Path of the Eternal

Chapter 3: First Clash — Awakening Strength

The morning sun bathed the outer disciples' courtyard in a soft golden hue, but the tension hanging in the air was anything but gentle. A small crowd began gathering around Jin Wei and Luo Feng, their whispers rising like the buzz of bees.

"Is Jin Wei seriously going to challenge Luo Feng? Has he lost his mind?"

"I heard Luo Feng is already at Body Tempering 3rd Layer. Jin Wei hasn't even broken through the 1st… or so we thought."

Jin Wei stood still, back straight, a calm light in his blue eyes.

Luo Feng sneered, cracking his knuckles, the veins in his arms bulging as Qi flowed through them.

"You've got some guts today, Jin Wei. But guts won't save you."

Jin Wei's fingers twitched slightly, feeling the flow of Qi within his newly strengthened body. He could sense it pulsing in his meridians — a warm, steady current, unlike the broken streams he had felt all his life.

> [System Quest: Defend your pride – Reward: 5 points.]

> [Bonus Quest: Defeat Luo Feng – Reward: 10 points + 1 Low-tier Qi Recovery Pill.]

His lips curled into a small smirk. "Let's see what I can do now."

---

Luo Feng didn't wait for a response. With a shout, he charged, his palm glowing faintly with brown Qi, a sign of condensed internal force.

"Take this! Mountain Crushing Palm!"

Jin Wei's heart pounded, but his mind was sharp.

"System, assist!"

> [Activating Battle Support Mode – Analyzing enemy attack pattern.]

Everything seemed to slow down for a brief moment. Jin Wei could see the angle of Luo Feng's strike, the way his feet pushed against the ground for momentum.

> [Recommended action: Shift weight to left leg, sidestep, strike ribs.]

Jin Wei moved before the thought was even fully formed, his body lighter and faster than ever before.

He sidestepped, Luo Feng's palm missing him by a hair's breadth, and with a swift movement, Jin Wei's elbow shot out, landing against Luo Feng's ribs.

Crack!

Luo Feng staggered backward, eyes wide in shock.

"You…!"

Jin Wei exhaled slowly, realizing that his body responded with precision and power.

---

The crowd around them fell silent, stunned.

"Did… did Jin Wei just dodge Luo Feng's Mountain Crushing Palm?"

"And strike back? But that's impossible—he was the weakest outer disciple!"

Jin Wei's gaze never left Luo Feng.

"You talk too much, Luo Feng. Maybe you should focus on training instead of bullying others."

Luo Feng growled, his embarrassment fueling his rage.

"You dare mock me?! I'll crush you!"

He gathered his Qi again, this time faster and more vicious, swirling around his body in faint brown waves.

> [Enemy is channeling Qi for high-impact attack: Iron Mountain Strike.]

> [Warning: This technique can cause serious injury. Recommend defensive maneuver.]

Jin Wei didn't flinch. Instead, he lowered his stance, feet spreading wide, arms raised in a defensive posture as he recalled the Body Tempering Manual's teachings.

> "Let Qi flow to limbs, let strength anchor to the earth. Be like the mountain — unshakable."

---

Luo Feng roared, leaping into the air, and slammed down a palm aimed right at Jin Wei's chest.

Jin Wei braced himself — and caught Luo Feng's palm with both hands.

A shockwave burst from the impact, kicking up dust and dirt, forcing bystanders to shield their faces.

Luo Feng's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?!"

Jin Wei gritted his teeth, his feet sliding slightly back, but he held firm. The Qi coursing through him reinforced his bones and muscles, his new strength holding back an attack that should have broken him.

> [Defense successful. Counterattack recommended.]

With a fierce shout, Jin Wei twisted his body, redirecting Luo Feng's force, and slammed a punch directly into Luo Feng's gut.

Luo Feng gasped, staggering back and falling to one knee, clutching his stomach.

---

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Everyone stared, mouths agape.

"Did… did Jin Wei just overpower Luo Feng's Iron Mountain Strike?!"

"No way… that's impossible unless he's already… at least Body Tempering 2nd Layer!"

Jin Wei exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. His body ached, but he was still standing, strong and steady.

> [Quest Complete: Defend your pride – 5 points awarded.]

> [Bonus Quest Complete: Defeat Luo Feng – 10 points + Low-tier Qi Recovery Pill obtained.]

A small smile tugged at his lips.

---

As Luo Feng struggled to his feet, glaring daggers at Jin Wei, a voice rang out from above.

"What's going on here?"

The crowd parted as Elder Mo, one of the outer disciples' supervisors, descended gracefully, his long robes fluttering in the wind. His sharp gaze swept over the two boys and the crushed ground between them.

"Fighting among outer disciples is forbidden unless part of a formal challenge."

Luo Feng quickly pointed at Jin Wei.

"Elder! He insulted me and attacked me first!"

Jin Wei met Elder Mo's gaze calmly.

"I only defended myself, Elder. Luo Feng attacked me for refusing to kneel before him."

Gasps echoed. Even Elder Mo's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I see. Luo Feng, is this true?"

Luo Feng hesitated, beads of sweat running down his face. He didn't answer.

Elder Mo's eyes flashed.

"You disgrace the sect's name with your petty bullying. You will be penalized."

Luo Feng's face turned pale.

---

Elder Mo then turned to Jin Wei, his sharp gaze studying him.

"I've heard rumors about your weakness. But what I see today is different."

He stepped closer, sensing Jin Wei's Qi. His brows rose slightly.

"Body Tempering 2nd Layer already?" he murmured. "Interesting…"

Jin Wei stayed silent, bowing respectfully.

"You will join tomorrow's outer disciples' combat examination," Elder Mo finally said. "I want to see if this growth of yours is real."

Jin Wei's heart skipped. The combat examination was a serious event — a way for outer disciples to prove themselves, rise in rank, or be selected for special training.

But it was also dangerous.

"I understand, Elder." Jin Wei bowed again.

---

As Elder Mo walked away, the crowd began to disperse, but not without throwing curious glances at Jin Wei.

"Jin Wei… really has changed."

"Maybe he isn't trash after all…"

---

Back in his room, Jin Wei sat down heavily, finally letting his body relax. His muscles were sore, his veins still tingling from channeling Qi.

> [System Notice: Low-tier Qi Recovery Pill available. Use now?]

"Not yet," Jin Wei muttered. "I'll save it for tomorrow."

His eyes turned serious as he thought about the combat examination.

"I need to get stronger before then."

> [New Quest: Prepare for Combat Examination – Reach Body Tempering 3rd Layer within 5 days. Reward: 15 points + Basic Sword Technique Manual.]

Jin Wei took a deep breath, determination burning in his eyes.

"I've walked my first step… now, I will keep walking until no one can look down on me again."