twind Peak, casting a golden glow across the sect's sprawling courtyard. Elders, inner disciples, and even outer sect attendants had gathered in front of the Stone Dragon Hall, a ceremonial pavilion shaped like a coiling wyrm—its jaws forming the gateway to the inner sanctum.
This was no ordinary day.
Today marked the Candidate Selection for Inner Sect Advancement.
And standing among the rows of jade-robed disciples—dressed in burned, tattered clothing, the ember-mark still smoldering on his right forearm—was Lin Feng.
Most disciples barely recognized him. Those who did, whispered his name like it was a ghost story.
"He actually survived the Crimson Flame Trial... and cleared it in one night."
"He was a cripple just a month ago. How...?"
"He must've made a pact with a demon..."
None of it mattered.
The stone beneath Lin Feng's feet was warm, the sun above unyielding, but he stood straight. Focused. Centered.
[System Notification: New Quest Available]
Title: Prove Your Worth – Inner Sect Trial Series Initiated
Objectives: Survive the Dragon Gate Selection, Challenge Assigned Opponents, Secure Inner Sect Jade Token
Bonus Objective: Place in Top 3 to unlock access to Forbidden Archive (Outer Layer).
"Forbidden Archive?" Lin Feng murmured. He didn't yet know what lay within, but something about the phrase tugged at the very roots of his soul.
Stone Dragon Hall – Interior
Inside the hall, seated atop a dais carved from celestial marble, sat Elder Qian, the head of Mistwind Sect's Disciplinary Branch. His flowing silver hair shimmered with hidden energy, his eyes sharp as swords.
At his side were two other elders—Elder Yu, the head of the Cultivation Hall, and Elder Mo, who oversaw Combat Trials.
Each elder held a Jade Insignia, one of which would grant a disciple advancement into the Inner Sect.
Elder Qian rose, his voice magnified through qi-enhanced projection.
"Today we recognize those who dare to claw toward greatness. The path to the Inner Sect is not paved by talent alone—it is forged in blood, discipline, and merit. There will be no favors. No favoritism."
His eyes scanned the courtyard—then paused ever so slightly on Lin Feng.
"Let the first trial begin."
Trial One: Dragon Gate Ascension
The Stone Dragon's mouth opened with a slow rumble, revealing a glowing staircase ascending into a spiraling vortex of mist and flame. The Dragon Gate—a spiritual construct formed by the sect's Founding Patriarch—was both test and symbol.
Only those with sufficient will, intent, and force of spirit could reach the top.
Disciples were called one by one.
Some collapsed after five steps, blood pouring from their eyes.
Others lasted longer—ten, fifteen, even twenty steps—before they were forced to leap off or be expelled by sheer spiritual pressure.
Then, Lin Feng's name was called.
The first step hit like a hammer.
A pulse of ancestral will slammed into his mind—a barrage of voices whispering doubts, fears, and illusions.
You are nothing.
You were born broken.
You stole your power.
He clenched his teeth and stepped forward again.
And again.
The pressure increased exponentially.
By the tenth step, he saw hallucinations of his village burning. His mother crying. His own body, small and frail, lying in a muddy field.
By the twentieth step, flames of the Crimson Flame Trial danced before his eyes.
His knees trembled—but he pushed on.
[Mental Fortitude Skill Acquired: Iron Will – Tier I]
Step twenty-one.
Step twenty-two.
A few inner disciples gasped aloud. Some had never made it past this point during their own trials.
At the twenty-fifth step, his vision blurred entirely.
Suddenly, he wasn't on the steps.
He was inside his mind.
Illusion Trial – Within the Dragon Gate
He stood in a golden chamber, faced with a being made entirely of light and shadow. Its voice echoed with layered tones—masculine and feminine, ancient and newborn.
"You carry a burden not your own. A legacy forgotten. Why do you ascend?"
Lin Feng answered without hesitation.
"To break free. To protect. To know who I really am."
The being raised a hand.
"What if you must become a tyrant to achieve it?"
"I would rather die true than live a lie."
The silence that followed was eternal.
Then the being bowed.
"Then climb."
Step Thirty-One: The Peak
Lin Feng emerged from the Dragon Gate's vortex and stepped onto the final platform, chest heaving, drenched in sweat.
Silence reigned.
Even the elders stood in shock.
Elder Qian's lips twitched. "The last disciple to reach this height was Elder Yan himself… three hundred years ago."
Lin Feng bowed low. "Disciple Lin Feng, requesting qualification to challenge for Inner Sect admission."
Elder Mo laughed, deep and rough.
"Boy, with that display? You can challenge all three if you want!"
Trial Two: Combat Challenge – Match Drawings
Names were drawn via spiritual lot.
Lin Feng's first opponent: Sun Jian, a Core Disciple Candidate known for his brute strength and mastery of Earth Techniques.
The combat arena was summoned from a jade platform. Elder Yu gestured, and a golden boundary ring shimmered into existence.
Sun Jian grinned. "I'll admit, you're a tenacious bastard. But strength wins battles. Not steps."
Lin Feng said nothing. His hands were glowing with qi.
The Fight
Sun Jian charged like a boulder rolling down a mountain, fists wrapped in stone gauntlets. He slammed a technique into the ground.
[Skill: Earthshock Tremor]
The entire platform shook—pillars of stone erupted to strike Lin Feng.
But he had already moved.
A blur of motion—an echo of light.
[Skill: Astral Phantom Step – Tier I]
He danced between the tremors, landing just behind Sun Jian.
[Skill Combo Activated: Comet Palm + Astral Pulse]
New Chain: Heaven-Falling Strike
A golden fist crashed into Sun Jian's back.
CRACK.
The larger disciple flew through the air and hit the boundary wall—hard.
Silence.
Then, a stunned Elder Yu raised his hand.
"Winner: Lin Feng."
He fought twice more.
Each opponent was stronger. Each fight more desperate.
But Lin Feng adapted. Evolved.
The System began offering mid-battle synthesis.
[Skill Synth Unlocked: Flame-Sundering Kick]
[Attribute Boost Triggered: Temporary Strength Enhancement x2]
By the end of the third battle, he was drenched in blood—his own and others'. But he stood.
Undefeated.
Aftermath – Stone Dragon Hall
Elder Qian stepped down from the dais, walking toward Lin Feng with a gravity that made the onlookers tense.
From his sleeve, he drew a glowing jade token etched with the symbol of the Inner Sect—a nine-petal lotus wreathed in flame.
He extended it.
"You have passed all three trials. And more."
He held the token out.
"Lin Feng of the outer sect, do you accept admission into the Mistwind Inner Sect?"
Lin Feng bowed, hand trembling slightly as he received the token.
"I do."
Cheers erupted.
Some were genuine.
Others were envious.
But none could deny it.
A cripple had just ascended among dragons.