The soft creaking of the massive gates filled the air as the path to the Spirit Pavilion revealed itself. A dense mist lingered, casting an eerie glow under the late morning sun. Feng Yunxian stood among the other disciples, his gaze focused yet distant. The Spirit Pavilion wasn't just a trial. It was a gateway—a place that could separate the worthy from the mediocre, the strong from the weak. For Feng Yunxian, it was a step closer to reclaiming his true path.
Around him, the other chosen disciples wore expressions ranging from nervousness to eagerness. A low murmur of voices echoed as they whispered to each other, sizing up their competition, but Feng Yunxian paid them no mind. He was used to this. In his former life, in the Chaos, such trials were mere trivialities. Yet now, without his former powers, he needed to approach each challenge with caution.
A voice from behind interrupted his thoughts. "Feng Yunxian, didn't think you'd make it this far."
It was Lu Ren, his tone mocking yet cold. The young man had always felt superior to others in the sect. He carried a sense of entitlement, his family background in the martial world feeding his arrogance. Feng Yunxian turned slightly, meeting Lu Ren's eyes without emotion. "The pavilion tests everyone. Whether I make it or not isn't your concern."
Lu Ren's smirk faded. "Perhaps not," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "But don't get too comfortable. The pavilion doesn't care how much potential you have."
"Neither do I," Feng Yunxian replied evenly. "The outcome will speak for itself."
The quiet retort drew a few glances from nearby disciples, and Lu Ren's face darkened, but before he could respond, a gong sounded in the distance. The heavy gates leading to the Spirit Pavilion began to swing open, the groaning of ancient wood filling the air.
At the front of the group, Elder Yi raised his hand. "This is as far as we will guide you," he said, his deep voice resonating with authority. "From here, your trials begin. Each of you will face what lies ahead alone, and the pavilion's tests will adapt to your strengths and weaknesses."
The elder's words seemed to weigh down the air, amplifying the already tense atmosphere.
Another elder, slightly younger but no less imposing, stepped forward to address the disciples. "The path you take will be different for each of you. The trials you face will be reflections of your spirit and cultivation. Trust your instincts. Hesitation may cost you dearly."
His sharp gaze lingered on several disciples as if assessing their resolve. When his eyes landed on Feng Yunxian, there was a flicker of recognition, though it was gone in an instant. The elder continued, "You will each step forward one at a time. The pavilion will respond to your presence. When the time comes, you will either emerge stronger... or not at all."
Feng Yunxian watched in silence as the first disciple, Jiang Tian, approached the pavilion's mist-shrouded entrance. The air around him shimmered, and he disappeared through the gate without a sound. One by one, the other disciples followed, until only a handful remained. Feng Yunxian waited patiently, feeling the energy of the pavilion ripple like an unseen force, growing more intense as each disciple entered.
Finally, it was his turn.
Stepping toward the entrance, Feng Yunxian felt a cold breeze brush against his skin. As he passed through the mist, the world around him seemed to dissolve, and when it reformed, he stood alone in a vast, stone chamber. Torches flickered along the walls, casting long, eerie shadows. The air was heavy with spiritual energy, dense enough to feel like a physical force pressing down on him.
"So this is the Spirit Pavilion," Feng Yunxian murmured to himself, his eyes scanning the chamber for any signs of movement. Despite the silence, he could feel a presence—something watching him from the shadows.
Suddenly, a deep, rumbling voice echoed throughout the room. "You have entered the trial of the Spirit Pavilion, mortal. Prove your worth, or be consumed by the void that lies beyond."
Feng Yunxian's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. "Show yourself."
There was a brief pause before the shadows at the far end of the chamber began to move. Slowly, a towering figure emerged—a spectral warrior clad in ancient, ethereal armor. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and in its hands, it held a massive sword that crackled with spiritual energy.
The voice echoed again, this time emanating from the warrior itself. "Defeat me, and you may proceed. Fail, and your soul will be lost to the void."
Feng Yunxian's eyes narrowed. He could sense the creature's cultivation—it was at the Peak of Body Refining, a formidable level for most inner disciples. But Feng Yunxian had faced far worse in his previous life. His lips curled into a faint smile as he drew his blade, the sound of metal scraping against the scabbard sharp in the silence.
The warrior didn't hesitate. It charged forward with a speed that belied its size, its massive sword coming down in a vicious arc aimed at Feng Yunxian's head.
But Feng Yunxian was faster.
With a graceful twist, he sidestepped the attack, the blade missing him by mere inches. In the same motion, he struck back, his sword slicing through the air with precision. The warrior barely managed to parry the blow, its ethereal armor shuddering from the impact.
"You're too slow," Feng Yunxian said quietly, his movements fluid as he danced around the warrior's attacks. The clash of weapons echoed through the chamber, each strike sending sparks flying as the two combatants exchanged blows. Despite its size and strength, the spectral warrior struggled to keep up with Feng Yunxian's speed and skill.
Within moments, Feng Yunxian found an opening. His sword flashed, severing the warrior's arm at the joint. The creature let out a guttural roar of pain, its glowing eyes flickering.
But Feng Yunxian didn't stop. Pressing his advantage, he leaped into the air, his sword glowing with spiritual energy as he brought it down in a decisive strike. The warrior's body dissolved into smoke, leaving behind only the faint hum of lingering energy.
For a moment, the chamber was silent once more.
Feng Yunxian sheathed his sword, his expression calm. "That was just a warm-up."
As the last remnants of the warrior faded away, the stone walls around Feng Yunxian began to shift, rippling like water. The ground beneath him trembled, and cracks began to form along the floor, spreading outward like a spider's web.
Without warning, the ground gave way, and Feng Yunxian found himself falling.
He landed gracefully in a dark, underground chamber. The air here was colder, the spiritual energy even denser than before. Ahead of him, a massive door loomed, covered in ancient symbols that pulsed with a faint, eerie light.
Approaching the door cautiously, Feng Yunxian reached out, placing his hand on the cold stone surface. As soon as his fingers touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, and the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with swirling mist.
At the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing, crystalline orb.
Feng Yunxian's eyes narrowed. "A spiritual core?"
The orb pulsed with a strange energy, radiating power. As Feng Yunxian stepped closer, a voice whispered in his mind.
"Absorb me, and gain the knowledge of those who came before you. But beware… power comes at a price."
Feng Yunxian's hand hovered over the orb. He could feel its pull, the vast reservoir of knowledge and power contained within. But his instincts warned him to be cautious. Power was never given freely, and this was no exception.
After a long pause, he withdrew his hand. "Not yet," he murmured. "I'll take what I earn, not what's offered easily."
As if in response, the orb's light dimmed, and the mist in the room began to swirl faster. The ground beneath him trembled once more, and the room shifted around him, transporting him to yet another part of the pavilion.
This time, he found himself standing in an open field under a starlit sky. The grass beneath his feet was soft, and the air was cool. For a moment, Feng Yunxian could almost believe he was no longer in the Spirit Pavilion. But the pressure of the trial still lingered, reminding him that this was far from over.
As he looked around, a new figure emerged from the shadows—a man clad in simple robes, his face calm and composed. But there was something about him that set Feng Yunxian on edge.
"You have passed the first trial," the man said, his voice soft but firm. "But the path ahead is long. Are you prepared to continue?"
Feng Yunxian's eyes flashed with determination. "I didn't come here to stop halfway."
The man smiled faintly. "Good. Then let us begin the second trial."