CHAPTER 109: TRIAL BY FIRE

The following morning dawned with a crisp chill in the air, the kind of air that sharpened the senses and promised danger. Li Tian rose early, stretching lazily on his mat before stepping outside. His mind was already set on the day’s task: Su Yin’s first real test.

The girl arrived punctually, determination written on her face despite the fatigue from yesterday’s training. She bowed respectfully. "I am ready, Li Tian."

He studied her, amused at her seriousness. "We’ll see about that." His voice was calm, almost teasing, but his eyes gleamed with intent.

[System Task Activated: Trial by Fire – Test your disciple in a controlled combat scenario. Success will increase her loyalty, boost her talent growth, and unlock a new combat technique. Failure may lower her confidence and limit her future potential.]

"Don’t think of this as training," Li Tian said, leading her to the open courtyard, where a circle had been drawn in the dirt. "Think of it as survival. Out there, no one will hold back. Neither will I."

Her breath hitched slightly, but she nodded. "Understood."

Li Tian stepped into the circle, his movements loose and relaxed, but his presence radiated oppressive strength. "Come at me. With everything you have. If you hesitate even once, I’ll crush you."

The words made Su Yin shiver, but they also lit a fire in her chest. She gritted her teeth and dashed forward, executing the opening steps of the Phantom Mirage Arts

. Her body flickered, moving faster than an untrained eye could follow. For a moment, she surprised even herself.

But Li Tian was no untrained eye. He raised a hand lazily, his fingers brushing against her afterimage before snapping shut on her wrist. In one fluid motion, he spun her around and forced her onto one knee. "Too slow."

She gasped, but instead of giving up, she twisted her body, using the momentum to roll away. She flipped back to her feet, breathing heavily. "Again!"

Li Tian’s grin widened. "Good. That’s the spirit."

[System Notice: Disciple’s combat instinct rising. Talent synchronization increasing by 5%.]

The duel raged on. Each time Su Yin launched an attack, Li Tian countered with casual precision. He never struck hard enough to injure her seriously, but his blows stung, forcing her to adapt. Her speed grew sharper, her footwork steadier, and her eyes more focused.

At one point, she feinted left before vanishing into a blur behind him. For the first time, Li Tian raised an eyebrow in approval. Her dagger grazed his sleeve before he pivoted, delivering a swift kick that knocked her back several steps.

Su Yin wiped blood from her lip, chest heaving, but her eyes blazed with determination. "I won’t stop until I land a clean hit!"

Li Tian laughed, low and genuine. "Then keep trying. Push harder. Show me you’re worth the trouble."

[System Alert: Critical Progress Detected. Temporary Skill Unlock available – Phantom Mirage Step (Beginner).]

Suddenly, Su Yin’s movements sharpened, her form slipping into a rhythm that felt almost natural. She darted forward, leaving behind multiple afterimages. Li Tian caught two, dodged a third, but the fourth struck—a dagger pressing lightly against his ribs.

Her eyes widened in shock. "I... I did it!"

Li Tian didn’t move, didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked, leaning down so their eyes met. "Not bad. But don’t let victory blind you."

In a flash, his hand was at her throat, pinning her against the courtyard wall before she could blink. His strength radiated like a storm, reminding her of the difference between them. "This is the reality of cultivation. You may win a moment, but lose the next. Never let your guard down."

Her breath came fast, her body trembling, but she forced herself to nod. "I... I understand."

He released her, stepping back with a satisfied grin. "Good. You’re learning."

[System Notice: Task Completed. Disciple’s loyalty increased. New technique unlocked: Phantom Mirage Step (Intermediate). Reward for Master: Combat Synchronization Boost – Future battles alongside disciple improve technique mastery rate by 20%.]

Su Yin collapsed to her knees, sweat dripping down her face, but a bright smile lit her expression. "Thank you... Li Tian. I’ll become stronger. Strong enough to fight beside you."

Li Tian looked down at her, his smirk softening into something almost approving. "You’d better. I don’t waste my time on the weak."

The courtyard grew quiet as the system’s notifications faded, but inside Li Tian’s heart, he knew this was only the beginning. Training Su Yin wasn’t just about strengthening her—it was about shaping her into a blade he could wield when the time came.

From the veranda, Xu Fang and Li Xue had been watching. Xu Fang’s eyes narrowed slightly at the closeness between Li Tian and his new disciple, though she quickly masked it behind her composed demeanor. Li Xue, however, only grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling as she leaned against the railing.

"My brother’s getting busier and busier," she whispered to herself, a mix of admiration and possessiveness in her tone.

For Li Tian, life was a game of strength, desire, and strategy. Every move mattered. And with each passing day, the pieces on his board grew more intriguing.