Chapter Thirteen: No Way Back

Within the Hall of Qi Refinement, a violent gale suddenly erupted, currents of air surging in every direction like sharp arrows. Yufan stood clad in a blue robe, his long hair streaming wildly in the wind. His eyes gleamed with unwavering resolve as he faced the unknown threat from the top of the tower.

Atop the tower, a shadowy figure stood indistinctly, as though merged with the night itself. Only a pair of sinister eyes glimmered in the darkness. Slowly, he raised one hand, and a dusky blue orb of light condensed in his palm. Within it, countless tormented spirits seemed to wail in anguish.

Yufan drew a deep breath and formed a hand seal. A faint golden radiance spread around his body. He knew this would be a hard-fought battle. The figure atop the tower had already struck. With a piercing howl, the orb of light tore through the air toward him.

Yufan moved, vanishing from where he stood like a phantom. When he appeared again, he was already behind the orb. With a turn of his palm, a vast golden wave of energy surged forth and collided violently with the orb.

The shadow atop the tower spoke in a voice as cold and eerie as a night owl's cry. It echoed through the Hall of Qi Refinement, sending chills through the air. His figure swayed within the darkness, as though he might dissolve into the boundless night at any moment. Those sinister eyes were like two frigid stars, radiating an unquestionable intent to kill.

"Boy, you dare trespass into my Hall of Qi Refinement? You truly have a death wish!"

His voice rolled forth like thunder, shaking even the currents of air within the hall.

Yufan stood at the boundary between light and shadow, his expression solemn. He felt a pressure unlike anything he had ever known, as though an invisible mountain had been placed upon his chest, nearly crushing the breath from him. Yet he did not retreat. Instead, he straightened his back, his gaze firm as iron.

Though Yufan's voice was faint, it carried an undeniable determination. He lifted his head toward the blurred figure atop the tower, a resolute light flickering in his eyes.

The gale lashed across his cheeks like blades, but Yufan seemed unable to feel the pain. His heart held only one thought: stand up and face this unknown challenge. He drew a deep breath and summoned every ounce of his strength, then suddenly planted both hands against the ground.

With a sharp crack, as though something had shattered, a warm current surged from his dantian and swiftly spread throughout his body. He felt as if he had regained his strength. His body grew light, and he slowly rose to his feet.

He stood tall, his long hair whipping wildly in the wind. Though his blue robe was tattered, it only made him appear more heroic. His gaze burned like a torch as he stared directly at the shadow atop the tower.

"Enough talk. Come at me with everything you've got!"

The gale raged even more fiercely within the Hall of Qi Refinement, sweeping dust and fallen leaves from the ground and twisting them into spiraling vortices. A tremendous force mercilessly drove Yufan into the earth. His blue robe was torn to tatters by the wind, while his long hair lay in disarray across his face, veiling eyes that still shone with unyielding resolve.

A streak of bright red blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, resembling a crimson flower blooming in the darkness. He tried to struggle, but the force pressing down upon him was as heavy as a thousand weights, leaving him unable to move. All he could do was lie helplessly upon the ground as the howling wind swept over his body, bringing waves of piercing pain.

The light within the Hall of Qi Refinement flickered between brightness and darkness, as though even heaven and earth had been stirred by the scene. A spark of defiance flashed through Yufan's eyes. He clenched his teeth and laboriously dragged his hands across the ground, trying to find even the slightest strength with which to rise. Yet the invisible pressure bore down upon him like a colossal mountain, making it difficult to breathe.

The blue robe covering the young man's body had been reduced to shreds. The exposed skin beneath was covered in fine wounds, each one burning as though seared by flames, the pain almost unbearable.

Still, Yufan refused to give up. He clenched his teeth, shut his eyes tightly, and seemed to gather every last fragment of strength within him. His hands trembled against the ground, and each movement appeared to drain what little power remained in his body.

At last, after countless struggles and exertions, Yufan suddenly thrust down with both arms. Miraculously, his body rose to its feet. Though he still trembled faintly, his gaze remained firm as iron as he stared directly at the shadow atop the tower.

From the tower's peak, the figure looked down at Yufan and raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

"You are the most resilient young man I have ever seen."

Yufan's blue robe hung in tatters, and his body was covered in wounds, yet he stood ramrod straight, like an unyielding pine. His eyes were steadfast and deep, as though they could pierce through all darkness.

The shadow atop the tower slowly spoke, his voice low and resonant.

"Why have you come?"

Yufan did not avert his gaze. In a deep voice, he replied, "To witness how the Hall of Qi Refinement cultivates power for the sake of all living beings."

The shadow gave a slight nod, seemingly pleased by Yufan's answer.

"Very good. Since you possess such determination, I will give you a chance."