The following morning, Yan Rui woke to the sound of a bell tolling across the sect grounds. Its deep, resounding chime sent ripples of energy through the air, signaling the start of another day. Despite the soreness in his muscles and the fatigue lingering in his bones, Yan Rui forced himself to rise. He couldn't afford to falter—not when the Flameborne Sect demanded constant progress.
As he left his quarters, he noticed a few disciples gathered near the bulletin board at the training grounds. A wooden slate had been nailed to the board, inscribed with fiery red characters that flickered faintly. The excitement among the outer disciples was palpable.
"What's happening?" Yan Rui asked, stepping up beside Fei Yue, who stood with her arms crossed as she read the announcement.
"Monthly rankings," she replied without looking at him. "Every outer disciple is assigned a rank based on their performance in tasks, duels, and cultivation progress. Higher ranks mean better resources and more opportunities. Lower ranks… well, let's just say you don't want to be there."
Yan Rui scanned the slate, his gaze landing on the rankings. The names of the top disciples were displayed proudly, their accomplishments noted beside them. Lin Zhan was ranked in the top fifty, while Fei Yue sat comfortably at rank thirty-eight. As expected, Yan Rui's name was absent.
"It's not surprising," Fei Yue said, noticing his reaction. "You're new. Outer disciples have to prove themselves before they even make it onto the list."
"How do I do that?" Yan Rui asked, his voice steady despite the growing fire in his chest.
She smirked. "Simple. Take on sect tasks, improve your cultivation, and win duels. But you'll need to be careful. Once you start climbing, others will see you as a threat. The higher you go, the more enemies you'll make."
Yan Rui nodded. He understood the risks, but he didn't care. The Flameborne Sect was his chance to rise above his humble beginnings, to prove to himself and the world that he was more than a weakling from Ember Village.
---
Later that day, Senior Disciple Zhao Yi called Group Seven to the task hall. The hall was a grand structure carved from black stone, its walls adorned with glowing runes. Inside, rows of shelves held jade slips, each containing information about available tasks.
Zhao Yi gestured to the shelves. "These tasks are assigned to outer disciples based on their abilities. Some involve gathering rare herbs or hunting spirit beasts, while others require assisting the sect's elders. Completing tasks earns you contribution points, which can be exchanged for resources like cultivation manuals, pills, and weapons."
He turned to face the group, his expression stern. "This is your first opportunity to prove your worth. Choose wisely, and remember—failure is not an option."
The disciples hesitated, unsure of which tasks to take. Lin Zhan, as expected, strode confidently to the front, selecting a task that involved hunting Flame-Scaled Lizards in the nearby forest. Fei Yue chose a task requiring the retrieval of Ember Lotus flowers from a dangerous swamp.
Yan Rui, meanwhile, studied the jade slips carefully. Most of the tasks seemed beyond his current abilities, but he refused to back down. His gaze eventually landed on a task labeled "Flame Spirit Crystal Extraction."
"Flame Spirit Crystals?" he murmured to himself, picking up the jade slip.
Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow as he saw Yan Rui's choice. "Ambitious for someone like you. Those crystals form deep within volcanic crevices, and the heat alone can kill an unprepared disciple. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Senior Disciple," Yan Rui replied, his voice firm.
Zhao Yi studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. The task is yours. But don't say I didn't warn you."
---
The volcanic crevice where the Flame Spirit Crystals formed was located on the outskirts of the sect's territory. Yan Rui made his way there alone, carrying a simple pickaxe and a small satchel for the crystals.
As he approached the crevice, the air grew hotter, and the ground beneath his feet cracked with veins of molten rock. A faint orange glow emanated from the fissure ahead, where the crystals were rumored to grow.
Yan Rui crouched near the edge, peering into the depths. The crystals sparkled faintly, embedded in the rock like glowing embers. But retrieving them wouldn't be easy—the heat radiating from the crevice was intense, and the slightest misstep could send him tumbling into the molten depths.
He steadied his breathing, activating the Flame Foundation Breathing Technique to regulate his body temperature. The Ember Vein Constitution within him responded, shielding him from the worst of the heat.
With careful movements, he lowered himself into the crevice, using the jagged rocks as handholds. Sweat dripped from his brow as he inched closer to the crystals, his muscles straining with the effort.
Finally, he reached the nearest cluster. The crystals were as beautiful as they were dangerous, their fiery glow pulsing faintly. Yan Rui swung his pickaxe, chipping away at the surrounding rock.
The first crystal came loose with a satisfying crack, followed by another. He placed them carefully in his satchel, mindful of their fragility.
Just as he was about to retrieve a third crystal, a low growl echoed through the crevice. Yan Rui froze, his heart pounding. From the shadows emerged a Flame Wyrm, a serpentine creature with scales that glowed like molten lava. Its eyes burned with feral intensity as it locked onto him.
Yan Rui gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Flame Wyrm wasn't a powerful spirit beast, but it was more than a match for a novice like him. Retreating wasn't an option—he was too deep in the crevice to climb out quickly.
The wyrm lunged, its jaws snapping shut inches from his face. Yan Rui dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its attack. He grabbed a jagged piece of rock and hurled it at the creature, aiming for its eyes. The wyrm hissed in pain, momentarily disoriented.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Rui activated the Ember Vein Constitution, drawing on the latent fire energy around him. He channeled the energy into his pickaxe, which began to glow faintly.
With a shout, he swung the weapon, striking the wyrm's head with all his strength. The creature let out a piercing screech before collapsing, its body twitching as the fire within it dissipated.
Yan Rui collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving. The battle had drained him, but he was alive—and victorious.
Gathering the remaining crystals quickly, he climbed out of the crevice and made his way back to the sect.
---
When he returned to the task hall, Zhao Yi looked genuinely surprised. "You succeeded?"
Yan Rui handed over the satchel, his expression calm despite his exhaustion. "The crystals are here, Senior Disciple."
Zhao Yi inspected the contents before nodding. "Well done. It seems you're not as weak as you look. Keep this up, and you might just survive in this sect."
As Yan Rui walked away, the fire within him burned brighter than ever. He was no longer just surviving—he was beginning to thrive.
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