Yan Rui's arrival at the Flameborne Sect was nothing short of overwhelming. The sect's headquarters sat atop the Celestial Peak, its towering pagodas surrounded by cascading waterfalls of molten lava. The air was thick with spiritual energy, so potent that it made his skin tingle.
Alongside other recruits, Yan Rui stood before the Flame Baptism Pool. This ritual marked the first step in a disciple's journey. By immersing themselves in the pool's searing spiritual flames, candidates would awaken their latent potential—or be consumed entirely.
"You first," sneered Lin Zhan, who had also been accepted into the sect. Though Lin's talent was low-tier, his strength and connections earned him a place.
Yan Rui ignored him and stepped toward the pool. The flames within it danced like living entities, their heat making the air shimmer.
"Remember," instructed Elder Xuan, the same man who had tested Yan Rui in the village, "the flames will test your will. Succeed, and you will advance. Fail, and you will die."
Yan Rui took a deep breath and plunged into the pool.
Pain. All-consuming, mind-numbing pain. The flames seared his skin and invaded his veins, burning away impurities and igniting the dormant power within him. Memories of his harsh life in the village surfaced: the nights he went hungry, the ridicule he endured. Yet, amidst the agony, a single thought kept him going.
"I will not remain weak."
The flames responded to his determination. They surged around him, forming a cocoon of crimson and gold. Outside the pool, the elders exchanged astonished glances.
"He's absorbing the flames," murmured one. "Could he truly master the Ember Vein Constitution?"
After what felt like an eternity, Yan Rui emerged. His skin glowed faintly, and his eyes shimmered with an ember-like hue. The transformation was subtle but undeniable.
"You've passed," Elder Xuan said, though his expression remained guarded. "But this is only the beginning."
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Yan Rui's journey had begun. From an outcast in Ember Village to a disciple of the Flameborne Sect, he had taken the first step on the path of cultivation. But the sect was no haven. Rivalries, challenges, and the mysteries of his cursed constitution awaited him. To survive, he would need to forge his weakness into strength—and uncover the truth behind the flames that burned within him.
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