Path of the Eternal

Chapter 14: Breaking the Limits

The air was frozen.

The battlefield had transformed into Xue Qing's frozen domain, a world of icy death where even the strongest cultivators would struggle to breathe.

Jin Wei felt his limbs growing sluggish, his movements weighed down by the extreme cold. Frost crept along his arms, threatening to freeze him solid.

Damn… this is worse than I thought.

Across from him, Xue Qing stood tall, her breath visible in the frigid air. Her gaze was cold—as if he was already defeated.

"You've improved," she admitted, her voice echoing through the frozen battlefield. "But you're still not strong enough."

Jin Wei gritted his teeth, his Qi burning like a fire struggling to stay lit in a storm.

He couldn't let it end here.

BOOM!

With a sharp movement, Xue Qing vanished, leaving only a swirl of ice mist behind.

Jin Wei barely had time to react before she reappeared right in front of him, palm glowing with freezing Qi.

"Frozen Lotus Palm!"

The attack slammed into his chest, sending a wave of ice spreading across his torso.

Pain shot through him as the ice burned his skin.

Jin Wei stumbled back, his breath ragged. His body screamed in protest, his muscles stiffening from the cold.

The audience watched in stunned silence.

"He… He's getting overwhelmed!"

"Xue Qing is too strong!"

"Can Jin Wei even win this?"

Xue Qing didn't stop.

She moved again, appearing above him, swinging her leg down in a brutal axe kick.

Jin Wei blocked with both arms—but the impact drove him into the ice-covered ground, cracking the frozen battlefield beneath him.

"Kuh!"

He coughed, blood staining the ice beneath him. His vision blurred, his body screaming for relief.

But he refused to go down.

His hands trembled as he forced himself back up.

Xue Qing sighed. "Just give up. You've done well, but there's no point in—"

"Shut up!"

Jin Wei lifted his head, eyes burning with defiance.

His body ached, his Qi flickering like a dying flame. But inside him, something stirred.

A force greater than before.

He clenched his fists. I refuse to lose… not like this!

He closed his eyes—and reached deep within himself.

Somewhere inside his dantian… a spark ignited.

A power beyond his current limits began to surface.

And then—

BOOM!

A massive shockwave erupted from his body.

The ice around him shattered, as golden Qi burst out, dissolving Xue Qing's frozen domain.

Xue Qing's eyes widened.

What is this?!

Jin Wei's injuries healed instantly, the frost melting off his skin. His body felt lighter, his senses sharper than ever.

He had broken through.

Body Tempering Realm - 4th Stage!

The audience erupted into chaos.

"He broke through in the middle of battle?!"

"Unbelievable!"

Xue Qing's expression hardened. "So… you had this hidden potential all along."

Jin Wei clenched his fists, feeling unimaginable power surging through his veins.

"I told you…" He vanished in a blur of golden light—appearing right in front of Xue Qing.

"I won't lose!"

BOOM!

His punch collided with her palm, sending a massive shockwave through the battlefield.

Xue Qing skidded back, her arm numb from the force.

Jin Wei pressed forward.

"Titan's Palm!"

He launched a flurry of golden strikes, each one faster and stronger than before.

Xue Qing blocked and dodged, but she was pushed back—for the first time in the match.

She gritted her teeth. I can't let him take control!

Her hands formed a new seal.

"Ice Dragon's Wrath!"

The ground trembled as a massive dragon of ice erupted behind her, roaring as it lunged toward Jin Wei.

The crowd held their breath.

Jin Wei stood firm. He drew all of his Qi into his fist—his strongest attack yet.

"Iron Tempest Strike—Final Form!"

His fist collided with the dragon's head.

CRACK!

The entire dragon shattered into countless shards, dissolving into mist.

The battlefield fell silent.

Xue Qing stumbled back, her Qi drained.

Jin Wei stood tall, chest heaving, eyes sharp.

The referee raised his hand.

"Winner—Jin Wei!"

The audience exploded in cheers.

"He did it!"

"Jin Wei won!"

"A new champion has risen!"

Jin Wei exhaled, exhaustion hitting him. But a smile crept onto his face.

He had won.

And he was only just getting started.