The vast martial hall of Zi Xuan Academy echoed with silence as Master Ruo Lin's voice struck like a blade.
> "Ten minutes. If you survive, you stay. If you fail…"
His eyes glinted dangerously, "You go back to where you came from."
The atmosphere turned thick with tension. Dozens of academy students stood in the balconies above, eager to witness how these newcomers would fare under Ruo Lin's infamous test.
Zhang Xin stood at the center, his eyes calm but burning with resolve. Behind him, his team tightened formation:
Lian Hua with her gleaming Petal Sword, petals swirling around her like dancing blades.
Xiaobo, fire flickering at his fists.
Yuxin, silent, her breath cooling the air around her.
Mei Lan, water beads floating like pearls around her fingers.
Wei Luo, calm and sturdy, his palms glowing with earthen energy.
Chen Bo, sharp-eyed, his lightning-forged sword humming.
> "We don't need to win," Zhang Xin whispered, "just survive."
The gong rang.
First Minute: Sudden Storm
Master Ruo Lin vanished.
In a blink, he appeared behind Chen Bo, striking with a palm surrounded by wind. Chen Bo blocked with his sword, electricity cracking on impact. The shockwave sent him skidding back—but he held his ground.
> "Interesting," Ruo Lin murmured. "You're faster than you look."
Yuxin responded, slamming her palm into the ground. Spears of ice erupted, forcing Ruo Lin to dodge mid-air. Lian Hua seized the chance and slashed with her Petal Sword, sending dozens of razor-sharp petals toward him.
They burst in midair—dispersed by an unseen aura.
---
Third Minute: Flames and Ice
Xiaobo roared, his fists engulfed in crimson fire. He hurled a volley of Blazing Tiger Fists that exploded like mini fireballs. The temperature rose rapidly—but Ruo Lin raised a single palm, absorbing the heat with a swirl of Qi.
He countered by stomping the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the stone floor.
Wei Luo stepped forward, slamming his own palm into the earth. A wall of hardened stone rose, absorbing the impact.
> "Together!" Mei Lan shouted.
She waved her hands, summoning a wave of healing water that passed over her team, rejuvenating bruises, calming energy.
---
Fifth Minute: Binding Storm
Ruo Lin increased the pressure. The aura around him thickened, forming spiritual tendrils that lashed out like whips.
Yuxin spun gracefully, freezing them midair with a Frost Lotus Bloom, and Chen Bo followed with a lightning-fast slash.
> "You're coordinated," Ruo Lin said, smirking. "But coordination is not enough."
He vanished again, this time appearing above. He began descending like a meteor, ready to crush them with raw spiritual force.
Zhang Xin stepped forward.
His eyes flashed golden.
He raised both palms, summoning a radiant barrier of Light, forming a dome around his team. The aura of purity and resilience clashed with Ruo Lin's energy—and held, just barely.
A mark on Zhang Xin's wrist shimmered.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the Golden Dragon shifted slightly in its sleep, its scales gleaming.
> "You're not ready… but you are learning," the dragon whispered faintly.
Seventh Minute: Their True Potential
Master Ruo Lin descended again, this time targeting Wei Luo and Xiaobo with crushing force.
Wei Luo countered with his Mountain Pulse Technique, fists pounding the ground, sending pillars of earth upward to block.
Xiaobo spun through the air, flames swirling, launching a Phoenix Spiral Kick that collided mid-air with Ruo Lin's strike.
Lian Hua called out, activating her Petal Storm Dance, surrounding the field in shimmering blades. Each petal responded to her thoughts, attacking with precision. The arena became a deadly garden of wind and steel.
Chen Bo, steady and swift, used his Thunder Step to appear behind Ruo Lin, delivering a flash strike that caused sparks to fly. The master blocked it—but stumbled, just slightly.
The audience gasped.
> "He's… bleeding?" someone whispered.
Just a scratch—but it meant something.
---
Tenth Minute: Judgment
The final seconds approached. Ruo Lin unleashed his true aura, and the pressure nearly brought them to their knees.
Zhang Xin stepped forward once more.
His Light surged, blindingly radiant. He focused it into a single sphere in his palm—"Sunburst Pulse."
He launched it, and it collided with Ruo Lin's aura wave.
A burst of light exploded across the hall, forcing everyone to cover their eyes.
When the light faded—Zhang Xin stood tall, panting.
Ruo Lin was standing as well… but smiling.
Aftermath
> "Ten minutes passed," he said, crossing his arms. "Barely. But you surprised me."
He looked directly at Zhang Xin.
> "You… you carry something ancient. I can feel it. Light and… dragon."
Zhang Xin didn't reply—but deep inside, the Golden Dragon stirred once more before going silent.
> "Very well," Ruo Lin continued. "You are worthy—for now. Your training begins tomorrow. Prepare yourselves. Zi Xuan does not forgive weakness."
He turned and walked away.
Zhang Xin's team collapsed in exhaustion—but smiles spread across their faces.
They had passed.
But this was only the beginning.
After barely surviving the brutal trial from Master Ruo Lin, Zhang Xin's team earned their place in Zi Xuan Academy. But their real journey had just begun…
Later That Evening – Dormitory Quarters
A young disciple with an awkward haircut and a constantly sniffing nose led the team through a stone pathway winding into the inner part of the academy.
> "These are your quarters. Males to the left, females to the right," the disciple said flatly, then paused and scratched his head. "Don't get lost. If you do, the ghost in the east wing loves lost souls."
> "Wait... ghost?" Xiaobo blinked.
> "He's joking… right?" Yuxin whispered.
> "Looks like he hasn't blinked in a whole minute. That's not a good sign," Chen Bo replied, clutching his sword closer.
The disciple smirked mysteriously, then turned and walked away without another word.
The team entered their dorms — two spacious chambers with stone walls, bamboo mats, and soft lamps glowing with Qi light. They were simple, but peaceful. A quiet breeze passed through the open windows.
Xiaobo flopped onto a mat with a groan.
> "I thought I was going to cough up my lungs fighting that monster."
Mei Lan sat cross-legged and began applying healing mist to everyone with her water energy.
> "At least you didn't almost get sliced in the back. That wind blade nearly shaved my hair off!"
> "It would be an improvement," Wei luo said deadpan.
> "Say that again, sword boy. I'll turn your head into a barbecue."
> "Only if it's a lightning-grilled special," Wei luo smirked.
They all laughed. Even Lian Hua allowed herself a quiet chuckle, polishing her Petal Sword.
> "We worked well together," Zhang Xin said, leaning against the window, arms crossed. "But we're far from strong enough."
Chen Bo, the quietest, nodded. "The Master was holding back. His intent wasn't to crush us. Just... weigh our spirits."
> "Mine weighed like a brick," Xiaobo muttered. "That slap to my chest still echoes in my soul."
Knock, Knock
A loud knock interrupted their conversation.
A tall man in grey robes stood at the door, expression unreadable.
> "A message," he announced. "A team from Zi Xuan Academy has issued a challenge. You are to appear at the Ascension Hall tomorrow morning."
He handed over a scroll with a wax seal before disappearing into the night.
The group stared at each other.
Yuxin opened the scroll and read aloud:
> "Team Silver Fang challenges the new Outer Disciples for a trial duel at Ascension Hall."
Wei luo raised an eyebrow. "Silver Fang? Sounds like a wolf-themed boy band."
> "Ascension Hall… that's not just some sparring platform," Zhang Xin murmured, serious now. "It's where official rankings begin. Where teams either rise… or fall."
Lian Hua stood up, her gaze sharp. "And if they've challenged us already, it means they've been watching. They saw our fight. They want to crush us while we're tired."
> "Or test us. Or humiliate us," Mei Lan added thoughtfully.
Xiaobo clenched his fists. "I say we accept. I still got flames to burn."
> "No," Zhang Xin said calmly. "We accept, but not recklessly. We need to meditate, restore our energy, and prepare our counter-strategies. This won't be a street brawl—it's tactical. And we have to protect each other."
The team grew silent. The weight of the challenge pressed on them.
Then, Mei Lan whispered, "What if they also have funny hairstyles? Maybe we'll win just by blinding them with Xiaobo's sweat."
> "I've been sweating for survival, thank you!" Xiaobo protested.
> "Then don't sweat tomorrow. We don't need a waterfall slipping the enemy," Wei luo replied dryly.
They all laughed again—but this time, it was nervous laughter.
Tomorrow wasn't just another fight.
It was the first step into the deeper, more dangerous heart of Zi Xuan Academy.
And perhaps… into the secrets that were watching them from the shadows.