The morning sun bathed Blue Wave City in a golden hue as the participants gathered outside its gates. The looming Blue Wave Forest stretched before them, a labyrinth of shadowy paths and unseen dangers. The sect elders hovered on flying swords, their stoic expressions hiding the subtle glee at the terror written on the faces of the young cultivators.
Makoto stood near the edge of the crowd, his arms folded. He exuded calm confidence, but his sharp gaze was fixed on the forest as if it were an old rival waiting for a rematch. Yuna, Hiro, and Kazu flanked him, their anticipation thick in the air.
"Blue Wave Forest," Makoto mused under his breath, "A proving ground for the strong and a graveyard for the reckless."
An elder with silver hair that flowed like liquid moonlight addressed the crowd. His voice, enhanced by a Spirit Amplification Talisman, resonated across the field.
"The first trial is simple in its concept but merciless in execution. Scattered across Blue Wave Forest are 150 tokens. Gather as many as you can. Only fifty of you will proceed to the next stage. Tokens can be claimed from the forest or from your fellow participants. How you acquire them is of no concern to us."
A murmur rippled through the crowd as the weight of the elder's words sank in.
"There are three days allotted for this trial," he continued. "Be warned: not all of you will leave this forest unscathed. Some may not leave at all. This trial is as much a measure of your resolve as it is of your strength."
The elder raised a hand, and with a surge of spiritual energy, the barrier at the forest's entrance dissolved into shimmering motes of light.
"Enter!"
---
Stepping into Chaos
The crowd surged forward, a cacophony of voices and hurried footsteps as participants scrambled into the forest. Makoto and his companions hung back, their measured pace standing in stark contrast to the frenzy around them.
"Rushing in blind will only make you a target," Makoto said, his voice low but commanding.
Hiro glanced at him. "You're awfully calm for someone about to step into a death trap."
Makoto smirked faintly. "The forest isn't what concerns me. It's the people in it."
As they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted. The dense canopy swallowed the light, casting everything in a dim, green glow. The air grew heavy with moisture, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant decay.
They hadn't been walking long when Makoto raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. The faint rustle of leaves ahead was too rhythmic to be the wind.
"Ambush," he murmured.
The group scattered silently, each finding cover behind the thick trunks of ancient trees. Moments later, a group of five cultivators emerged, their expressions predatory.
"You look like easy pickings," said the leader, a wiry man with a jagged scar running down his cheek.
Makoto stepped forward, his expression indifferent. "You should have stayed hidden."
The scarred man sneered and lunged, but before he could close the distance, Makoto was upon him. His hand shot out, gripping the man's chest over his heart. A surge of qi exploded from Makoto's palm, and the man's body convulsed before collapsing.
The remaining four froze, their bravado evaporating as Makoto turned his gaze on them. "Run," he said, his voice cold and final.
They didn't need to be told twice.
As the group regrouped, Makoto spoke. "We'll cover more ground if we split up. Gather tokens and meet back here at sunset. Stay cautious. The forest will test more than just your strength."
Yuna hesitated. "And if one of us runs into trouble?"
Makoto's eyes met hers. "Then handle it. We can't afford to be reckless, not now."
Reluctantly, the group dispersed.
-
Makoto moved through the forest like a shadow, his footsteps silent and his senses sharp. He spotted his first token dangling from a vine above a shallow stream. As he reached for it, the water erupted, and a Spirit Serpent lunged at him, its fangs dripping venom.
Makoto twisted mid-air, his sword flashing in a clean arc. The serpent's head fell into the water with a dull splash, and the token dropped into his hand.
He wiped the blade clean and whispered, "Predictable."
Makoto moved through the dense underbrush, his eyes scanning the shadows with laser-like precision. He had already encountered a few minor beasts—trivial distractions—and dispatched them effortlessly. Yet, he felt the tension in the air. The forest was not simply a test of strength, but of wits and patience.
As he ventured deeper, a distinct sound broke through the ambient hum of the forest—a low growl, followed by a sharp snap of twigs. It was too close.
Makoto's eyes narrowed as he turned, instinctively stepping into a battle stance. A large form emerged from the shadows—a Dire Beast, easily the size of two men, with claws like jagged blades and eyes glowing a deep crimson. Its body was covered in matted, mud-streaked fur, and its breath came in ragged bursts. It had been stalking him for a while.
Without hesitation, Makoto unsheathed his sword. The air around him rippled as a surge of qi enveloped the blade. He wasn't just fighting for survival now. This was an expression of dominance.
The beast lunged, its massive form crashing through the air toward him. In one fluid motion, Makoto sidestepped, his blade a blur as it cleaved through the beast's side, drawing a spray of blood. But the creature was not easily dispatched. It roared in pain, swiping at him with its claws.
Makoto's eyes flashed with intensity. He blocked the swipe with his sword, but the force sent him skidding back, his feet barely holding traction on the slick forest floor. He took a deep breath, his focus sharpening. This fight would not last long.
Gathering his qi, Makoto reached out with his other hand, his fingers flicking into a rapid motion. With a snap of his wrist, a burst of flame erupted from his palm. The fire spiraled toward the Dire Beast, engulfing it in searing heat. The beast yelped and writhed, trying to escape, but the flames consumed it completely.
When the fire died down, the beast's corpse lay charred and smoking. Makoto took a moment to calm his breath, wiping his blade clean. The token, a shimmering crystal-like object, glowed faintly on the beast's remains. He picked it up with one hand and secured it in his pouch, his gaze cold as he surveyed the forest around him.
"Too easy," Makoto muttered, but a feeling of unease lingered. It wasn't the beast that worried him. It was the presence of something—or someone—watching him.
Yuna found herself cornered by a beast—a Thunderclaw Panther, its fur crackling with electricity. Her heart pounded as she dodged its swipes, each one faster than the last.
She gathered her courage and counterattacked, her ice-element qi freezing the ground beneath the panther's paws. The beast slipped, and Yuna drove her blade into its side.
As it dissolved into motes of light, she retrieved the token it left behind. Her hands trembled, but her resolve hardened.
Meanwhile, Hiro and Kazu were having their own difficulties. They had split off from Makoto as planned, each taking a separate path through the forest. But the deeper they ventured, the more dangerous their surroundings became.
Hiro, the elder of the two, was more experienced and relied on his strength to carve a path. But the forest wasn't playing fair.
The brothers search for tokens led them into a clearing where a young woman stood, surrounded by a group of unconscious participants. She turned to face them, her eyes cold and calculating.
"You're either very brave or very foolish to come here alone," she said.
Kazu and Hiro grinned nervously, backing away. "we'll take my chances elsewhere."
Before she could respond, they vanished into the trees, their speed unmatched.
The Sect Promotion Exam was not just about showcasing talent—it was a ruthless competition where only the strongest, smartest, and most resourceful participants advanced. Each participant was given a token at the start of the exam,which served as proof of qualification ,in addition to the ones hidden the the forest. However, the exam allowed participants to challenge and steal tokens from others. This rule created chaos and tension, as possessing more tokens not only guaranteed a participant's advancement but also demonstrated their dominance.
For Li Zhang, being at the Initial Stage of the Core Formation Realm, the exam was nothing more than an opportunity to assert his strength. As one of the strongest competitors, he had no interest in simply collecting enough tokens to pass. He wanted to amass as many tokens as possible to send a clear message: he was superior to all the other candidates.
Hiro and Kazu had cleverly avoided major conflicts early in the exam, using their wits and teamwork to gather several tokens from weaker competitors. Unbeknownst to them, their success had attracted Li Zhang's attention.
When he encountered the brothers, Li Zhang demanded their tokens outright. The brothers, knowing they couldn't match his cultivation level, tried to talk their way out of it. However, their refusal only fueled Li Zhang's arrogance and cruelty. With a single attack, he gravely injured Hiro, forcing them to flee.
The brothers ran frantically through the forest, clutching their remaining tokens, knowing that if Li Zhang caught up to them, they would lose everything—not just their tokens but possibly their lives.
The forest was a living entity, its vast expanse echoing with the brothers' ragged breaths and the malicious laughter of their pursuer. Kazu gripped Hiro's arm tightly, dragging him forward as they stumbled through the underbrush. Hiro's face was pale, sweat streaming down his temple, and blood seeped from the deep slash on his side—a cruel memento from Li Zhang's earlier attack.
"Move faster!" Kazu urged, his voice tinged with desperation.
Hiro gasped, struggling to keep up. "I… I can't… It hurts too much."
"You can," Kazu snapped, half out of fear, half out of sheer determination. "Makoto will be there. He has to be there."
Behind them, Li Zhang's voice echoed, cold and taunting. "Run all you want; it'll only make the hunt more exciting." His qi surged, the oppressive energy crashing through the forest like an impending storm.
Li Zhang's movements were predatory, each step closing the distance between him and his prey. The Shadow Veil Step, a Li family secret technique, allowed him to meld with the shadows, his figure appearing and disappearing like a specter.
The brothers felt the pressure growing closer, the air thick with malice. Suddenly, a streak of crimson energy shot past them, obliterating a tree in their path. Splinters rained down as Kazu yanked Hiro aside just in time.
"That was a warning shot," Li Zhang called out, his tone mocking. "The next one will find its mark."
Hiro stumbled again, his knees buckling. "Kazu… Leave me behind. Save yourself…"
Kazu's jaw tightened as he hauled Hiro to his feet. "Shut up and run! We're not dying here!"
Li Zhang materialized a few paces behind them, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pathetic. You're just delaying the inevitable."
The brothers burst through the dense foliage into the clearing Makoto had described earlier. The small space felt like an oasis, but it was eerily silent. Kazu's heart pounded as his eyes scanned the area.
"Makoto!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "Where are you?!"
Hiro collapsed to the ground, clutching his wound. His breaths were shallow, his strength nearly spent.
Li Zhang emerged from the shadows, his crimson aura illuminating the clearing. He looked down at the brothers with disdain. "Did you really think running would save you? This is where it ends."
Kazu stepped in front of Hiro, his trembling hands raised in a futile gesture of defiance. "You won't touch him!"
Li Zhang laughed, his voice cold and hollow. "How noble. Let me show you how foolish your loyalty is."
Before Li Zhang could strike, a calm voice broke the tension. "That's enough."
Makoto stepped out from the shadows, his expression unreadable. His gaze swept over the scene—Hiro's bloodied form, Kazu's defiance, and Li Zhang's overbearing presence.
Li Zhang's amusement faded for a moment before returning as a smirk. "So, you're the one they've been running to. Do you really think you can protect them?"
Makoto's steps were unhurried as he approached. "You talk too much."
Hiro's eyes widened with relief. "Makoto…"
Kazu whispered, "We made it."
Li Zhang's aura flared, his voice laced with scorn. "You're just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Do you think you can stand against me, a Core Formation expert?"
Makoto stopped a few paces away, his eyes locking onto Li Zhang. His voice was calm, almost dismissive. "Core Formation? You think that means something to me?"
The air between Makoto and Li Zhang crackled with tension. Li Zhang, standing tall in his flowing black robes, exuded an aura of supremacy. His cultivation, at the initial stage of the Core Formation Realm, radiated like a dark storm, his presence bending the surrounding qi to his will.
Makoto, on the other hand, stood unyielding, his qi restrained but potent. He was at the final stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet his calm demeanor carried an overwhelming pressure, as if his mere gaze could strip away pretenses.
Li Zhang smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Do you even comprehend the gap between us? A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator daring to challenge me?"
Makoto's lips curled into a slight grin. "You talk too much."
Enraged, Li Zhang raised his hand, his palm glowing with an ominous crimson light. "Let me show you the power of the Bloodshadow Palm, a technique perfected by the Li family for generations. With every strike, it drains the opponent's vitality and converts it into my strength."
The crimson glow intensified, forming a blood-red shadow around Li Zhang's palm. He moved like a phantom, closing the distance in an instant. His strike was aimed directly at Makoto's chest, intending to cripple him with a single blow.
Makoto, however, was unperturbed. As the palm strike descended, he sidestepped with precision, his body flowing like water. His hand shot out, seizing Li Zhang's wrist mid-strike. A sharp twist followed, and for a brief moment, the air was filled with the sound of cracking bone.
Li Zhang's eyes widened in disbelief. "What—"
Makoto didn't give him time to recover. His other hand shot forward, glowing with a cold, pale blue qi. The chilling energy seeped into Li Zhang's wrist, disrupting the flow of qi in his meridians.
"You rely too much on your family's techniques," Makoto said, his voice calm but laced with disdain. "True strength doesn't come from borrowed power."
Snarling, Li Zhang yanked his hand back and leapt away. "You'll regret underestimating me!"
He activated another Li family secret technique, the Shadow Veil Step, a movement art that allowed him to meld with the shadows. His form blurred, vanishing into the dim light of the forest. The shadows around Makoto danced ominously as Li Zhang's voice echoed.
"Let's see how you fight against an enemy you can't see."
Makoto's expression didn't waver. He closed his eyes briefly, his senses expanding outward. His sharp perception, honed over countless lifetimes, caught the faintest ripple of qi movement.
When Li Zhang's figure materialized behind him, a dagger of pure shadow aimed at Makoto's neck, Makoto spun with lethal grace. His palm struck Li Zhang's arm, deflecting the blade with a resounding clang.
"You're predictable," Makoto said, his voice sharp like a blade.
Makoto stepped in close, his hand darting toward Li Zhang's chest. His fingers crackled with concentrated qi as they pressed against Li Zhang's sternum. For a moment, the world seemed to pause.
"Feel this," Makoto said coldly.
A surge of qi exploded from Makoto's palm, ripping through Li Zhang's defenses. The force sent him flying backward, crashing into a tree with enough impact to splinter the trunk. Blood dripped from Li Zhang's lips as he staggered to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You… You dare!" Li Zhang roared, activating his trump card. His body became enveloped in a blood-red aura, the Crimson Wrath Barrier, a defensive technique unique to the Li family. It consumed his blood essence, boosting his power and creating an impenetrable shield.
Makoto chuckled darkly. "Relying on your life force? How desperate."
Makoto's aura surged, his qi swirling around him in a storm of power. He stepped forward, his presence suffocating, and pointed his blade at Li Zhang.
"You think a barrier will save you? Let me teach you what true cultivation looks like."
Makoto's blade glowed with a silver sheen as he channeled his qi into it. He raised it high, his movements deliberate, before slashing downward. The qi-infused strike released a shockwave that tore through the barrier, shattering it like fragile glass.
Li Zhang stumbled, his face pale. "This… This is impossible!"
Makoto's gaze turned icy. He closed the distance in an instant, his hand pressing against Li Zhang's chest once more. This time, the pressure was different—he wasn't just attacking; he was crushing Li Zhang's heart with his qi.
"You were never a match for me," Makoto said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You're too arrogant to see your own weakness."
Li Zhang gasped, his body trembling as he felt his life force being drained. Just as it seemed Makoto would end it, he released his grip, letting Li Zhang collapse to the ground, panting and broken.
Makoto stepped back, his blade sheathed,his expression cold as he watched Li Zhang struggle to regain his breath. The atmosphere around them was charged with tension, the forest seemingly holding its breath in anticipation."You're lucky I don't kill ants."
.
Li Zhang's eyes burned with fury, but he was too weak to respond. The arrogance that had once filled him was now replaced with a mixture of fear and disbelief. His pride, once unshakable, had been shattered in a matter of moments.
Makoto turned away, his gaze falling on Hiro and Kazu, who had watched the scene unfold in stunned silence.
"Are you two alright?" Makoto asked, his voice still cold but with a hint of concern.
Kazu nodded quickly, though his hands were still trembling. Hiro, bloodied and weakened, managed a faint smile. "We're fine… thanks to you."
Makoto gave a sharp nod before turning to Li Zhang once more. "Don't think this is over. You've been humiliated, but if you want to challenge me again, I'll be waiting."
With that, he began walking back toward the forest's deeper shadows, his companions in tow.
Li Zhang struggled to push himself up, his body still wracked with pain. His gaze followed Makoto with a venomous glare,his pride shattered. "This isn't over…" He said
Makoto turned around, his voice cutting through the silence. "It's already over. Next time, bring more than just family techniques."
Li Zhang was enraged,but for now, he was defeated—he had no strength left to pursue a fight.
As Makoto and the brothers disappeared into the forest, the tension in the air slowly began to dissipate. The first trial had proven to be a deadly contest, but for Makoto, it was merely another step in his journey, a reminder of just how far he had come from his broken state.
Some where one thousand miles away..
Kazu looked at Makoto, his eyes filled with awe and fear. "How… How did you do that?"
Makoto's gaze softened as he looked at the brothers. "You survive by being smarter than your enemies. Power isn't everything."
The brothers nodded, their respect for Makoto deepened
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest came alive with the sounds of nocturnal predators.
"nurse your wound we will continue in the morning" Makoto said, giving the brothers some qi restoration pills and healing pills "and we are not alone either" his voice low. He gestured to a faint glow in the distance—another group had set up camp nearby.
He was worried about yuna but he knew worrying would not solve anything so he could only put that aside.