The sun was barely rising when the dojo gate creaked open.
Li Wei stood before it, backpack slung over his shoulder, wearing a new martial robe embroidered with subtle gold lines—gifted by Shen Ruo the night before.
"I still feel like a fraud wearing this," he muttered.
Yue Xiaolan adjusted her sword harness. "You've earned it."
Lana Qi secured her drone-laced shoulder bag and adjusted her goggles. "Damn right he has. You've been getting better. Still awkward, though."
Shen Ruo approached last, soft and serene in her crimson healer's robes, holding a small bamboo box.
"For the road," she said. "Herbal rice cakes. You'll need strength."
Li accepted it with both hands, bowing slightly. "Thanks, Ruo."
Mei Ling stood by the wall, arms folded. She wasn't coming—but her eyes held an unreadable glint.
"You better not die, loser," she said. "I still owe you a spar."
He smirked. "I'll survive just to collect it."
System Update: Travel Mode Activated
Journey to Heaven's Chosen Trials
Destination: Verdant Dragon Mountain
Distance: 93 km
Estimated Encounters: 5–12
Bonus Quest: Strengthen 1 Fate-Bound Relationship past 85/100 before tournament
Reward: Hidden Skill Awakening
Special Note: You are no longer anonymous. Expect rival sects, monster ambushes, and jealous cultivators.
Li sighed. "Of course. Jealous cultivators. What else is new?"
The Journey Begins
The group moved fast.
Yue took point, leading them through winding forest trails. Lana flew surveillance drones ahead. Shen Ruo ensured no one got poisoned by nature.
Li, meanwhile, tried to keep up and not trip over his own growing anxiety.
"I've never been more exhausted and less informed at the same time," he muttered, dodging a snake.
Lana smirked. "That's the journey to greatness, sugar puff."
"…Don't call me that."
They made their first camp by a crystal-clear river just before sunset.
A fire crackled gently. Drones hovered above, casting a soft field light. Yue silently sharpened her blade. Shen Ruo boiled herbs in a small pot. Lana fiddled with some glowing tech.
Li sat between them, unsure which way to turn his head without dying from social pressure.
System Notification:
Bond Opportunity: Choose a Fate-Bound girl to share your first campfire story.
Yue Xiaolan: Reserved, but curious (72/100)
Lana Qi: Energetic, fiercely loyal (69/100)
Shen Ruo: Soft-spoken, emotionally open (88/100)
He hesitated.
"…I'll walk with Ruo," he said quietly.
[Bond Event Triggered – Shen Ruo]
She followed silently, the firelight fading behind them as they stepped along the riverbank.
After a few minutes, she spoke. "You don't talk about your past."
He blinked. "Not much to talk about."
"You trained alone for years. Got humiliated over and over. And now… you're rising too fast. That leaves marks, Li Wei."
He sat on a flat rock near the river, gazing at the reflection of the moon.
"I didn't think anyone cared."
"I do," she said, kneeling beside him.
There was silence for a while, broken only by the rush of the stream.
She reached out and gently touched his wrist.
"I can feel your pulse when you're anxious," she said. "It's faster now."
Li looked down. Her fingers lingered.
"I'm scared," he admitted. "Of failing again. Of messing up in front of all of you. Of this power going away."
"It won't," she said. "Because it's not just power anymore. It's purpose."
Their eyes met.
Bond Strengthened: Shen Ruo – 91/100
Trait Unlocked: Shared Calm
Li regenerates stamina faster when near Shen Ruo
Emotional bond stabilizes system performance
She stood up and offered a hand.
"Come on. The others will get jealous."
Li grinned. "Especially Lana."
"…Definitely Lana."
Midway Ambush: Spirit Boar
The next morning, the path narrowed through dense bamboo.
That's when the bamboo snapped—violently.
A massive Spirit Boar, tusks glowing with blue flame, crashed through the underbrush, charging straight at them.
System Alert: Beast Encounter – Rank C+
Danger: Spirit Qi-infused
Weak Spot: Tusk base
Rage Level: 87%
Li barely had time to shout.
"SCATTER!"
Yue leapt into action, blade glowing with ice.
"Keep it from gaining momentum!" she ordered.
Lana activated her grappling boots, firing a bolt at a tree and swinging left.
Shen Ruo moved to high ground, preparing healing wards.
Li activated Focused Strike, then Adrenaline Overclock.
He dashed low, aiming for its underbelly.
It roared and slammed the ground.
Health -18%
He grit his teeth and struck.
Tiger Claw – Critical!
Weak Spot Hit!
Boar stunned!
Yue landed from above with a Moon Fang Slash, cutting deep into the beast's back.
Lana dropped a shock mine directly beneath its rear hooves.
BOOM!
The boar wailed and collapsed, sizzling.
DING! Victory: Spirit Boar Defeated
EXP Gained: +320
Loot: Spirit Boar Core x1, Tusk x2, Flame Essence Fragment
Team Bond Boost: Shared Combat – +4 All Fate-Bound
Lana Qi: "Hell yeah, you beautiful idiot!"
Yue Xiaolan: "You're moving more fluidly. Finally."
Shen Ruo: "You didn't even need me. I'm impressed."
Arrival at the Gate
By the fourth day, the mountain path turned to carved stone stairs—leading up to a pair of towering jade gates guarded by elite cultivators in silver robes.
WELCOME TO VERDANT DRAGON MOUNTAIN – SITE OF THE HEAVEN'S CHOSEN PRELIMINARIES
The guards stepped forward. "Name and affiliation."
Li Wei cleared his throat. "Li Wei. No affiliation. I walk my own path."
The guards scoffed.
"No sect? No recommendation letter?"
One sneered. "Another ego-fueled clown."
That's when Yue Xiaolan stepped forward.
"I recommend him."
The guards froze.
"The Glacial Wyrm Sect acknowledges Li Wei's candidacy."
Lana whistled. "Talk about pulling out the prestige card."
Shen Ruo added, "He saved all of us. That should be worth something."
The guards stepped aside.
"You may enter."
System Update: Trial Arc Unlocked
You Have Entered a New Zone: Heaven's Chosen Arena Grounds
Current Roster: 128 Participants
Average Power Level: 22
Your Level: 19
Hidden Perk: All Fate-Bound girls are considered your faction.
⚠ Warning: Rival Fate-Bearers Detected
Ending Scene: Rival Appears
As they crossed the stone bridge into the arena complex, a figure in blood-red robes appeared on the far end.
He held a long crimson spear.
His eyes glowed faintly violet.
"Li Wei," he said calmly, "I've been waiting."
Li tensed. "Do I know you?"
"No. But I know her."
He pointed… at Shen Ruo.
Her face went pale.
"…Brother?"