Morning light had just pierced the thin mist covering the mountain peaks. In the sect's main field, a crowd of students had gathered, their faces filled with excitement and anxiety. Today was the Grand Promotion Exam—a rare moment that offered a golden opportunity to advance to a higher level.
The clamor filled the air, yet the hopeful atmosphere grew stronger as the sect's senior members began arriving. They stood along the main stage, their eyes sharp, searching for outstanding talents they could personally mentor.
Soon, the crowd fell silent when the Sect Leader appeared. His steps were firm, and beside him walked a young girl with a beautiful face. She was Xuan Ying'er, the Sect Leader's niece, whose name had long been the talk among the students.
The moment she appeared, many eyes immediately focused on her. Whispers of admiration mixed with murmurs of jealousy began circulating.Yet Xuan Ying'er merely furrowed her thin brows. Instantly, a cold and sharp aura, like a blade, swept across the field. The noise vanished—every student froze in place, too afraid to speak.
Bai Tian, standing among the crowd, could only remain silent. He did not know what to say, even his breath felt heavy under the pressure of that aura.
The Sect Leader looked around, then his deep voice echoed across the field.
"Prepare yourselves. The Promotion Exam… is officially open."
Two middle-aged elders stepped forward. Their movements were firm, full of authority. With several intricate hand seals, the formation's light ignited in the air, forming a large circle in the center of the field. A mystical aura flowed from the ancient symbols slowly spinning above the ground.
One of the elders spoke loudly, his voice resonating across every corner of the field.
"Good morning, sect students. May luck accompany your steps. We also thank the senior members present for attending this important exam."He scanned the rows of students one by one before continuing,
"The rules this time are simple—similar to natural selection. You will compete directly to prove your abilities."
His expression became slightly serious.
"The exam will take place in three Secret Realms. The First Secret Realm is designated for the promotion to core disciples. Core disciples are also allowed to participate; however… if a core disciple is defeated by an inner disciple, they will be immediately demoted to an inner disciple."
A heavy voice from the second elder followed, its tone resonating in the air.
"The Second Secret Realm is used for outer disciple promotion exams. The Third Secret Realm is for servant or apprentice disciples. In each secret realm, we have distributed promotion tokens—ten tokens in the Third Secret Realm, five in the Second, and only one in the First Secret Realm."
He paused briefly, his eyes gleaming sharply."Tokens are the key to promotion. Whoever obtains them has the right to advance in rank. But… never forget, inside the Secret Realms, we are not responsible for your life or death. Severe injury… even death, is not impossible. So, protect your own life."
The field fell silent. But soon, whispers began to emerge among the students. Some retreated cautiously, choosing not to take risks. Some smiled slyly, already plotting how to seize tokens without fighting directly. While others' eyes burned with enthusiasm—hungry for opportunity and victory.
One by one, participants stepped through the formation gates, their bodies enveloped in a faint light before disappearing into the Secret Realms. The noise in the field gradually subsided, leaving an eerie silence.
In the main hall, only two figures remained. The Sect Leader sat comfortably in a high chair, enjoying a meal and warm tea while watching the large projection screen in front of him. Beside him, Xuan Ying'er sat upright, her cold eyes fixed on every movement of the participants on the projection.
After a moment, the Sect Leader glanced sideways, his voice soft yet meaningful.
"Ying'er… have you found them?"
Without looking away, the girl replied flatly, "Not yet."
Her tone was calm, yet it felt like a layer of ice that was difficult to penetrate. She refocused on the projection, as if the words had never been spoken.
The Sect Leader exhaled deeply, his gaze filled with concern.
"Why has she changed so much… where is the niece who was once always cheerful?" he murmured, more to himself than to Ying'er.
Time passed. After all participants entered the Secret Realms, Xuan Ying'er finally turned, her gaze calm yet her determination clear.
"I want to enter the Secret Realm… now."
The Sect Leader was silent for a moment. He knew there was no use arguing if she had already made her decision. With a thin smile that resembled resignation more than anything, he nodded slightly.
"Very well… do as you wish."
Xuan Ying'er rose from her seat. Her white gown swayed lightly with her graceful steps, radiating authority. Every movement emitted a cold aura that seemed to freeze the room.
The elders guarding the formation gate were stunned as they saw her approach. Some exchanged glances, uncertain whether to stop her or allow her passage.
"Elder Lan," Xuan Ying'er's voice was flat but firm, "please, open the gate."
One elder swallowed hard, then bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Young Lady."
The formation before them trembled, ancient symbols glowing silver. Ripples of energy spread like waves, gradually forming a glowing vortex that rotated calmly yet contained mysterious power.
Without hesitation, Xuan Ying'er stepped forward. As her foot crossed the vortex, light enveloped her completely. Moments later, her body disappeared from the hall, leaving the air vibrating with the remnants of her aura.
The elders could only sigh. One muttered softly,
"It seems… this Secret Realm will be far more turbulent."
When Xuan Ying'er opened her eyes, the silver light of the formation had vanished, as if swallowed by darkness. Ancient forest towers surrounded her, giant trees standing like pillars of the world, thick trunks covered in dark green moss. Thin mist crept along the ground, obscuring visibility.The cold air pierced her skin, carrying the scent of damp earth mixed with faint rare herbs. The roar of wild beasts echoed from afar, enough to freeze ordinary students with fear. Yet Xuan Ying'er stood calmly, her eyes cold and calculating.
Her cultivation was suppressed to the early stage of the Spiritual Sea Realm, yet her steps remained silent and steady. She moved eastward, her voice low but sharp,
"I will find you… and tear you apart, little thief."
Crack!
The sound of a breaking branch split the silence. Xuan Ying'er stopped, her pupils narrowing. A sharp aura radiated from her body, making the surrounding air feel like thousands of needles piercing the skin.
Two figures leapt out from the bushes. Outer sect disciples, wielding long swords. Their gaze was fixed on the veiled figure—a faintly visible beautiful face, a slender body that looked fragile in their eyes.
The first, with a lecherous smile on his lips, whispered,
"If we can sleep with her… it'll be a story for life."
The other stepped forward, trying to sound friendly but filled with malicious intent,
"Sweet lady, why don't we walk together? Otherwise… we'll have to take you in a special way."
Xuan Ying'er exhaled softly, like a lioness bored of mice challenging her.
"You… are too noisy."
She sheathed her sword and moved.In an instant, her body vanished from sight.
The battle begins
Bugh! Xuan Ying'er's right fist struck the first youth's solar plexus. His eyes widened, breath immediately choked. He was lifted from the ground, his body bent like a boiled shrimp before falling. His mouth spewed thick blood mixed with remnants of food. His expression was a mix of shock and unbearable pain.
The second youth swung his sword reflexively. Xuan Ying'er tilted her head slightly, letting the blade miss by a few inches from her cheek. In a nearly invisible movement, her elbow struck his jaw—crack!
The sound of breaking bone echoed, teeth and blood scattered across the ground. His face turned pale, eyes twitching from the pain.
The first youth, pale as death, tried to crawl away. Yet Xuan Ying'er stepped closer, her gaze cold. She stomped on his back with her heel, pressing until his spine cracked. He screamed, high-pitched and shattering, tears flowing from the corners of his eyes.
Xuan Ying'er bent over, looking at him closely, her voice low but sharp,
"Pain? That's only the beginning."
She grabbed the youth's collar, then bam! slammed his head onto the rocky ground. The impact, accompanied by blood splattering, silenced the forest instantly.
The second youth, still half-conscious, tried to plead, his voice hoarse,
"W-wait… I—"
Before he could finish, Xuan Ying'er struck his abdomen with an aura-wrapped punch. His body flew backward, crashing into a large tree trunk until its bark split. He fell sprawled, eyes wide—too shocked to scream again.
Only the sound of interrupted breaths remained.
Xuan Ying'er looked at them emotionlessly, then activated her communication stone,
"Elders. Come, take them away."
A moment later, an elder arrived. Seeing the two outer disciples—broken bones, swollen faces, blood-soaked clothes—he only sighed deeply. Without a word, he lifted them and left.
Xuan Ying'er turned, walking away lightly, leaving behind a heavy scent of blood in the air.
Outside the arena
The once noisy spectators suddenly went silent. The projection screen displayed the entire scene clearly—every strike, every scream, every blood splatter.
Many swallowed hard, some even shivered.
The sect elders looked at the Master Sect Leader with unreadable expressions. The Master only closed his eyes briefly, then said flatly,
"Take them to the recovery room."