Joshua stood at the edge of the abyss, the vast, swirling expanse of the crack stretching out before him like a canvas of endless possibility.

  The realization that he had become something more than human, something that transcended the very fabric of the world he knew, washed over him like a tidal wave of understanding.

  His soul had ascended to a plane beyond the mundane, granting him the power to travel between dimensions. It was a gift, a burden, and a mystery all wrapped into one.

  The revelation of his true nature was as stunning as the first time he had stepped into the crack.

  The world around him was not the same. It was as if the veil had been lifted from his eyes, revealing the intricate pattern of energy that made up reality. He felt his soul resonating with the very fabric of existence, and with it, the weight of his newfound responsibility.

  Joshua took a tentative step into the void, feeling the energy of the crack pulsing beneath him like a living thing. He knew that he had to master this power if he was to survive the trials ahead.

  The Li clan would not rest until they had claimed victory, and with his soul trapped in this liminal space, he had to ensure that the Tri Body Hall remained safe.

  With a deep breath, he focused his Qi and reached out to the fabric of the crack. The energy responded, swirling around him like a whirlwind of light and shadow. It was a heady, intoxicating feeling, one that made him feel as if he could bend reality to his will. He knew that he had to be careful, though. This power was unpredictable, and he had much to learn about controlling it.

  He concentrated on the image of his master, the stoic and wise Hu Bin, and willed himself to return to Di. The world around him blurred, and with a sudden lurch, he found himself standing in the quarters once more. The air was thick with the scent of incense and sweat, a stark contrast to the ethereal emptiness of the crack.

  Joshua took a moment to gather his thoughts before heading to the training hall where he knew he would find his master.

  The urgency to inform him of his newfound strength was like a fire burning in his chest. Upon seeing him, the young man fell to his knees, bowing his head in respect.

  "Master," he began, his voice resonating with the power that surged within him.

  "I have something of great importance to report."

  Hu Bin looked up from his scrolls, his eyes gentle and sad.

  "Speak, Joshua," he said, his tone measured.

  Hu Bin thought since coming out this early means he had failed to formed a core.

  Joshua took a deep breath, his heart racing with excitement and trepidation. "Master," he began, his voice steady despite the tumult of emotions within him, "I have reached a new level of cultivation. I have formed my core."

  Hu Bin's eyes snapped up, the scrolls forgotten in his hand.

  "You've condensed your core?" he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief.

  "That's... extraordinary, Joshua. The speed at which you've progressed is unheard of."

  Joshua nodded, his chest swelling with pride.

  "It was difficult, but with your guidance, I've managed to do it," he said, his eyes shining with excitement.

  But the joy in his voice was short-lived as he watched his master's expression change from amazement to one of deep concern.

  "Joshua," said Hu Bin, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I am truly proud of your achievement, but we must not let it cloud our judgment. The situation in empire has taken a dark turn."

  Joshua's eyes widened as he took in his master's serious demeanor.

  "What's wrong?"

  Hu Bin let out a slow breath.

  "The empire is in chaos," he began.

  "The emperor has passed away under... mysterious circumstances."

  His eyes searched Joshua's face, looking for any signs of understanding.

  "His four sons have erupted into a brutal war for the throne. The entire country is at each other's throats."

  The revelation hit Joshua like a blow. He had been so focused on his own cultivation that he had been oblivious to the unfolding events in the wider world. The implications of this new information were staggering.

  "What does this mean for us?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Hu Bin's expression grew grim.

  "The Li family clan is supporting the second prince," he said, his words heavy with meaning.

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  "They will not tolerate any opposition. They seek to eliminate all those who do not bend the knee to their chosen heir."

  Joshua's mind raced as he considered the implications of this news. If the Li clan had the emperor's second son in their backer, then their power had grown exponentially. The Tri Body Hall had always maintained a careful neutrality in the political machinations of the empire, but it was clear that the Li clan would not allow such a stance to continue.

  "Master," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at his gut, "what do we do now?"

  Hu Bin's gaze was unfaltering as he met Joshua's eyes.

  "We must stand firm," he said firmly.

  "The Tri Body Hall will not be a pawn in the Li clan's game of thrones. We will remain neutral, as we have always been, and we will protect our own."

  Joshua felt the weight of the words settle upon his shoulders. The fate of their hall rested on their ability to stay true to their principles, even in the face of overwhelming power. But the situation was precarious.

  If the Weng clan, known for their impartiality and influence, were to be threatened by the Li clan, the balance of power could shift dramatically.

  "Master," he asked, "What is the Weng clan's stance on this matter?"

  Hu Bin's expression grew even more severe.

  "The Weng clan has always maintained a position of neutrality in the affairs of the empire," he said, his eyes never leaving Joshua's.

  "But the Li clan's aggression may force their hand. They have made it clear that any who stand in the way of the second prince's ascension will be dealt with accordingly."

  The room grew quiet as the gravity of the situation sank in. The Weng clan, once a bastion of stability and balance, was now under threat. If the Li clan managed to sway or eliminate them, the entire city of Terra would be thrown into chaos.

  "Master, we must strengthen our alliances," Joshua said, his voice filled with determination.

  "We must stand with the Weng clan, show them that we are not alone in our resistance against the Li clan."

  Hu Bin nodded solemnly.

  "You are wise beyond your years, Joshua," he said.

  "The alliance between the Tri Body Hall and the Weng clan has always been one of mutual respect and friendship. But now, it may be tested like never before."

  The two of them sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the air. The sound of distant bells chimed, a reminder that the world outside continued to turn, oblivious to the storm brewing on the horizon.

  With a newfound urgency, Joshua rose to his feet.

  "Master," he said firmly, "I will not let the Li clan's greed destroy what we have built here. I will do everything in my power to protect the Tri Body Hall."

  Hu Bin's eyes gleamed with pride.

  "Go," he said, his voice strong.

  "I will announced your success in becoming a Master martial artist at Core level so that the other force don't look down on us and also to boasts moral of our disciples."

  After Joshua left room he thought of a way to keep the Li Clan busy and that is to kill patriarch of the clan, but with just A Core Level and Qi wrapping weapon skills are not enough.

  Killing doesn't perfectly solve the problem but since the Li clan had send bandits on him and target his Martial hall made him angry. He didn't want to be involved in this mess but since they want to sling mud at my way they should expect to be thrown rocks at them.

  He went back to Terra where he went to Gun Shop to buy a sniper rifle.

  Yes he will shoot down the patriarch from the distance if his martial skills or realm is not enough.

  Joshua made his way through the bustling streets of Terra, his thoughts racing with the gravity of his decision. The Li clan had declared war on him, and now he had to fight back. The sniper rifle was his best bet for now.

  Entering the gun shop, he was greeted by the owner, a burly man with a thick beard and a glint in his eye. The walls were lined with various weapons, each one gleaming with the promise of power. The smell of gunpowder and metal filled the air, a scent that was as intoxicating as it was deadly.

  "I need a sniper rifle," Joshua said, his voice low and urgent. The owner looked him over, sizing him up with a critical eye.

  "Ah, a young man with urgency," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

  "But such a weapon requires proper documentation. It will take at least a few weeks for the paperwork to go through."

  Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't have weeks. He had days, maybe hours before the Li clan made their next move. He knew he had to act fast, and the law wasn't going to be his ally in this.

  He took a deep breath, focusing his Qi. His eyes grew distant as he tapped into the power of his high-dimensional soul. The shop owner looked at him quizzically for a moment before his gaze glazed over.

  "You will sell me the best sniper rifle you have," Joshua said calmly, his voice carrying an unusual authority.

  "And you will forget our transaction ever happened."

  The shop owner nodded, his eyes glazed over as if he had just been pulled from a deep slumber.

  "Of course," he mumbled, already reaching for a key to unlock the display case.

  "Which one do you prefer?"

  Joshua scanned the array of deadly weapons before him, each one a silent testament to the destructive nature of human ingenuity. His eyes fell upon a sleek, black sniper rifle that seemed to call to him.

  "That one," he said, pointing to the gun. The shop owner nodded and handed it over, along with a box of ammo and instruction manuals.

  "It's a fine piece, Amban Sniper Rifle a powerful and accurate rifle with a bolt-action mechanism that results in a reliable but slow rate of fire." he mumbled, his voice still thick with the lingering effects of the hypnosis.

  Joshua checked the weapon, feeling the cold steel against his skin. It was a powerful tool, one that could change the tide of a battle with a single shot. But he knew that power came with responsibility. He couldn't just go around killing people without cause.

  With a firm resolve, he teleported back to Di, the crackling energy of the dimension swirling around him as he reappeared in his forge. He knew that if he was to use this weapon, he had to ensure it was as much a part of his arsenal as his swords and his fists. He had to imbue it with his own Qi, to make it an extension of his will.

  Setting the sniper rifle on the anvil, he began to channel the Qi from his core into the metal while hammering it. The room grew hotter as the energy surged through the weapon, reshaping it on a molecular level. The steel glowed a fiery red before it cooled, now infused with a subtle golden hue. He felt the power of the Qi resonating within the gun, pulsing in time with his own heartbeat.

  Next, he turned his attention to the bullets.

  He took a deep breath and focused his mind, drawing upon the vast well of knowledge that lay dormant in his soul. With each stroke of the hammer, he imbued the bullets with a complex Qi structure, each one a miniature masterpiece of deadly precision. The lead melted and reformed, taking on an almost crystalline appearance as the Qi saturated the metal.

  The process was grueling, but he didn't falter. Each bullet had to be perfect, each one capable of delivering the decisive blow from a distance that would prevent any retaliation.

  The sweat rolled down his forehead, stinging his eyes, but he ignored it, lost in his work.

  Finally, after hours of painstaking labor, the rifle and its ammo were complete.

  He picked up the weapon, feeling the power thrumming through it, and knew that with this tool in his hands, he could even the odds against the Li clan. After that he tested and trained with his level at his realm he was able to wield it expertly like a well trained soldier.

  But first, he had to know his enemy.