Chapter 3 Challenge At The Gate

".....They actually gave me the Qi Compression Pill." Yu Haoyu muttered in shock. While he knew he was getting a reward, never in his wildest dreams would he expect to receive a Qi Compression Pill especially with the clan's situation.

'With this I am confident in being unbeatable in the 4th Layer, and maybe even competing with those in the 5th Layer.' He thought to himself as he inspected the container.

Cultivation was a long and arduous process especially in Marble City. As far as Yu Haoyu knew there were 4 Major Realms of cultivation, being the Qi Gathering, Core Formation, Inscription, and Core Moulding Realms. Although he was sure there were probably many more after.

'Despite that not even a single Inscription Realm cultivator resides within Marble City. Meaning I got reincarnated into a backwater.' Yu Haoyu sighed. While he'd be unbeatable in the 4th Layer of Qi Gathering, that only held true within Marble City and even then there'd be those who could fight him.

This idea immediately dampened his mood, but that didn't mean he wouldn't consume the Qi Compression Pill. After all progress was progress, and being unbeatable within Marble City was still a feat within its own right.

Opening the container, a sweet aroma immediately wafted out. The young boy then poured the pill out. It was pure white, and looked to be almost porcelain. At once Yu Haoyu wanted to devour this pill, but he held himself back and sat on his bed reaching a state of tranquility before consuming it.

Instantly the medicinal power of the Qi Compression Pill took affect. White strands of medicinal power coursed through his meridians which Yu Haoyu swiftly directed towards his dantian. A large colourless gaseous substance resided within the center of his dantian.

This was his cultivation base at the 4th Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. The white strands of medicinal power then drilled through the mass soon arriving at the center of it. After a few moments the mass then began to compress inwards.

Simultaneously qi began to enter Yu Haoyu's body and immediately began increasing the size of his cultivation base, counteracting the affect of the Qi Compression Pill, or so it seemed. In actuality this was the real power of the Qi Compression Pill.

Due to the seeming reduction in amount of qi within the dantian, qi from nature would rush into the dantian to replace it this would then too be compressed by the Qi Compression Pill resulting in an endless cycle of growth and compression.

For hours Yu Haoyu endlessly compressed his qi, over and over until he reached a point where the Qi Compression Pill's affects wore off. 'Seems my qi is at least 20% denser.' Yu Haoyu noted as he opened his eyes.

This was quite the miraculous effect, after all if Yu Haoyu tried to compress his qi himself it would have taken him months to get a similar result. Which was time he could spend in breaking through to the 5th Layer instead.

'Now that I've made some progress I should test my strength.' He thought to himself before leaving his room.

"Young Master! Finally you're out!" The maid outside his door exclaimed. She was clearly feeling somewhat disgruntled, but before Yu Haoyu could ask what was wrong she continued "You're needed at the Clan Gate!"

Hearing this the young boy immediately raised a brow, his expression darkening. "Who dares issue a challenge 6 days before the tournament!?" Yu Haoyu roared in anger. "Lead me to the Clan Gate!" He commanded.

---

"Is this all the Yu Clan is worth? Can none of you mongrels defeat me!?" A youth declared arrogantly. He looked to be about 13 years old and was dressed in grey robes with the word "Metal" imprinted on them. "Don't tell me that your clan has no one besides Yu Haoyu! In fact bring him out!"

The younger generation of the Yu Clan were naturally infuriated but there was nothing they could do, if there was they'd have already done it.

"HMPH! Who are you Iron to appear at my Clan and challenge me someone who's 2 years your junior!?" Yu Haoyu's voice reverberated out. Immediately the youths of the Yu Clan looked towards him in hope. This was the genius of their Clan, their leader.

"So what, you and I both know that unless the age gap exceeds 3 years then its fair game. Wasn't it your Yu Clan's Yu Haochen who bullied the people of my Metal Clan 4 years ago!" Iron retorted before pulling a large hammer off his back.

"Now are you going to fight me or continue bitching and moaning?" Iron, his 4th Layer Qi Gathering cultivation base rippling out. Seeing this Yu Haoyu was surprised, his emotions calming down.

'He made a breakthrough......At first I thought the Iron Clan simply wanted to disturb my cultivation but now it seems they want to either weaken me or think that they can even force me out of the tournament.' Yu Haoyu analysed as he drew his sword.

"What are you offering up?" The young boy asked, pointing his sword towards his opponent. When challenging a Clan at its gate it was customary to offer up a reward if you lost, otherwise you'd forfeit your life instead.

"So you accept my challenge? Good. My father recently had an encounter in the Darkmist Forest, if you beat me this Pure Qi Lily is yours." Iron declared showing off the white lily before placing it back in his pouch.

Once again Yu Haoyu was surprised, but before he could process what was going on Iron's large battle hammer came swinging forth.