Morning came too soon.
Wei Chen woke stiff and sore, body protesting yesterday's exertion. His core had regenerated overnight — not fully, but enough to function. Around him, other applicants stirred from uncomfortable sleep positions in the checkpoint tower.
The Sanctuary instructor who'd monitored their arrival stepped to the center of the room. "Transportation back to the Sanctuary begins in thirty minutes. Prepare yourselves. Today's combat assessment starts immediately upon return."
No rest period. No recovery time. The exam was designed to test performance under continuous stress.
Wei Chen ate the last of his rations, drank water, checked that the knife was secure at his belt. Around him, applicants did the same — mechanical preparations, faces showing exhaustion and determination in equal measure.
Ming Yue sat alone in a corner, the blood from yesterday dried dark on her clothes. She'd cleaned her hands and face but hadn't changed. Her expression was carved from ice, eyes holding something cold and dangerous.
No one approached her. Even her former followers kept distance.
Chen Ling caught Wei Chen's eye and gestured subtly toward Ming Yue. The message was clear — be careful. She's dangerous now.
Wei Chen nodded acknowledgment. Ming Yue had always been dangerous through raw power. Now she was dangerous through anger and humiliation. That combination made people unpredictable.
The transportation back to Shadow Sanctuary was the same magical circle, applicants returning in reverse order. Xu Lan went first, then Wei Chen, then the others.
Wei Chen materialized in the Sanctuary courtyard to find Master Zhao waiting, flanked by six Outer Disciples. Behind them, the training grounds had been prepared — multiple combat circles marked on the stone, weapons racks positioned nearby, medical supplies visible at the edges.
As applicants arrived, Zhao directed them to stand in a line. When all nineteen were present, he addressed them.
"Nineteen remain. Five failed the survival trial. Those five demonstrated insufficient capability or judgment. You nineteen demonstrated sufficient competence to warrant further evaluation."
He gestured to the combat circles. "Combat assessment spans two days. Today, you fight Outer Disciples — students who have completed their first year of training. Tomorrow, you fight each other, then face specialized challenges designed for your specific capabilities."
Murmurs rippled through the line. Fighting an Outer Disciple meant facing someone with more training and experience.
"You may use any techniques you know. Lethal force is permitted but not required. Most matches end at first blood, though some may require incapacitation or surrender." Zhao's gaze swept across them. "Medical aid is available for serious injuries. Signal if you cannot continue. Pushing yourself to death proves nothing except poor judgment."
He pulled out a roster. "Matches are assigned randomly based on your arrival order at the checkpoint. First pairing..."
Wei Chen was eighth to fight. He watched the first seven matches carefully, analyzing patterns and techniques.
First match: An applicant Wei Chen didn't know well versus an Outer Disciple. The applicant fought cautiously, using defensive shadow techniques. Lost after three minutes when the Outer Disciple's aggression overwhelmed his defense. But he'd avoided serious injury — smart.
Second match: Han Tao versus an Outer Disciple. Han Tao fought competently, using shadow manipulation and decent tactical thinking. He lost after two and a half minutes when the Outer Disciple's superior experience found an opening. But he'd demonstrated solid fundamentals.
Third match: Chen Ling versus an Outer Disciple. This was interesting. Chen Ling openly admitted he couldn't match the Outer Disciple in magical power. Instead, he used terrain, feints, and his blade skills. The Outer Disciple won after three minutes, but Chen Ling landed several solid hits. Impressive for a beginner-level mage.
Fourth through seventh matches: Various applicants, various Outer Disciples. Some fought well and lost honorably. One fought poorly and got injured badly enough to require medical extraction. Two managed to land first blood and win — rare, but it happened.
"Wei Chen versus Outer Disciple."
Wei Chen's turn. He stepped toward the circle, stomach tight with nervous energy.
Should've taken a shit this morning, Wei Chen thought absurdly. Too late now.
Wei Chen stepped into the combat circle. An Outer Disciple stood opposite — a girl maybe fourteen, gray robes marking her status, confident posture suggesting competence.
"Ready?" the match supervisor asked.
Wei Chen nodded.
"Begin."
The Outer Disciple attacked immediately, testing Wei Chen's reactions. Shadow whips lashed out from three directions. Wei Chen used Shadow Step, teleporting five feet left. The whips struck where he'd been standing.
She adapted instantly, creating a shadow net that spread across the ground. Wei Chen couldn't teleport through it without getting caught.
So he didn't. He created his own shadows — not attacking, but merging with her net. Darkness flowed into darkness. Wei Chen used the connection to sense her position through the shadow network.
She realized the danger and tried to pull back, but Wei Chen was already moving. He burst from the shadow net using concealment, appearing at her blind spot. His knife — coated in Shadow Blade — struck toward her leg.
She blocked with a shadow construct, but the Shadow Blade cut through. Not deeply — just enough to draw blood.
"First blood. Match concluded." The supervisor stepped between them. "Wei Chen wins."
Wei Chen stepped back, breathing hard. His core ached but wasn't depleted. The fight had lasted maybe two minutes — fast, efficient.
The Outer Disciple looked frustrated but nodded respect. "You're good. That shadow network manipulation was creative."
"You're better. I got lucky with the timing."
"Luck counts." She left the circle.
Master Zhao marked something on his roster. Wei Chen couldn't read his expression, but winning against an Outer Disciple as a nine-year-old had to count for something.
The matches continued. Wei Chen watched each one, analyzing patterns.
Ninth match: One of Ming Yue's former followers versus an Outer Disciple. The follower fought with desperate aggression, overwhelming the Outer Disciple through sheer relentless pressure. Win in three minutes — proof that commitment could overcome experience gaps.
Tenth match: A brutal loss. The applicant hesitated at a critical moment, and the Outer Disciple capitalized ruthlessly. First blood became significant injury. Medical extraction required.
Eleventh match: Another win. The applicant used clever shadow manipulation, forcing the Outer Disciple into a position where any movement meant losing.
Twelfth through fourteenth matches: Mixed results. One win, two losses. All demonstrated competence.
Fifteenth match: Xu Lan versus an Outer Disciple.
Wei Chen watched this one with intense focus. Xu Lan had arrived at the checkpoint unharmed, suggesting exceptional stealth or avoidance skills. But direct combat was different.
The match lasted one minute.
Xu Lan didn't use flashy techniques. Her movements were economical, precise. She created a shadow blade, feinted twice to test reactions, then struck decisively. The Outer Disciple blocked the first strike but missed the second. First blood.
The Outer Disciple yielded, looking frustrated but not shocked. A clean, professional loss.
Xu Lan withdrew without comment, expression unchanged.
Seventeenth match: A quick win. The applicant used shadow constructs aggressively, forcing first blood in under two minutes.
Eighteenth match: Ming Yue versus an Outer Disciple.
Ming Yue stepped into the circle, still wearing yesterday's blood-stained clothes. Her expression was controlled, shadows moving with unusual density around her.
The Outer Disciple was maybe sixteen, male, confident. Advanced magic or not, he'd trained for a full year. He had experience.
"Begin."
He attacked first, using standard shadow techniques. Ming Yue blocked efficiently, then counterattacked with advanced-level constructs. The difference in magical density was immediately obvious — her shadows were darker, faster, more substantial.
The Outer Disciple adapted quickly, using terrain and experience to compensate. But thirty seconds in, Ming Yue's shadow blade found an opening. First blood on his shoulder.
"Match concluded," the supervisor announced.
Ming Yue stepped back immediately, shadows receding. Clean victory. No excess. She nodded once to her opponent and left the circle without comment.
The Outer Disciple looked frustrated but accepted the loss professionally.
Nineteenth match concluded quickly — another loss, but the applicant demonstrated competence.
Master Zhao tallied results as the final match ended.
"Nineteen applicants completed matches against Outer Disciples. Seven won — exceptional performance. Ten lost but demonstrated sufficient competence to continue. Two..." He paused, expression hardening. "Two demonstrated inadequate capability. They are expelled from examination effective immediately."
Two applicants looked devastated. They'd survived the wilderness trial only to fail here. Guards escorted them out of the training grounds.
Seventeen remained.
"You have the afternoon to rest and recover," Zhao continued. "Bathing facilities are available by room number order. Meals will be served at dusk. Tomorrow morning, applicant versus applicant matches begin, followed by specialized challenges. Dismissed."
The applicants dispersed. Medical tended to minor injuries. Others headed toward dormitories.
Wei Chen waited for his turn at the bathing facilities — shared spaces at the end of each dormitory floor. When his number was called, he grabbed clean clothes and headed down the hall.
The bathing area was simple but functional. Large basins of heated water, privacy screens, soap and towels provided. Wei Chen cleaned quickly, washing away two days of sweat, blood, and dirt.
He was drying off when he heard footsteps. Xu Lan entered the bathing area — apparently her turn had come up.
She paused, seeing Wei Chen. For a moment, neither spoke.
"Your match was impressive," Wei Chen said finally. "One minute. Clean victory."
"Yours too. The shadow network technique was creative." Xu Lan's voice was quiet, controlled. First time Wei Chen had heard her speak more than a few words.
"You've been silent since arriving. Why?"
"Talking wastes energy. Observation is more valuable." Xu Lan moved to one of the basins, testing water temperature. "You're wondering if I'm a threat."
"Everyone's a threat during exams."
"True. But some more than others." She looked at Wei Chen directly. "You're calculating. Strategic. You helped those applicants during the wilderness trial because it created tactical advantage, not from kindness."
Wei Chen didn't deny it. "And you avoided all conflict entirely. Pure stealth. How?"
"By moving when others fought. By understanding that the objective was reaching the checkpoint, not proving capability through violence." Xu Lan began preparing to bathe. "Tomorrow we may fight each other. If so, no hard feelings. Just competition."
"Agreed."
Wei Chen left, thinking about the conversation. Xu Lan was dangerous — not through aggression like Ming Yue, but through cold calculation. She saw angles others missed.
Tomorrow would be interesting.
Evening brought dinner in the common hall. Seventeen applicants now instead of nineteen. The two expelled had already been transported away.
Wei Chen ate with Chen Ling and Han Tao. Quiet conversation, mostly tactical — analyzing today's matches, speculating about tomorrow's pairings.
"Seven won against Outer Disciples," Han Tao said. "That's higher than usual. This group is strong."
"Or the Outer Disciples were weak," Chen Ling countered.
"No. I fought mine. He was competent. We just got better quickly." Han Tao gestured at Wei Chen. "Your shadow network technique was something I've never seen. Where'd you learn it?"
"Improvised it during the fight."
"Seriously?" Han Tao looked impressed. "That's talent."
After dinner, Wei Chen returned to room twenty-three. He lay on the bed, reviewing the day. Tomorrow would be harder — fighting equals, then specialized challenges.
But he'd won today. Demonstrated capability. Survived another cut.
Seventeen remained. Maybe twelve would pass the full exam. Maybe ten.
Wei Chen intended to be one of them.
He closed his eyes, letting exhaustion pull him toward sleep. Tomorrow would come regardless of whether he worried about it.
Better to rest and be ready than anxious and exhausted.