The moon hung high above the sect, casting long silver shadows across the stone pathways. Jian had spent most of the evening practicing footwork in the empty training grounds. Each step was silent, each shift of weight precise. The system had rewarded him a small but significant boost in meridian toughness earlier, and he wasn't about to waste it.
As he moved, he felt the faint tremble of spiritual energy resonating from the mountain peak. Someone powerful was cultivating, and the waves of force that spilled out were enough to distort the air. Jian paused mid-step, frowning slightly. Even from this distance, the pressure tingled against his skin like static.
"Elder Rong must be pushing for another breakthrough," a voice whispered from behind.
Jian turned to see two outer disciples huddled near the courtyard gate, whispering like frightened birds.
"Or maybe the Sect Master," the other said. "They say he hasn't left closed-door cultivation for months."
Their voices gradually faded as they walked off, leaving Jian alone under the moonlight.
He stared toward the peak again.
Those people, their realms, their power—far, far ahead of him. And yet the system constantly pushed him to chase them. This world wasn't fair, especially to someone like him, a child thrown into a cycle of constant striving. But the system's pressure was absolute. It didn't care whether the burden was heavy.
[Long-Term Objective: Reach the 10th Realm — Void Fragmentation.]
The words floated in his mind like an order carved in stone. He inhaled deeply, suppressing the weight pressing on his chest.
"I'll get there," he whispered to himself. "No matter what it takes."
The moonlight shimmered off his determined eyes.
Tomorrow, his grind would continue