Xu Mingyan's body ached with every step he took as he made his way across the Celestial Dawn Sect's vast training grounds. His heart, however, felt strangely calm. The intense test from Suyan had left him bruised, battered, but not broken. It wasn't the victory that mattered to him; it was the survival. Surviving was his specialty.
Suyan's words still echoed in his mind: You have potential, but you're nowhere near strong enough. Those words were a challenge, one he would not let go unanswered. If the Celestial Dawn Sect was his path, then he would carve his way forward.
The sun hung high in the sky as he walked through the training courtyard, where disciples of various ranks practiced martial arts, cultivated their abilities, or meditated. Their movements were fluid, purposeful, and powerful—everything Xu Mingyan admired. Yet, it was the way they carried themselves, their confidence, that drew his attention. Cultivators didn't just wield power; they exuded it.
As he passed, some gave him curious glances, whispering among themselves. Xu Mingyan had been in the Sect long enough now to understand that first impressions counted. The disciples of the Celestial Dawn Sect didn't take kindly to newcomers, especially those who lacked a clear place in the hierarchy. There was no room for weakness here. Only the strong survived.
Just as he rounded a corner, a voice broke his thoughts.
"You're still here?"
He stopped, turning to find Suyan standing before him, her eyes sharp as usual. Despite the bruises and sweat that covered him, she looked as composed as ever, her stance unwavering. She was a picture of grace and authority—everything Xu Mingyan aspired to be one day. But there was something else in her eyes, something unreadable. It wasn't just a test of strength; it was a test of will.
"Did you think I'd leave after just one test?" Xu Mingyan replied, his voice steady, though his muscles burned from the exertion.
A small, approving smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You've got spirit. I'll give you that."
She motioned for him to follow her as she turned on her heel. "You're not done yet, though. The Sect's trials are only beginning. If you want to make any progress here, you'll have to endure a lot more than just that first test."
Xu Mingyan nodded silently. He was no stranger to trials. But the trials of the Celestial Dawn Sect weren't like the ones from his past. They would break him if he let them, but he refused to be broken.
The two walked through the Sect grounds, passing training arenas and martial arts pavilions, until they reached a massive stone building at the heart of the Sect—the Hall of Trials.
The Hall was an imposing structure, its massive stone columns towering above them, engraved with ancient symbols and mystical runes. Xu Mingyan could feel the energy radiating from it, a powerful aura that made the air thick with spiritual pressure.
Inside, the Hall was just as imposing. Stone pillars lined the walls, and in the center stood an arena, where many disciples were gathered. Some were sparring, while others were observing. It was here that the most critical tests were held, where weaker disciples were weeded out, and only the strongest remained.
Suyan led him up to one of the observation platforms, where several high-ranking disciples sat, their expressions unreadable as they watched the ongoing trials.
"Today's trial," Suyan began, her voice low enough that only Xu Mingyan could hear, "is one of endurance and intellect. You will face a series of obstacles—both physical and mental—and your ability to overcome them will determine whether you progress or fall behind."
Xu Mingyan's eyes narrowed. Physical challenges were expected. Mental ones were a different beast entirely.
"You won't be facing me this time," Suyan continued, her gaze flicking over to the group of disciples gathered below. "You'll be facing others—those who have already passed their initial tests."
She pointed to a group of six disciples standing in the middle of the arena. They were all wearing dark blue robes, indicating their higher rank, and their expressions were filled with confidence.
"They are the Outer Sect Elders—the first true test you'll face here. To move forward, you'll need to prove yourself against them."
Xu Mingyan's heart sank slightly. These weren't just any disciples; these were cultivators who had already proven themselves. They were strong, experienced, and not to be underestimated.
"Don't worry," Suyan added, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "The test is designed to push you, but it's not about defeating them. It's about showing that you can adapt, endure, and overcome."
Xu Mingyan took a deep breath, preparing himself for the challenge ahead. This was the next step, and he wasn't about to back down.
The arena was divided into sections, each one representing a different type of challenge. The first section was a series of brutal physical trials, where Xu Mingyan would have to demonstrate his martial prowess. The second was a test of mental agility, where he would need to solve complex puzzles and strategy-based challenges.
The moment the gong sounded, signaling the start of the trial, Xu Mingyan stepped into the arena, his eyes scanning the six disciples who stood before him. They were relaxed, almost mocking in their demeanor.
"We'll start with the physical trial," one of them—an older man with a scar running down his cheek—said with a smirk. "Let's see if you can handle a little pain."
Xu Mingyan braced himself as the trial began.
Physical Trial
The first test was simple: a gauntlet of obstacles, each more taxing than the last. Xu Mingyan's body was already sore from his previous test with Suyan, but he pushed through the pain, forcing himself to remain focused.
The first obstacle was a series of sharp spikes rising from the ground. He leaped over them with ease, landing lightly on the other side. The second was a series of heavy stone blocks that moved along tracks, and he had to dodge them, timing his movements perfectly to avoid being crushed.
It was exhausting, but Xu Mingyan was no stranger to suffering. He had endured far worse in his past, and the memories of those struggles fueled his drive.
One by one, he cleared the obstacles, his body growing more fatigued with each step, but his determination never wavered.
Finally, he reached the last obstacle: a massive stone pillar that shifted and spun with blinding speed. It was impossible to dodge, impossible to avoid. The only way to succeed was to endure, to survive the impact.
Xu Mingyan took a deep breath and dove forward, using every ounce of his strength to absorb the blow as the pillar struck him. His body was thrown back with a sickening crunch, but he didn't stay down. He forced himself back onto his feet, his vision blurred but his will unbroken.
The trial was over.
Mental Trial
The second trial was even more grueling. A series of intricate puzzles and mental challenges designed to test Xu Mingyan's intellect, memory, and problem-solving skills. He was given an hourglass filled with sand, and he had to solve the puzzles before the sand ran out.
The first puzzle involved deciphering ancient symbols that were scattered across a stone tablet. Xu Mingyan's heart raced as he traced the symbols with his fingers, recalling the few teachings he had received as a child. It was difficult, but he had always been quick with puzzles. He solved it just as the sand was nearly gone.
The second challenge involved navigating a labyrinth in his mind, a twisting series of mental pathways that would either lead him to enlightenment or failure. His head throbbed as he forced himself to stay focused, his thoughts racing as he mapped out each turn, each potential danger, until—finally—he found the exit.
With each challenge, Xu Mingyan's resolve only grew stronger. He didn't know how to quit. Failure wasn't an option.
As the final puzzle clicked into place, the gong sounded, signaling the end of the trial. Xu Mingyan's body was battered, bruised, and exhausted, but he stood tall, his breath steady.
Suyan's voice echoed through the arena. "You've passed the trial."
Xu Mingyan closed his eyes for a moment, his exhaustion sinking deep into his bones. But he wasn't done yet. This was just the beginning.
The Celestial Dawn Sect would push him to his limits, but he was prepared to endure. And perhaps, just perhaps, he would find a way to make this his new home.
(End of Chapter)