The first trial had been a physical gauntlet, testing the competitors' raw strength and combat skills. Yan Rui had survived, outmaneuvering his brute-force opponent with a mix of agility, strategy, and his finely honed swordsmanship. But the second trial, the Spirit Beast Hunt, was far more dangerous. It was a test not only of strength but of survival, resourcefulness, and connection to the natural world.
At dawn, the competitors gathered at the edge of the Flameborne Sect's territory. The air was crisp, and the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to rise. The dense forest beyond the boundary was home to a variety of spirit beasts—dangerous creatures with powerful abilities and heightened senses.
Elder Han stood before them, his voice grave. "You will enter the forest and hunt a spirit beast of your choosing. But beware—the beasts here are not like those you have faced before. They are more cunning, and some are as old as the sect itself. This trial will test not only your strength but your ability to endure the harshest conditions."
Each disciple was given a tracking stone, a magical artifact that would guide them to the location of their chosen beast. But the stone would only work once, so it was vital to make the right choice. Yan Rui examined the smooth jade disk in his hand, feeling the faint pulse of energy that came from it.
"You're lucky," Fei Yue said as she walked up beside him. "You get to test your mettle against the spirit beasts now. It's a good way to earn respect among the inner sect members."
Yan Rui glanced at her with a faint smile. "I'm not here to earn respect. I'm here to win."
Fei Yue's lips curved upward, her eyes glinting with approval. "That's the spirit. Just remember—you'll be competing against the likes of Liu Zhen, and he won't play fair."
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The forest was dense and foreboding, the trees towering like ancient giants, their gnarled roots twisting across the ground like serpents. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the rustling of unseen creatures. The deeper Yan Rui ventured, the more he felt the weight of the forest closing in around him. Every step seemed to echo, every movement watched by eyes unseen.
As he walked, his thoughts were focused on the task ahead. The tracking stone had pointed him toward a location deep within the forest, where it was said that a Crimson Fang Tiger had been spotted. This beast was known for its unmatched speed, powerful claws, and ferocious temper. Its fur, as red as blood, made it one of the most dangerous spirit beasts in the forest.
Yan Rui's heart beat faster as he neared the location marked on his stone. He moved carefully, his senses heightened. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds kept him alert, every sound potentially a warning. He was not alone here.
Suddenly, a sharp roar split the air, sending a chill down Yan Rui's spine. It was low at first, like a growl, but then it built into a deafening cry that seemed to shake the very earth beneath his feet.
Yan Rui's pulse quickened. The Crimson Fang Tiger.
Without hesitation, he rushed toward the source of the sound, weaving through the dense undergrowth. The forest seemed to part for him, and then, through the trees, he saw it. The Crimson Fang Tiger stood tall, its massive body rippling with power. Its red fur seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, and its eyes gleamed with a predatory intelligence. The beast's claws scraped against the stone ground, leaving deep gouges as it turned its gaze toward Yan Rui.
The tracking stone in Yan Rui's hand pulsed once, confirming that this was his target. But the tiger's gaze was not one of submission. It knew it was being hunted, and it would not go down easily.
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The battle began with a burst of speed from the tiger, leaping at Yan Rui with terrifying force. The ground shook beneath its weight, and its claws slashed through the air like blades. Yan Rui dodged to the side, his wooden sword raised just in time to block the tiger's claws, the impact vibrating through his entire body.
The force of the blow sent Yan Rui stumbling back, but he regained his footing quickly. His heart raced as he assessed the situation. The tiger's speed was unbelievable, but Yan Rui had trained for this. He had learned to channel his Qi into his movements, enhancing his speed and strength.
The tiger growled, its body crouching in preparation for another strike. Yan Rui's mind raced. He needed to use his agility and quick reflexes to outmaneuver the beast. He took a deep breath, focusing his Qi into his legs, and then, with a powerful leap, he darted to the side just as the tiger lunged.
The Crimson Fang Tiger's jaws snapped shut mere inches from Yan Rui's arm, and he felt the air pressure from its attack whip past him. As the beast landed, its body turned, and Yan Rui saw his opening. He swung his wooden sword with all his strength, the blade imbued with fiery Qi from his Flame Foundation Breathing Technique.
The strike landed on the tiger's side, and a burst of flame erupted from the contact point. The tiger let out a pained roar, stumbling backward. But it quickly recovered, its eyes narrowing as it realized its opponent was no ordinary disciple.
Yan Rui didn't hesitate. He pushed forward, unleashing a flurry of rapid strikes aimed at the tiger's vulnerable spots. The beast retaliated fiercely, slashing with its claws and swiping at him with its powerful tail. But Yan Rui kept moving, never staying in one place for too long, his strikes precise and calculated.
It was a battle of endurance and willpower. Yan Rui's wooden sword, though no match for the tiger's claws, glowed with the force of his Qi, cutting into the beast's fur with each strike. Finally, after a long exchange, the tiger let out a final, blood-curdling roar as Yan Rui struck it down with a powerful blow to its heart.
The forest fell silent. The beast crumpled to the ground, its massive body still. Yan Rui stood over it, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face. He had done it. The spirit beast hunt had been a success.
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With the Crimson Fang Tiger defeated, Yan Rui returned to the sect grounds, his heart still racing from the intense battle. He was exhausted, his body aching from the fight, but there was no time to rest. The trials were far from over.
As he approached the sect's entrance, he saw the other disciples beginning to return. Some were injured, their expressions grim. Others looked pleased with their accomplishments. But there was one figure who stood out among them—Liu Zhen.
The former inner disciple looked at Yan Rui with disdain, but there was a hint of wariness in his gaze. He had no doubt heard of the Crimson Fang Tiger's defeat, and it seemed that Yan Rui had earned a measure of respect, even from the likes of him.
Fei Yue stood next to Yan Rui as they waited for the elders to announce the next stage of the trials. "You did well," she said, her voice quiet. "But don't get complacent. There are still more challenges to come."
Yan Rui nodded, his eyes steely. "I won't stop. Not until I've proven myself."
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The trials were far from over, and Yan Rui knew that each step would only grow more difficult. But with each victory, he grew stronger—his resolve hardened, his skills sharpened. No matter what lay ahead, he would face it with everything he had.
And the journey toward becoming one of the Flameborne Sect's most powerful disciples had only just begun.
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