The morning sun painted Lu City in golden light, casting long shadows across tiled roofs and bustling streets. Su Yang stood on the balcony of his rented courtyard house, watching cultivators pass by in groups—some excited, others nervous. Today was the day he would register for the Sect Exchange Trial, a prestigious event that only cultivators under the age of 16 could join.
Inside, Max napped under a tree, while the newborn green snake curled atop a small silk pillow Su Yang had bought at the market. She stirred slightly, letting out a soft chirp-like squeak before dozing off again.
Su Yang opened his system interface to review his current status before heading out.
---
[Name: Su Yang]
[Age: 14]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Cultivator]
[Cultivation: Bone Tempering Realm (High)]
[Special Body: Karma Fire Body]
[Elemental Affinity: Fire (Heavenly True Fire Art), Ice (Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body - Unawakened)]
[Alchemy : Yellow Level (Mid)]
[Known Pills: Skin Tempering Pill (Yellow Mid)]
---
"I'll need to keep improving if I want to stand out in the trials," Su Yang muttered.
Suddenly, a knock came at the courtyard door.
"Su Yang! You ready?" Jin Hao's voice rang out.
Su Yang opened the door and smiled. Jin Hao, dressed in fresh robes and looking far too energetic for the hour, grinned. "Let's go. I heard registration started early. It's first come, first serve."
"Alright," Su Yang nodded.
As they moved through the streets, conversations floated around them.
"Did you hear? The Sun Clan's youngest son is participating this year."
"Really? I thought he already broke into the Marrow Tempering!"
"No, he suppressed it just so he could dominate the others in this trial."
Su Yang's ears twitched at that.
"Who is this Sun Clan?" he asked Jin Hao.
"One of the four major families in Lu City. They're not a sect, but their influence runs deep. The Sun family specializes in wind and flame arts."
Su Yang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sounds like someone we should avoid."
Su Yang didn't respond. He wasn't arrogant. Power in this world was complex. Strength alone didn't guarantee survival.
They reached the Sect Pavilion, a tall building with carved phoenixes and dragons spiraling along its pillars. Dozens of young cultivators lined up outside while senior cultivators watched from a shaded platform above.
"Line's moving fast," Jin Hao observed.
They joined the queue. Su Yang kept his presence minimal, concealing his cultivation level. But a few heads still turned, mostly because of Max, who trotted beside him with an alert expression. He was too eye-catching.
Behind them, a group of rich-looking teens stepped out of a spirit beast-drawn carriage. Their robes were of fine silk, embroidered with golden phoenixes.
"That's the Sun Family's second young master—Sun Xiyan," someone whispered nearby.
Su Yang glanced sideways. A boy with sharp eyes and a mocking smile walked ahead without queueing. The disciples managing the line said nothing.
"He just cut the whole line," Jin Hao whispered. "Typical."
Su Yang said nothing, but he noticed Max stiffen, ears twitching.
From the corner of his eye, Su Yang saw Sun Xiyan walk past him—only to suddenly stop. His gaze landed on Max.
"A spirit beast?" Sun Xiyan said aloud. "You, boy. Where did you get this creature?"
Su Yang turned calmly. "He's mine."
Sun Xiyan's eyes narrowed. "Do you even know what you're holding? This isn't some house pet. It's a rare-grade spirit beast. Commoners like you shouldn't own something so precious."
Jin Hao stepped forward. "He's not a commoner—"
Su Yang raised a hand to stop him.
"I don't owe you any explanation," Su Yang said evenly.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. No one dared speak to Sun Xiyan like that.
Sun Xiyan's smile twisted into something cruel. "Do you know who I am?"
"I don't care," Su Yang replied.
The tension thickened. One of Sun Xiyan's guards stepped forward, clearly about to attack—but was stopped by a hand gesture.
"No," Sun Xiyan said, smirking. "Let's not create a scene before the trial."
Then, addressing the registration elder on the platform, he pointed at Su Yang. "Elder Zuo, is it permitted for trial participants to bring beasts into the arena?"
Elder Zuo, an old man with a thin beard, raised an eyebrow. "If the beast is bound and within age limits, yes. But spirit beasts cannot interfere in registration or pre-trial conflicts."
Sun Xiyan gave a cold smile. "Good. Let's see how long that thing survives once the trial starts."
He turned and walked off, his followers glaring at Su Yang.
Jin Hao exhaled. "He'll remember your face now. You've made a powerful enemy."
"I didn't start anything," Su Yang said. "He did."
"Still... That's Sun Xiyan. He's notorious for crippling people in duels."
Su Yang shrugged. "Then he should be careful."
They finally reached the table and registered under White Petal Sect—their temporary name for the sake of the trial, since they weren't part of any official sect yet.
"Done," Su Yang said as they stepped aside.
Jin Hao looked nervous. "You think he'll cause trouble again?"
"He will," Su Yang said calmly. "And I'll be ready."