Twenty-five days remained.
Lin Xuan stood in the outer training field at dawn.
Body Tempering Eighth Layer felt different from Seventh. His bone marrow refinement made his movements more explosive. Each step felt heavier, more grounded.
The Ninth Layer would temper internal organs, stabilizing the body for Qi Gathering.
But Eighth to Ninth was not trivial.
Many outer disciples were stuck there for years.
He opened his panel briefly.
[Simplification Panel]
[User: Lin Xuan][Realm: Body Tempering — Eighth Layer][Days Until Inner Sect Evaluation: 25]
[Crimson Flame Twelve-Form Tyrant Sword Art][Grade: High Mortal][Major Completion 421/600]
[Azure Piercing Spear][Grade: Mid Mortal][Perfection 193/1000]
[Stone Body Conditioning Art][Grade: Mid Mortal][Perfection 327/1000]
[Basic Qi Circulation Method][Grade: Mid Mortal][Major Completion 244/600]
He closed it.
High Mortal technique still needed work.
And today—
The outer sect ranking arena was active.
A notice had been posted:
"Outer Disciple Combat Assessment."
Not mandatory.
But ranking affected mission priority, resource allocation, and cultivation cave access.
Stronger disciples received caves closer to the Spirit Vein.
That meant faster growth.
Lin Xuan walked toward the arena.
A crowd had already gathered.
At the center stood a tall young man in dark-gray robes with red trim.
Zhao Liang.
Body Tempering Ninth Layer.
Ranked third among outer disciples.
He had been Ninth Layer for nearly two years.
His aura was thick, stable, heavy.
Ninth Layer cultivators had fully tempered organs. Their durability and stamina far surpassed Eighth Layer.
Zhao Liang was sparring casually with an Eighth Layer disciple.
Three moves.
The opponent collapsed.
Clean.
Efficient.
The crowd murmured.
"Senior Brother Zhao will definitely enter Inner Sect this year."
"His Iron Mountain Body technique is almost at Spirit grade."
Spirit grade.
Above Mortal.
Rare among outer disciples.
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
A high-grade opponent was useful.
Zhao Liang's gaze swept across the arena.
It paused.
On him.
A faint smirk appeared.
"You're Lin Xuan."
Not a question.
"You injured Chen Wei."
Lin Xuan nodded calmly.
Zhao Liang stepped down from the platform.
"Eighth Layer."
His eyes flicked with mild surprise.
"Fast."
He drew his practice blade.
"Come."
The crowd grew louder instantly.
An Eighth Layer challenging Ninth Layer?
Madness.
Lin Xuan stepped onto the platform.
The pressure was real.
Ninth Layer aura pressed like a mountain.
Inside his mind—
[Crimson Flame Twelve-Form Tyrant Sword Art][Grade: High Mortal][Major Completion 421/600]
He inhaled slowly.
Basic Qi Circulation Method activated instinctively.
Zhao Liang moved first.
Fast.
Too fast.
His blade cut downward.
Lin Xuan raised his forearm.
Clang.
Stone Body Conditioning Art absorbed most of the impact.
But the force still pushed him back three steps.
Difference in realm was clear.
Zhao Liang smiled faintly.
"Your body refinement is decent."
He attacked again.
Lin Xuan ignited flame along his sword.
They clashed.
Flame scattered.
[Crimson Flame Twelve-Form Tyrant Sword Art +42 EXP][Major Completion 463/600]
Combat EXP surged much faster.
Zhao Liang's strength forced him to execute cleaner movements.
Again.
Clash.
[+55 EXP]
[Major Completion 518/600]
Zhao Liang's brows furrowed slightly.
"You're improving mid-fight."
Lin Xuan didn't answer.
He focused.
Simplified condition: Grip → circulate qi → swing.
He compressed Qi harder.
Flame grew denser.
Zhao Liang attacked with a heavy downward strike.
Lin Xuan stepped inside the arc and slashed diagonally.
Flame erupted sharply.
Zhao Liang staggered half a step.
The crowd gasped.
Inside—
[Crimson Flame Twelve-Form Tyrant Sword Art (Major Completion 600/600)]
[Skill Advanced]
[Crimson Flame Twelve-Form Tyrant Sword Art — Perfection 0/1000]
[Flame Intensity Increased]
[Qi Efficiency Improved]
A surge of understanding flooded his mind.
True flame compression.
Angle optimization.
Minimal Qi waste.
He attacked again.
This time the flame was sharper.
Cleaner.
Zhao Liang's sleeve scorched.
The Ninth Layer disciple's expression finally changed.
He stepped back.
Enough.
He lowered his blade.
"You're dangerous."
Silence fell across the arena.
An Eighth Layer pushing Zhao Liang back?
Unheard of.
Zhao Liang sheathed his blade.
"If you reach Ninth Layer before evaluation, challenge me again."
He turned and left.
The crowd erupted in whispers.
Lin Xuan stepped down calmly.
Inside—
[Azure Piercing Spear +23 EXP]
[Stone Body Conditioning Art +18 EXP]
Even defensive movements granted growth.
He understood now.
Fighting stronger opponents accelerated Perfection stage massively.
But there was still a problem.
Realm gap.
Even with technique advantage, Eighth Layer could not decisively defeat Ninth Layer.
He needed organ tempering.
He needed Ninth Layer.
And that required more Spirit Stones.
He walked away from the arena.
Twenty-five days remained.
He estimated:
Two more successful missions = enough Spirit Stones for Ninth Layer attempt.
But risk would increase.
Rogue cultivators targeting sect routes were growing bolder.
Perhaps someone was supplying them information.
He glanced at his storage pouch subtly.
Four Spirit Stones had pushed him to Eighth.
To break Ninth Layer safely—
He would need at least five.
The mountain wind blew across the training grounds.
Inner Sect gates stood high above.
Unreachable.
For now.
He looked up calmly.
The wall between Eighth and Ninth was thick.
But walls—
Were only obstacles.
And obstacles—
Could be simplified.