The borderlands were quiet for only a short while. The mist that had clung to the valleys began to swirl unnaturally, as if sensing the tension in the disciples' qi. Li Chen's sharp eyes scanned the horizon; he knew instinctively that the retreat of the first wave was only temporary. The beasts were intelligent, testing, learning—and the second wave would be far more coordinated.
Xu Ming wiped sweat from his brow, standing behind Li Chen. Despite surviving the first encounter with minimal injury, his heart still pounded in his chest. The taste of danger lingered, electric and raw. For the first time, he truly understood why Li Chen had always emphasized careful observation, calmness, and adaptability.
Li Chen spoke quietly, though every word carried authority that resonated even at a distance. "This wave will be different. They will exploit predictable patterns. Do not attack recklessly. Stay within your formation, anticipate, adapt, and survive. That is the priority."
Xu Ming nodded firmly. "Yes, senior."
From the treeline, the beasts advanced again—but this time, they moved more strategically. Packs split into multiple groups, attempting to encircle the disciples. Their glowing eyes glimmered with intelligence, tracking each movement, learning from the previous encounter.
Li Chen's expression remained calm. He lifted his hand slightly, releasing a controlled pulse of sword qi. Invisible arcs of cutting force carved paths through the first ranks of beasts, deflecting charges and forcing them to reorganize. His movements were minimal but precise, orchestrating the battlefield like a composer guiding a symphony.
Xu Ming's heart raced as he followed the flow. This was no longer a drill. This was life and death—and he could feel something stirring deep within himself.
As the battle continued, Xu Ming felt the familiar pull of his inner energy—the five elements within him surging in unison. For months, he had been cultivating under Li Chen's guidance, refining his body, controlling his breathing, and honing his qi circulation. Now, under the pressure of real combat, everything aligned.
The chaos physique, once considered a liability in the lower realm, began to reveal its hidden potential. Fire, water, wood, metal, and earth—all resonated, forming a harmonious cycle he had never experienced before. Each strike he executed, each talisman he activated, felt more powerful, more precise.
A sudden roar split the air. A massive beast lunged from the shadows, aiming directly at Xu Ming. His body reacted before he even thought—hands forming a protective seal as his talisman activated. Qi surged explosively through his body, flowing through all five elements in perfect unison. A bright, silver-white light erupted around him, extending outward in a protective sphere that repelled the beast's attack.
Xu Ming staggered back, heart pounding. His vision blurred as he realized the truth: he had broken through.
For Xu Ming, the breakthrough was instantaneous yet gradual in perception.
Before: His qi circulated in bursts, chaotic and unstable. Each strike demanded extreme concentration.
During: His inner five elements aligned under pressure, forming a natural cycle of energy, stable and continuous.
After: Qi flowed effortlessly, coordinated, and controllable. He could feel it within every muscle, organ, and even in the talismans he carried.
Li Chen, observing from a short distance, did not intervene. He merely tilted his head, faintly approving. He had expected this day—the true test for Xu Ming was not in surviving, but in growth under pressure.
With Xu Ming's breakthrough, the battlefield shifted subtly. His five-element qi enhanced his attacks, strengthening the barriers and reinforcing the protective talismans around the disciples. Beasts attempting to flank were cut down with precise strikes, often without a single disciple leaving their position.
Li Chen moved among them, coordinating attacks and subtly guiding Xu Ming, ensuring his abilities were used optimally. Xu Ming felt his confidence grow, realizing he was no longer just a follower—he was contributing meaningfully to the mission.
By the time the second wave began to retreat, the disciples were exhausted but uninjured, morale skyrocketing. Even representatives from other sects could not hide their surprise.
A Mountain Sect disciple whispered, barely audible, "That's… the chaos physique? I've never seen someone harness it so effectively."
Xu Ming glanced at Li Chen, who simply nodded once—calm, unreadable, but unmistakably approving.
For Xu Ming, the day ended not with relief, but with determination. Qi condensation had unlocked new potential, and the borderlands still awaited.
The real trial was only beginning.