering through every pore before being guided carefully along each meridian within my body.
I circulate it with precision, ensuring that not a single pathway is neglected, allowing the energy to move in a complete and uninterrupted cycle until every corner of my being is filled with its presence.
I raise both hands to the level of my abdomen.
My Qi begins to rotate-slow at first, then gradually intensifying as I compress it into a single point.
The energy condenses, forming a dense sphere that pulses with restrained force, its surface trembling slightly under the pressure of its own existence.
Without hesitation, I extend one hand and retrieve several spiritual herbs, preparing to test the process of refinement and transform them into a usable pill.
The first attempt... fails.
The second attempt... fails.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
I exhale, a trace of fatigue surfacing alongside the dull pain spreading through my body from repeated backlash.
Each failed refinement sends a disruptive force back through my meridians, causing internal strain that accumulates with every attempt, yet I do not allow it to shake my focus completely.
Even though I have obtained the knowledge of alchemical refinement, it is far from something I can control with ease. Understanding... does not equate to mastery.
My mind remains calm, yet my control over Qi is still imperfect-too rigid, lacking the softness required to guide the transformation. Instead of harmonizing the energies, I force them, and in doing so... they resist, collapse, and rebound against me.
I have endured this before.
I sit in meditation, absorbing the energy of this world without interruption, using it to restore the damage within my body time and time again.
The spiritual energy here is abundant-pure, vast, and inexhaustible-allowing me to recover from injuries that would otherwise accumulate beyond control.
No matter how many times I fail, I can repair myself, return to stability, and begin again without delay.
I exhale once more.
This time-there is no hesitation.
A quiet resolve forms within my mind, and a sharp intensity gathers within my gaze.
I steady myself again.
Slowly, I begin to circulate my Qi once more-but this time, I guide it differently.
Instead of compressing it with force, I reshape it, altering its nature, allowing it to transform into a flowing, flickering form... until it begins to resemble a flame born not of fire, but of pure energy.
A formless blaze-yet controlled.
Unstable-yet contained.
"This time..."
"It will succeed."