The road beyond the valley was treacherous. Jagged cliffs carved through the landscape, rivers of silver-blue water ran swift and deep, and the wind carried the faint scent of distant cultivators' fires.
Luo Zheng's boots kicked up dust as he moved. Behind him, Ling Xi floated silently, her cloak shimmering with the faint light of spiritual energy. The orb of power he had claimed in the ruins hovered by his side, pulsing softly like a heartbeat.
"This is only the beginning," Ling Xi said. "Beyond these mountains lie dozens of sects, each with its own rules, masters, and tests. You must learn quickly if you are to survive—and thrive."
Luo Zheng's jaw tightened. "Then I will. I have survived worse."
---
Scene One: Entering the Sect
By sunset, they reached a secluded valley ringed with towering stone walls. At the center, a sprawling complex of temples, courtyards, and training grounds hummed with life. Banners bearing a symbol of a silver phoenix fluttered in the breeze—the Tianyun Sect, known for its strict discipline and cultivation prowess.
At the entrance, two guards in jade-armored robes blocked the path. Their eyes glowed faintly with spiritual energy.
"You cannot enter without permission," one said, his voice cold.
Luo Zheng stepped forward. "I come seeking instruction and guidance," he said evenly. "I am… a student of the art."
The guard studied him for a long moment. Something about his aura—the golden glow of his divine markings, the resonance of his sword—made even a seasoned cultivator pause.
Ling Xi placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. Let them test you."
The guard's eyes narrowed. He extended his hand, pointing to a courtyard. "If you can pass the trial, the sect may grant you entry. Fail… and leave."
---
Scene Two: The Trial Begins
The courtyard was vast, lined with bamboo and stones engraved with mystical runes. At its center stood an instructor, a middle-aged man whose presence radiated calm authority.
"Step forward," he said, voice carrying like wind over the valley. "The trial is simple: demonstrate control over your spiritual energy, your understanding of combat, and your clarity of mind. Those who succeed may join the sect; those who fail will leave empty-handed."
Luo Zheng drew his sword, feeling the familiar hum of energy run through him. He had mastered the first layer of his power—but here, in a sect strong with centuries of cultivation, he would need more than raw force.
The first test was subtle: a set of floating orbs, pulsing with elemental energy, weaving erratically across the courtyard. Luo Zheng's task was to guide them along a path without breaking their flow.
At first, the orbs danced unpredictably. He focused, breathing evenly, letting the golden runes along his arms resonate. Slowly, the orbs followed the rhythm of his energy, forming a perfect line.
The instructor nodded, impressed. "Control is fundamental—but understanding is superior."
The next test was far more dangerous: a simulated battle against spectral warriors, their strikes swift, precise, and relentless. Luo Zheng moved with his body and sword in perfect harmony. Every block, every parry, every strike flowed with divine rhythm.
Sweat ran down his face, but the golden light in his eyes never dimmed.
When the last phantom fell, silence reigned. The instructor's lips curved faintly. "You have potential. Not fully realized, but… promising."
---
Scene Three: A Whisper from the Gods
High above, in the Hall of Stars, Mu Qing and Huo Tian watched the trial unfold.
"Interesting," Huo Tian murmured. "He adapts quickly, learns from the flow of energy, yet his restraint is unusual for one of his mortal level."
Mu Qing nodded. "The Art is choosing him. The trial is minor, yet the mortal passes it with ease. Soon, he will attract attention beyond the sect's walls."
"Attention brings danger," Huo Tian said. "And enemies. Remember the balance, Mu Qing. Mortals rising unchecked can disrupt it."
"But perhaps," she said softly, "the balance needs to be broken."
---
Scene Four: A Test of Spirit
Within the sect, Luo Zheng began formal training under the guidance of Instructor Jian, the trial master. Days became weeks, and every lesson honed not only his physical skill but also his inner vision.
One evening, Instructor Jian led him to a small pool surrounded by black stone.
"The final test," the instructor said, "is of spirit. Look into the water and confront your soul. Only by mastering yourself can you truly master the Art."
Luo Zheng knelt beside the pool, gazing into its surface.
The reflection shimmered… and then changed.
He saw his father's death, the burning of the Luo manor, the chains, the suffering of slaves. He saw himself, untrained, powerless, trembling beneath the shadow of gods.
The reflection shifted again. This time, he saw glimpses of the future: battles against sect lords, trials of life and death, the light of gods reflected in mortal eyes.
A whisper echoed in his mind:
> "To ascend, you must embrace both the mortal and the divine. Only then can the forge be complete."
Pain shot through him as he struggled to accept his reflection, the contrast between his fear and his potential. Golden light flared from his body, illuminating the courtyard. The pool shimmered, then settled, showing only a calm, steady reflection of Luo Zheng—mastered, resolved, and stronger.
Instructor Jian bowed slightly. "You are ready. Not merely a cultivator… but one who can challenge fate itself."
---
Scene Five: Alliances and Rivalries
Word of Luo Zheng's trials spread quickly within the sect. Some viewed him with awe, others with envy.
A young cultivator named Feng Lian approached him, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"You move quickly," she said. "But don't think the path is simple. The higher you rise, the more enemies you make."
Luo Zheng nodded. "I expect no less. Power always invites opposition."
Feng Lian smirked. "Then perhaps we can help each other… or perhaps we will be rivals. Time will tell."
Luo Zheng's gaze shifted to the horizon, where the first hints of storms stirred over distant mountains. The cultivation world was vast, full of unknowns, danger, and opportunity. He had passed the sect's initial trials, but the real challenges were only beginning.
---
Scene Six: A New Awakening
That night, Luo Zheng sat beneath the moonlight, meditating. His sword rested across his knees, the golden runes glowing softly.
Ling Xi watched from a nearby tree. "You are changing," she said. "Faster than I anticipated."
He opened his eyes. "The world is different from the forge. Here, every movement, every thought, is tested. I can feel my power growing—but so can the attention of those above."
A ripple of energy pulsed from the heavens, faint but undeniable. The gods were watching, and their eyes were heavy with expectation, curiosity, and caution.
"I have taken the first step," Luo Zheng whispered. "But the path ahead… is infinite."
The wind carried his words outward, over mountains and rivers, toward lands unseen. The era of the mortal who would ascend had truly begun.