Chapter 8: The Path to Power

The bond with Yue'er had deepened, and while Tian was intrigued by her potential, he knew he couldn't let it distract him from his ultimate goal—becoming stronger.

In a world ruled by cultivation, strength determined one's destiny.

And as a scion of the Celestial Jade Clan, expectations were high.

Tian had been a genius from birth—his comprehension and talent far exceeded his peers. But he had always kept his true strength hidden, only showing what was necessary to maintain his reputation.

Now, it was time to take his progress a step further.

The Celestial Jade Cultivation Grounds

The Celestial Jade Clan had vast resources, but the most sacred among them was the Jade Spirit Pavilion—a cultivation ground infused with ancient spiritual energy.

Here, only the most talented disciples were allowed to train.

Tian sat in one of the open halls, cross-legged, as he absorbed the dense Celestial Qi swirling around him. Yue'er rested nearby, watching him intently.

Closing his eyes, Tian entered a deep meditative state.

His meridians pulsed as he circulated his Qi through his body.

The Celestial Jade Clan cultivated a unique art—"Heavenly Jade Scripture." It was known for its unparalleled defense and resilience, but Tian had long since modified it with his modern-world knowledge and insights.

For others, cultivating the third layer took years.

For Tian? It was already beneath him.

Instead, he was working on something far more advanced—refining his hidden strength.

The Layers of Power

Cultivation was divided into different realms, each with multiple stages:

Qi Refinement Realm – The foundation of all cultivators.

Foundation Establishment Realm – The stage where one builds a solid path for future progress.

Core Formation Realm – The true beginning of a cultivator's power.

Nascent Soul Realm – Where one's soul gains immortality.

Spirit King Realm and Beyond – The realm of legends.

At only three years old, Tian had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, something unheard of even among the most monstrous geniuses.

But he knew that reaching higher realms wasn't just about raw talent—it required control, refinement, and patience.

He focused on compressing his Qi, making it denser, ensuring that when he did advance, his foundation would be unshakable.

Even now, he could feel it—a powerful transformation was approaching.

A Surprising Visit

Just as Tian was about to push his cultivation further, a presence approached the pavilion.

"Tian."

He opened his eyes to see his father, Li Jian, standing at the entrance. A towering figure with an aura so overwhelming that even elders bowed before him.

Despite being a strict leader, he always treated Tian with warmth.

"You've been training diligently," his father observed. "Good."

Tian nodded. "I won't waste the resources given to me."

Li Jian studied him for a moment before smiling. "Then come with me. It's time for your first real test."

Tian raised an eyebrow. "A test?"

His father turned, walking away. "The elders have decided that it's time for you to compete in the Inner Sect Combat Trials."

The Inner Sect Combat Trials

The Celestial Jade Clan was massive, divided into Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and Core Disciples.

Tian, due to his overwhelming talent, had been allowed to train separately. But now, the elders wanted to see his true potential—at least, what they thought was his true potential.

The Inner Sect Combat Trials were held every three years, where young prodigies competed for recognition and access to higher resources.

For Tian, this was an opportunity.

An opportunity to show his strength—but not all of it.

He had to maintain his balance—appear powerful, but not invincible.

And most importantly…

It would be his first step toward securing allies and shaping the future he envisioned.

Yue'er's Growth

As Tian prepared for the trials, he noticed something strange.

Yue'er, who had always been quiet and composed, was suddenly absorbing Qi from the surrounding area.

Her body shimmered with a faint glow as she curled up on a spirit stone Tian had left beside her.

"Already starting to evolve?" Tian mused.

The bond between them was making her grow faster than normal.

He could feel her strength rising—just as his was.

A smirk crossed his lips.

The trials would be interesting.