The Jade Peak Sect loomed high above, its gates carved into the mountainside like a fortress of the heavens. From where Wei Liang stood, the massive stone stairs leading up to the sect's main grounds seemed endless. Hundreds of hopeful recruits milled about, most looking far more confident—or at least less nervous—than he felt.
He tightened his grip on the small bundle slung over his shoulder. After being accepted at the recruitment ceremony, all candidates were brought here to undergo a week of trials. Passing meant earning the right to become an outer disciple, the lowest rank in the sect. Failing meant dismissal and, worse, disgrace.
The System's voice broke through his thoughts, calm and clinical.
[New Quest: Pass the Jade Peak Sect's Initiation Trials.]
[Reward: Enhanced Qi Condensation Speed.]
Wei Liang frowned. "Could you at least tell me what the trials are?"
The System remained silent, as always.
He sighed and fell in line as the recruits began ascending the stairs, their chatter a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
---
By the time they reached the summit, Wei Liang's legs were burning, and his breath came in short gasps. His farmer's body had decent stamina, but the climb had pushed him to his limits. Around him, a few recruits groaned in exhaustion, while others barely seemed affected.
Ahead, the sect's main grounds stretched out in all their grandeur—pagodas with jade-tiled roofs, serene gardens filled with ancient trees, and rivers of mist that seemed to flow through the air. Disciples in white and green robes moved with practiced grace, their expressions calm and unreadable.
Elder Yan stood at the center of a large training field, his hands clasped behind his back. When all the recruits had gathered, he spoke, his voice cutting through the din like a blade.
"Welcome to the Jade Peak Sect. You have taken your first step on the path of cultivation, but the road ahead will not be easy. Only the strong and the determined will earn the right to stay."
He gestured to a row of sect disciples behind him. Each carried a wooden token etched with a number.
"These are your identification tokens. Over the next seven days, you will undergo three trials. Your performance will determine whether you are accepted into the sect or sent back to your mundane lives. Take a token and prepare yourselves."
Wei Liang joined the line, his palms slick with sweat. When it was his turn, the disciple handed him a token engraved with the number 134.
"What do these trials involve?" Wei Liang asked quietly.
The disciple smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
---
The first trial began that afternoon. The recruits were gathered in a massive clearing outside the sect grounds, where Elder Yan stood with a group of sect elders. In the center of the clearing, a series of glowing runes were etched into the ground, forming a large, circular formation.
"This is the Test of Potential," Elder Yan announced. "It will measure the strength of your spiritual root and determine your aptitude for cultivation. Those who score too low will be immediately dismissed."
Wei Liang's heart sank. The farmer's memories told him his spiritual root was nothing impressive—low-grade Earth Root, barely passable. He clenched his fists, glancing at the other recruits. Some were already whispering about their high-grade roots, their confidence palpable.
One by one, the recruits stepped into the circle. When their turn came, the runes flared with light, casting a glow that reflected their spiritual aptitude.
The first recruit, a tall boy with a confident smirk, stepped forward. The runes glowed bright yellow, and the elders nodded in approval. "Mid-grade Heaven Root. Excellent potential," one of them said.
The next recruit followed, and the glow dimmed slightly—still respectable, but not as bright.
Wei Liang's anxiety grew with each passing turn. Finally, his number was called. He stepped into the circle, his pulse racing.
As soon as his foot touched the runes, the formation activated. The light was faint—barely green, flickering weakly before stabilizing. The elders exchanged glances, their expressions neutral.
"Low-grade Earth Root," Elder Yan said. His tone wasn't dismissive, but neither was it encouraging. "Barely acceptable, but not without potential. You may proceed to the next trial."
Wei Liang exhaled, relief washing over him. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him in the game.
---
The second trial was announced the following morning: combat.
Elder Yan addressed the recruits on a raised platform overlooking the sect's sparring grounds. "In the world of cultivation, strength is paramount. Today, you will face each other in one-on-one duels. Demonstrate your skill, determination, and adaptability. The victors will advance, while the defeated may still earn their place if their performance is deemed satisfactory."
Wei Liang's stomach churned. He had no combat experience beyond the brief instinctive fight with the wolf on his way to the sect. The techniques the System had "uploaded" into his mind felt distant and unfamiliar, like words in a language he'd only just learned.
Names were called, and the first pair of recruits stepped into the arena. The fight was over in seconds—one boy unleashed a blast of Qi that sent his opponent sprawling. The crowd cheered, and the elders nodded in approval.
Wei Liang's turn came faster than he expected. He stepped into the arena, clutching a wooden training sword handed to him by a disciple. Across from him stood his opponent, a burly young man with a smug grin and a palpable aura of confidence.
"Try not to embarrass yourself, farmer," the boy sneered, raising his sword.
The gong sounded, and the fight began.
Wei Liang barely had time to react as his opponent charged, swinging his sword in a wide arc. He ducked instinctively, the wooden blade whistling inches above his head. The System's voice echoed in his mind.
[Combat Assistance Activated. Utilizing Basic Sword Techniques.]
Suddenly, his movements felt sharper, more precise. He sidestepped the next strike and countered with a quick thrust, his blade tapping his opponent's ribs. The burly boy staggered back, his grin replaced by a scowl.
"You got lucky!" he growled, lunging again.
Wei Liang parried clumsily, his arm trembling from the impact. The farmer's body wasn't used to prolonged combat, and his strength was already waning. Desperation flared in his chest as his opponent pressed the attack.
[Suggestion: Channel Qi into your strikes.]
Qi. The mysterious energy of this world. Wei Liang focused, imagining the golden glow he had felt during the wolf fight. To his surprise, a faint warmth spread through his body, gathering in his arms.
When his opponent swung again, Wei Liang stepped forward and struck with all his might. His blade connected, and a pulse of energy sent the burly boy stumbling backward, his sword clattering to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps. Elder Yan raised a hand. "Enough. Wei Liang is the winner."
Wei Liang lowered his sword, his chest heaving. He had won, but barely. The fight had drained him, and he could feel the strain on his body.
[Combat Experience Gained. Skill Level Increased.]
The System's voice was as emotionless as ever, but Wei Liang couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. He had survived another trial.
---
The third and final trial loomed ahead, shrouded in mystery. Wei Liang knew it would push him to his limits. But as he looked up at the Jade Peak Sect's towering spires, he clenched his fists.
No matter what, he wasn't going back to the fields. His path as a cultivator had begun, and he was determined to see it through.