Morning mist rolled across the foothills of Azure Cloud Mountain.
Hundreds of young cultivators gathered at the stone plaza below the sect gates. Some stood proudly, spiritual energy radiating from their bodies. Others hid their nervousness behind forced smiles.
At the edge of the crowd, Lin Xuan stood quietly.
His clothes were plain.
His aura restrained.
Yet beneath the calm surface, his blood pulsed with restrained power.
Do not reveal yourself yet, Xuánlóng warned softly.
Predators are watching.
Lin Xuan nodded imperceptibly.
He had learned one thing from the forest—
Strength meant nothing if exposed too early.
The Trial Announcement
A towering figure descended from the sky, robes fluttering like clouds.
An inner elder.
His voice echoed across the plaza.
"Today, the Azure Cloud Sect opens its gates to new disciples."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"Three trials," the elder continued.
"Talent. Combat. Will."
"Only those who pass all three may enter."
A wave of pressure swept the crowd as his gaze sharpened.
"Those who fail—leave."
Trial One: Talent Stone
A massive crystal stone glowed at the center of the plaza.
One by one, candidates placed their hands upon it.
Light flared—
Blue… Green… Occasionally Purple.
Cheers erupted when purple appeared.
Then—
A youth in white stepped forward.
Zhao Chen.
The stone exploded with brilliant purple light, almost turning gold.
Gasps echoed.
"A genius!"
"Outer disciple peak already?!"
Zhao Chen smiled faintly and withdrew his hand, eyes briefly flicking toward Lin Xuan.
Cold. Assessing.
Lin Xuan's Turn
When Lin Xuan stepped forward, whispers followed.
"That's the abandoned one."
"He's here to embarrass himself?"
Lin Xuan placed his hand on the stone.
Xuánlóng's voice echoed sharply.
Suppress. One percent only.
The stone glowed—
Faint blue.
Barely visible.
Laughter erupted.
"Told you."
"Trash talent."
The elder frowned but nodded. "Passable. Next."
Lin Xuan withdrew his hand, expression calm.
Good, he thought.
They underestimate me.
Trial Two: Combat Ring
The stone arena cracked under spiritual pressure as combat began.
One-on-one matches.
Blood was allowed.
Death was not forbidden.
Lin Xuan stepped onto the ring.
His opponent sneered. "I'll end this fast."
The signal sounded.
The cultivator charged.
Too fast for normal eyes—
But not for Lin Xuan.
Dragon Sense activated.
Time seemed to slow.
Lin Xuan sidestepped, twisted his body, and struck once.
A clean hit.
The opponent flew out of the ring, coughing blood.
Silence.
The elder's eyes narrowed.
"That movement…"
Zhao Chen's smile faded slightly.
Trial Three: Will of the Mountain
Candidates climbed the Pressure Steps, each step infused with crushing spiritual force.
Screams echoed as bodies collapsed.
At step thirty—many fell.
At fifty—only a few remained.
Lin Xuan climbed steadily.
Each step felt like a mountain pressing on his spine.
Endure, Xuánlóng murmured.
Your blood was forged for this.
At step seventy-two, Lin Xuan stopped.
So did Zhao Chen.
They stood side by side.
Their eyes met.
A silent clash.
Then—
Lin Xuan took one more step.
The crowd erupted.
The elder exhaled slowly.
"Enough."
Marked by the Sect
"Those who passed," the elder declared,
"are now Outer Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect."
Tokens flew through the air.
One landed in Lin Xuan's hand.
Cold metal.
Heavy with fate.
From the shadows, Zhao Chen watched him.
So you're not trash after all, he thought.
Good.
Crushing you will be more satisfying.
Lin Xuan looked up at the sect gates towering above him.
This was only the beginning.
The weak child had entered the cultivation world—
And the world had begun to tremble.