Chapter 18: Challenge

Jiang Lei lay on the ground, panting heavily, his entire body trembling under the immense pressure that pinned him down. Bai Zheng rushed over, his voice filled with concern and urgency, but he couldn't get any closer to the monument.

"Jiang Lei! Are you hurt? We should have stopped you!" Bai Zheng's worry was evident as he realized the severity of the situation.

Jiang Lei, still struggling for air, managed to speak through clenched teeth. "It's... my choice... I had to test... my limits."

In his previous life, Jiang Lei never accepted defeat, regardless of how dire the circumstances were. He won't change it in this life.

Jiang lei unleashed his fire burst technique, his entire body engulfed in flames. He forced himself to stand, his legs shaking with exhaustion.

"No matter who or what you are, you can't defeat me," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Bai Zheng's eyes held a mix of admiration and concern. "Your determination is admirable Jiang Lei, but you've seen the consequences. This monument's power is beyond comprehension."

Despite the pain surging through him, he said with determination, "I want to test my limits, to understand... the extent of its power."

Tears welled up in the eyes of the three little kids - Zhang Wei, Li Hua, and Xiao Mei - who watched Jiang Lei's current state with a sense of helplessness.

"Big Brother Jiang, please stop," Li Hua pleaded, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. We can stay here, live a peaceful life."

Zhang Wei added, "Yeah, Big Brother, we don't want to see you hurt."

Although in pain, Jiang Lei managed a small smile. He understood their worry, their fear for his safety. This feeling was new to him.

With gentle reassurance in his eyes, he said, "Don't you remember, my dear little devils? Your brother Jiang is invincible. This mere monument can't stop me."

His tried to reduce their tension with his words. He had become their pillar of strength, their protector, and he couldn't let them down now.

He knows very well that if he left today, the monster will come back, and kill everyone present here, even if he managed to inform the sect about this, it would be too late.

Jiang Lei got ready to face the challenge again, three kids exchanged glances. Their eyes filled with tears showed their strong support for him.

They understood he was determined and knew they couldn't stop him from following the path he chose.

With sadness, they watched him as he walked towards the barrier with his shivering legs.

Jiang Lei began to take slow steps forward, his entire body enveloped in flames.

"Crack"Crack"Crack"

Jiang Lei began to take slow, painful steps forward, his entire body enveloped in flames. With each step, a searing pain shot through him, but he pressed on. The pain he is enduring now is nothing compared to the near-death experience with the monster.

That pain was something, that was hundred times more painful than this. But still he survived so how he can admit defeat today.

Slowly, Jiang Lei moved forward, and time seemed to stand still. He couldn't feel or hear anything except his own heartbeat. It felt like he had walked through eternity, but his destination was still far.

The monument remained distant, about 30 steps away from Jiang Lei. His body was now covered in blood and flames, and his senses grew hazy.

Just as he was on the edge of losing his consciousness, a surge of energy flowed into him. It seemed that the energy is rushing in his body from every direction, revitalizing his weary form.

At this critical moment, his cultivation breakthrough, promoting him to the sixth level of the mortal realm.

Jiang Lei's body fell to the ground, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he fought to regain his composure.

As he lay there, Bai Zheng and the concerned villagers urged him to return. "Jiang Lei, please come back," Bai Zheng pleaded.

Jiang lei felt the energy surging through his body ,this energy is slowly healing his injuries, although It is not very fast ,if it will go on like this ,his injuries will be healed in a matter of time.

Jiang lei didn't waste his time anymore, he sat at the place he was and started using his energy to heal his injuries.

Slowly he felt his injuries being healed. Time started passing on like this.

"Two hours later!"

Jiang lei got up again, he turned to the villagers "You don't need to worry. I have already come this far, and if I were to turn back now, I'd regret it. Let me test my limits."

I can feel that something is guiding me ,as if it wants me to come close to the monument.

"If I feel that I can't do it, I will come back."

Jiang lei started walking towards the monument again, although his injuries are not healed completely, but he is still far better than the time when he was about to lose his consciousness.

The environment and pressure in this place is improving his cultivation, and he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. Cultivating here for an hour was more beneficial than practicing for a day outside.

Jiang Lei knew that there was a treasure in the sect that released similar pressure, and many cultivators went there to refine their skills and improve their cultivation.

However, it cost ten thousand Azure points to practice there for a day, which even the top talents in the outer sect couldn't afford.

Only inner sect disciples had access to that sacred place.

But now, Jiang Lei had the chance to experience something similar without spending a single penny, only a fool will leave such an opportunity.

Despite his injuries, he pushed forward. After another grueling session of healing and cultivation, Jiang Lei found himself just ten steps away from the monument.

However, the pain and exhaustion was now effecting his body. He couldn't bring himself to take those last ten steps just yet. Sitting down, he began to heal his injuries once more.

This time it took him five hours to heal his injury, but this wasn't the only benefit he got, even his Cultivation Realm also reached the Sixth Layer of Mortal Realm

Jiang lei looked at the monument with determined eyes, "Its just ten steps away from me, but I know that these ten steps are going to be way harder than my previous ninety steps.

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