SpaceMage

The young master's eyes glinted with greed and avarice as he thought about the cultivation treasure that this kid supposedly had in his pocket. He was convinced that Ximen Wei possessed a Qi Artifact, especially after witnessing the beam of light from earlier.

Even the Song Family, with all their wealth and resources, possessed only one Qi Artifact. Their Patriarch, a Rank 1 Qi Expert, would undoubtedly chase Ximen Wei just for his treasure if given the opportunity.

With their eyes shining with a mix of greed and wariness, the two pursued Ximen Wei relentlessly, determined to catch him at all costs. Dongfang pushed his index finger forward, blood in the corners of his mouth, and shouted out a battle cry.

"Qi Technique - Azure Finger!"

This was a pure offensive Qi Technique, designed specifically for killing. Unlike the versatile Azure Hand, which could be used for a variety of purposes, such as grabbing or slamming into things, Azure Finger was meant for one thing only: destruction. Its sole purpose was to eliminate the enemy with deadly precision.

As the gigantic index finger bore down on him, Ximen Wei could feel the winds of destruction blowing around him. His heart pounded in his chest, but his eyes were clear and focused. He had been pushed to the brink of death, but he refused to give up. He had come too far to fail now.

With a fierce resolve, Ximen Wei's hands flashed in an intricate gesture as he called upon the Qi in the air. It flowed into his body like a river, suffusing him with power and vitality. He could feel his muscles bulging, his bones hardening, as his body underwent an incredible transformation.

The Qi condensed around him, forming a barrier of pure energy that hardened into an impenetrable shell. He had activated the Iron Body technique, making his skin as tough as steel. But Ximen Wei wasn't satisfied yet. He knew that he needed more power if he wanted to survive this encounter.

He closed his eyes, focusing all of his energy on the task at hand. The Qi surged through him like a hurricane, and he could feel his body glowing with an otherworldly energy. With a final burst of effort, he unleashed the Strengthen technique, pouring all of his power into his limbs.

Now, Ximen Wei was ready. He opened his eyes, he was no longer afraid. With his body strengthened and his Qi flowing freely, he was ready to face whatever came his way.

As the Azure Finger bore down on him, Ximen Wei stood his ground. With a fierce cry, he raised his arms and met the attack head-on.

The sound of the explosion echoed through the Devil's Den as Ximen Wei's body was hurled through the air. A gaping hole could be seen in his shoulder where the attack had landed, and the harmful Qi that had entered his body was wreaking havoc, sending his mind reeling and causing blood to pour from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. But despite the pain and chaos raging inside him, Ximen Wei smiled.

He had made it out of the Devil's Den.

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, he struggled to his feet and resumed running that seemed to defy his injuries. If anything, to Dongfang and the young master, he appeared to be moving even faster than before.

But the young master was not pleased. His voice rang out with rage and madness, his fury boiling over at Dongfang's perceived betrayal.

"Dongfang, what do you think you're doing?" he bellowed.

The young master unleashed the full power of his Qi Technique - Azure Steps. In a blink of an eye, he covered a distance of twenty minutes and landed on the shores of the swamp, mere meters away from Ximen Wei. And with another step, he appeared right in front of him.

Ximen Wei could feel the overwhelming power emanating from the young master, a testament to the terrifying strength of a Level 2 Qi Trainee.

Despite the blood and injuries that covered him, Ximen Wei remained undaunted. He knew he had come too far to be stopped now.

The young master's palm strike, fueled by his immense physical strength, was aimed straight at Ximen Wei. But before it could land, a voice cut through the air, disheartened and disappointed.

"Kid, I stepped up last time because the previous attack was something you couldn't handle," Bai Gu Jing's voice echoed through the stillness. "But you're up against a piddling Level 2 Qi Trainee now. Don't tell me you can't handle that either?"

As he emerged from the Immortal Devil Sect medallion, time seemed to freeze. Only Ximen Wei and Bai Gu Jing were able to move, while the red-haired young man, Dongfang, and everything else were as immobile as statues.

Bai Gu Jing shook his head in disappointment as he looked at Ximen Wei. "Back when I was at your level, I could easily crush Level 2 Qi Trainees and even toy with Level 3 Qi Trainees. When I became a Level 2 Qi Trainee, I could fight evenly with a Rank 1 Qi Expert," he said, his voice filled with regret. "Although you're young and have only cultivated for a month, your battle prowess is laughable."

As Bai Gu Jing spoke, Ximen Wei's eyes filled with a burning hatred, but he found himself unable to even speak a word. "You didn't even open nine Extraordinary Meridians when you reached the first level," Bai Gu Jing continued. "I don't know why they picked you, but I have to comply with his wishes."

Bai Gu Jing paused for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered Ximen Wei. "How about this," he said at last. "If you don't reach the third level within three months, I'll personally kill you with my own hands. I don't care if I have to incur their wrath, I have to do what's best for me... for my true self."