Wei Lin's expression froze somewhere between disbelief and exasperation. The packages he'd been carrying slipped from his grasp, landing with a dull thud on the courtyard stones. Lin Mei gasped, her eyes widening as she processed my casual admission.

"You..." Wei Lin started, then stopped, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "How? When? I was gone for what, six hours?"

I leaned against the wooden pillar supporting the courtyard's covered walkway, enjoying his reaction perhaps a bit too much. "Meditation can be quite productive when done properly."

Lin Mei recovered first and took a step forward. "Your meridians are absolutely humming with energy," she observed, her voice a mixture of awe and curiosity. "And there's no sign of instability. Whatever method you used must have been remarkably efficient."

Wei Lin finally found his voice again. "This is becoming ridiculous," he declared, throwing his hands up. "Do you know how long I've been planning my breakthrough? Months! I gathered resources, researched techniques, calculated optimal spiritual timing patterns—"

"Stole demonic cultivator blood," I added helpfully.

"—and nearly died in the process," he continued, ignoring my interruption. "And you? You just... what? Sat down for an afternoon nap and woke up at the ninth stage?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his dramatization. "If it helps, it was quite an intensive nap."

Lin Mei laughed, setting her packages down on a nearby table. "Wei Lin was just bragging the entire way through the market about how he'd finally caught up to you in cultivation. He's been insufferable."

"I was not insufferable," Wei Lin protested, though his lips twitched with a wry smile. "I was merely expressing appropriate pride in my accomplishment."

"While haggling with every vendor about how they should offer special discounts to a ninth-stage cultivator," Lin Mei added, raising an eyebrow.

"Did it work?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Not even once," Lin Mei replied, unpacking her purchases. "They see breakthrough cultivators every day in a mountain town like this."

Wei Lin shook his head. "Every time, Ke Yin. Every single time I think I've pulled ahead, you disappear for a bit of 'meditation' and return with some impossible breakthrough." He picked up his fallen packages, arranging them carefully in his arms. "It's becoming a pattern."

"What can I say?" I shrugged, unable to keep the grin from my face. "The World Tree Sutra has its advantages."

"Beyond Heaven rank methods," Wei Lin sighed, though there was no real frustration in his voice. "We're both abnormal, but you're somehow more abnormal than me."

I nearly choked on a laugh at that. If Wei Lin only realized just how "abnormal" I truly was. Being reincarnated or transported into another body in a cultivation world wasn't exactly standard practice, even for the most esoteric cultivation methods.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I replied, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Seriously though," Wei Lin smiled, his tone shifting to something more genuine, "congratulations on the breakthrough. Ninth stage at our age is exceptional, even for disciples of major sects."

"Thank you,” I returned the smile. “And the same to you. We've both made remarkable progress."

I then walked over to help Lin Mei with her packages. "What did you find in the market?"

She brightened, carefully unwrapping a bundle of dried herbs with purplish stems. "Mountain Cloud Root. It only grows above certain elevations and has to be harvested during the waning moon. Perfect for stabilizing spiritual fluctuations after rapid breakthroughs." She gave me and Wei Lin a pointed look. "Which apparently we need quite a lot of, given recent events."

Wei Lin stretched and glanced toward the inn's kitchen. "I don't know about you two, but breaking through to the ninth stage has made me ravenous. Should we celebrate our advancements with a proper meal?"

"Definitely," I agreed, suddenly aware of the hollow feeling in my stomach. "I could eat enough for three people right now."

"The inn keeper mentioned they're preparing steamed river fish with mountain herbs tonight," Lin Mei offered. "Supposedly a local specialty."

"Perfect," Wei Lin declared. "Let's eat, and you can tell us exactly how you managed to advance so quickly after we left."

As we made our way to the dining area, I considered how much to share. Obviously, I couldn't mention my trip to the Celestial Trade Nexus or the treasures I'd acquired for my inner world. But I could at least explain the general process of my breakthrough.

The dining room was half-filled with other travelers: merchants mostly, judging by their attire, though I spotted a pair of cultivators in the corner, their subtle spiritual auras marking them as early Qi Condensation stage. They glanced our way briefly, then quickly returned to their own conversation after sensing our significantly higher cultivation levels.

We settled at a table near the window, where the last crimson rays of sunset painted the mountain peaks in brilliant gold. I breathed deep, savoring this moment of peace with friends before the upcoming tournament.

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"So," Wei Lin began after we'd ordered, leaning forward with elbows on the table, "enlighten us. What miraculous insights led to your breakthrough?"

I took a sip of tea before answering. "I've been working on optimizing my inner world structure for a while now and I finally found the right arrangement that allowed for a balanced expansion."

This was true, in a sense. The treasures I'd acquired had indeed helped create that balance, but I wasn't mentioning how I'd obtained them.

"Inner world optimization is crucial at our stage," Wei Lin nodded sagely. "My marketplace model needs constant adjustment as new stalls form."

Lin Mei looked between us, her expression thoughtful. "It's fascinating how differently our inner worlds develop. Mine is primarily water-based, with rivers and pools connecting everything, while Wei Lin has his spiritual marketplace, and yours, Ke Yin..." she paused. "Actually, you've never fully described your inner world to us."

I carefully maintained my expression. My inner world's unique structure wasn't something I wanted to explain in detail, especially the Genesis Seed and dual suns.

"It's still taking shape," I said with a casual wave of my hand. "Mountains, valleys, some garden areas. Nothing particularly unusual."

Azure's voice echoed in my mind, tinged with amusement. "A masterful understatement, Master."

Lin Mei seemed ready to ask more questions, but the arrival of our food, fragrant river fish steamed with local herbs, accompanied by mountain vegetable dishes and rice, provided a welcome distraction.

"This smells incredible," Lin Mei smiled, breathing in the aromatic steam rising from the fish.

"Four days until the tournament begins," Wei Lin said between bites. "If we leave tomorrow morning, we should reach the sect with a day or two to spare."

"Plenty of time to rest and prepare," I agreed, savoring the tender fish.

Lin Mei glanced between us. "I still can't believe how much progress you've both made. When we registered for the tournament eight weeks ago, you were both at stage five or six."

"And now we're both at ninth stage," Wei Lin said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Probably one of the strongest teams entering."

"Do you know what the first stage of the tournament will involve this year?" I asked. I'd heard the format changed annually to prevent disciples from preparing too specifically.

Wei Lin set down his chopsticks, clearly delighted to share his knowledge. "The first stage is always team-based, usually groups of three or four. Last year, they had teams defending spiritual formation sites while other teams tried to capture them."

"What about before that?" Lin Mei asked.

"Two years ago, it was a scroll capture event," Wei Lin continued. "Teams had to find and retrieve scrolls hidden throughout a controlled wilderness area while preventing other teams from stealing theirs."

"And three years ago?"

"Traditional group battles," Wei Lin said. "But with a twist, each team member could only use specific types of techniques. One person for offensive arts, one for defensive, one for support."

I considered this information while finishing my meal. "So, we should be prepared for anything, basically."

"Exactly," Wei Lin nodded. "Though whatever it is, having two ninth-stage cultivators gives us a massive advantage."

Lin Mei rolled her eyes. "Don't get overconfident. The elders who observe the tournament aren't just looking for raw power. Have you heard of Xu Feiyan? She only reached the sixth stage of Qi Condensation during her tournament year, but Elder Bai selected her personally for her extraordinary control over wind essence."

"Xu Feiyan?" I asked, vaguely recalling the name.

"She's an inner disciple now," Lin Mei continued. "Ranked third among all outer disciples in the sect despite competing against those with far higher cultivation bases. She defeated a peak seventh-stage Qi Condensation disciple in last year's tournament using nothing but a single leaf and perfect timing."

Wei Lin's expression grew more serious. "Lin Mei's right. The tournament has always been about showcasing potential as much as current ability. Those who display unique insights or exceptional control often catch an elder's eye more quickly than those who simply overpower their opponents."

"True," I agreed. "Elder Chen Yong once told me they watch for potential, teamwork, and creative problem-solving just as much as cultivation level."

We continued discussing tournament possibilities over dinner, the conversation occasionally drifting to other topics. Wei Lin shared gossip about sect politics, while Lin Mei discussed new herb combinations she was developing. It felt surreally normal, almost as if we were just ordinary friends having dinner, not cultivators preparing for a competition that could determine our futures.

As we finished our meal and night fully descended outside, I found myself reflecting on how much had changed since we first registered for the tournament. Eight weeks ago, I had been confident in my abilities but realistic about my chances, a stage six cultivator with unusual techniques might advance past the early rounds but would eventually fall to more established disciples.

Now, however, the landscape had shifted dramatically. Wei Lin and I both stood at the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, borderline Elemental Realm in terms of raw power. Lin Mei, while technically at a lower cultivation stage, possessed support techniques that perfectly complemented our more combat-oriented abilities.

For the first time, I felt genuine optimism about our prospects, not just for surviving the tournament but potentially excelling in it. More importantly, I wasn't shouldering the burden alone.

"You've gone quiet," Wei Lin observed, snapping me from my thoughts. "Planning how to upstage me again?"

I grinned. "Just thinking about how far we've come. When I joined the sect, I assumed I'd have to rely entirely on myself to advance. Now..." I gestured to the three of us gathered around the table. "I've got friends I can actually count on."

"Aww, he's getting sentimental," Lin Mei teased, but her smile was warm. "Must be a side effect of the breakthrough."

"Must be," I agreed, though I meant what I'd said. In this world of cultivation where advancement often came at others' expense, finding genuine friends was as valuable as any spiritual treasure.

Wei Lin raised his teacup. "To surprising the elders and making a name for ourselves."

"To teamwork," Lin Mei added.

I raised my own cup, completing the impromptu toast. "And to friends worth having."

Lin Mei yawned, covering her mouth delicately. "Well, we all need sleep if we're traveling tomorrow. Goodnight, both of you."

"Goodnight," Wei Lin and I echoed as she disappeared into her room.

Wei Lin lingered a moment, his expression growing more serious. "You've changed, you know. Since we first met."

I raised an eyebrow. "For better or worse?"

"Better," he said without hesitation. "You're still frustratingly secretive, but you're less... isolated. It suits you."

Before I could respond, he nodded and retreated to his own room, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the quiet courtyard.

"He's quite perceptive," Azure commented in my mind.

"Too perceptive sometimes," I replied silently, gazing up at the stars. "But he's not wrong."

I remained there for some time, enjoying the cool mountain air and contemplating how far I'd come, not just in cultivation, but in finding my place in this world. Eventually, I too retired to my room, looking forward to returning to the sect tomorrow.