Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

Li Yun listened carefully and nodded.

“Thank you for the reminder, Head. I will remain cautious.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head studied him for a moment. He understood that excessive protection would not shape a true powerhouse. Without trials and hardship, even the most gifted talent would wither. In the end, a genius’s path depended upon his own fate and resilience.

“Very well.”

Li Yun cupped his hands respectfully.

“If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”

“You may go.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head nodded. However, just as Li Yun turned to depart, the Head seemed to recall something.

“Li Yun.”

Li Yun paused and turned back.

“In half a year, the once in ten years Four Peaks Tournament will be held. It is an event of great importance to the sect. During this time, you must seize every opportunity to cultivate diligently and strengthen yourself. Do you understand?”

Li Yun’s expression grew curious.

“Heaven Mandate Peak Head, I have heard mention of the Four Peaks Tournament several times, but I do not know its details. What exactly is it?”

He had long carried this question in his mind. Now that the opportunity had presented itself, he wished to understand fully what awaited him in half a year.

“Every ten years, Martial Ascension Gate holds a martial competition among its Four Peaks: Heaven Mandate Peak, Earth Pillar Peak, Profound Mystery Peak, and Human Origin Peak. This grand event is known as the Four Peaks Tournament.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head spoke calmly, his voice steady as he explained.

“The Four Peaks Tournament carries tremendous significance. It determines the standing of each Peak within the sect and directly influences how many resources will be allocated by Grand Ascension Peak, the main peak of Martial Ascension Gate, for the next decade. The better a Peak performs, the higher its status and the more cultivation resources it will receive.”

Li Yun nodded thoughtfully.

“So that is the case.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head continued.

“Li Yun, I have high expectations for you. Over the next six months, you must cultivate with full dedication and strengthen yourself. When the Four Peaks Tournament arrives, strive to achieve an outstanding result and help Heaven Mandate Peak reclaim its former glory. Do not disappoint me.”

Li Yun frowned slightly.

“Head, the outcome of the Four Peaks Tournament is determined by the overall performance of a Peak’s disciples. Even if I perform well individually, would that truly change much?”

From what he understood, the tournament emphasized collective results. It did not revolve around a single disciple’s achievement. One person alone should not be able to overturn the balance.

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head smiled faintly.

“Li Yun, you are mistaken. There are moments when one person can indeed turn the tide.”

His eyes sharpened with intent.

“If you can claim first place in the Four Peaks Tournament, then regardless of how the other disciples of Heaven Mandate Peak perform, the position of the leading Peak will belong to Heaven Mandate Peak. This is an established rule of the Four Peaks Tournament.”

He paused, letting the weight of those words sink in.

“In other words, if you stand at the very top, you alone can reshape the fate of the entire Peak.”

“Win first place?”

Li Yun was momentarily stunned. A helpless smile touched his lips as he spoke with sincerity.

“Head, you may be placing too much faith in me. When the Four Peaks Tournament begins, Inner Sect disciples from all four Peaks will participate. Among them, there will surely be many formidable experts. I am only at the first level of the Xiantian Realm. How could I possibly contend for first place? There will be many old inner disciples who are all preparing for this and with only six months remaining, the gap between them and me feels immense.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head smiled calmly.

“I am fully aware that six months is a short span of time. If you were merely an ordinary genius, I would not dare to harbor such expectations. However, you possess Quasi Twelve Star Aptitude. Such talent has never appeared in the history of the Southern Martial Domain. If anyone can create a miracle, it is you.”

“A miracle?”

Li Yun shook his head slightly, his expression carrying both resignation and resolve.

“Very well. I will do my utmost.”

At that very moment, just as his words fell, a familiar notification suddenly surfaced within his vision.

—-

[Quest Level: C]

– Objective: [Win First Place in the Four Peaks Tournament.]

– Reward: [100 mid grade spirit stones, a clue to Sword Master’s Legacy]

—-

’A Sword Master’s Legacy?’

Li Yun’s eyes widened in surprise as the system notification appeared before him. Never before had the system offered a reward of such magnitude.

What did that imply?

It meant that the difficulty of the mission would be extraordinary, and the reward even more so.

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yun accepted the mission.

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head observed him quietly. He understood that even with Quasi Twelve Star Aptitude, gaining enough strength within six months to claim first place in the Four Peaks Tournament would not be easy.

In the end, everything would depend on Li Yun’s own resolve and fortune.

“Very well,” the Heaven Mandate Peak Head said. “If there is nothing else, return and cultivate diligently. Time is precious.”

Li Yun hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“Head, there is one more matter I wish to ask. I am not certain whether it is appropriate.”

“Speak freely,” the Heaven Mandate Peak Head replied.

Li Yun looked directly at him.

“I have heard that Heaven Mandate Peak once stood at the head of the Four Peaks. Why has it fallen to its current state?”

When he had first arrived at Martial Ascension Gate for the disciple recruitment, he had learned that Heaven Mandate Peak had once been unrivaled. At that time, even if Earth Pillar Peak, Profound Mystery Peak, and Human Origin Peak joined forces, they could barely contend with it.

Yet now Heaven Mandate Peak ranked last among the Four Peaks.

What had happened?

As a disciple of Heaven Mandate Peak, Li Yun felt he had the right to know.