Bytheday—thoughtimewasstraheskyneverdarkened,evenwithoutasun,andtherewasnosenseofnightorday.

Hecalmlyexpined:

“Itmeansateiquethatisfatedtomatchyouperfectly.Trainingityieldsresultswithhalftheeffort.”

So,Icalledforth“me.”

Heallowedmeafulldaytorestandreplenishmyqi.

Inodded.

Timepassed.

Heonlymuttered,“ain.”Butdespitehispint,hebeganclimbingwithfulleffort.

Isteppedforwardandbowedrespectfully.

Islowedslightly,curiouswhetherthisso-calledinterferencecouldaffect“me.”

Trainforoneday,thenyoumayleave.”

ThispceistheAsuraRealm.

Thegroundtrembled.Atmountainrosebeforeme.Injustafewbreaths,thesummitwashiddenbyclouds.

Halftheeffort...?

Inoddedandfollowedthepathhejured.

Breathless,Irecimedtrol.

Thestewardsaid,

Sothat’swhyonlyanhourhadpassedierworld.

“gratutions,YoungMaster.Youhavepletedallthreeentrytrials.

Suddenly,themountaioshake.Atreetoppledtowardme.

Hetinued:

Sofar,I’veohalf-dead.

“Ieanytime?etheschedule?”

“Today,YoungMaster,youshallmeetyourmaster—theAsuraDivineLord.”

Fromthismomenton,youareofficiallythediscipleoftheDivineLord.”

“Tch.”

“Master,thisdiscipleTianyasyou.”

ButIdidn’tdwellonit.Irested.Afteraboutanhour,Ifeltrecoveredenoughandstoodup.

“Youmustreachthesummitwithinhalfanhour.Succeed,arialisplete.”

Returningtothepcewhereitallbegan,IfoundtheAsuraDivineLordalreadywaiting.

“YoumustetotheAsuraRealmonceperweek.

“Oh?”

Idon’tknowhowlongI’dbeenclimbing,butexhaustionstartedsettingin.

Igaveaweaknodandcolpsedontheground.

Notimetowaste.Iimmediatelyleaptandbeganclimbing.

Then,fromfarbelow,Iheardthestewardcallout:

Themountaiobesappingmystrength.

Inunderfiveminutes,myqiwasnearlydrained—butthesummitwaswithinreach.

TwoyearshereequalsonedayintheYangRealm.”

AmIsupposedtoclimbthat?

“Bytheway...whatisaLife-BoundTeique?”

Thestepedhishaly.

Withanannoyedclickofthetongue,“I”spriraightupward.

“You’retooi

“Halfanhourremaining.Interferencewillnowbegin.”

But...twoyearswithoutseeingmyfamily?That’lltakegettio.

“Sinceyouarenowmydisciple,therearethingsImustcrify.

Panting,Iasked,

Thesteward’svoiceechoedagain:

“I’mready.Let’sbeginthefinaltrial.”

tions.You’vepassed.Restfornow.Thefinaltrialwillbegininhalfanhour.”