Chapter 4: Breaking Limits

Li Tianming awoke to a strange sensation coursing through his body. His muscles felt firmer and his skin more resilient. He sat up abruptly, running his hands over his arms and torso—his once lean frame had subtly transformed, now carrying more defined musculature. He had also grown taller, though not by much, just enough to make a difference.

His aunt, Li Yuyan, sat by the table, Reading as usual. She glanced at him briefly, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as if noticing something different. However, she didn't ask any questions, nor did she display any visible reaction. Instead, she simply continued her work, dismissing any thoughts as mere imagination.

After freshening up and dressing, Li Tianming left for the academy alongside Zhou Feng, who was already waiting outside. Zhou Feng, his best friend, immediately noticed something off.

"Did you get taller overnight?" Zhou Feng asked, raising an eyebrow.

Li Tianming laughed it off. "You're imagining things."

Zhou Feng frowned but shrugged. "Whatever. Let's go, today is the spiritual sense trial."

The academy was abuzz with excitement. Today was the special assessment in preparation for the Dragon Martial Competition. The trial involved a spiritual formation tool that created illusionary swords and beasts to test the students' agility, reflexes, and combat instincts. Each student would be judged based on how long they could survive within the trial and how many levels of the trial they can clear.

The trial was overseen by the Headmaster himself, a renowned formation master in the region. Students entered one by one, demonstrating their skill level.

Several students took their turn, each achieving different results.

"Xiao Rui, Level 3."

"Wang Jian, Level 4."

"Lin Xiu, Level 3."

After numerous students had gone, it was Zhou Feng's turn. The crowd grew excited—Zhou Feng was known for his incredible agility and combat awareness. He entered the formation confidently.

Swords whizzed through the air, and illusionary beasts lunged at him. Zhou Feng dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. He danced between attacks, parrying some and evading others, displaying his remarkable talent.

As he progressed, the difficulty increased, but Zhou Feng held on. He cleared Level 2, then Level 3, his reflexes and footwork making it seem almost easy. When he reached Level 7, the challenge finally overwhelmed him. A particularly fast illusionary beast struck him, ending his run.

"Zhou Feng, Level 7."

The crowd cheered loudly. It was an impressive result, marking him as one of the better students in this trial. Zhou Feng returned, slightly exhausted but pleased.

Next up was Yang Feng, ranked fourth in the academy and known for his arrogance. He sneered at Zhou Feng's result.

"That's the best you could do? Watch how a real expert performs."

Yang Feng stepped into the formation, his stance exuding confidence. As soon as the trial began, he moved swiftly, slicing through illusionary beasts with calculated precision. His movements were sharp, and his attacks ruthless. He cleared Level 7 with ease, then Level 8, and finally reached Level 9, surpassing his previous record. With an extra burst of skill and effort, he even cleared Level 9 completely, setting a new personal best.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Yang Feng smirked in arrogance.

"Hmph, this is what true strength looks like," he boasted.

As the excitement settled, the next name was called.

"Li Tianming, step forward."

Taking a deep breath, Li Tianming walked into the formation. The moment the trial began, he instantly noticed something—his body felt incredibly different. His reactions were sharper, his movements faster, and his instincts clearer than ever before.

The illusionary swords came at him, but they felt slow. He dodged effortlessly, barely needing to think. Illusionary beasts lunged, yet his body moved before he even registered the attack.

He was adapting at an insane rate.

Level 2… Level 3… Level 4… Each stage passed faster than he expected.

The crowd murmured in shock.

By the time he reached Level 8, everyone was on edge. This was the same level Yang Feng had previously failed at.

He cleared it, with ease.

Mouths gaped open.

"What the hell is happening?" someone whispered.

Yang Feng, who had been enjoying his own praises moments ago, now looked uneasy. "He won't pass Level 9," he muttered.

Li Tianming reached Level 9. The challenge was immense, but his body responded with ease. The beasts and swords felt like puzzles waiting to be solved, and he navigated through them with growing excitement.

Then, to everyone's disbelief—he cleared Level 9.

Yang Feng clenched his fists. "Tch! He won't pass Level 10!" he barked. "That's the limit!"

The trial intensified as he stepped into Level 10. The difficulty spike was immense. Beasts lunged faster, swords aimed at impossible angles, and the space shrank, making it harder to move.

Yet, with a mix of instinct, skill, and sheer determination—Li Tianming cleared Level 10.

Silence.

Then, an uproar of cheers and gasps filled the air.

"HE DID IT! HE PASSED LEVEL 10!"

The teachers were frozen, There has only ever been a single student before who had ever done this. Even among instructors, only a handful had cleared Level 11.

Yang Feng, face red with fury, gritted his teeth so hard they almost cracked.

"T-this isn't possible…" he hissed under his breath.

But Li Tianming was not done. His body ached slightly from the intensity, but he pressed on. He had to see how far he could go.

He entered Level 11.

Here, the trial transformed into something nightmarish. Illusionary swords came in unpredictable patterns, and the beasts moved in coordinated attacks. Every moment was a fight for survival. He had to use every ounce of his newfound strength, instincts, and strategic mind to endure.

Sweat dripped from his brow, his body moved purely on instinct, and finally—he cleared Level 11.

Gasps filled the air.

"No way…"

"He set a new student record!"

The Headmaster, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes in deep thought.

Then, amidst the astonished crowd, a cloaked figure had arrived unnoticed. The mysterious girl watched the test unfold, staying hidden under a black hood. Her lips parted slightly in shock before she murmured to herself:

"I didn't think there would be someone who could break my record… This boy is interesting."

Li Tianming stepped forward into Level 12.