Lin Feng soared through the sky, riding the azure clouds that guided him towards his destination. The wind whipped through his hair, and the spirit sword Azure Destiny hummed with energy at his side. As he flew, he marveled at how far he had come from his humble beginnings in Willow Creek.
The journey took several days, during which Lin Feng practiced the techniques the Immortal had taught him. He refined his control over wind and water qi, attuning himself to the ever-changing currents of the atmosphere. At night, he would descend to rest in secluded mountain valleys or hidden forest glades, always alert for potential dangers.
On the morning of the fifth day, Lin Feng spotted a majestic mountain range on the horizon. As he drew closer, he gasped in awe. The peaks seemed to pierce the very heavens, their summits wreathed in swirling mists that shimmered with an otherworldly blue light. Waterfalls cascaded down sheer cliff faces, their spray forming rainbows in the sunlight. And there, nestled among the highest peaks, he saw a sprawling complex of elegant buildings that seemed to float among the clouds.
The Azure Cloud Sect.
Lin Feng's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he approached. He could sense powerful barrier formations surrounding the sect, no doubt designed to keep out unwanted intruders. As he neared the outermost barrier, he slowed his flight, unsure of how to proceed.
Suddenly, a voice boomed out, seeming to come from the very air around him. "Halt, cultivator! State your name and purpose!"
Lin Feng came to a stop, hovering in midair. He bowed respectfully, even though he couldn't see who was addressing him. "This one is Lin Feng, from Willow Creek. I have come seeking to join the Azure Cloud Sect."
There was a moment of silence, then the voice spoke again. "Another aspirant, eh? Very well. Follow the guiding lights to the Outer Disciples' Reception Hall. And don't try anything funny—we'll be watching."
A series of glowing blue orbs appeared in the air before Lin Feng, forming a path through the barrier. Taking a deep breath, he followed their guidance, passing through the shimmering energy field that protected the sect.
As he flew towards the indicated building, Lin Feng couldn't help but gape at the wonders around him. Cultivators young and old soared through the air on swords and magical artifacts. Celestial beasts roamed in carefully tended gardens, their fur and scales gleaming with spiritual energy. In one courtyard, he saw a group of disciples practicing sword formations, their blades leaving trails of light in the air.
Finally, Lin Feng landed on a broad platform before an imposing structure. Its walls were made of some kind of translucent stone that shifted colors like the sky at dawn, and its roof was adorned with intricate carvings of clouds and flying swords.
As he approached the entrance, two disciples in blue and white robes stepped forward to intercept him. They were young, perhaps only a few years older than Lin Feng himself, but he could sense the strength of their cultivation bases.
"Another hopeful?" one of them said, eyeing Lin Feng with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "We've been getting a lot of those lately. What makes you think you have what it takes to join the Azure Cloud Sect?"
Lin Feng bowed politely. "This junior does not presume to know if he is worthy. I have come to test myself, to learn, and to grow. If the Azure Cloud Sect will have me, I will dedicate myself fully to the path of cultivation."
The two disciples exchanged glances. The second one spoke, his tone a bit friendlier. "Well said. At least you're not as arrogant as some of the others we've seen. Come on, we'll take you to register for the entrance trials."
They led Lin Feng into the Reception Hall, a vast chamber with a vaulted ceiling that seemed to reflect the sky outside. Dozens of other young cultivators milled about, some looking nervous, others projecting confidence that seemed a bit forced.
At a long desk, several older disciples were processing the new arrivals. Lin Feng was directed to one of them, a severe-looking young woman with her hair tied back in a tight bun.
"Name?" she asked without looking up from her jade tablet.
"Lin Feng."
"Origin?"
"Willow Creek."
At this, she did look up, one eyebrow raised. "Willow Creek? Never heard of it. What sect are you from?"
Lin Feng hesitated. "I... I'm not from a sect. I was taught by an immortal cultivator on Mount Tai."
The woman's other eyebrow joined the first. "Mount Tai? And who was this immortal cultivator?"
"She didn't give her name," Lin Feng admitted. "But she said I had potential, and that I should seek to join the Azure Cloud Sect."
The woman stared at him for a long moment, then shook her head. "Riiiight. Well, whoever she was, she should have mentioned that we don't usually accept disciples without a sect background or a letter of recommendation from a recognized cultivator."
Lin Feng's heart sank. "Does... does that mean I can't take the entrance trials?"
The woman sighed. "Normally, yes. But we've had a few unusual cases lately, so I suppose one more won't hurt. You can take the trials, but don't get your hopes up. The competition is fierce, and without a strong foundation..." She left the sentence unfinished, her meaning clear.
She handed Lin Feng a jade token. "This will serve as your identification during the trials. Don't lose it. The first trial begins at dawn tomorrow in the Outer Courtyard. Don't be late."
Feeling a bit dazed, Lin Feng took the token and moved away from the desk. He found himself in a corner of the hall, trying to process everything that had happened. The excitement of arriving at the sect was now tempered by the realization of just how difficult his path forward might be.
"Hey there! You look a bit lost."
Lin Feng turned to see a friendly face smiling at him. It was a young man about his age, with an open, honest expression and eyes that sparkled with good humor.
"I'm Wei Chen," the young man said, offering a slight bow. "Couldn't help but overhear your conversation at the desk. You're really from Willow Creek?"
Lin Feng nodded. "Yes, I am. I'm Lin Feng. It's nice to meet you, Wei Chen."
Wei Chen grinned. "Well, Lin Feng from Willow Creek, looks like we're in the same boat. I'm not from a big sect either—just a small family clan in the southern provinces. But hey, we've made it this far, right? Might as well give it our all!"
Lin Feng felt himself relaxing a bit in the face of Wei Chen's enthusiasm. "You're right. We've come too far to give up now."
"That's the spirit!" Wei Chen clapped him on the shoulder. "Listen, a bunch of us without sect backgrounds are sharing a dormitory in the Outer Disciples' area. Why don't you join us? Strength in numbers and all that."
Grateful for the offer of friendship, Lin Feng agreed. As they made their way to the dormitory, Wei Chen filled him in on what he had learned about the entrance trials.
"There are three main trials," he explained. "The Trial of Body, the Trial of Mind, and the Trial of Spirit. They're designed to test every aspect of our cultivation and potential. I've heard they change the specific challenges each year to keep people from preparing too much in advance."
Lin Feng nodded, thinking back to his training with the Immortal. "Did you hear anything about what this year's trials might involve?"
Wei Chen shook his head. "Nothing specific. But there are rumors..." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "They say that the Sect Leader himself might be overseeing part of the trials this year. Apparently, there's been some kind of disturbance in the spiritual energies of the region, and they're looking for disciples with unique talents or potential."
Before Lin Feng could ask more, they arrived at the dormitory. It was a simple but comfortable building, with rooms for four disciples each. Wei Chen introduced Lin Feng to their roommates: Li Mei, a quiet girl with a serious demeanor, and Zhao Kuo, a burly young man with a booming laugh.
As they settled in for the night, Lin Feng found himself drawn into easy conversation with his new acquaintances. They shared stories of their homes, their reasons for seeking to join the Azure Cloud Sect, and their hopes for the future.
It was late when they finally prepared for bed. As Lin Feng lay down, his mind was whirling with everything he had experienced. The majesty of the sect, the daunting challenge ahead, the unexpected friendships he had already formed—it all seemed almost too much to process.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing the way the Immortal had taught him. As he did, he felt the comforting presence of Azure Destiny, the spirit sword humming softly at his side. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them with determination and the skills he had worked so hard to develop.
Dawn came all too soon. Lin Feng and his new friends made their way to the Outer Courtyard, joining a crowd of several hundred aspiring disciples. The atmosphere was tense, filled with nervous energy and the occasional bout of boasting from more confident cultivators.
A hush fell over the gathering as a group of figures appeared on a raised platform. At their center stood a man whose mere presence seemed to command respect. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a long beard that fluttered in the wind and eyes that gleamed with barely contained power.
"Disciples," he spoke, his voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard, "I am Feng Yuliang, Leader of the Azure Cloud Sect. You stand here today seeking to join our ranks, to walk the path of cultivation under the banner of the azure clouds. Know that this path is not an easy one. It will demand everything you have to give, and more."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the assembled hopefuls. "But for those with the will, the talent, and the heart to persevere, the rewards are beyond imagining. You will soar through the heavens, unravel the mysteries of the universe, and take your first steps on the road to immortality."
Lin Feng felt a shiver run down his spine at these words. This was what he had come for—the chance to grow, to protect those he cared about, to understand the true nature of cultivation.
Sect Leader Feng continued, "The trials you face will test every aspect of your being. They will push you to your limits and beyond. Some of you will fail. Many of you will choose to leave. But those who remain, those who prove themselves worthy, will find a home and a family here in the Azure Cloud Sect."
He raised his hand, and a shimmering portal appeared behind him. "The first trial awaits you. Step forward, aspirants, and may your hearts be as vast as the sky and your wills as unshakable as the mountains."
With that, he stepped aside. The other elders began calling names, directing groups of disciples towards the portal.
"Lin Feng! Wei Chen! Li Mei! Zhao Kuo!"
The four friends exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and apprehension on their faces.
"Well," Wei Chen said with a nervous grin, "I guess this is it. Good luck, everyone. See you on the other side!"
As they approached the portal, Lin Feng felt Azure Destiny pulse with energy. Whatever lay beyond, he was as ready as he could be. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the shimmering light, leaving the familiar world behind.
The Trial of Body had begun.