Chapter 3:
The morning sun rose above the misty mountains, painting the village square in a pale golden hue. It was the day of the Azure Heaven Sect's recruitment — a day that only came once every ten years. For the youths gathered in the square, this was their chance to leave behind the ordinary and step into the world of cultivation.
Long Wei stood silently among them, his expression calm yet unreadable. Around him, excitement buzzed like wildfire. Boys adjusted their robes nervously while girls whispered about which elder would arrive to test their aptitude.
Mei Lin nudged his arm lightly. "You're awfully quiet, Brother Wei. Aren't you excited? It's the Azure Heaven Sect! The strongest in the entire region!"
He smiled faintly, though his eyes carried a depth she couldn't comprehend. Excited? No — not anymore. In his first life, he had been that boy: eager, hopeful, desperate to prove himself. He had thought that joining the sect was the beginning of glory.
But now he knew — it was the beginning of a long nightmare.
A deep hum echoed through the air. The crowd gasped as a silver cloud descended from the sky, glowing faintly with spiritual light. Upon it stood three figures dressed in flowing azure robes. The emblem of a coiling dragon was embroidered on their sleeves — the mark of the Azure Heaven Sect.
"Disciples of the heavens…" someone whispered reverently.
The leader of the trio stepped forward — a middle-aged man with a calm expression, his hair tied high, his presence dignified and unshakable. This was Elder Yun Fei, the same elder who had once recruited Long Wei in his first life.
"Children of Qingyuan Village," Elder Yun's voice rolled like distant thunder. "Today, we will test your spiritual roots. Those with suitable talent will be brought to the Azure Heaven Sect to cultivate. Remember — fate favors the prepared."
The crowd bowed deeply, their voices rising in unison. "We thank Elder Yun!"
At his gesture, a glowing orb floated into the air, radiating waves of energy — the Spirit Testing Crystal. It shimmered with seven colors, each representing the grade of spiritual potential. The brighter and purer the light that appeared, the higher the innate talent of the tester.
The testing began.
One by one, the youths stepped forward, placing their hands upon the orb.
"Blue light — mid-grade spirit root. Acceptable."
"Green — low-grade spirit root. Unfit."
"Yellow — inferior root."
Cheers erupted for some, sighs for others. Each result determined the future of a family, the pride of a generation.
Finally, it was Li Shen's turn.
The crowd hushed. Everyone expected brilliance. Li Shen stepped forward gracefully, bowing to the elders before placing his palm on the crystal. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a burst of brilliance, golden light surged from the orb, pure and dazzling.
Gasps filled the air.
"Golden-grade! A rare Heaven-Blessed Spirit Root!"
"He's destined to be great!"
Elder Yun Fei's calm face broke into a smile. "Excellent. With proper guidance, you may one day reach the Core Formation realm."
Li Shen bowed humbly. "This disciple thanks Elder Yun."
Long Wei watched silently. His heart was steady — not with envy, but with understanding. He knew what that golden light had cost in his past life. It wasn't Li Shen's true root — it was the result of a stolen blood essence, his own Dragon Vein essence that Li Shen would one day take through treachery.
Now that Long Wei had returned, that theft would never happen again.
When the line shortened, only a few remained. Whispers rose.
"Next — Long Wei."
Long Wei stepped forward. The eyes of the crowd followed him, some with curiosity, some with mockery. He had always been a quiet boy, ordinary, unremarkable. No one expected much.
Mei Lin bit her lip nervously. "You can do it, Brother Wei," she whispered under her breath.
Long Wei took a slow breath and laid his palm gently on the Spirit Crystal. The orb shivered faintly, releasing a faint blue light — nothing impressive, just the mark of a mid-grade root.
A few snickers came from the crowd. "Mid-grade? Expected as much."
"Still better than most," another said half-heartedly.
But Long Wei didn't flinch. He chose that result. Deep within him, a powerful energy stirred — the Dragon Vein pulsing faintly beneath his spirit sea. If he allowed even a sliver of it to leak out, the crystal would explode from sheer pressure.
But revealing that now would only invite danger. The Azure Heaven Sect was not pure; its beauty hid too many shadows. If they learned of his reborn power too early, they would cage him before he could grow wings.
So he lowered his head humbly. "Thank you, Elder. I will work hard."
Elder Yun nodded absentmindedly. "Acceptable. You may join the outer ranks for training."
Li Shen stepped beside him, smiling faintly. "Congratulations, Brother Wei. I suppose we'll be walking the same path again."
Long Wei met his gaze, returning the smile — calm, almost serene. "Yes. The same path… for now."
Inside, his heart whispered coldly: But this time, I'll be the one leading you to your fall.
After the tests ended, only five were chosen — Li Shen, Long Wei, Mei Lin, and two others. The elders handed each of them a small jade token etched with the sect's emblem.
"Tomorrow at dawn," Elder Yun instructed, "you will gather at the southern ridge. The Azure Cloud Ship will take you to the sect."
As the crowd dispersed, Mei Lin ran to Long Wei's side, her eyes shining with excitement. "We did it! Can you believe it? We're really going to the Azure Heaven Sect!"
He looked at her with warmth. "Yes. But remember, Mei Lin… not everything that shines is gold. In the sect, kindness can be a mask."
She blinked, confused. "Brother Wei, why do you say such strange things?"
He only smiled softly and turned away.
Later that night, as the village fell silent under the moonlight, Long Wei sat alone on the hill overlooking the valley. The night wind stirred his robes as he stared at the glowing jade token in his hand.
He clenched it tightly.
"In my past life," he whispered, "I stepped into the Azure Heaven Sect blind. I lost everything — my friends, my family, my bloodline, even my life."
His eyes burned with cold determination. "But this time… I'll climb higher than any of them. I'll uncover every secret, break every chain, and when I stand at the peak, those who betrayed me will kneel before me."
The wind howled softly, carrying his vow into the endless sky.
Under the pale moon, Long Wei's shadow stretched long and sharp — the shadow of a man reborn, standing at the edge of destiny....