Islowedslightly,curiouswhetherthisso-calledinterferencecouldaffect“me.”

Then,fromfarbelow,Iheardthestewardcallout:

“Sinceyouarenowmydisciple,therearethingsImustcrify.

Inoddedandfollowedthepathhejured.

Sothat’swhyonlyanhourhadpassedierworld.

Withanannoyedclickofthetongue,“I”spriraightupward.

“Youmustreachthesummitwithinhalfanhour.Succeed,arialisplete.”

“gratutions,YoungMaster.Youhavepletedallthreeentrytrials.

Thegroundtrembled.Atmountainrosebeforeme.Injustafewbreaths,thesummitwashiddenbyclouds.

Thestepedhishaly.

“Itmeansateiquethatisfatedtomatchyouperfectly.Trainingityieldsresultswithhalftheeffort.”

AmIsupposedtoclimbthat?

So,Icalledforth“me.”

Heonlymuttered,“ain.”Butdespitehispint,hebeganclimbingwithfulleffort.

Inunderfiveminutes,myqiwasnearlydrained—butthesummitwaswithinreach.

Thestewardsaid,

Thesteward’svoiceechoedagain:

“YoumustetotheAsuraRealmonceperweek.

Hecalmlyexpined:

“Oh?”

Isteppedforwardandbowedrespectfully.

Idon’tknowhowlongI’dbeenclimbing,butexhaustionstartedsettingin.

“I’mready.Let’sbeginthefinaltrial.”

Sofar,I’veohalf-dead.

Panting,Iasked,

Inodded.

“Master,thisdiscipleTianyasyou.”

Hetinued:

“Today,YoungMaster,youshallmeetyourmaster—theAsuraDivineLord.”

Returningtothepcewhereitallbegan,IfoundtheAsuraDivineLordalreadywaiting.

ButIdidn’tdwellonit.Irested.Afteraboutanhour,Ifeltrecoveredenoughandstoodup.

ThispceistheAsuraRealm.

Themountaiobesappingmystrength.

“Bytheway...whatisaLife-BoundTeique?”

Timepassed.

Igaveaweaknodandcolpsedontheground.

“Ieanytime?etheschedule?”

Notimetowaste.Iimmediatelyleaptandbeganclimbing.

Bytheday—thoughtimewasstraheskyneverdarkened,evenwithoutasun,andtherewasnosenseofnightorday.

Breathless,Irecimedtrol.

“Tch.”

Suddenly,themountaioshake.Atreetoppledtowardme.

Heallowedmeafulldaytorestandreplenishmyqi.

“You’retooi

Trainforoneday,thenyoumayleave.”

“Halfanhourremaining.Interferencewillnowbegin.”

tions.You’vepassed.Restfornow.Thefinaltrialwillbegininhalfanhour.”

Fromthismomenton,youareofficiallythediscipleoftheDivineLord.”

Halftheeffort...?

But...twoyearswithoutseeingmyfamily?That’lltakegettio.

TwoyearshereequalsonedayintheYangRealm.”