The dust hung thick over the arena, shimmering faintly in the morning sun.
Silence reigned. Even the wind seemed to pause, unwilling to disturb the scene.
Lei Wei stood at the center, knees trembling, qi completely drained. His arms hung loosely at his sides, sweat and blood streaked across his face. His chest heaved with each ragged breath.
Baiye Zhen lay on the ground, motionless. His robes torn, blood seeping from his palms. The sheer shock on his face—the disbelief that a Late Spirit Seed had defeated him—was almost comical, if not terrifying.
The arena erupted—not in cheers, but in stunned whispers.
"Impossible…"
"Late Spirit Seed… defeating Peak? How…?"
"The Finger of God… was that real…?"
Patriarch Hengyuan Tian remained seated, expression unreadable. Yet his eyes flickered with a rare light of approval. Slowly, he nodded.
"Excellent," he murmured, almost to himself. "This boy… truly carries the heavens' favor."
Beside him, Patriarch Baiye Yuan's face was storm-dark. His lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowing at the fallen Zhen.
"This… cannot stand," he said quietly, though no one else could hear. Rage, pride, and disbelief mingled in his voice.
Hengyuan Su and Hengyuan Ren rushed forward, concern and awe in their eyes. Ren wheeled up to Lei Wei.
"You… you did it!" he breathed. "I… I can't believe it!"
Lei Wei managed a weak smile. "I… only just managed."
Su placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've saved us… you've saved me." Her voice shook, emotion breaking through her normally composed tone. "Thank you, Lei Wei."
Lei Wei's gaze fell to the ground. His qi was empty, his body aching, yet a spark of warmth flared in his chest—the fragment inside him, silent again, watching.
He knew it had done its work. The one-time Finger of God had answered his call.
---
— REACTIONS ACROSS THE CLANS
The Hengyuan elders and family members clapped lightly, restrained, but full of admiration.
"This boy… we must maintain a close bond with him," one whispered. "Such talent… he may become a pillar of the Earth Realm itself."
Meanwhile, the Baiye Clan's young cultivators were muttering among themselves, disbelief written across every face.
"How… how could he…?"
"Zhen… Zhen's full power… and he still lost?"
A few of the elder Baiye cultivators exchanged worried glances. Even Baiye Yuan remained calm on the surface, but his mind raced. The boy was dangerous—more than anyone had anticipated.
Zhen groaned, struggling to sit up. His eyes, burning with humiliation, darted toward Lei Wei.
"You… just wait. This isn't over." His voice was a low growl, but there was no energy behind it. He had been defeated utterly.
---
— THE PATRIARCH'S DECREE
Hengyuan Tian finally stood, his aura heavy, compressing the air like a mountain. He addressed both families with measured authority.
"This duel has concluded." His voice carried effortlessly over the murmuring crowd.
He turned toward Lei Wei, expression calm but sharp.
"Lei Wei," he said. "You have proven your strength, your will, and your loyalty to this clan. For three months of training, you have exceeded all expectations. You are now… the true champion of this duel."
He paused. His gaze swept over the arena, landing briefly on Baiye Yuan.
"And let this be a reminder: the Hengyuan Clan will not falter. We honor our promises, and we protect those worthy of protection."
The crowd erupted, but the weight of his words kept all attention firmly on Lei Wei.
---
— FRAGMENT AND TRAINING REFLECTION
Later that night, Lei Wei sat alone beneath the same spirit maple tree from weeks ago. His body ached, qi completely spent, but his mind was alert.
The fragment stirred faintly, glowing like a dim sun within him.
"You used it," it murmured, a voice both alien and intimate.
"I had no choice," Lei Wei whispered, tracing the faint golden glow with his fingertips. "It was… the only way."
"Good," the fragment said. "But remember… the Finger of God is no longer available. One strike, one chance. You survived… but only because you were chosen, now u cannot use it until u reach veinforge stage ".
Lei Wei nodded, a weight settling on his shoulders.
"I will become stronger… faster. I have to. To protect, to grow… to reach Veinforge."
The fragment pulsed faintly, a quiet approval that seemed to feed his exhausted body.
---
— THE FINAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT CHALLENGE
The three remaining days before his next challenge were spent in recovery and refinement. Lei Wei trained lightly under Elder Bo, focusing on qi stabilization, Absolute Counter finesse, and minor Spirit Seed techniques to consolidate his foundation.
He also spent time with Hengyuan Su and Ren. Su's laughter lightened the heavy tension in his chest; Ren's curiosity about technique and cultivation brought a sense of normalcy he hadn't felt in months.
Yet the looming truth remained: the Finger of God was terrific. His qi would recover—but he had glimpsed the power he would need to surpass his limits.
Elder Bo approached him one evening, observing quietly.
"Your speed of growth… even I am astonished." He nodded slowly. "But remember this—absolute power cannot be relied upon. You must refine your own foundation.that technique saved you, yes… but now, the next step is yours."
Lei Wei clenched his fists, eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight.
"I know," he said softly. "And I will not fail. Not ever."