The forest trail was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds as the trio walked side by side. Zhang Wei spun his spear absentmindedly, while Mei Lan spoke animatedly about defensive formations, her hands moving in intricate patterns to demonstrate her points. Li Yun, walking just behind them, listened closely. He didn't fully understand everything she was saying, but the concept of formations intrigued him.

"Defensive formations aren't just about blocking attacks during a battle," Mei Lan explained enthusiastically. "They're used for protecting sect grounds, creating safe cultivation areas, and even trapping enemies. The Cloudveil Peak is known for its mastery of formations. When set up correctly, a single formation can turn the tide of a fight."

"That's true," Zhang Wei chimed in. "But setting up formations isn't as easy as just placing symbols. You need to understand how qi flows through the environment and how to guide it effectively. It takes years to truly master the art."

Li Yun nodded thoughtfully, though his mind was elsewhere. He knew formations were important, but right now, they weren't what he needed. His focus was on getting stronger and unlocking the potential he could feel surging within him—his bloodline was a mystery he was desperate to uncover.

The conversation shifted, and Zhang Wei began explaining the roles of the three peaks in the Heavenly Cloud Sect.

"Cloudveil Peak focuses on defense and formations," he said. "Mistshadow Peak specializes in stealth and precision, training assassins and scouts. Then there's Thundercrash Peak. They're the warriors, trained for the frontlines. Their techniques are the most aggressive."

Li Yun frowned slightly, none of the peaks quite fitting what he was looking for. He couldn't see himself dedicating his time to defense or sneaky tactics. Thundercrash Peak sounded appealing, but the thought of being sent to the frontlines unsettled him. He wasn't ready to risk his life so recklessly.

After a pause, Li Yun asked, "Has anyone in the sect's history ever refused to join one of the three peaks?"

Mei Lan blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Not that I know of," she said slowly. "The peaks have been part of the sect's structure for as long as anyone can remember. Everyone follows the system."

Zhang Wei nodded. "The peaks were created by the most outstanding inner disciples when the sect was founded. Each founder earned the sect leader's trust and was given a peak to develop their expertise and train future disciples. It's not something anyone can just decide to do."

Li Yun shrugged. "I was just curious." But his mind was racing. What if he didn't choose one peak? What if he could learn from all three? And if he mastered all their techniques, could he someday create his own peak?

When he voiced his idea, the reaction was immediate. Mei Lan and Zhang Wei both stopped walking and stared at him as though he had just claimed he could split the heavens.

"That's impossible!" Mei Lan exclaimed. "No one has ever done that. The peaks are separate for a reason. Trying to learn from all three would spread you too thin."

But Zhang Wei frowned, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It's true that no one's done it in ages," he admitted. "But it's not unheard of. The original founders of the peaks were extraordinary disciples who gained the sect leader's attention. If you could do the same, maybe..."

Mei Lan shook her head but didn't argue further. "If you want to catch the sect leader's attention, you'll need to do something truly incredible during the entrance exam," she said. "That's the only way."

Li Yun's heart raced. He had found a goal. If there was even a chance to forge his own path in the sect, he had to take it. The system's familiar chime echoed in his mind:

"New Quest: Within the next two days, grow as strong as possible before the entrance exam. Gain the sect leader's interest. Reward: Your own sect peak."

Li Yun's lips curled into a wide grin. The idea of having his own peak was more than he had ever dreamed of. Without hesitation, he dropped into a meditative pose by the side of the path, startling Mei Lan and Zhang Wei.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Wei asked, glancing around as if expecting danger.

"I'm cultivating," Li Yun said simply. "I have to grow stronger—fast."

Mei Lan and Zhang Wei exchanged glances before sitting down beside him. "All right," Mei Lan said. "If you're serious about this, we'll help. But remember—don't overdo it. Absorbing too much qi at once can damage your dantian."

"And keep your breathing steady," Zhang Wei added. "Focus on guiding the qi smoothly. Rushing it will only cause problems."

Li Yun nodded, taking their advice to heart. He closed his eyes and began the breathing technique again, drawing in the qi of nature. The energy flowed into his dantian at an incredible rate, but he stayed focused, determined to make the most of the time he had.

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The trio resumed their journey a short while later. The dense forest thinned as they walked, replaced by rolling meadows and scattered groves of trees. The atmosphere felt heavier as they neared their destination.

By now, Zhang Wei estimated they were only a day's travel from the Heavenly Cloud Sect. This news unsettled Li Yun. Despite all the qi he had absorbed, he felt unprepared.

"It feels like my body is overheating," Li Yun admitted. "My chest feels like it's going to explode."

Mei Lan's expression grew serious. "That means you're ready to break through," she said. "The heat you're feeling is your body reaching its limit as a mortal. You're on the verge of entering the Body Refinement realm."

"Body Refinement is the first cultivation realm," Zhang Wei explained. "It transforms your body into a martial body capable of channelling qi. It's the foundation for everything else."

Mei Lan continued, "Cultivation realms are divided into stages: early, middle, and late. After Body Refinement, there are realms like Qi Condensation, Foundation Building, and Core Formation. The highest realm a human has reached is the Innate Dao Realm, achieved by the Qingcheng Sect's leader after over 3,000 years of cultivation."

Li Yun listened carefully, but his thoughts focused on the immediate task—breaking through. When the group stopped to rest, Mei Lan and Zhang Wei helped him prepare.

"Sit down and focus," Mei Lan instructed. "We'll circulate our qi to protect you during the process. Just concentrate on guiding the qi through your meridians and reshaping your body."

Li Yun nodded and sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees. As he closed his eyes, he felt Mei Lan and Zhang Wei's qi forming a protective barrier around his dantian. He took a deep breath and began focusing on the energy within him.

The sky darkened, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Mei Lan's eyes widened. "A lightning tribulation," she whispered. "The heavens are testing him."

Before they could react, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking Li Yun directly. His body convulsed as searing pain shot through him, the energy tearing at his flesh and blood. His vision blurred, and he bit down hard to stifle a scream, tasting blood as it trickled from the corners of his mouth. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air.

A second bolt followed almost immediately, slamming into him with twice the force. This time, his body jerked violently, and blood sprayed from his nose and ears. The qi barrier flickered as Zhang Wei struggled to maintain it, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

"Li Yun, hold on!" Mei Lan shouted, her voice trembling but firm. She gritted her teeth and pushed more of her qi into the barrier, her fingers trembling from the strain.

Then came the third strike. The heavens roared as a massive bolt of lightning struck down, engulfing Li Yun in a blinding light. The protective barrier shattered, and Zhang Wei collapsed to the ground, unconscious from the effort. Mei Lan cried out as the force of the strike knocked her back, blood dripping from her lips.

Li Yun's body felt like it was being torn apart. His skin split in places, blood seeping from the wounds as the energy surged through his meridians. His muscles screamed in agony, his bones vibrating under the immense pressure. His clothes were scorched, hanging in tatters, and the ground beneath him cracked and smoked. Despite the chaos, he clenched his fists and focused, desperately guiding the energy to reshape his body.

"Li Yun, stay focused!" Mei Lan shouted hoarsely, dragging herself upright. Her hands trembled as she directed what little qi she had left toward him. "It's almost over! Don't lose control!"

The air around them crackled with energy as the final remnants of the lightning tribulation began to fade. Li Yun's body burned with pain, his breaths shallow and ragged. Every second felt like an eternity, but he refused to give in. Slowly, the storm began to subside. The dark clouds dissipated, and the air grew still, leaving an eerie calm in their wake.

Li Yun's body, battered and bloodied, shimmered faintly as the transformation completed. His skin, though scarred and raw in places renewed itself reverting back to his clear skin before yet if looked at even closer, looked tougher, his muscles denser. He took a shaky breath, his entire body trembling as he opened his eyes. The world around him felt different, clearer, as though he were seeing it for the first time. The faint hum of qi in the air was now a tangible presence.

"You did it," Mei Lan said weakly, collapsing to her knees with a tired smile. Her face was pale, and her clothes were torn, but relief filled her eyes. "Welcome to the Body Refinement realm."

Li Yun managed a faint smile, his voice raspy as he replied, "Thank you."

The trio sat in silence for several moments, their breathing heavy and laboured. Zhang Wei groaned softly as he stirred, rubbing his temples. Mei Lan glanced at him and gave a relieved laugh, though her exhaustion was clear.

"You scared us half to death, Li Yun," Zhang Wei muttered, sitting up with a wince. His eyes flicked toward the charred ground beneath Li Yun, then to the faint scars still visible on his skin. "I've seen people break through before, but I've never seen anything like that. Three strikes from the heavens? That's not normal."

Mei Lan nodded in agreement. "The heavens favour you, Li Yun, but they also seem to test you harshly. Breaking through like that... it's unheard of. You need to be careful going forward. Such power is a blessing, but it can also bring danger."

Li Yun's smile faded slightly as he absorbed their words. He could still feel the lingering ache in his body, but beneath it was a strange new strength—a connection to the world around him that he had never felt before. He flexed his fingers experimentally, feeling the faint hum of qi coursing through him.

"I'll be careful," he said quietly. "But I can't stop now. There's too much at stake."

Zhang Wei chuckled, though it lacked his usual mirth. "Spoken like a true cultivator. Just don't let that determination get you killed, all right?"

Mei Lan stood shakily, brushing dirt off her robes. "We should rest for a while before continuing. You've just undergone a major transformation, Li Yun. Pushing yourself too hard now would be foolish."

Li Yun nodded, though his mind was already racing with possibilities. The power he had felt during the breakthrough was just the beginning—he was sure of it. But Mei Lan was right; he needed to recover before taking the next step.

As they settled back onto the ground, Li Yun gazed up at the sky. The faint remnants of the storm clouds were dissipating, leaving behind a brilliant expanse of blue.

"Thank you," he repeated softly, this time more to himself than to the others.