Chapter 129: Pressure

After retrieving the inner core from the lightning hound, Li Sibai did not linger and quickly returned to his quarters.

Once inside, he finally let out a sigh of relief. Caiyao emerged from his robes, asking, "Brother, what happened just now? How could a spirit beast like a lightning hound appear within the inner sect of the Xuantian Sword Sect?"

Li Sibai smiled faintly. "Someone must have brought it in. They are just trying to get rid of me."

Caiyao’s eyes widened, staring blankly at Li Sibai. Although he had heard Li Sibai mention his conflict with Guo Jian, he had never imagined it would escalate to this extent. The fact that the other party would resort to using a spirit beast showed a complete disregard for Li Sibai’s life.

"Brother, what should we do now?" With his safety threatened, Caiyao was deeply concerned for Li Sibai. He could leave at any time, but this was the place where Li Sibai had grown up, and he held a profound attachment to it.

"What should we do?" Li Sibai shook his head. "We make them pay the price. We let them know that I am not someone to be bullied!"

Caiyao smiled at the answer, his face bright with joy. "Alright, Brother. We will face this together."

After this incident, Li Sibai felt unprecedented pressure.

For one, time was tight before the inner sect tournament. He needed to reach the third level of the Qinxin Realm within three months to have a better chance of ranking in the top twenty and earning the opportunity to cultivate on Chonghai Island.

Furthermore, last night’s ambush proved that those lurking in the shadows were desperate to eliminate him and would stop at nothing, using even the most despicable tactics. He could not continue to be a sitting duck.

After careful consideration, Li Sibai decided to find his master as soon as possible to confirm his eligibility for the tournament, and then find a quiet place to cultivate, much like his recent trip to the primeval forest of Yuxu Peak.

*Since my current strength is not enough to contend with you, I will improve as quickly as possible and make you see my progress during the tournament.*

With that settled, Li Sibai did not rest. With a flick of his right hand, the broken bamboo segment appeared. He focused his mind, and after a brief wave of dizziness, he and Caiyao were transported into the bamboo forest.

Li Sibai did not stop there, heading straight for the bamboo cave.

Inside, Caiyao went back to tending the bamboo fruits, clearing them of pests. Li Sibai, meanwhile, approached the body-refining stone steps, determined to try again.

During his last session, he had managed to reach the eighth step of the second level in one go. After pushing his limits and enduring the intense pressure, his subsequent cultivation had significantly improved his physical resilience and speed.

Having been occupied with other matters, he hadn't returned until now. Feeling the pressure, he was eager to challenge the steps again.

Li Sibai cleared the ten steps of the first level without much difficulty. This level tested the balanced circulation of inner energy and battle qi. Having practiced the Origin Technique, his control over this balance had deepened, making the ascent much easier than before.

The second level, as he had tested previously, focused on gravity. Last time, he had been stuck at the eighth step.

Li Sibai was extra cautious this time. He controlled the flow of his Origin Technique, and as his power accumulated, a thin, golden mist enveloped his body, resisting the pressure from the fluctuating air currents.

He slowly lifted his right leg and stepped onto the first stone. It felt much lighter than before, so he followed through, lifting his other foot and standing firmly on the step.

After adjusting to the gravity, he summoned his courage and climbed five steps in quick succession, only then feeling a bit breathless. He paused to adjust, braced himself against the pressure, and continued upward, his movements slowing down once more.

Two more steps, and he reached the eighth step of the second level, where he had previously stopped. As the gravity intensified, his legs felt as if they were filled with lead, and the pressure of the surrounding air currents multiplied. He accelerated his inner circulation to counteract the force.

He did not stop to rest. Summoning all his strength, he launched himself toward the final two steps. With a loud shout, he broke through the pressure, stepped upward, and finally stood at the peak of the second level.

Even at the top, the pressure did not vanish; rather, it became even heavier.

He hadn't expected the third level to also be a gravity modifier. Li Sibai smiled with satisfaction and, after a brief rest, continued upward.

His movements were extremely slow this time. He managed to climb five steps, but he was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through. Those five steps alone had taken him an hour.

The higher he went, the greater the pressure and the stronger the reinforcement. Li Sibai nodded in satisfaction and began to retreat back down.

He returned to the platform of the second level. Instead of descending further as he had done last time, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.

In this environment, under the control of the Origin Technique, his power surged wildly. His body felt lighter and lighter, and before long, he had adapted to the gravity. He felt fully restored, his spirit and energy appearing even better than before.

Li Sibai stood up and charged upward again. This time, he managed to climb one step further than before, before retreating to the platform to cultivate.

Through this repetition, although he couldn't add a new step every single time, he gradually adapted to the gravity, and both his physical strength and endurance were tempered.

Seeing that dawn was approaching outside, Li Sibai slowly retreated to the base of the stairs to meditate once more.

Soon, he recovered his strength. With a thought, he used the bamboo segment to return to his room.

Without resting, Li Sibai had a quick meal and headed toward the Nebula Pavilion.

Arriving at the "Shen" room, he found his master had not yet arrived. He cleaned the room as usual and then began his cultivation.

He had not yet had time to practice the wind-style spell he had acquired in the Technique Alley yesterday. While waiting for his master, he began to study it.

The spell he had seen yesterday that controlled iron sand was powerful, but it had strict environmental requirements. He couldn't very well carry iron sand everywhere, and a small amount was useless—would he have to carry a large container of it?

Li Sibai felt it was impractical for him, which was why he hadn't chosen that spell.