After receiving the system notification, Ren Wei stood in silence for a moment. A long breath escaped his lips. His cultivation had reached a stable stage—Foundation Establishment Realm Level 5. Rather than pushing further tonight, he made a rare decision.
"For once… I'll sleep like a human," he muttered with a small smile.
He walked to the washing chamber. Steam soon rose from the wooden tub as he rinsed off the weight of the past few days—the breakthroughs, the training, the pressure. After drying himself, he slipped into clean clothes and walked to his room. The bed felt foreign, but not unwelcome. For the first time in days, he lay down and allowed sleep to take him.
---
As dawn painted the sky in golden hues, Su Yao entered the cultivation room with soft steps, only to stop in confusion. The room was silent… empty. Her eyes widened slightly before she turned and rushed to the master's bedroom.
She knocked once, then entered. Ren Wei lay on his side, his long dark hair tousled against the pillow. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths.
"Master Ren Wei," she called softly.
His eyes opened slowly. A calm look, a rested mind. He sat up, nodded once, and rose to his feet.
"I'll take a shower," he said simply.
After cleansing himself, Ren Wei stepped into the courtyard where the table was already set. He sat down with graceful calm and looked toward Su Yao.
"Bring the breakfast," he said. "Today is a long day."
Su Yao bowed deeply and left.
Almost on cue, Han Suiren entered the villa with his usual confident gait. He stepped into the courtyard and took the seat across from Ren Wei with an approving smile.
"Good, you're up," Han Suiren said. "We'll be heading to Heaven's Ring Platform today. First, we'll observe a few cultivator battles… then you'll face the representative of the Four Great Families."
Ren Wei raised a brow. "Representative?"
"Li Junyu," Han Suiren replied. "From the branch family under the Li clan. Same realm as you—Foundation Establishment Level 5."
Ren Wei chuckled lightly. "Then he doesn't have a chance."
Han Suiren smirked. "Let's hope he underestimates you."
Just then, Su Yao returned with breakfast and poured tea for Han Suiren. Ren Wei began eating with calm, calculated bites while Han Suiren continued.
"Finish up. We leave as soon as you're done. I'll escort you personally to the Heaven's Ring Platform."
After his final bite, Ren Wei called out, "Mei Rou!"
Mei Rou arrived promptly. "Bring the battle robe and dress gifted by Sheng Lian."
She nodded and soon returned with the elegant robe, its embroidery laced with silver thread. She helped him dress. The cloth shimmered faintly under the morning light, resonating with his aura.
Ren Wei turned to Han Suiren. "I'm ready."
The two left the villa together, stepping into the first stage of Ren Wei's true debut as a cultivator.
---
The sun climbed higher in the sky, its golden light spilling over the towering cliffs that surrounded the Heaven's Ring Platform. Hovering above the central district, the floating terrace pulsed with quiet spiritual energy. Ancient formation runes lined the arena's boundaries, flickering faintly like watchful eyes from a long-forgotten era.
Ren Wei stepped out of the transport talisman's light alongside Han Suiren. Clad in the elegant battle robe gifted by Sheng Lian, embroidered with silver and obsidian flame patterns, he looked like a sharp blade hidden in silk. His gaze swept the horizon calmly, taking in the crowd of cultivators, nobles, and academy elders seated in the ascending rings of the arena.
"Looks like all the families came to spectate," Han Suiren said with a faint smile.
Whispers rippled through the gathering like wind over a still pond.
> "That's… Ren Wei? The failure?" "He's walking beside Han Suiren?" "No way—he was just in Qi Refinement a few weeks ago, wasn't he?"
The Director of the Academy rushed over, robes fluttering. "Honored Elder Han, welcome! And… Ren Wei," he added with a slightly forced smile, "the school is honored."
Han Suiren gave a brief nod. Ren Wei returned a simple bow.
They were led to reserved seats just beside the central platform—one of the highest honors in the sect-hosted tournament.
The preliminary duels were already underway.
One by one, cultivators clashed on the platform, their qi lighting up the air with brilliant streaks of sword light, elemental bursts, and illusionary projections. Ren Wei watched silently. He didn't cheer or frown. He merely observed—dissecting techniques, timing, and spiritual control. He wasn't here to be entertained. He was here to evaluate.
Han Suiren occasionally leaned in with a comment. "That one uses brute force without rhythm. His flame arts will collapse under pressure."
Another time, he said, "This girl from the Zhao clan—sharp instincts. Could reach Golden Core if not hindered by her sect politics."
Ren Wei nodded, storing away the information without speaking much.
Once, a sect disciple approached and bowed only to Han Suiren. "It's an honor to see you again, Elder Han."
Han Suiren simply raised a brow. "You walked past my junior without greeting him."
The disciple paled, turned stiffly to Ren Wei, and bowed hastily. "Forgive me, Senior Ren."
Ren Wei didn't even respond. His eyes remained on the platform.
Hours passed.
Then, the elder presiding over the matches floated into the center. His voice boomed through spiritual amplification:
> "The final match of today… will be a representative duel!"
> "Ren Wei, bearer of Han Suiren's recommendation, will face Li Junyu—the appointed successor of the Li Family."
The name Li Junyu sent another wave of murmurs through the stands.
> "That's the Li Clan's top seed…" "He's also at Foundation Establishment 5… and already defeated three disciples from Golden Leaf Sect."
A shadow walked onto the stage. Li Junyu. Dressed in gold-embroidered robes, saber slung lazily over one shoulder, he moved with the arrogance of one born at the top. His eyes landed on Ren Wei, then drifted dismissively to Han Suiren.
"You send this?" he smirked. "Han Suiren, this dog won't last one strike. Are you trying to amuse me?"
Ren Wei stepped forward, still silent, until he stood on the edge of the platform.
His voice was low, almost bored.
> "I only need one move to shut your mouth."
Gasps echoed across the arena.
Han Suiren smiled faintly from his seat.
The air shifted.
Ren Wei stepped onto the stage.
And the pressure began to rise.