After Xing Jue struck down the old man, cheers erupted throughout the Xia residence. They had been freed from the threat of the goatee-wielding master, and their longtime nemesis, Wang Buren, was finally dead – it was a moment of joyous relief and celebration.
But just as the crowd surged forward, eager to express their gratitude, Xing Jue collapsed. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Panic swept through the crowd. They carried him inside and hurriedly summoned a physician. After a brief examination, the doctor reassured them. It was exhaustion, nothing more. The battle against the old Master had taken a toll. A couple of days of rest, and Xing Jue would be as good as new.
Deep within the Xia family estate, hidden away from prying eyes, lay a secret chamber. Its walls, crafted from layers of froststone, were virtually impenetrable. It was here that the Xia family stored their most valuable possessions. Today, it served as Xing Jue's training ground.
Outside the chamber, Siyan paced back and forth, anxiously muttering to himself, "Why isn't he out yet? He's been in there for ages!"
"Go and get my father", he ordered one of the servants guarding the entrance. "Tell him to open the door! "
"But Master Siyan", the guard stammered. "Young Master Xing Jue is in the middle of training. We shouldn't disturb him! It could be dangerous! " He may have been a mere martial artist, but he understood the risks of interrupting a training session, especially at a crucial juncture – it could backfire catastrophically.
Siyan was in no mood for explanations. "Just do as you're told!", he snapped.
The guard, cowed, scurried away towards the family manor.
Moments later, before the guard could even reach the manor, the heavy stone door creaked open.
Xing Jue emerged. He looked refreshed, revitalized. Gone was the exhaustion from the battle. He was ready for anything.
Siyan's face broke into a relieved grin. "You did it?", he asked, clapping Xing Jue on the back. "You succeeded?"
"I think I've got a handle on it," Xing Jue replied with a confident grin.
Siyan glanced towards the Yu Feng Pavilion in the distance. It was time. "Then let's go. We're going to be late."
Xing Jue knew exactly what Siyan meant. "Lead the way."
The outer grounds of the Yu Feng Pavilion were dominated by a massive, open-air plaza. In the center, hundreds of small arenas had been set up, each one occupied by a single, imposing figure. The perimeter of the plaza was packed – thousands of disciples, buzzing with anticipation. Today was the day of the annual Inner Pavilion Trials.
The figures occupying the arenas were training dummies – life-sized, humanoid, and utterly still. Until someone dared to challenge them…
The first stage of the Inner Pavilion Trials was deceptively simple – defeat the training dummy assigned to your arena. Anyone could participate, but these weren't your average training dummies. Each one had been imbued with the fighting prowess of a high-level Martial Artist. And they were incredibly durable. It would take more than just raw strength to win this.
"Let the trials… begin!" The Head Elder's booming voice washed over the crowd, and a surge of eager disciples flooded the plaza, desperate to prove themselves worthy of joining the prestigious ranks of the Inner Pavilion.
The Inner Pavilion! The ultimate goal for any aspiring martial artist in the Yu Feng Pavilion. It was a place of knowledge, power, and prestige. Inner Pavilion disciples were treated with respect bordering on reverence, while the outer disciples… well, they were little better than servants in the eyes of their more accomplished peers.
The rewards, however, were worth the risk.
As the disciples reached their designated arenas, the vacant eyes of the training dummies flickered to life, burning crimson red. They charged, their movements fluid and powerful, sending those unfortunate enough to be caught off guard flying through the air. The air filled with the sounds of wood cracking against bone, of grunts and cries of exertion. Those who'd overestimated their abilities lay groaning in the dirt, nursing their wounds. A few were crippled; their dreams of joining the Inner Pavilion dashed against the unyielding bodies of their artificial opponents.
Still, they came. For a chance at glory… for a chance to prove themselves… for a chance to climb one more rung on the ladder of power.
Half a day passed. Out of thousands of hopefuls, only a few dozen remained standing, all of them seasoned fighters who had pushed themselves to the limit. A few had even reached the coveted level of Martial Ancestor. It seemed there were more hidden talents lurking within the Outer Pavilion than anyone had realized…
"Haha! Congratulations, Xiao San! I can't believe you actually made it through the Inner Pavilion Trials!"
"Yeah, from this day forward, you're practically an Inner disciple. Don't forget about us when you are swimming in glory and riches!" A group of disciples standing near the plaza cheered as a young man slowly made his way towards them.
"Heh, I can't believe it either", the young man, Xiao San – the same one who regaled Xing Jue with exaggerated tales of Siyan's injuries – said modestly. "I just got lucky, that's all."
He suddenly seemed concerned. "Say, have you guys seen Brother Xing Jue and Brother Siyan? Are they done already?"
There was a moment of silence.
"We haven't seen them," one of the disciples replied, a worried frown creasing his forehead. The others murmured in agreement.
And then, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Hey guys! Your favorite champion has returned!"
They turned, and their faces lit up. "Brother Xing Jue!"
"What about me? Have you forgotten your favorite punching bag already?" Siyan jogged up to them, mock-pouting. "No fair, everyone loves Xing Jue!"
Xing Jue smiled and clapped Siyan on the shoulder. "Come now, Siyan. Let's not dwell on such trivialities. We have more important matters to attend to. Let's celebrate with our fellow disciples!"
Siyan nodded. He was ready to bask in the afterglow of victory.
After half a day of brutal trials, only a handful of disciples remained scattered around the now mostly-empty plaza. The bravado of the early contenders had given way to cautious respect for the sheer power of the training dummies.
A strange quiet had descended upon the plaza, a stark contrast to the earlier frenzy.
That silence was shattered by a single figure.
Xing Jue strode into the plaza. Heads turned. Whispers erupted.
To the disciples of the Outer Pavilion, Xing Jue's arrival was more exciting than the Trials themselves. He was a celebrity, a legend in the making. He was… well, he was Xing Jue.
Xing Jue acknowledged the attention with a brief smile and headed toward an empty arena, seemingly unfazed by the stir he'd created. A wave of anticipation rippled through the crowd. Could he really be as strong as the rumors claimed?
They wouldn't have to wait long to find out.
The training dummy, sensing a challenger, sprang to life, launching itself at Xing Jue with terrifying speed and ferocity.
Xing Jue didn't flinch. He didn't even seem to bother assuming a fighting stance. He simply pivoted, his body a blur of controlled motion, and threw a single, effortless punch.
A shockwave rippled through the plaza as his Qi-infused fist connected with the dummy's chest.
The dummy, moments ago a whirlwind of wood and steel, crumpled instantly, reduced to a pile of scrap in the blink of an eye.
Silence descended once more… and then, a roar erupted. Cheers, whistles, and thunderous applause echoed through the plaza.
"That's Xing Jue for you – unstoppable!", someone shouted.
"What power! He's a monster!", another voice chimed in.
Every eye was fixed on Xing Jue, their admiration and awe palpable.
From his vantage point overlooking the plaza, Elder Hua stroked his long, white beard, a knowing smile on his face. "Excellent. He's even stronger than I anticipated. That boy possesses limitless potential."
A cheer from across the plaza announced Siyan's triumph, albeit less awe-inspiring, over his own designated dummy.
Later that night, Xing Jue, Siyan, and the thirteen members of their group who'd passed the first stage of the trials returned to the Xing family residence to celebrate. Fifteen out of twenty slots filled by their group alone – a testament to their hard work and Xing Jue's inspiring leadership! But the journey was far from over.
That night, the Outer Pavilion was alive with excitement, the air thick with anticipation for the next stage of the competition: The Elimination Round. The pressure was on – out of over a hundred successful contenders, only twenty would remain…
The Xing residence was the epicenter of the festivities.
Music filled the air. Hundreds of disciples, their faces flushed with excitement and pride, mingled in the courtyard, raising their cups in a joyous toast. They had every right to celebrate – they were one step closer to achieving their dreams.