The northern camp was deep in autumn. The wind howled through the banners, setting them aflame in the gray dawn. Though the army had triumphed over the demonic horde the day before, the air within the camp remained heavy and taut.
Many soldiers still whispered about the young man who had suddenly risen to prominence — Li Tianyuan.
"A scholar, and he slew a demon with one strike?""Hah, perhaps the inspector helped him in secret.""If he truly has skill, why hide behind a title? In the army, strength speaks louder than decrees."
The murmurs spread like wildfire. Though General Qin Yue had formally recognized Li Tianyuan as the Imperial Fate Inspector, the ironclad ranks of the Huguo Army respected only one thing — power proven in battle.
Both Fu Yuan and the Mu siblings saw clearly what was happening.
That night, under the wavering firelight, Fu Yuan sighed softly."Tianyuan, though you slew the demon wolf and fought bravely in yesterday's battle, the generals here are proud and fierce. They will not yield easily. I fear a trial is coming your way."
Mu Xueyin frowned, her voice low."I worry it won't be a fair trial. They may use it as an excuse to humiliate you."
Li Tianyuan's gaze was calm, yet firm."If I cannot endure even this… how could I ever bear the weight of the nation's fate?"
At dawn, Qin Yue ordered all commanders to gather in the central training ground.
His voice thundered like a drum:"The army respects strength! Inspector Li has earned merit by slaying a demon wolf, but respect cannot come from imperial edicts alone. It must be won on the battlefield. Today, he will face the trial of arms. Should he stand undefeated, none in this army may question him again!"
A wave of excitement surged through the soldiers. Young officers rolled their shoulders, grinning like tigers about to pounce.
The first challenger was Deputy Commander Du Xing of the Tiger Battalion — a towering man of thirty, with arms like forged iron, wielding a massive war hammer.
"Inspector, forgive my offense!" he barked, and before the words had finished echoing, he charged.
The hammer came down like thunder.
Li Tianyuan steadied his stance, his palm glowing faintly with golden light. His spear met the hammer head-on — the impact rattled his bones, but he did not falter.
He's strong, Li thought, blood pounding in his ears.
But instead of retreating, he drew a deep breath, rooted his feet, and flowed with the strike. The spear spun, turning the borrowed force against its wielder. Its tip coiled like a dragon's tail and thrust toward Du Xing's shoulder.
Sparks burst as iron clashed against steel. They traded dozens of blows in rapid succession, until dust swirled thick around them and cheers rose from the watching soldiers.
Finally, Li Tianyuan shouted, his spear flashing with a burst of gold. The tip stopped just half an inch from Du Xing's chest.
The giant froze, sweat dripping down his brow — then he grinned broadly."Good spear! I yield!"
The second match brought forth Captain Han Lie, a cavalry officer famed for his speed. Dual blades flashed in his hands, moving as fast as a storm's wind.
He struck first — blades whistling in a blur that seemed to surround Li Tianyuan from every side.
The crowd held its breath. Could a scholar withstand such ferocity?
But Li Tianyuan's breathing steadied. The spear moved not by strength, but by rhythm — a natural flow aligned with his heartbeat. The golden energy of the cauldron within him pulsed in harmony, no longer wild and restless, but guided by will.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each strike met the next, spear deflecting blade in a dance of light and sound. Han Lie's strikes grew desperate, his blades flashing faster, but Li Tianyuan's eyes had gone cold.
He stepped forward. The spear thrust like lightning.
Clang! — both blades were sent flying, and the spearhead came to rest at Han Lie's throat.
Silence. Then an explosion of cheers.
"He won again!""That's no scholar — that's a warrior!"
Han Lie's chest rose and fell. Then, he lowered his head. "Inspector Li… I concede."
The third challenger was Zhang Song, commander of the Black Armor Unit — a fierce giant wielding a serpent spear.
"Two duels and you still stand strong? Good! Let me see your limits!"
The serpent spear swept through the air, shrieking with force. Dust and grit blasted across the field.
This time, Li Tianyuan was pushed back. His hands trembled from the shock, and the blood in his chest churned violently.
Mu Xueyin clenched her fists on the sidelines, her lips parting in worry. Fu Yuan, however, only watched quietly."This is good," he murmured. "Only when pushed to the edge will he master the power within him."
And indeed, as the battle raged, something within Li Tianyuan shifted.
His heartbeat steadied. His mind cleared. The chaotic golden energy gathered, drawn together as one — and suddenly his movements changed.
The spear that had been heavy became light. Force flowed through him like a river joining the sea — powerful, smooth, unstoppable.
"Break!"
The golden spear thrust forward with a blinding flash, smashing through Zhang Song's defense and driving him three steps back.
Zhang's arms quivered from the impact, then he threw back his head and laughed."Ha! That spear… it could command an army!"
Three duels. Three victories.
Li Tianyuan stood in the center of the field, robes torn, hair disheveled, but eyes sharp as fire.
The crowd was silent for a breath. Then came the roar — a single voice at first, then hundreds, then thousands.
"Glory to the Inspector!""Unmatched spear!""We follow you, brother!"
In that moment, all doubt vanished. Every soldier in the Huguo Army now saw him not as an outsider, but as one of their own.
From his seat above, Qin Yue's gaze shone like tempered steel. He nodded slowly."Good. From this day, you stand with us — life and death, one battle, one heart. Together, we will slay the demon scourge!"
The roar of unity thundered through the camp.
Yet even as triumph filled the air, a scout galloped into the field, slid from his horse, and dropped to one knee.
"Report to the General! The Northern Border — King Yan's army has moved. Beacon fires blaze along the frontier!"
The cheers died at once.
Fu Yuan and Mu Changfeng exchanged grim looks.
Li Tianyuan's hand tightened around his spear. A chill ran through him.
He could feel it — the coming storm had only just begun.