“gratutions,YoungMaster.Youhavepletedallthreeentrytrials.

Isteppedforwardandbowedrespectfully.

So,Icalledforth“me.”

Islowedslightly,curiouswhetherthisso-calledinterferencecouldaffect“me.”

Sofar,I’veohalf-dead.

Igaveaweaknodandcolpsedontheground.

Thegroundtrembled.Atmountainrosebeforeme.Injustafewbreaths,thesummitwashiddenbyclouds.

Hetinued:

“Oh?”

TwoyearshereequalsonedayintheYangRealm.”

“YoumustetotheAsuraRealmonceperweek.

Panting,Iasked,

Hecalmlyexpined:

“Today,YoungMaster,youshallmeetyourmaster—theAsuraDivineLord.”

Inodded.

Halftheeffort...?

“Ieanytime?etheschedule?”

“Itmeansateiquethatisfatedtomatchyouperfectly.Trainingityieldsresultswithhalftheeffort.”

ThispceistheAsuraRealm.

Heonlymuttered,“ain.”Butdespitehispint,hebeganclimbingwithfulleffort.

Returningtothepcewhereitallbegan,IfoundtheAsuraDivineLordalreadywaiting.

“Sinceyouarenowmydisciple,therearethingsImustcrify.

But...twoyearswithoutseeingmyfamily?That’lltakegettio.

“Tch.”

“I’mready.Let’sbeginthefinaltrial.”

Breathless,Irecimedtrol.

“Master,thisdiscipleTianyasyou.”

Thestepedhishaly.

Bytheday—thoughtimewasstraheskyneverdarkened,evenwithoutasun,andtherewasnosenseofnightorday.

Withanannoyedclickofthetongue,“I”spriraightupward.

Timepassed.

Themountaiobesappingmystrength.

ButIdidn’tdwellonit.Irested.Afteraboutanhour,Ifeltrecoveredenoughandstoodup.

Heallowedmeafulldaytorestandreplenishmyqi.

AmIsupposedtoclimbthat?

Inoddedandfollowedthepathhejured.

“Bytheway...whatisaLife-BoundTeique?”

Thestewardsaid,

Notimetowaste.Iimmediatelyleaptandbeganclimbing.

Thesteward’svoiceechoedagain:

Then,fromfarbelow,Iheardthestewardcallout:

“Halfanhourremaining.Interferencewillnowbegin.”

“Youmustreachthesummitwithinhalfanhour.Succeed,arialisplete.”

tions.You’vepassed.Restfornow.Thefinaltrialwillbegininhalfanhour.”

Suddenly,themountaioshake.Atreetoppledtowardme.

Trainforoneday,thenyoumayleave.”

Fromthismomenton,youareofficiallythediscipleoftheDivineLord.”

“You’retooi

Idon’tknowhowlongI’dbeenclimbing,butexhaustionstartedsettingin.

Sothat’swhyonlyanhourhadpassedierworld.

Inunderfiveminutes,myqiwasnearlydrained—butthesummitwaswithinreach.