Chapter 33: I'm Waiting for You at Salmoris

"Bang!" "Bang!"

On the competition stage, Alayna was pushed back with every blow from Dustin Li, her back now against the edge of the platform.

"The arrogant girl from the sky, still refuse to admit defeat?" Dustin Li sneered.

"You... bastard!" Alayna's voice trembled with fury, everyone could hear the contempt in his words.

"Snapped!"

Dustin Li struck with his spear, channeling his True Energy through it. The impact sent a violent shock through Alayna's delicate body, her feet faltering before she toppled off the stage.

"OK!"

From the top of the Novaridge Palace's attic, the Palace Master laughed heartily. "New Stone Palace Master, thank you for your Innate Pill!"

The elders of the Martial Hall stood behind him, their smiles wide. Dustin Li had won, and Novaridge Martial Hall had saved face once again.

"Ha! I must congratulate you, Novaridge Martial Hall. You've produced an outstanding genius. If he's absorbed into the mountain gate, the Novaridge Hall Master will definitely receive a great reward."

The New Stone Palace Master curled his lips in jealousy, pulling out a jade bottle and placing it on the table. "I admit defeat. This is the Innate Pill. Farewell!"

With a flourish, the New Stone Palace Master stood and stormed off, his face twisted with anger as he saw the Novaridge Hall Master's smirk.

"Dustin Li, I won't forget this. You wait for me! One day, I'll defeat you!" Alayna spat bitterly, following her master.

Dustin Li didn't even flinch at her words. He had barely used a fraction of his strength, and Alayna, no matter how much she struggled, was no match for him. The gap between them would only widen in the future.

Inside his dantian, the wheel of life and death spun, each moment filled with the profound mystery of the law. In his mind's eye, he saw a grand avenue stretching toward the peak of martial arts.

"Incredible. In just over a month, Dustin Li has already reached the Energy Gathering realm. And he's only fourteen!"

"Alayna is only fifteen, yet she's so arrogant. Compared to Dustin Li, she's nothing."

The New Stone Palace Master and Alayna had already left, but the students of Novaridge Invincible Academy were still talking about the match.

...

The main hall of Novaridge Martial Hall.

"Haha! Dustin Li, at just fourteen years old, you've broken through to the Energy Gathering realm. Not many can achieve this in Salmoris!"

"This time, you defeated Alayna from the New Stone Martial Hall and upheld the reputation of Novaridge Martial Hall. Here, this aquamarine bracelet is yours!"

Palace Master Novaridge raised his hand, and a bracelet crafted from blue crystal flew toward Dustin Li.

Dustin Li caught it, his thoughts distracted. It was beautiful, but as a man, what would he do with something like this?

"Hehe, Dustin Li, don't underestimate this bracelet. It's a treasure made by a third-order Array Master. When activated with your True Energy, it forms a defensive shield, impenetrable by martial artists below the seventh level of the Innate Realm," the Novaridge Palace Master added with a smile.

"So powerful?" Dustin Li asked, astonished.

To someone at the Half-step Spirit Refinement level, a treasure like this wouldn't hold much value. But for someone like Dustin Li, newly entering the Energy Gathering realm, this was a rare and invaluable item.

"Dustin Li, since you've reached the Energy Gathering realm, there are some things I need to tell you."

The Palace Master's expression turned serious. "In all the martial halls of Xandoria County, anyone under the age of eighteen who has reached the Energy Gathering realm is eligible to participate in the entry test. Martial artists from the Eighteen Cities will compete, and only three will pass and become outer disciples."

"I had originally planned to have you take the entry test next year, to give you more time to hone your skills and increase your chances of success. But since you've already reached the Energy Gathering realm early, it's up to you whether you want to participate this year or wait."

"When is the entry test?" Dustin Li asked.

"The eighth day, three months from now," the Palace Master replied. "I've heard some participants this year are already at the second or third level of Energy Gathering. Time is short, and it will be difficult to compete with them."

"Then, if I don't pass this year, can I try again next year?" Dustin Li asked.

"Of course. As long as you're under eighteen, you have four chances to try," the Palace Master reassured.

"In that case, I'll go for it this year. Maybe I'll succeed the first time!" Dustin Li said with determination.

"Haha, good! I hope you do!" The Palace Master laughed. "Cultivate well. I'll send someone to inform you when the time comes."

Salmoris has reward rules for masters of martial halls across the cities. The more genius disciples they produce, the greater the reward they can earn. That's why the Novaridge Palace Master placed such high expectations on Dustin Li.

After his breakthrough, Dustin Li could now absorb more of Maeve's flame power from the Maeve Extinction Vessel. After two more sessions, Maeve's death vein was completely healed, and the burning pain that had once tormented her every seven days was gone.

"Dustin Li, thank you."

After their intense training and shared moments, Maeve's heart grew restless.

"No need to thank me…" Dustin Li smiled.

Maeve had gained much from the treatment of her Maeve Dyingmai, not just in cultivating but mastering the flame attribute power. Now that it was healed, Dustin Li couldn't help but reflect on the moments they'd spent together.

For a while, there was silence between them. Maeve, unable to look Dustin Li in the eye, recalled the unforgettable months they'd shared.

"Dustin Li, I..." Maeve finally broke the silence. "I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where?" Dustin Li asked, concerned.

"Salmoris."

Dustin Li had expected this. Maeve's true identity had always been shrouded in mystery. The respect shown to her by the Martial Hall Lord and elders spoke volumes.

"I'm also taking the entry test in two months, and I'll go to Salmoris too. We'll meet again," Dustin Li said with a smile.

Maeve didn't reveal her true identity, and Dustin Li didn't press her for details.

He handed her the aquamarine bracelet, setting it gently on the table. "This bracelet is a parting gift. We'll meet again."

Three days later, a letter arrived at Dustin Li's home.

It contained a single sentence: "Dustin Li, I'm waiting for you at Salmoris..."

Dustin Li took a deep breath, folding the letter carefully and tucking it into his chest. "I'll find you," he whispered.

That day, Dustin Li left Novaridge City and headed to Eight Wonders Mountain. Before the entry test, he planned to improve his strength as much as possible.

However, as he left the city, three figures quietly followed him. Many hunter teams were also headed to Eight Wonders Mountain, so Dustin Li didn't think twice about it.

"This is Dustin Li. I heard he just broke through to the Energy Gathering realm," one of the figures murmured.

"He's just at the first level. Killing him will be easy. A little too easy for the three of us," another added.

"Don't be careless. We must handle this cleanly, without leaving a trace for the Novaridge Palace Master to find out."

"Relax, brother. We know what we're doing!"

In the dense forest, Dustin Li moved like a streak of light, his perfected Unpredictable Escape technique allowing him to glide through the air with ease.

He was already more than capable of dealing with first-level monsters, and had begun to venture deeper into Ba Energy Mountain to find stronger opponents.

The deeper sections of the mountain were seldom visited by hunter teams, and even some Energy Gathering warriors kept to the borders.

Dustin Li spread his life perception and frowned. Three human auras were closing in on his position.

A moment later, three young men appeared before him. The first was a thin, pale young man around twenty years old. Based on the aura radiating from his dantian, Dustin Li estimated he was at least a fifth-level Energy Gathering warrior.

Two more figures appeared behind him, both also young and around the same age.

"Huh?" The three of them froze when they saw Dustin Li standing on a large branch ahead.

"Why have you three been following me?" Dustin Li demanded coldly. From them, he sensed a dangerous aura.

The leader, wearing a white robe, sneered. "You're just a dead man. No need for you to know anything."

With a flick, the young man drew his long sword, and the other two armed themselves with a sword and a knife.

Dustin Li's gaze narrowed. These three had come to kill him. He couldn't tell who had sent them, but it was clear they meant business.

"Kill!"

The two younger men, both at the fifth level of Energy Gathering, rushed toward him.

The white-robed leader remained calm, sneering. He didn't even consider Dustin Li worthy of his attention.

In the blink of an eye, the two men were already on Dustin Li, their swords gleaming in the air.

"Clang!"

The two swords clashed against Dustin Li's shadow sword, creating a brilliant flash of light.

"Such strong energy!" one of the attackers exclaimed, shocked.

"Nine Thunder Swords!"

Dustin Li's shadow sword flashed, enveloping both men in an overwhelming storm of sword light.

"Plop!"

Blood erupted as one of the attackers had his throat sliced open. He collapsed, lifeless.

"What? A perfected fourth-grade martial art?" The remaining attacker's face paled.

Dustin Li's sword was practically invincible when mastered, and the man realized too late just how dangerous this youth was.

Before he could react, Dustin Li's sword cut through him with lightning speed.

Another attacker was finished off, his chest pierced by the black sword's cold edge.

From start to finish, Dustin Li didn't even need to move from his spot. He stood unbothered, his sword doing all the work.

"Good boy," the white-robed youth muttered, not believing his eyes. He hadn't expected his two subordinates to die so easily. "You must die today, though."

With a roar, the young man charged, his infuriating energy surging like a tidal wave.

Dustin Li's heart raced. A seventh-level Energy Gathering warrior. This would be a true test.