The air grew heavier the moment Li Shen stepped fully into the First Stage of Qi Gathering.
Everything felt different.
The world felt clearer and sharper.
The flow of Qi within his body was no longer chaotic or restrained, it moved like a controlled river, responding to his will with precision he had never experienced before.
Across from him, Zhang Wei's smile widened slightly.
"…So you finally stepped into it," he said. "Qi Gathering."
Li Shen did not respond he simply clenched his fist.
Feeling the power and trying to understand it.
Then, he moved.
This time, his speed was no longer inferior.
Their figures blurred as they clashed again, fists and palms colliding with explosive force. The difference from before was immediate. Where Li Shen had once been pushed back, he now held his ground.
Strike for strike.
Step for step.
Zhang Wei's expression shifted slightly as their attacks met evenly.
"…Your Qi," he muttered. "It's… different."
Li Shen's attacks were not just powered by Qi
they were refined, condensed, far purer than what someone who had just broken through should possess.
Another clash.
A shockwave burst outward.
Both stepped back.
Then surged forward again.
Zhang Wei's aura intensified as he began using proper techniques now. His palm glowed faintly as Qi condensed into sharper force, his strikes becoming faster and more lethal.
Li Shen's eyes sharpened as he adapted.
Every movement he made became more precise, more controlled. Dao's teachings flowed through his mind, guiding his circulation, refining his output, minimizing waste.
Before long, the difference began to show.
Zhang Wei attacked again, his palm descending with force but Li Shen shifted slightly, redirecting the strike before countering instantly.
His fist landed.
A direct hit.
Zhang Wei's body staggered back.
For the first time he had actually been struck cleanly by Li Shen.
His expression darkened immediately.
"…You dare—"
He didn't finish because Li Shen was already in front of him again.
No hesitation... No pause...
His attacks came faster now, pressing forward relentlessly. Each strike carried refined Qi, forcing Zhang Wei onto the defensive.
Step by step—
The advantage shifted.
Zhang Wei gritted his teeth as he blocked another strike, the impact sending a jolt through his arm.
"…Impossible."
He was an inner disciple.
He was experienced.
And yet he was being pushed back by someone who had just broken through.
Panic flickered faintly within him before turning into anger.
"Enough!" Zhang Wei roared.
His Qi surged violently as he gathered everything into a single attack. The air around his palm distorted slightly as he prepared to end the fight in one decisive blow.
Li Shen saw it but he did not retreat.
He stepped forward.
Everything within him aligned.
Body, Qi and will power
His fist shot forward at the same moment Zhang Wei attacked.
The collision caused a small explosion.
A powerful shockwave tore through the area, scattering leaves and cracking the ground beneath them. For a moment, both figures stood locked
Then
Zhang Wei's expression froze as a sharp force broke through his defense.
Li Shen's strike landed.
Zhang Wei's body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against a tree before collapsing to the ground.
Silence fell.
Li Shen stood still, his chest rising and falling as he steadied his breathing.
The fight was over.
He walked forward slowly, his gaze fixed on Zhang Wei's fallen figure.
"…Now," Li Shen said calmly, "you're going to answer me."
Zhang Wei coughed, struggling to sit up, his body trembling slightly from the impact.
But then something changed.
The panic in his eyes vanished and was replaced by something else.
Something shameless.
"HELP!"
His voice exploded through the forest.
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP!"
Li Shen's expression darkened instantly.
"This outer disciple attacked me! He's trying to kill me!"
Zhang Wei's voice was loud, desperate and convincing.
"…You..." Li Shen took a step forward.
But Zhang Wei shouted again, even louder this time.
"HELP! HE'S TRYING TO STEAL MY CULTIVATION RESOURCES!"
His face twisted as if in pain, his voice filled with urgency.
Within seconds, movement echoed in the distance.
Other disciples were approaching the scene.
Li Shen stopped, his eyes turned cold.
"…So this is your plan."
Zhang Wei coughed weakly, but a faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"…You think… you can win… against the sect?"
Footsteps grew closer.
Voices followed.
"What happened?!"
"I heard shouting!"
Figures began to appear at the edge of the clearing.
Outer disciples.
Before
Inner disciples.
Their gazes immediately fell upon the scene, Zhang Wei on the ground Injured.
Li Shen standing over him.
The image spoke for itself.
Zhang Wei forced himself to speak, his voice weak but clear.
"…He attacked me… without reason…"
His hand trembled slightly as he pointed at Li Shen.
"…I was just passing through…"
Murmurs spread instantly.
"An outer disciple attacked an inner disciple?"
"Is he crazy?"
Li Shen said nothing.
Because he understood this was no longer a fight.
He has never experienced such shamelessness
Zhang Wei lowered his head slightly, hiding the faint smile that curved his lips.
Because in his mind the outcome had already been decided.
But within Li Shen
Dao's laugh echoed.
"… Ha Ha Ha.... this just got Interesting."
"…Let's see how you handle this."
Li Shen's gaze remained calm.
Because deep down he knew that this situation was far from over.