The days blurred together as Li Feng and Yan Wei pressed on, the jungle thinning into rocky terrain. The air grew colder, each breath carrying the faint tang of qi.

"We're getting closer," Yan Wei said, pausing to study the horizon. "The Nexus draws from the Dao itself. The energy here is more concentrated—but it's also more volatile."

Li Feng nodded, his grip on his staff tightening. He could feel it too—a steady hum beneath the surface of his thoughts, like a distant heartbeat. The mark on his palm pulsed in rhythm with the energy, its glow growing brighter as they climbed higher.

Yan Wei pushed him harder than ever. They spent hours sparring, her strikes relentless as she forced him to refine his techniques.

"Your movements are getting sharper," she said after disarming him for the third time in an hour. "But you're still relying on brute force. The Nexus will test more than your strength—it'll test your ability to adapt."

When they weren't training, they scoured the terrain for spirit beasts and natural treasures. Yan Wei showed him how to craft qi-enhancing pills, using the cores of defeated beasts and rare herbs found along the way.

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"These pills will give you a temporary boost," she said, handing him a small pouch. "But they come at a cost. Don't use them unless you have no other choice."

Li Feng studied the pills, their faint glow a testament to the energy they contained. "Will it be enough?"

Yan Wei hesitated before answering. "Nothing can fully prepare you for the Nexus. But every edge helps."

On the third day, they encountered a formation carved into the mountainside—a maze of glowing runes that pulsed with energy. As they approached, the runes flared, and a wave of pressure knocked Li Feng to his knees.

"This is a fragment of the Nexus," Yan Wei said, her voice filled with awe. "It's designed to test your resilience against qi pressure. If you can't handle this, the Nexus will destroy you."

Li Feng gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. The pressure was suffocating, but he focused on his breathing, channeling qi to steady himself. Slowly, the weight lifted, and the runes dimmed.

"Not bad," Yan Wei said, her tone grudgingly approving. "But don't get cocky. This was just a taste."

As they set up camp that evening, Li Feng stared at the horizon, the faint glow of the Nexus visible in the distance. The weight of what lay ahead pressed down on him, but he felt a newfound resolve.

"I'm ready," he said, more to himself than to Yan Wei. "Whatever the Nexus throws at me, I'll face it."

Yan Wei smirked. "Good. Because once we get there, there's no turning back."