2025-08-26 18:08:34Duō Manor, Hidden Peak Province
Ten esteemed elders of the Duō Clan sat in the grand hall, the air thick with incense and solemnity. The chamber was vast, lit by lanterns carved into the shapes of soaring cranes. The elders sat cross-legged upon cushions of dark silk, each draped in ceremonial robes of white and indigo, embroidered with the clan's crest.
Though their garments varied slightly in ornamentation—some with golden threads, others with jade clasps—they all shared a striking feature: eyes of glacial blue, the inherited mark of Duō blood.
At the centre of the gathering, Grand Elder Duō Jìng spoke first. His long white beard cascaded over his chest, and though his voice was calm, it carried the weight of authority.
"The White Crane Sect's referral approaches. We must soon decide our three representatives."
Elder Duō Liáng, broad-shouldered and resolute, stroked the sleeve of his robe before speaking. "I propose Duō Zēn, Duō Líng, and Duō Wěi. All three have reached the third stage of Qi Gathering. Their martial prowess is unmatched among the youth."
Several elders nodded in approval.
Elder Duō Kūn leaned forward with a faint smirk curling his lips. His blue eyes narrowed as he let out a short snicker. "And what of Duō Xuān? His swordsmanship is sharp. Even at the first stage, he can best opponents a level higher." His gaze shifted, lingering deliberately on one figure. "Duō Yī is also… a prospect. But his body is frail—hardly fit for the demands of cultivation."
The chamber grew tense. All eyes flickered briefly toward Duō Chén Yǒng, the clan head, whose face darkened like a storm.
"Enough," he said in a low growl, his stern gaze cutting across Duō Kūn.
Elder Duō Kūn coughed, straightening his robe as though nothing had been said. "Yes, well… moving on. Duō Lóng's brute strength and Duō Huá's speed make them strong candidates as well."
Another elder, Duō Fēng, with sharp cheekbones and a scholarly posture, interjected. "Strategy must not be overlooked. Duō Yǒu has a tactical mind rare among our youth, while Duō Jiǎ possesses affinity with water qi—an advantage worth nurturing."
Elder Duō Wěi, tall and thin as a reed, countered, "What of Duō Zhì? His archery is unmatched. In the last hunt, his arrow felled a silver stag from a hundred paces."
The hall descended into bickering, voices overlapping as names were tossed into the fire of debate: strength, talent, bloodline, affinity—each elder championed their own protégés.
Hours passed with little progress until Grand Elder Duō Jìng raised his hand, silencing the hall. His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"Enough. This endless squabbling serves no purpose."
His blue eyes swept across the assembly. "The sect does not care for our words, only for results. We shall let our youth decide with their own fists. In three weeks, a martial trial will be held. All eligible descendants will compete. The three strongest shall earn the right to represent the Duō Clan."
A murmur of approval swept the hall.
Duō Chén Yǒng remained silent, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of worry. When the council adjourned, he lingered behind, his thoughts heavy.
If only little Yī was not born with such a weak constitution… This could have been his chance.
He sighed, forcing the thought away.
Back at Duō Yī's residence
Within his quiet chamber, Duō Yī sat cross-legged as his newly summoned replica cultivated in the corner. Wisps of qi coiled faintly around the clone's body.
"The qi required for the next breakthrough has doubled," he murmured. "By the books, it takes a month of seclusion to reach the next stage. At this rate, I'll miss the clan's trial and the sect's referral."
He studied the floating status panel, his gaze narrowing on the skill All for One. Activating it, he felt a steady pull between himself and the clone.
The numbers shifted:Energy rising at 0.0001 per second.
"Sharing half the qi from the clone… I'll break through in twenty-three days. If I cultivate alongside it, I can cut that time in half."
A plan formed, but another thought pricked at him. I've avoided battle since awakening in this world. Without combat training, I'll be nothing more than a scholar with tricks.
His expression hardened. "That ends now."
Rising to his feet, Duō Yī left his residence and made his way toward the clan's pagoda, the repository of techniques passed down through generations.
Two guards flanked the entrance, both burly men with cold smirks.
"Look who it is," Guard Wang whispered, his voice dripping with disdain. "The clan head's useless son."
Guard Li chuckled. "More like a stain on the Duō name."
Duō Yī's steps did not falter. His gaze remained calm, his posture unbending.
"Clan head's son or not," Wang muttered louder, "I'd wager I could beat him with a single arm tied behind my back."
Li snickered, "No need for wagers. Everyone knows he's worthless."
Duō Yī passed between them without a word, vanishing into the pagoda's quiet depths.
Inside, rows of shelves towered high, heavy with tomes, bamboo slips, and parchment scrolls. The scent of dust and old ink filled the air. Faint light filtered through crystal lanterns, casting the hall in an otherworldly glow.
Duō Yī's fingers brushed across the spines of the manuals as he walked.
"Fist of Crushing Stone…" he whispered, pausing briefly before shaking his head. "Too reliant on brute force."
He picked another. "Silent Steps: The Way of Shadows." His brows furrowed. "Assassination techniques… impractical for me right now."
Scroll after scroll passed through his hands—"The Flowing River Sword," "Iron Palm Sutra," "The Eight Bows of Heaven." Each promising in its own way, but not what he needed.
Then his gaze landed on a faded scroll.
Fundamentals of Elemental Fist.
He unrolled it carefully, eyes scanning each line. The method was simple, direct, adaptable to various qi attributes.
"This… will suit me."
He gathered it, then continued. Another title caught his eye:
Qi Flow: Optimization Techniques.
His heartbeat quickened. "With this, I can refine my cultivation efficiency…"
And then, tucked into a corner of the shelf, bound with a strip of leather:
Body Conditioning: Iron Bone Method.
His lips curved into a grin. "Perfect. I may have shed my weak constitution, but this body is still frail. These will forge me into something stronger."
With a small bundle of scrolls in hand, Duō Yī turned to leave.
The guards sneered as he stepped out.
"Pathetic," Wang spat. "Taking scrolls won't make you talented."
Li smirked. "Give it up, young master. Better to enjoy luxury than chase dreams you'll never reach."
Duō Yī's eyes lingered on them for a heartbeat, cold and sharp as a blade. Then he turned without a word.
But in his heart, the thought burned: Once I have the strength, the first blood I spill will be yours.
Back in his residence, he laid the scrolls before him. His fingers traced the faded ink with reverence.
With a cold smile, Duō Yī whispered, "Let's begin."
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Dú Huà Liàn Tǐ
For the next month, the courtyard of the Body Refinement Division became a crucible of extremes.There was no rhythm to their torment. Some days, they were roasted until their skin blistered, drenched in boiling oil, or pressed against stones hot enough to burn flesh from bone. On others, the world froze around them, their lungs clawed by air so cold that every breath felt like swallowing knives. Dawn to dusk, the trials never ceased, and never once could they predict what awaited them when the instructors arrived.The disciples called it hell. Yet even in hell, seeds began to sprout.Their bodies, once frail and mortal, had begun to change. Muscles grew denser, bones heavier, skin tougher. One by one, the fruits of their suffering revealed themselves.It was Tian Yīn who first broke through.The bald-headed youth had always carried himself with unshakable confidence, his once-flowing silver locks long gone to the flames. On the twelfth morning, as the heat bore down upon them, he sud
Tempered by Frost
The days blurred into weeks, each one seared into memory by fire.Boiling oil, smoldering coals, blazing stones, steam so hot it clawed at the lungs—such had been the disciples’ reality since the moment they first stepped into the Body Refinement Division. The trial was merciless. By the end of each day, some stumbled away half-conscious, others were carried, their bodies red and blistered. And yet, they always returned.For the young cultivators, survival itself was proof of progress. To last a single week of the Division’s training was already enough to mark them as different from ordinary mortals. To last three? Their bodies bore the beginnings of change.Today, once more, they assembled on the stone courtyard. Familiar faces were fewer now—several had already been removed, deemed unfit, their paths cut short. Those who remained stood in thin training robes, their bodies scarred by heat, their hair singed or gone entirely. Among them, Tian Yīn was now bald, the proud silver locks t
Baptism of Fire
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New Faces
The sun hung low in the horizon, painting the mountains in hues of amber and crimson. Shafts of dying light filtered through the bamboo fence, streaking across the courtyard stones where Duō Yī sat in silent meditation. The world was hushed, save for the steady rhythm of his breathing and the distant cry of cranes retreating to their nests.Slowly, his eyes opened. The glow of the setting sun reflected faintly in his blue pupils, a reminder that time had moved on while he had remained still. Drawing in one final breath, he exhaled the remnants of scattered thought, rose to his feet, and brushed the dust from his grey disciple robes.It's time.The promise of the meeting earlier lingered in his mind, Hú Lì's cheerful voice from earlier in the Mission Hall, the pat on his shoulder, the glint of excitement in his eyes. With unhurried steps, Duō Yī left the courtyard behind and walked down the stone path that wound toward the eastern square.The sect at sundown had a rhythm all its own. L
A Path Split in Two
The night was quiet, the kind of quiet that carried more weight than comfort. The courtyard lay bathed in a pale silver glow as the wind brushed softly against the bamboo fence, carrying with it the faint scent of pine from the mountain slopes. A lone crane's cry echoed in the distance before fading into the silence once more.Duō Yī sat cross-legged on the cold stone mat, white hair falling across his shoulders like threads of moonlight. His expression was calm on the surface, but the stillness of his body betrayed the turbulence behind his eyes. He had been cultivating earlier, drawing threads of qi into his meridians, yet now his attention shifted inward, not on qi but on thought.His eyes opened slowly, and with the faintest ripple of intent, a translucent status board appeared before him, floating in the night air.[Name: Duō Yī][Race: Human][Status: Damaged Soul (X)][Realm: Qi Gathering Realm (3rd Stage)] [Mortal Flesh I][Life Span: 13/60][Abilities: HIVE][Skills: {Fundame
The Path of Flesh
Several days had passed since the grueling climb up the trial stairs. The pain in their legs had faded into dull aches, the bruises had begun to heal, and yet the memory of that endless climb remained etched into the minds of the surviving disciples.The group was gathered once again at the foot of the trial cliff, their numbers far fewer than when they had begun. Whispers spread among them as shadows swept across the earth.A massive white crane descended from the skies, its wings blotting out the sun for a brief instant. It alighted upon the cliff's edge, each feather glimmering like forged jade. Upon its back stood a man.Unlike the elder they had seen before, this one did not exude ancient age or unfathomable mystery. No, this man looked young—barely in his twenties at most. But despite his youth, the pressure that emanated from him made the very air feel heavy. His skin was pale as carved jade, flawless and unmarred by blemishes. His hair, long and black, flowed behind him like a
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