With his eyes closed, Yi Chen circulated his innate Qi out using his newly refined meridians. The next second, his dense red coloured Qi flew through it.

Soon, it came out from the forty respective Qi points situated in his torso.

From there, he circulated it upwards before directing it towards his two arms, which were followed by them consolidating on his hands, which were firmly holding onto the sword's grip.

Yi Chen's eyes were no longer closed, and the Qi coalescing in his hand finally began lacing itself on the sword's blade.

Little by little, the entire blade shone and started emitting deep red light, which could make one's hair stand on end.

A few seconds later, when Yi Chen's Qi pool was almost dried out, and the Fiery Qi around his sword was at its densest, Yi Chen stabbed his sword right into the practice dummy.

He had controlled his strength to ensure that the sound was at a minimum. However, to his very surprise, the entire dummy was pushed back just with that strike and was pulverised into dust before it could land on the ground.

"This…"

It took a few seconds for Yi Chen to realise just what he had accomplished, and the next moment, forgetting about everything else, he jumped in excitement and launched his clenched fists high up in the air.

"I did it! It was a success! Hahaha- Oh shit!" It was only now that he remembered about Qin Yao, who was still sleeping, and immediately stopped screaming.

'He wouldn't have woken up…right?' Yi Chen thought nervously while glancing towards the residence, which appeared as quiet as earlier.

"So you've entered the Second Level," an aged voice from behind sent a shiver down his spine, the very next moment.

However, sensing a little familiarity in the voice, he gathered up enough courage to slowly turn his head behind.

The next instant, Yi Chen saw a figure that was sitting on the platform underneath the banyan tree.

'Elder Lei??'

If not for the long hair that was blowing in the light breeze or the beard, Yi Chen would find it difficult to guess that it was Elder Lei.

Under the shade of the tree where the moonlight couldn't reach, Elder Lei's eyes were shining with a dim red light, which made Yi Chen's soul shudder in fright.

Gulping down his saliva, Yi Chen soon answered, "Yes, Elder Lei. I was fortunate enough to get an epiphany during my-"

Yi Chen was about to give the excuse he had already made up in his mind, but before he could complete his words, he was stopped by Elder Lei.

"No need to lie anymore. Zheng Ru had already told me everything about you in the letters he wrote to me,"

Elder Lei stated without batting his eye.

'So he knew everything from the start and was just feigning ignorance until now...' Yi Chen thought to himself.

While he was busy with similar thoughts, Elder Lei suddenly asked, "How has your progress been in forming a fire ring?"

Unlike before, the tone of his voice was quite stern and being the subject of it, Yi Chen couldn't help but feel nervous as he answered.

"…I'm still unable to control it. I've tried several times, but there was no progress at all."

As he said that, Yi Chen was also reminded of his Comprehension percentage, which had remained stuck at forty per cent for the last few days.

"That's only normal. Since you've only recently entered the Meridian Refinement Stage.

Normally, it would take two years for even a person with talent to be able to control the world's Qi and another two to form the fire rings,"

When Yi Chen heard this, a frown formed on his face, and he asked, "Then Elder Lei…what about the three-month deadline you've given me?"

"You've guessed right. Theoretically, it's impossible for you to make those rings in the allotted time."

The moment Yi Chen heard Elder Lei's answer, he asked in a stirred fashion, "Then why did you give me such a task in the first place?"

At the same time, he thought to himself, 'Was he planning to nominate me no matter whether I succeed or not?'

However, reality seemed to be far different from what he had thought.

"I gave you that task because I meant what I said. If you fail to make one such ring in the given time, then I'll make you leave the clan immediately.

Not only that, but I'll also personally write a letter to the Heavenly Azure Dragon Sect's recruitment office to blacklist your name so that you won't even be able to apply as an unaffiliated Cultivator."

Elder Lei stated with a firm tone. It was evident that he clearly meant what he just said.

A trace of anger that had taken root in Yi Chen's heart when he heard Elder Lei's first reply turned to frustration and irritation by the time he finished all that he wanted to say.

Brimming with anger and frustration, Yi Chen finally burst out.

"Are you playing with me, Elder Lei?! Tell me…is this all a joke to you? I haven't even done anything to you, so why are you so adamant about making things difficult for me?"

"Why? You ask why? Then allow me to ask the same question to you.

The fact that you reacted in this manner clearly tells me that even you feel that it won't be possible for you to complete the task in three months.

Why is that? Why do you think it's impossible for you when not even a month of the stated three months had passed?"

Yi Chen couldn't help but develop a confused and irritated expression hearing his question and replied loudly, " Isn't that what you just told me, old man?"

The little trace of respect left in his words had disappeared, and he continued, "That it isn't possible for me to complete the task in three months?! Did you not?!"

"Yes, and what I said was true. But do you know what else is true?

The fact that the White Jade Kingdom has never produced a single Cultivator above the Third Level of the Core Building Stage.

What makes you think that you would be able to not only become one but also reach the Heaven Ascension Stage later?

Elder Lei didn't stop at that and continued.

"You dare claim that you would become the first person to ascend to the higher realm in order to reunite with Yu'er, but when it actually comes to doing the impossible, you show your irritation and frustration towards me? How laughable!"

When Yi Chen heard Elder Lei's last retort, he finally lost control of himself and, fuming with anger, roared towards him.

"Don't you dare belittle my goals, old man! Just what do you know about me and the efforts I put into reaching towards it on a daily basis?!"

"Efforts?" Elder Lei snorted dismissively and said, "Have you figured out how to form those fire rings yet? You didn't, right?"

'This…' Elder Lei's words cut deeper than Yi Chen could imagine, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

It was at that moment that Elder Lei stood up from his seat and walked towards Yi Chen.

As his rugged face became apparent under the moonlight, he said, "You're talented, Yi Chen, there's no doubt about it.

But to achieve the goals you have set for yourself, just your talent isn't enough

Always remember, the talent you possess isn't a privilege, it's a reminder to you that you must push yourself beyond your limitations…

…if not, then these very goals which you have and take pride in will become your greatest nightmare."

Elder Lei's hand gently patted Yi Chen's shoulder once before he walked inside the residence.

As for Yi Chen, he was standing at his spot with a series of emotions brewing in his heart.

The cocktail of emotions brewing within him consisted of Confusion, irritation, self-doubt and a huge dose of anger towards himself.

A part of him wanted to deny everything Elder Lei had just said, but the constant prickling sensation in his heart told him that his words were indeed true.

'I knew that I could do more all along…but still I never acted on it.' Yi Chen gritted his teeth in frustration.

Despite having such lofty goals, his attitude towards achieving them had turned casual because of his sudden improvements in cultivation.

Knowing that his thoughts were currently in a disarray and he wouldn't be able to sleep properly, he tightened his grip on his sword and the next moment started swinging it in the air.

It was only when more than half an hour had passed and the time was nearing four in the morning that Yi Chen returned to his room and fell on the mattress.

The next morning, when Yi Chen woke up, something about him had changed. Something one couldn't quite put a finger on and could only be felt.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.