Chapter 37: A Desperate Struggle, A Narrow and Perilous Victory?

Li Qi vs. Li You’an.

As the names locked into place on the giant screen, the atmosphere grew solemn, the previous air of lightheartedness vanishing. Over the past few days, the clan’s martial trials had been filled with entertainment; watching one’s own kin compete made the spectacle all the more engaging.

The fighting styles of the novices were bizarre and varied. One Li family prodigy had even managed to win three consecutive matches by employing a "rolling" technique, relying entirely on catching his opponents off guard. However, such a tactic had a short shelf life; by the third round, others had devised a counter, and he was promptly met with defeat.

Many had been eager to see Li Qi fight. Seeing him in person was an entirely different experience compared to watching a video. Yet, his peers were far too sensible; knowing the massive disparity in strength, no one was willing to subject themselves to a beating, and not a soul wanted to test the weight of that one-ton blade. Now that someone had finally stepped up, the crowd was focused, terrified of missing a single thrilling moment.

Even up on the balcony, Li Tianxing, who had been keeping the old master company, was fully attentive. He wanted to see the true brilliance of Li Qi’s blade. Even if Li You’an couldn’t last more than a few strikes, it would be enough.

"I have a sinking feeling the system panel is about to pull something major..."

As Li Qi stood up and finished strapping on his protective gear, that intuition grew stronger. It felt like the strings of fate were vibrating violently before his eyes, as if warning him that his life was about to reach a significant turning point.

"I’m just fighting Li You’an! Does it really need to be this dramatic?" Li Qi wondered. "Does he have some kind of hidden identity? Is there an ancient spirit hiding in a ring?"

Li Qi glanced at Li You’an and noted that he wasn't wearing any rings.

Without using the stairs, Li Qi simply stepped forward and vaulted onto the five-foot-high platform. He didn't even jump; he simply took a stride, the motion revealing his immense explosive power. Seeing this, Li You’an’s eye twitched uncontrollably. He wisely chose to take the stairs. He could certainly jump five feet, but he would look like a toad, lacking the effortless grace and style Li Qi displayed. He couldn't help but wonder: with such explosive power, was Li Qi’s blade really only one ton?

Would he be completely shattered by a single strike?

But he had come this far; to back down now would ruin his reputation forever. Despite his heart hammering in his chest, he gritted his teeth and stepped onto the arena. With a single thought, he composed his mind and activated his life force. In an instant, his complexion flushed deep red, his blood boiling, and power surged through his limbs.

Across from him, Li Qi’s life force began to simmer as well, though with far less turbulence; only a faint flush appeared on his face. He didn't move to strike first, following the guidance in his heart that urged him to let his opponent make the opening move. Li You’an, seeing Li Qi opt for a counter-attack despite his overwhelming advantage, felt that this man was devious beyond measure. Yet, realizing that delaying would serve no purpose, he decided that striking first might not be a bad thing. He attacked without hesitation.

This strike contained every ounce of his essence, energy, and spirit. As the blade swung, all his distractions—fear, hesitation, and weakness—vanished. His only thought was to fight, to battle, to win. This was the core of the Tiger-Slaying Eighteen Blades. He was no weakling—having reached a minor success in his sword craft—his earlier hesitation was simply human nature in the face of Li Qi’s terrifying reputation.

At that split second, as Li You’an swung his blade, Li Qi followed his inner guidance. He merged his consciousness with the mark in his mental world—his very foundation—and forged it into one with his own soul.

In that moment, his mental world underwent a genesis. A patch of light suddenly ignited within the darkness of his subconscious. On his system panel, his cultivation level leaped from 100% of "Pre-Entry" to 10% of "Entry." But that was not the greatest change; deep within his spiritual perception, something within the vast world had detonated.

The system log scrolled frantically:

*Log: You were a nobody in the clan, but through sudden effort and the manifestation of talent, you began to shine. Fearing your potential, the elders sent a higher-level clansman to suppress you during the trial for key resources. Fortunately, you bear the Mandate of the Protagonist. Under the pressure of a stronger opponent, you broke through, reached their realm, and fought with all your might to claim a narrow victory...*

As the log refreshed, the mental explosion propelled Li Qi. His spirit exerted control over his flesh, and he moved instinctively. His explosive power was even greater than usual.

Li You’an saw what looked like a curved arc of moonlight—like a crescent moon at the start of the month. But it wasn't moonlight; it was the gleam of a blade. Then, he felt an overwhelming, peerless force collide with his weapon. It was an endless, lawless power that made him feel as if he weren't facing a man, but a heavy-duty truck. It was a force no flesh-and-blood body should be able to withstand.

He was sent flying through the air, soaring seven or eight meters outside the arena, tumbling across the ground several times before he finally came to a halt.

On the other side, Li Qi’s system log continued to scroll:

*Log: Calculating... You possess the Protagonist’s Mandate... Calculating... You are not the protagonist... No Protagonist Mandate... Calculating... You possess the Protagonist’s Mandate...*

*Log: Your Five Fortunes have coalesced, forcibly seizing a sliver of the Protagonist’s Mandate. Your Five Fortunes have been greatly sanctified...*

*Log: Calculating... Protagonist’s Mandate: "My fate is determined by me, not heaven." You have one chance to refine and forge your Five Fortunes without cost...*

Li Qi only spared a glance at the scrolling logs, his focus entirely on the completion of his own life. This sublimation, a perfection from within to without, felt ten times more blissful than anything he had ever experienced.

At the same time, an intangible, invisible ripple pulsed through the arena.

"Entry level?" The old master realized what had happened. Though he didn't understand Li Qi’s quirks, he was willing to overlook them.

"No... a Demonic Trial!"

The old master suddenly jolted to his feet, his chair shattering into splinters beneath him.

"What is this?!"

Across the training grounds, many Li clansmen felt something wrong. Illusions danced before their eyes, and a sense of restlessness flooded their hearts, as if something sinister had manifested nearby.

"Hallucinations? Restlessness?"

"Aren't these the signs of a Demonic Trial?"

"How is this possible?!"