The aftermath of the trials lingered like a fading echo. Liang Tian's victory had solidified his position within the Liang Clan, but it also made him a more prominent target. While some clan members begrudgingly acknowledged his strength, others seethed in the shadows, their resentment palpable.
For Liang Tian, there was little time to savour the win. The sect recruiters would arrive within days, and the trials had taken their toll. Despite his newfound confidence, he understood that challenges far greater than Ming awaited him.
He trained in solitude, the Eternal Primordial Pearl's energy surging through him with each cultivation session. It was during one of these late-night sessions, beneath the pale glow of the moon, that Fang Mei appeared once more.
"You've been busy," she remarked, leaning against a tree with her characteristic smirk.
Liang Tian opened his eyes, sweat glistening on his brow. "And you've been absent. Where were you during the trials?"
Fang Mei shrugged, her green eyes gleaming with amusement. "Watching, of course. You didn't need me for that little contest. Besides, I was gathering information."
Liang Tian arched an eyebrow. "Information?"
"About the recruiters," Fang Mei replied, her tone turning serious. "And about what they're really here for."
Her words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Liang Tian frowned, his instincts warning him of the weight behind them. "What do you mean? They're here to scout talent for the sects, aren't they?"
Fang Mei crossed her arms. "That's what they want everyone to think. But the truth is, they're not just looking for recruits. They're looking for something—or someone."
Liang Tian's grip tightened on the hilt of his practice sword. "You think it's me."
"I know it is," Fang Mei said, her voice low. "The Eternal Primordial Pearl isn't just some trinket, Tian. Its energy isn't subtle. Someone with experience in high-level cultivation would recognize it. If you're not careful, you'll attract the wrong kind of attention."
A chill ran down Liang Tian's spine. The Pearl had been his greatest asset, but it also posed a grave danger. If the sects were aware of its presence, his life could spiral into chaos.
The following morning, the Liang Clan elders gathered in the central hall. Liang Tian stood at the edge of the room, unnoticed by most but acutely aware of the undercurrents in the air. Lin Yue joined him, her expression unreadable.
"The sect recruiters are arriving today," she whispered. "I heard the elders discussing their plans. They're going to parade Ming and a few others as the clan's best prospects."
Liang Tian's jaw tightened. "And me?"
"They didn't even mention your name," Lin Yue said bitterly. "But that doesn't mean you're off their radar. Be careful, Tian. The elders... they're playing their own game."
Her warning mirrored Fang Mei's. Trust no one. The words echoed in his mind as the hall erupted into activity.
The recruiters arrived in a procession of carriages bearing the insignias of Azure Sky Sect, Scarlet Rain Pavilion, and the Emerald Blade Sect. Their presence exuded an air of authority, their cultivations vast and unfathomable.
Liang Tian felt the weight of their gazes as they assessed the Liang Clan's assembled youth. Despite his efforts to remain inconspicuous, one of the recruiters, a stern-looking man clad in emerald robes, locked eyes with him for a fraction of a second.
The selection trials began in the afternoon. They were gruelling and fast-paced, designed to push the participants to their limits. Liang Tian's turn came swiftly, and he stepped forward into the arena.
His opponent was none other than Liang Ming.
The tension in the air was palpable as the two squared off. Ming's expression was one of barely contained fury, his humiliation from the clan trials still fresh.
"This time, I won't hold back," Ming hissed, spiritual energy crackling around him.
"Good," Liang Tian replied coolly, his wooden sword steady in his grip. "Neither will I."
The duel was fierce and unrelenting, their techniques clashing with explosive force. Ming's spiritual energy surged in wild bursts, but Liang Tian's control and precision allowed him to counter each move effectively.
As the battle reached its climax, Liang Tian seized an opening, channelling the Eternal Primordial Pearl's energy into a decisive strike. Ming's weapon shattered, and he was sent sprawling to the ground.
The crowd erupted in murmurs, but the recruiters remained impassive, their expressions unreadable.
Later that evening, as Liang Tian sat in his courtyard, a shadow fell across him. He looked up to find the recruiter in emerald robes standing before him.
"You're different from the others," the man said, his voice deep and measured. "Tell me, who taught you?"
Liang Tian met his gaze steadily. "No one. I trained myself."
The recruiter's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Self-taught, and yet your techniques are refined. Impressive. But raw talent is not enough in this world. If you wish to rise, you must be willing to make sacrifices."
"What kind of sacrifices?" Liang Tian asked cautiously.
The recruiter leaned closer, his eyes gleaming. "The kind that reveal who you truly are. Remember my words, boy. We shall see if you have what it takes."
As the man turned and disappeared into the shadows, Liang Tian's heart pounded. The man's presence was unsettling, but his words carried a promise—and a threat.
That night, Liang Tian found Fang Mei waiting for him in the grove.
"Well?" she asked, her tone light but her gaze sharp.
Liang Tian recounted the encounter, his voice tinged with unease.
Fang Mei listened silently, then nodded. "He's testing you. These sect recruiters don't just take in disciples—they mold them. Break them, even. If you're not careful, they'll turn you into a pawn in their games."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then they'll destroy you," Fang Mei said bluntly. "But don't worry. That's where I come in."
Liang Tian raised an eyebrow. "And what's your plan?"
Fang Mei's smirk returned. "To make sure that when the time comes, you're the one holding the strings."
Her confidence was infectious, but Liang Tian couldn't shake the feeling that the storm brewing around him was far greater than either of them realized.
Beneath the surface of the sects' interest and the clan's scheming, forces were moving—forces that threatened to reshape not just his life, but the entire Mortal Realm.