The day of the Meridian Trial arrived.
Before sunrise, the Imperial Capital was already awake. Carriages filled the streets. Noble families gathered beneath fluttering banners. Young cultivators in fine robes walked proudly toward the central arena.
The trial was held at the Heaven Ascension Platform.
It was a massive circular arena carved from white jade stone, surrounded by towering pillars engraved with dragons and ancient runes. Spiritual formations glowed faintly beneath the surface, humming with restrained power.
Li Tian arrived quietly.
He wore simple blue robes.
No family banner.
No escort.
Yet many eyes turned toward him.
Whispers followed.
"That's him."
"The one who fought the demonic commander."
"Only Third Meridian Realm…"
Suspicion mixed with curiosity.
On the highest viewing platform sat the imperial family.
The Crown Prince Zhao Liang was calm as ever.
Beside him sat the Fourth Prince, Zhao Feng.
Unlike his elder brother, Zhao Feng's expression carried open arrogance. His aura was sharp and aggressive—Fifth Meridian Realm, powerful and steady.
His eyes found Li Tian immediately.
Cold.
Measuring.
A drum sounded.
The Meridian Trial began.
An imperial elder stepped forward.
"The first stage: Combat ranking."
The rules were simple.
Participants would draw numbered tokens.
Each pair would fight.
Winners advanced.
Losers were eliminated.
No killing allowed—but injuries were common.
Li Tian stepped forward and drew his token.
Number twenty-three.
Soon, the first matches began.
Explosions of qi filled the arena.
Techniques clashed.
Spiritual light flashed.
Many competitors were at Third or Fourth Meridian Realm. Some were even Fifth.
Li Tian observed quietly.
He did not underestimate anyone.
When his number was called, he walked onto the stage.
His opponent was a tall youth in golden robes.
"Sun Hao," the youth announced proudly. "Fourth Meridian Realm."
Li Tian nodded slightly. "Li Tian."
The formation barrier activated around them.
Sun Hao did not hesitate.
He stepped forward, palm striking outward with golden qi bursting like flames.
A straightforward attack.
Fast.
Strong.
Li Tian did not retreat.
He shifted slightly to the side.
The strike passed within inches of his shoulder.
Sun Hao frowned and immediately followed with a sweeping kick, qi enhancing his leg like a blade.
Li Tian raised his forearm to block.
Impact.
A dull shock spread through his arm.
Fourth Meridian Realm indeed carried greater raw power.
But Li Tian's meridians were wider.
His qi denser.
He rotated his waist and struck forward with a simple palm.
No flashy technique.
Just compressed qi.
Sun Hao's eyes widened as the palm struck his chest.
Boom.
He staggered back several steps.
Shock filled his face.
"How—"
He attacked again, this time faster, releasing multiple palm shadows.
Li Tian closed his eyes briefly.
Instead of watching movements—
He felt the flow of qi.
He stepped through the attacks as if walking through rain.
Then he appeared directly in front of Sun Hao.
A light tap.
On the shoulder.
But the qi behind it erupted.
Sun Hao was sent flying, crashing against the barrier before sliding down.
Silence filled the arena.
The imperial elder raised his hand.
"Li Tian wins."
Whispers grew louder.
"That movement…"
"He didn't even use a technique."
On the high platform, Zhao Feng's eyes narrowed.
"Interesting," the Fourth Prince muttered.
Zhao Liang, however, remained expressionless.
Li Tian stepped down calmly.
He had not used the Heaven-Defying Mark.
Only pure meridian control.
But he knew something.
Observers were watching deeper than the surface.
The second round began soon after.
This time, his opponent was a woman from the Imperial Academy.
Third Meridian Realm.
But her control was refined.
Their fight lasted longer.
She used flowing sword techniques, precise and elegant.
Li Tian responded with careful defense, conserving energy.
Finally, he found an opening and disarmed her with a controlled strike.
He advanced again.
Round after round, participants fell.
The arena atmosphere grew tense.
Eventually—
Only eight remained.
And among them stood Zhao Feng.
The Fourth Prince stepped onto the arena without drawing a token.
"I request a direct challenge," he announced.
His gaze fixed on Li Tian.
The elder hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Approved."
Murmurs exploded across the stands.
A Fifth Meridian Realm prince challenging a Third Meridian Realm common disciple.
Pressure descended like a mountain.
Zhao Feng walked slowly toward the center.
"You have gained too much attention," he said coldly. "Commoners should know their limits."
Li Tian met his gaze calmly.
"I only defend myself."
The prince laughed softly.
"Let me teach you your place."
His aura erupted.
Powerful qi surged outward like a storm.
The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly.
Li Tian felt the difference immediately.
Two realms apart.
The pressure alone was heavy.
But he did not retreat.
He circulated his qi steadily.
Meridians glowed faintly beneath his skin.
On the high platform, Zhao Liang finally leaned forward slightly.
This—
Was the true test.
The barrier sealed.
Wind howled within the arena.
Zhao Feng lifted his hand.
And struck.
A massive wave of crimson qi roared toward Li Tian like a descending tide.
Li Tian's eyes sharpened.
This was no longer a simple spar.
This was suppression.
And if he miscalculated—
His secret might be exposed.
The storm had truly begun.