The morning mist hung low over the mountains, draping the land in a pale veil of silence. Birds circled high above the ancient peaks, their wings catching the light of dawn.At the base of one of those peaks, a single figure stood — a young man with storm-gray eyes and a faint golden rune glowing beneath his chest.
Lian Fei looked up at the towering mountain before him.High above, the Cloudfire Sect floated like a fortress carved from heaven's own bones. Clouds swirled around its golden gates, and faint streams of spiritual energy poured from the mountain like waterfalls of light.
"This is it," he murmured. "The place that called me trash."
He clenched his fists. The mark on his chest pulsed, almost as if sensing his rage.
"Quest active: Enter Cloudfire Sect.""Reward: Access to Spirit Tempering Phase."
The path ahead was long and steep — more than ten thousand stone steps carved into the mountainside. Pilgrims, beggars, and aspiring disciples trudged upward, their robes soaked in sweat, their eyes burning with desperate hope.
Some carried talismans or recommendation scrolls. Others, like Lian Fei, had nothing but a name and determination.
The Trial of the Gate
By midday, Lian Fei reached the Outer Gate Plaza, a vast stone courtyard beneath the sect's main entrance.Thousands of youths stood there, waiting, whispering. Stone statues of ancient cultivators loomed above them, their expressions carved with divine arrogance.
A middle-aged man in crimson robes stepped onto the platform. His aura pressed down like a mountain — the oppressive force of a true cultivator.
"I am Elder Qin Zhao, examiner of this year's recruitment trials!" His voice boomed across the square. "To stand here is an honor. But do not mistake this for mercy. Only those with true potential will enter our gates!"
At his side stood a glowing Spirit Crystal Pillar, humming with energy."Step forward, one by one," Elder Qin said. "Place your hand on the crystal. It will reveal your Spirit Root and talent."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. For most, this moment would define their entire lives.
"Han Yue, son of Elder Han, step forward!"
Lian Fei's stomach tightened. Of course he was here.
Han Yue walked to the pillar, confidence oozing from every movement. He placed his hand on the crystal — and it erupted in flames of red and gold.
Gasps filled the air."Dual Fire-Spirit Root!" someone shouted."Amazing! That's middle-tier cultivation potential!"
Han Yue smirked, bowing with false modesty. "The heavens are kind."
Elder Qin nodded approvingly. "Acceptable. Proceed to the inner queue."
Han Yue's gaze swept the crowd — and landed on Lian Fei. For a moment, surprise flickered in his eyes. Then came that same smirk. "Even the dogs follow me up the mountain, it seems."
Lian Fei ignored him.
One by one, the other candidates stepped forward. The pillar flashed with colors — dull gray for low talent, bright red or blue for moderate.Finally, Elder Qin's voice called: "Next — Lian Fei."
Whispers rose instantly."The orphan?""The one with no spirit root?""I thought he couldn't even cultivate!"
Han Yue laughed under his breath. "This should be entertaining."
Lian Fei walked forward calmly. He could feel dozens of eyes on him, heavy with mockery. He reached out, placing his hand on the crystal.
For a second — nothing happened. The crystal stayed dark.
Snickers broke out."Still nothing, hah!""Some things never change."
Han Yue folded his arms. "Told you — trash."
But then, a faint spark flickered inside the crystal.It grew brighter — from white, to gold, to blinding lightning-blue.
The air cracked. A violent gust tore through the courtyard. The pillar glowed like a miniature sun, arcs of golden thunder bursting from its surface.
"W-What is this?" Elder Qin stepped back, eyes wide.The Spirit Crystal — a sacred artifact that could withstand the aura of Nascent Soul masters — cracked under the pressure.
"Impossible!" someone screamed."Heaven-grade resonance! That's… that's divine-level!"
Han Yue's smirk vanished. His face drained of color.
The crystal shattered with a sound like thunder, shards scattering across the plaza in a storm of light.When the glow faded, Lian Fei stood at its center, calm, golden sparks dancing around his fingers.
Elder Qin could barely speak. "You… what is your name again?"
"Lian Fei," he replied quietly.
The elder swallowed hard. "Record him under Heaven Grade — Divine Lightning Affinity."
A silence fell over the courtyard — the kind that comes only when history is being rewritten.
Into the Sect
Hours later, as the new disciples were led into the outer sect halls, Han Yue stormed behind them, his expression twisted in fury."How? How could that useless orphan—"
His companion whispered, "Maybe he found a treasure, or some forbidden art—"
Han Yue cut him off. "No. It doesn't matter. The sect has rules — accidents happen during training."
Meanwhile, Lian Fei walked quietly at the rear of the group, his mind still reeling. The sect sprawled across the mountaintop — vast palaces of marble and jade, floating pagodas, and rivers of glowing spirit energy flowing through the air.
The system's voice echoed softly:
"Objective complete: Enter Cloudfire Sect.""Reward unlocked — Spirit Tempering Phase initiated."
Power surged through him, refining his meridians, strengthening his bones. The air itself seemed to bow before him.
Then another message appeared:
"Hidden quest available: The Shadow in the Flames.""Condition: Survive your first night in Cloudfire Sect."
He frowned. Survive?
As the disciples dispersed to their quarters, the mountain wind grew colder. Somewhere above the clouds, thunder rolled again — soft, distant, waiting.
That Night
Lian Fei sat cross-legged in his new quarters — a simple stone room lit by a single lantern. He focused his breathing, drawing in faint strands of spiritual energy. The system guided him:
"Beginner Cultivation Technique — Thunder Vein Breathing (Level 1)."
Each inhale drew in Qi; each exhale refined it. Lightning pulsed faintly beneath his skin, the power soothing and sharp all at once.
But then — a sound.
Footsteps. Whispering outside the door.
He opened his eyes. Five silhouettes moved in the courtyard, torches flickering in their hands. At the center stood Han Yue.
"I told you," Han Yue said, voice dripping venom, "trash that suddenly shines too bright gets burned first."
He drew his sword, crimson aura flaring.The others followed.
Lian Fei rose slowly, the rune on his chest glowing faintly beneath his robe."I warned you once," he said softly. "You didn't listen."
Han Yue sneered. "You think a single lightning trick makes you immortal? You'll learn your place—"
He lunged.
Lightning flared.
A deafening thunderclap split the air. The torches went out.For an instant, the courtyard turned blinding white — and then, silence.
When the light faded, Han Yue lay sprawled in the dirt, his sword shattered, the edges melted by lightning heat. The other disciples dropped their weapons, faces pale as ash.
Lian Fei stood over him, eyes glowing faintly gold."I told you," he whispered, "next time, you won't walk away."
He turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the faint smell of ozone in his wake.
The heavens had marked him.Now, they would remember his name.