Kira stood among the dead grass where she'd last encountered the elder.
The sun was already sinking toward the horizon, painting the sky in soft gold and violet.
She swallowed her fear, gathered her courage, and shouted:
"Elder Liora!"
Silence.
She waited a few minutes. Still, no one came.
"I know you can hear me!" she shouted again, bluffing—hoping she wasn't just screaming at empty air.
Still nothing.
"Alright…" she sighed, drawing her sword.
She infused it with Qi—lightning crackled, wind whispered—and swung it toward the trunk of the peach tree.
A deafening clang split the air. Her blade was violently knocked from her hand.
Hovering before her was a snow-white sword, floating effortlessly, radiating a murderous aura.
"You dare, little girl?" came a cold chuckle from above.
Kira immediately bowed her head. "Greetings, Elder."
Elder Liora descended slowly, her presence sharp and suffocating.
"Attacking my tree?" she asked, voice like ice. "You sure have a death wish."
"No, Elder. I knew you wouldn't let me kill it."
Liora laughed—a bone-chilling sound that echoed through the garden.
"I admire your courage, young one."
She eyed Kira carefully. "I see you've taken my advice and fixed your malnutrition."
"Yes. Many thanks for the pills, Elder."
She waved dismissively. "You wanted my attention. Now you have it."
Her fingers gently caressed the peach tree's leaves as if greeting an old friend.
"Elder…" Kira began, "you gave me an impossible task."
"Not impossible," Liora cut in smoothly.
"Fine… a very, very hard task."
Liora laughed again, this time with something warmer beneath it.
"From what I see, this task has pushed you beyond your limits. I've watched your progress with interest, and I must say… I'm impressed."
She tilted her head slightly. "Don't you think it's fascinating? What the will to survive can achieve?"
"I… I guess so, Elder."
"So then, if it's not death you're after, what is it you want from me?"
Kira straightened. "My Thunder Storm Tempering manual doesn't explain how to reach the final three stages."
Liora burst into a full, hearty laugh.
"You want to reach the twelfth stage?" she asked, amused. "You're willing to risk death for such an insignificant piece of information? Maybe you're not courageous—just stupid."
"If it's so insignificant," Kira replied calmly, "then you could tell me, couldn't you?"
Liora smiled. "Of course. But you see, most don't bother cultivating beyond the ninth stage. They jump straight into Qi Refining."
"Why?" Kira asked, confused.
"Because the benefits of three additional temperings are minimal and time-consuming. Utterly foolish, if you ask me."
"But you just said the gain is insignificant?"
"That's true," Liora said with a mysterious smirk.
Kira frowned, puzzled.
Liora stepped forward, her white robes flowing with the breeze. "Little Kira, how about another challenge?"
She leaned in slightly, eyes glinting.
"If you can tell me why it's foolish to skip them, I will help you. Truly help you. I'll elevate your chances of winning this tournament."
Kira's heart pounded. Pressure built in her chest.
Think, think… why?
Her eyes widened.
"Maybe… if most stop after the ninth stage because the gains seem small, then from a body refiner's point of view, it's logical. But in the long run—maybe it's not about immediate gains. Maybe those three stages are critical later. Like… when trying to break through to higher realms."
Liora snapped her fingers dramatically. "Correct."
A smile touched her lips.
Kira exhaled, feeling a mountain lift from her shoulders.
"Well… it's a very superficial answer," Liora admitted, "but I'll let it count."
She turned toward the tree again. "Indeed, the benefits from those final three stages are nearly nonexistent in the short term. But if one wishes to achieve the Golden Core Realm… the foundation must be flawless."
She glanced over her shoulder.
"Skipping the final temperings leaves a gap. An instability. Most people who do so never reach beyond Foundation Establishment."
"But couldn't they go back and refine those stages later?" Kira asked.
"They can try," Liora said. "But once a foundation is laid, it's not easily changed."
She turned fully now, a gleam in her eye.
"I am a woman of my word."
Before Kira could react, the ground vanished beneath her feet.
She was flying—swept into the sky by a sudden surge of Qi.
Clouds passed around her.
And in the distance…
The graceful silhouette of Falling Petal Peak rose to meet her.