Chapter Ten: Senior Sister, Are You Asleep?

Night fell, and the moon was nowhere to be seen, the wind howled in the darkness.

The disciples of the Gate of Life and Death cultivated quietly in their rooms, reflecting on their shortcomings.

After witnessing the events of the day, Zhou Qi realized that reaching the peak of the eighth stage of Qi Refining was no longer secure. In his last cultivation session, he had been only a step away from breaking through to the ninth stage. He resolved to make another attempt tonight.

He crept to the door of Liu Piaopiao’s room and called softly, “Senior Sister, are you asleep?”

Liu Piaopiao recognized Zhou Qi’s voice and thought to herself: so his true intentions are revealed. The audacious boy dares to court me; coming to find me so late surely means he’s up to no good.

“I’m not asleep. What’s the matter? Speak tomorrow,” Liu Piaopiao replied with a cold tone.

“Tomorrow might be too late. I have something important and need Senior Sister’s help,” Zhou Qi said anxiously.

What could be so urgent that it couldn’t wait until morning? Liu Piaopiao mused. As a cultivator at the Golden Core stage, there’s no way a mere Qi Refining junior could take advantage of me. Well then, let’s hear him out, lest he nurture unnecessary thoughts.

Liu Piaopiao opened the door. She had just bathed, her hair loose upon her shoulders, her pale neck exposed to the air, radiating a subtle allure. The room was filled with a fresh fragrance.

Zhou Qi entered, facing Liu Piaopiao’s scrutinizing gaze, unsure how to begin. The last time, when he’d asked for a thousand spirit stones, had already aroused suspicion. Now, seeking help again so soon would surely deepen it.

Liu Piaopiao saw Zhou Qi hesitate, and spoke with gravity, “Junior Brother, there’s nothing possible between us. You’re far too young.”

It was over before he could even speak. No need to think about other senior brothers or sisters; best to focus on practicing spells. Revealing his cultivation method would be far more dangerous!

“Sorry to disturb you, Senior Sister. I’ll leave now.” With that, he turned to go.

Seeing Zhou Qi’s dejected figure, Liu Piaopiao wondered if she’d been too harsh, and her heart softened. She called him back.

“Junior Brother, whatever is on your mind, just say it. I won’t blame you.” After all, it was for the sake of the True Unity Sect that they faced danger; hearing him out could offer guidance.

“Senior Sister, I’d like to borrow some spirit stones,” Zhou Qi finally mustered the courage to speak.

“What?” Liu Piaopiao was stunned, expecting some secret confession, only for him to ask for spirit stones in the dead of night?

Seeing Liu Piaopiao’s expression—disappointment, anger, exasperation, and a hint of relief—Zhou Qi knew he had indeed aroused her suspicion.

“How many?” Liu Piaopiao asked through gritted teeth.

“Five hundred,” Zhou Qi replied honestly, not daring to meet her gaze.

“Take them and leave!” Liu Piaopiao shouted, tossing a storage pouch at Zhou Qi.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.” Zhou Qi grabbed the pouch and fled, bewildered by Liu Piaopiao’s anger over a loan.

The other disciples of True Unity Sect, hearing Liu Piaopiao’s shout, extended their spiritual senses and witnessed Zhou Qi rushing out, jaws dropping in shock.

What did this kid do? Is this even possible? Brother Zhou truly is formidable!

Zhou Qi was unaware of their thoughts. All he cared about was raising his cultivation. Even the ninth stage of Qi Refining didn’t feel safe. He recalled a certain expert’s saying: “Ninety-eight percent, rounded down, is zero—what difference is there between that and courting death?”

Suppressing his thoughts, Zhou Qi began to circulate the Profound Heaven True Formula. Last time, he’d reached the peak of the eighth stage, just a thread away from the ninth.

He hadn’t expected that final thread to consume an entire night, along with nearly three hundred spirit stones. At last, he broke through to the ninth stage of Qi Refining. Vital energy surged in his dantian; though the difference between the eighth peak and ninth stage seemed slight, the spiritual power was worlds apart.

Indeed, borrowing spirit stones from Senior Sister was the right choice. Though she was angry, she still lent them to him—she truly was kind.

Zhou Qi quietly practiced all his spells once more, checked his magical artifacts—the flying sword and golden-threaded robe were intact. Pills for vital energy and spiritual restoration were stored in his pouch, ready for use at a thought.

He kept his cultivation concealed at the seventh stage, to lull enemies into complacency.

Fifth Star Wen returned to the courtyard and shared two unfortunate pieces of news.

Among the competitors from Spirit Silence Cave, each realm had a cultivator at its peak, holding back breakthroughs specifically for the Five Sect Tournament. In contrast, the highest True Unity Sect Golden Core cultivators, Fu Shaojian and Wan Yanwen, were only at the fifth stage, putting them at a disadvantage from the start.

The higher the realm, the greater the gap between each stage. Unlike the Qi Refining period, where skill could make up for a stage or two, at higher levels the difference was immense.

The second piece of bad news was a change in the tournament’s rules. Previously, each sect decided the order of its participants; now, cultivators of the same realm from all sects would draw lots to determine their opponents. Winners would advance and draw again for the next round, with final rankings based on total victories.

This rule change was extremely unfavorable for True Unity Sect, especially their Golden Core cultivators. If Fu Shaojian faced Spirit Silence Cave’s suppressed expert in the first round, relying on Wan Yanwen alone would mean they stood little chance of a high ranking. Total defeat was possible.

Fifth Star Wen explained other precautions: when facing Peach Blossom Sect, beware their seductive techniques; against Heartless Pavilion, protect yourselves, for their cultivators are ruthless and will stop at nothing for victory; and do not be deceived by the gentle facade of Immortal Farmer Garden—their methods are vicious beneath the surface.

His words left the disciples shrouded in gloom.

Zhuge Qingsen was already planning which burial plot to choose.

At this moment, everyone missed Liu Chengfeng dearly. Though the sect master’s promises were often grandiose, his pre-battle speeches at least boosted morale, unlike now, when spirits were crushed and hope seemed lost.

“Fifth Elder, senior brothers and sisters, I have a few heartfelt words to share, if I may?” Zhou Qi couldn’t stand the atmosphere. After all, if True Unity Sect finished last, their resources would be minimal, and as disciples, their prospects would be bleak.

Everyone looked curiously at the young junior brother. Fifth Star Wen nodded, eager to hear his thoughts.

“Senior brothers and sisters, I need not stress the importance of the Five Sect Tournament. The sect’s honor is secondary; what truly matters is its impact on our cultivation. For our own sake, we must fight. If we do not strive, we will receive the least resources, and next time we will lose again. If this continues, the sect will have no future, nor will we.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“We cultivators defy heaven for our fate, seizing fortune with every step, battling both men and gods. So what fear should we have of a tournament? If obstacles arise, we must cut them down with a single sword. The effort we make now determines our future!” Zhou Qi continued passionately.

“Besides, the Golden Core cultivators of other sects face the same challenge with that Spirit Silence Cave expert. Our goal isn’t to be first—only not to come last. The enemy has advantages, but so do we: patience, endurance, and a reason to fight with everything we have!”

“I, Zhou Qi, as a cultivator at the seventh stage of Qi Refining, pledge to fight for my dream, willing even to shed blood on the field rather than live forever with regret born of fear!” Zhou Qi declared with fervor.

His speech left everyone deep in thought. The mood was better than before, and Liu Piaopiao cast Zhou Qi a grateful glance.

Zhou Qi felt sheepish. The logic was sound, but in the end, strength was strength—cultivators weren’t fools, and a few stirring words wouldn’t ignite blind passion.

Besides, True Unity Sect’s disciples had grown up under Liu Chengfeng’s endless motivational speeches. They were long immune.

Ah well, let fate decide!