The Hidden Archive was not what I expected.

Instead of dusty shelves and ancient scrolls, it was a vast chamber filled with floating jade slips, hundreds of them, each containing a cultivation technique. They orbited around a central pillar of light in patterns that suggested some kind of organizational system only visible to those who understood it.

Elder Liu, the Archive's keeper, was a wizened old woman with Core Formation cultivation and eyes that seemed to see through everything. "Lin Tian. Two technique selections. Choose wisely, you cannot change your mind once committed."

[HIDDEN ARCHIVE: ACCESSED]

[AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES: 347]

[YOUR SELECTION LIMIT: 2]

[PRESSURE: HIGH]

"How do I know which techniques suit me?" I asked.

"You don't. Not completely." Elder Liu gestured to the floating jade slips. "Reach out with your spiritual sense. The techniques that resonate with your cultivation path will respond. Trust your instincts."

[TECHNIQUE SELECTION: INTUITION-BASED]

[ALSO: CULTIVATION PATH COMPATIBILITY]

[INTERESTING SYSTEM]

I extended my spiritual sense, feeling the Qi signatures of hundreds of techniques. Most felt neutral, neither attractive nor repulsive. But a few called to me, resonating with something deep in my cultivation foundation.

A jade slip pulsed with silver light, Void Step, the spatial movement technique the system had recommended. I reached for it, and information flooded my mind. Not the full technique, just an impression: teleportation over short distances, impossible angles of attack, escape routes that defied physics.

[VOID STEP: CONFIRMED COMPATIBLE]

[RESONANCE: HIGH]

[GOOD CHOICE]

"First selection made," Elder Liu observed. "The Void Step. Excellent mobility technique, though difficult to master. Most disciples require years to achieve basic competency."

"How long did you take?" I asked.

"Six months." Her smile was slight. "But I was considered a genius. You, apparently, are something beyond that."

[REPUTATION: PRECEDING YOU]

[EXPECTATIONS: HIGH]

I continued searching for my second choice. The Diamond Body Sutra appeared, defensive tempering, exactly what the system recommended. But another technique caught my attention, pulling at me with unexpected force.

A jade slip wreathed in storm-gray Qi, Heaven's Judgment Palm.

[HEAVEN'S JUDGMENT PALM: DETECTING]

[ANALYZING...]

[OFFENSIVE TECHNIQUE, HIGH-STAGE POWER]

[RESONANCE: EXTREME]

[WARNING: EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MASTER]

[ALSO: NOT WHAT I RECOMMENDED]

'Why is it calling to me so strongly?'

[UNKNOWN]

[BUT YOUR INFINITE QI CONSTITUTION IS DEFINITELY REACTING TO IT]

[COMPATIBILITY: UNEXPECTEDLY PERFECT]

I reached for both jade slips, Diamond Body Sutra and Heaven's Judgment Palm, holding them simultaneously to compare the resonance.

Diamond Body felt solid, reliable, exactly what I needed for defense. Heaven's Judgment Palm felt... dangerous. Powerful. Like holding lightning.

"Interesting," Elder Liu said. "Heaven's Judgment Palm hasn't responded to anyone in fifty years. It requires extraordinary Qi reserves and control to even attempt."

"Is it better than Diamond Body Sutra?"

"Better? No. Different." She studied me. "Diamond Body is practical, proven, safe. Heaven's Judgment Palm is ambitious, powerful, risky. The choice reveals much about a cultivator's nature."

[DECISION: SIGNIFICANT]

[SAFE VS AMBITIOUS]

[DEFENSE VS OFFENSE]

[WHAT DO YOU PRIORITIZE?]

I thought about the Crimson Wastes. About how Chen Rou's overwhelming power had turned battles. About how my Tsunami Fang strike against Elder Shen had created the opening we needed.

Sometimes, the best defense was overwhelming offense.

"Void Step and Heaven's Judgment Palm," I decided.

Elder Liu raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious. Both techniques require years to master. Most disciples would choose at least one safer option."

"Most disciples don't have my motivation."

"True." She took the jade slips and performed a complicated hand seal. The techniques imprinted directly into my spiritual consciousness, not mastery, but the foundational knowledge needed to begin training.

[TECHNIQUES ACQUIRED:]

[VOID STEP - SPATIAL MOVEMENT]

[HEAVEN'S JUDGMENT PALM - ULTIMATE OFFENSE]

[MASTERY: 0% FOR BOTH]

[TRAINING TIME: SUBSTANTIAL]

[BUT YOUR CHEATING SYSTEM WILL HELP]

The knowledge settled into my mind like seeds waiting to sprout. I could feel the techniques' potential, understanding instinctively that both would synergize with my existing abilities.

"Report your progress to your supervising elder monthly," Elder Liu instructed. "Misuse of Hidden Archive techniques results in immediate revocation. Understood?"

"Yes, Elder."

"Then go. And Lin Tian?" Her expression softened marginally. "Your choice shows courage. Don't let it become recklessness."

The news of my technique selections spread within hours.

[SECT GOSSIP: ACTIVE]

[YOUR CHOICES: DEBATED]

[OPINIONS: MIXED]

"You chose Heaven's Judgment Palm?" Su Mei said that evening, her expression somewhere between impressed and concerned. "That technique is legendary. Also legendary for being nearly impossible to learn."

"I like challenges."

"Apparently." She shook her head. "Phoenix Faction is saying you're arrogant, choosing techniques above your capability just for prestige."

"Of course they are."

"Azure Dragon Alliance is impressed, they see it as ambition tempered by strategic mobility from Void Step." Su Mei grinned. "Blue Moon Association thinks you're crazy but supports you anyway because we're cool like that."

[FACTION REACTIONS: PREDICTABLE]

[POLITICS: ONGOING]

That night, I began training Void Step in my cultivation chamber. The technique was conceptually simple, fold space, step through, emerge elsewhere, but execution was nightmarishly complex.

[VOID STEP TRAINING: INITIATED]

[DIFFICULTY: EXTREME]

[CURRENT SUCCESS RATE: 0%]

[YOU KEEP FALLING ON YOUR FACE]

[IT'S KIND OF FUNNY]

My first attempt sent me two inches forward instead of two feet. The second attempt made me dizzy. The third attempt actually worked, I vanished and reappeared three feet away, before immediately vomiting from spatial disorientation.

[VOID STEP SUCCESS: TECHNICALLY]

[ALSO: GROSS]

[SPATIAL MOVEMENT REQUIRES ADJUSTMENT]

[YOUR INNER EAR HATES THIS]

"This is going to take forever," I groaned.

[ESTIMATED MASTERY TIME: 6 MONTHS FOR BASIC COMPETENCY]

[3 MONTHS WITH MY HELP]

[1 MONTH IF YOU TRAIN OBSESSIVELY]

[YOUR CHOICE]

The next morning brought an unwanted complication.

A formal challenge, delivered by messenger, sealed with Phoenix Faction's insignia.

[CHALLENGE RECEIVED]

[FROM: ZHOU LING, PHOENIX FACTION LEADER]

[TO: LIN TIAN]

[NATURE: FORMAL DUEL]

[OH BOY]

The challenge was worded formally but the intent was clear: Zhou Ling wanted to put the "upstart" in his place publicly.

"She's Stage 8," Yun Xia pointed out when I showed her. "You're Stage 7. It's a two-stage disadvantage."

"I've fought higher stages before."

"In life-or-death situations with full team support. This is a formal duel, one-on-one, sect rules, limited techniques." She looked worried. "Lin Tian, you can decline. There's no shame in refusing a challenge from a higher stage."

[DECLINING: SAFE]

[ACCEPTING: RISKY BUT REPUTATION-BUILDING]

[YOUR CHOICE MATTERS]

"If I decline, Phoenix Faction will use it as proof I'm all reputation and no substance," I said. "Plus, Zhou Ling will just escalate, next time it'll be two-stage advantage with worse terms."

"So you're accepting."

"I'm accepting."

Yun Xia sighed. "Then I'm helping you prepare. We have three days before the duel. That's enough time to at least make it competitive."

[GIRLFRIEND SUPPORT: MAXIMUM]

[TRAINING MONTAGE: INITIATED]

[THREE DAYS TO GET READY]

The three days were brutal.

Morning: Void Step training until I could manage five consecutive jumps without vomiting.

[VOID STEP PROFICIENCY: 0% → 8%]

[SPATIAL NAVIGATION: IMPROVING]

[VOMIT INCIDENTS: DECLINING]

Afternoon: Combat drills with Yun Xia, Han Feng, and any Team 7 member who had time. They pushed me hard, exploiting every weakness, forcing me to adapt.

[COMBAT REFINEMENT: ACTIVE]

[WEAKNESSES: BEING ADDRESSED]

[TEAM SUPPORT: INVALUABLE]

Evening: Heaven's Judgment Palm practice. The technique was insanely complex, requiring precise Qi control, perfect timing, and massive power reserves. I could barely execute the first form.

[HEAVEN'S JUDGMENT PALM: 0% → 3%]

[FIRST FORM: BARELY FUNCTIONAL]

[THIS TECHNIQUE IS HARD]

[LIKE, REALLY HARD]

"You won't master it in three days," Chen Rou observed during one practice session. "You shouldn't even try. Focus on your existing techniques, Infinite Tide Scripture and Serpent's Flow. Those you actually know."

"Heaven's Judgment Palm resonated with me," I insisted. "There's something there."

"Resonance doesn't equal mastery." But she didn't push further. "Your choice. Just don't die stupidly because of pride."

[CHEN ROU: PRAGMATIC AS ALWAYS]

Night: Cultivation and recovery, letting ACS optimize my advancement while I processed the day's training.

[AUTO-CULTIVATION: ACTIVE]

[STAGE 7 CONSOLIDATION: 67% → 89%]

[FOUNDATION: STRENGTHENING]

[PROGRESS TO STAGE 8: 6%]

By the third evening, I'd improved marginally but nowhere near enough to guarantee victory against a Stage 8.

"Tomorrow's the duel," Yun Xia said, sitting beside me in the cultivation chamber. "How do you feel?"

"Terrified. Determined. Stupid for accepting."

She laughed. "At least you're honest." She took my hand. "Lin Tian, win or lose, you've already proven yourself. Don't risk permanent injury trying to defend pride."

"It's not about pride anymore," I said. "Phoenix Faction represents everything wrong with sect politics, bullying, elitism, using power to suppress others. Someone needs to push back."

"So you're the noble hero now?"

"More like stubborn idiot with a point to prove."

[SELF-AWARENESS: REFRESHING]

[MOTIVATION: CLEAR]

[ODDS: STILL NOT GREAT]

[TOMORROW: MAKE OR BREAK]

She kissed me softly. "Then go prove your point. But come back intact."

"I'll try my best."

[ROMANTIC MOMENT]

[BEFORE POTENTIAL DISASTER]

[CLASSIC CULTIVATION WORLD TIMING]

The next morning, I stood outside the formal dueling arena. Inside, hundreds of disciples waited to watch Zhou Ling, Phoenix Faction leader, humiliate the upstart who'd dared choose Blue Moon Association over her offer.

Stage 8 versus Stage 7.

Two-stage disadvantage.

Limited techniques and sect rules.

Public humiliation if I lost.

[BOSS, READY?]

'As ready as I'll ever be.'

[THEN LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT "UPSTART" REALLY MEANS]

[TIME TO FIGHT]

I walked into the arena.

---

[TECHNIQUE ACQUISITION: SUCCESS]

[TRAINING: COMPRESSED BUT EFFECTIVE]

[UPCOMING DUEL: HIGH STAKES]

[ZHOU LING VS LIN TIAN]

[STAGE 8 VS STAGE 7]

[NEXT CHAPTER: THE DUEL]

[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 64%]

[VICTORY PROBABILITY: 41%]

[GOOD LUCK, BOSS]

[YOU'LL NEED IT]

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