Are you alright master?

Lin Mei hesitated briefly, trying to understand his intentions, but she moved towards him cautiously. Although she wasn't scared as much before, she knew she shouldn't anger him. As she took slow steps forward, Tian Jing chuckled inwardly. 'It's not that I really care, but I will help her. I've already broken the balance by decreasing the number of elders in the three great sects significantly, so breaking it a little more won't make any difference.' Also, he didn't care about protecting the balance. If it broke, a new balance would eventually form, with the same law prevailing: The strong rule over the weak.

When she stood just a step away, Tian Jing slowly moved his middle and index fingers to her forehead. She didn't move, knowing that if he wanted to do something, he could no matter what. As his fingers touched her skin, a profound white light spread out. Lin Mei's eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness. A few minutes later, Tian Jing withdrew his hand, and she fell to the ground.

Turning back to Qing Lian, who had been watching the scene with full focus, Tian Jing gestured for her to follow, and they headed toward the pavilion. 

Back at the pavilion, As they stepped in Qing Lian wanted to ask him about what he had done to Lin Mei, but seeing him move instantly to his room, she decided not to. While the door was closing behind him, Tian Jing casually said, "I just gave her a cultivation technique, a very good one." He then crossed his legs and continued his efforts to fuse his mother and father's techniques.

Qing Lian stood there for a moment, processing his words. Her master was always mysterious. And then she realized something, muttered to herself. "I know nothing about him" 

This thought lingered in her mind as she returned to her room. She obeyed him, admired him, trusted him, loved him, and wanted to know more about him. His past, his motivations...

A little over a month passed, and the preparations for the Grand Martial Tournament were halted. The three great sects set up meetings with the Xiao Sect to discuss the upcoming tournament and their plans. They also asked about the monster that had appeared, but the Xiao Sect Master claimed ignorance, insisting that the creature must have come for the treasure. The other sects did not grow suspicious; if the monster had been present when Xiao Wei was attacked, there was no way he would have been spared. Even if they had wanted to go to war, they couldn't afford it, having lost half of their elders and their Great Elders.

The four great sects set up a meeting with the great families and the Imperial Family. They wanted to discuss and agree on changing the conditions for the tournament. Meanwhile, in the pavilion, Tian Jing's eyes widened in shock as he muttered, "What's the meaning of this... You were wrong, Fath-... I can't fuse the Qi-gathering techniques; it's impossible, not without creating a technique for my Celestial Veins."

He had managed to fuse a small amount of body tempering techniques in one month, but he couldn't make any progress when he tried the Qi-gathering techniques. So, he was nearly sure the problem lay within his Celestial Veins. He must create a special technique for it. "But... I don't think I can. It's not possible, not without using it to its full potential, and there is no Celestial Qi in the lower and middle heavens..."

He had never used its core ability, consuming Celestial Qi. It was a real dilemma. Tian Jing pondered for a while, unsure if there was another way, but decided not to dwell on it for now. "It's only two months left... my cultivation level shouldn't be a problem, but it would be better if I breakthrough into the Spirit Lord realm," he thought to himself. He knew he was in the 1st heaven, so the strongest individual should be in the Emperor realm, which wouldn't be a problem for him. Despite the three major realm differences, he was... he was Tian Jing. But even so, he decided to cultivate to guarantee no problem.

As days passed, the tension in the grand meeting hall reached a peak. "What!?" A man in the center of the room, with an air of undeniable authority, shouted in disbelief. His presence commanded respect, and the regal bearing with which he carried himself left no doubt about his status. His long, dark hair flowed down his back, complementing his decorated robes adorned with intricate golden patterns that signified his imperial lineage.

"Your majesty, we wanted to try something new in this tournament, and also, it will not change the outcome," replied Xiao Zhen, the Sect Master of the Xiao Sect. The man who shouted was Emperor Liang Wen, who scratched his chin thoughtfully before speaking again, "Still, I think it's ridiculous. Lowering the restriction of the cultivation level to the Spirit Origin? And lowering the minimum age to twelve? And free participation? Have you lost your minds?" His initial calmness gave way to renewed anger towards the end of his statement.

Xiao Zhen immediately responded, "Like we said, we will cover everyone's entry fee. Don't worry. Also, as I said earlier, the outcome will not change. It will only take a bit more time."

 Liang Wen pondered again, still puzzled by their request. He turned his gaze to the Great Families. Though the Imperial Family was the strongest force, the Great Sects and Great Families followed closely. So he wanted to know if the three agreed or not. Seeing their nods, he spoke once more, "Fine... it's not that we lose anything, We will not change the tournament awards. But if you want to change the rules for participating again, don't think it would be this easy..." He delivered his final words, and the Great Sect Masters nodded, sighing in relief inwardly.

The meeting ended. 

A little over a week passed. Tian Jing opened his eyes, greeted by a familiar pain. 'Ugh.. I wanted to breakthrough to the 9th level of the Grandmaster Realm first.' He thought to himself. He stood up and walked to the door, each step worsening the pain in his lower area because it was now in anticipation.

Opening the door, he saw Qing Lian was cultivating. She immediately stopped and stood up, sensing her master's arrival. As she was about to kneel to pay respect, she noticed that Tian Jing's expression was a bit different from usual; he looked like he was in pain. Her heart ached for him. Just as she was about to ask what was wrong, she noticed the huge bulge in his robe. Surprised, she kneeled down and asked with a worried face, "Are you allright, Master?"

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