Halftheeffort...?

Isteppedforwardandbowedrespectfully.

Hecalmlyexpined:

Fromthismomenton,youareofficiallythediscipleoftheDivineLord.”

Panting,Iasked,

So,Icalledforth“me.”

But...twoyearswithoutseeingmyfamily?That’lltakegettio.

Igaveaweaknodandcolpsedontheground.

Heallowedmeafulldaytorestandreplenishmyqi.

Heonlymuttered,“ain.”Butdespitehispint,hebeganclimbingwithfulleffort.

Thesteward’svoiceechoedagain:

Returningtothepcewhereitallbegan,IfoundtheAsuraDivineLordalreadywaiting.

“You’retooi

“Today,YoungMaster,youshallmeetyourmaster—theAsuraDivineLord.”

Breathless,Irecimedtrol.

Withanannoyedclickofthetongue,“I”spriraightupward.

ThispceistheAsuraRealm.

Sofar,I’veohalf-dead.

“Sinceyouarenowmydisciple,therearethingsImustcrify.

“YoumustetotheAsuraRealmonceperweek.

Sothat’swhyonlyanhourhadpassedierworld.

Bytheday—thoughtimewasstraheskyneverdarkened,evenwithoutasun,andtherewasnosenseofnightorday.

AmIsupposedtoclimbthat?

Islowedslightly,curiouswhetherthisso-calledinterferencecouldaffect“me.”

“Oh?”

Hetinued:

Inoddedandfollowedthepathhejured.

TwoyearshereequalsonedayintheYangRealm.”

Themountaiobesappingmystrength.

“I’mready.Let’sbeginthefinaltrial.”

“Master,thisdiscipleTianyasyou.”

Trainforoneday,thenyoumayleave.”

Thestewardsaid,

“Ieanytime?etheschedule?”

Thestepedhishaly.

Inodded.

Thegroundtrembled.Atmountainrosebeforeme.Injustafewbreaths,thesummitwashiddenbyclouds.

tions.You’vepassed.Restfornow.Thefinaltrialwillbegininhalfanhour.”

Idon’tknowhowlongI’dbeenclimbing,butexhaustionstartedsettingin.

Inunderfiveminutes,myqiwasnearlydrained—butthesummitwaswithinreach.

“Halfanhourremaining.Interferencewillnowbegin.”

Then,fromfarbelow,Iheardthestewardcallout:

“Bytheway...whatisaLife-BoundTeique?”

Timepassed.

Notimetowaste.Iimmediatelyleaptandbeganclimbing.

“gratutions,YoungMaster.Youhavepletedallthreeentrytrials.

ButIdidn’tdwellonit.Irested.Afteraboutanhour,Ifeltrecoveredenoughandstoodup.

“Youmustreachthesummitwithinhalfanhour.Succeed,arialisplete.”

Suddenly,themountaioshake.Atreetoppledtowardme.

“Tch.”

“Itmeansateiquethatisfatedtomatchyouperfectly.Trainingityieldsresultswithhalftheeffort.”