Lin Feng stood before the Azure Sky Sect's majestic gates, the jade stone arch towering over him, its intricate carvings depicting celestial beings and mighty beasts from legends long past. The golden filigree shimmered in the sunlight, casting an ethereal glow over the entire compound. It was a sight to behold, a place of mystique, beauty, and power. This was the heart of the cultivation world, and Lin Feng felt small in comparison.
His journey had begun in a small, forgotten village nestled between mountains, where survival was an art form and strength was earned through sheer will. Now, standing at the threshold of this vast sect, he had no choice but to prove that his will to succeed was enough to overcome the disadvantages of his humble beginnings. His clothes were plain, his face still bearing the marks of a life spent fighting for survival. Unlike the other disciples he saw entering, their robes flowing with the insignia of their status, Lin Feng was an outsider.
But that wouldn't stop him.
Lin Feng's hand brushed over the Flame Lotus Sword, tucked safely inside his bag. It felt like his last connection to his past—his father's teachings, the simple swordplay he had practiced under the moonlit sky. Now, it would be his greatest tool in the battles to come.
As he walked through the gates, the hum of spiritual energy filled the air, buzzing around him like an invisible current. It was a palpable force here in the sect, much stronger than anything he had experienced before. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the faint, earthy aroma of cultivation herbs, familiar yet foreign to him.
The sect was unlike anything Lin Feng had ever seen. Vast courtyards sprawled in all directions, each filled with disciples practicing various arts—swordsmanship, martial arts, spiritual cultivation, and more. He could feel the power radiating from the stronger disciples, their movements fluid and graceful as they honed their skills. It was both inspiring and daunting.
He followed the winding path leading deeper into the sect, passing towering spires that touched the clouds. The sky above was a brilliant blue, with wisps of white clouds lazily drifting by, as if even the heavens themselves were watching over the sect. The environment here was both calming and overwhelming, a reminder that this place, despite its beauty, was also a battlefield—where only the strongest would rise.
Lin Feng arrived at the registration hall, a grand building with wooden doors intricately carved with mythical beasts and symbols of power. The hall was bustling with activity, new recruits from various places coming together to join the sect. Some walked confidently, already accustomed to the environment, while others, like Lin Feng, moved with trepidation, unsure of what awaited them.
Inside, the atmosphere was cool, and the scent of polished wood filled the air. At a counter near the back, a senior disciple sat, his gaze sharp and calculating. His robes were a deep blue, signifying his higher status in the sect. His eyes flicked over Lin Feng with barely concealed disdain as he set down the scroll he was reading.
"You're here to join the sect?" the disciple asked, his tone cool, bordering on dismissive.
Lin Feng nodded. "Yes, I am."
The disciple raised an eyebrow. "And you think you're worthy?"
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. The question hit him harder than he expected. Worthy? He had always been told he would never amount to anything. His lack of a powerful bloodline or cultivation resources made him an outcast even in his own village. But here, in this vast sect, he had an opportunity to prove himself. That was enough for him to keep pushing forward.
"I don't think I'm worthy. But I'll fight to be," Lin Feng replied firmly.
The disciple studied him for a moment, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "We'll see," he muttered before sliding a small token across the desk. "Take this to the recruit training hall. Follow the rest of the new recruits, and don't embarrass yourself."
Lin Feng took the token, his fingers brushing against the cool jade surface. The disciple's words stung, but they only fueled his resolve. If anything, Lin Feng thought, he would make sure he wasn't a disappointment.
The disciple turned away, dismissing him as he returned to his scroll. Lin Feng, with the token clutched tightly in his hand, exited the hall and made his way through the compound. The path to the recruit training hall was lined with blooming flowers and ancient trees, their branches twisting and turning like serpents reaching toward the sky. Despite the beauty surrounding him, Lin Feng remained focused, his thoughts on what lay ahead.
---
The recruit training hall was a large, open structure with rows of practice mats on the floor. A few dozen recruits were already there, some stretching, others chatting in hushed voices. Most were younger, some even teenagers, all looking eager to prove their worth. Lin Feng felt like an outsider, his age, demeanor, and appearance setting him apart. He quietly joined a group of recruits standing near the back, feeling the weight of their eyes on him. They were sizing him up, and he knew it.
A tall man with dark eyes and a proud stance, clearly a senior disciple, walked into the hall. His robes were decorated with golden patterns, signifying his status. He took a moment to scan the room before his gaze landed on Lin Feng. His expression hardened, and he walked directly toward him.
"Another new recruit?" the man asked, his voice laced with mockery. "What makes you think you're worthy of joining the Azure Sky Sect?"
Lin Feng met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm here to learn. I'm not here to prove anything to you."
The senior disciple's lips curled into a smirk. "Very well. Let's see if you can keep that attitude when you face your first trial."
Before Lin Feng could respond, the senior disciple turned and clapped his hands. The entire hall fell silent.
"Gather around!" he called out. "It's time for your first test. All new recruits must face each other in a series of one-on-one battles. The trials will determine your worthiness to stay in the sect. Fail, and you'll be sent packing."
Lin Feng's heart raced. He had heard of trials like these—battles that were meant to weed out the weak. He had no illusions about his strength, but he knew he couldn't back down. If he failed, it was over. His chance at a better life, his dream of cultivating strength, would be shattered.
The recruits lined up in pairs, and the first few battles went by quickly. Some recruits were clearly stronger than others, their strikes swift and decisive. Others faltered, their lack of experience showing. Lin Feng watched intently, studying the movements of the stronger fighters. He needed to learn, to adapt. If he was to survive here, he would have to fight smarter than anyone else.
When it was his turn, Lin Feng stepped into the arena. His opponent was a tall, muscular recruit with a cocky grin plastered across his face. He was clearly confident, his stance relaxed as he cracked his knuckles.
"I'm going to enjoy this," the recruit said, drawing his sword from its sheath. "Let's see how long you last."
Lin Feng gripped the Flame Lotus Sword tightly, readying himself. He knew he wasn't on the same level as this man, but he wasn't going to back down.
The battle began, and it was as brutal as Lin Feng had feared. His opponent moved with lightning speed, each strike cutting through the air with a power Lin Feng could barely match. He blocked and dodged, his movements slower and less precise. Each time his sword clashed with the opponent's, a shockwave rippled through his arms, threatening to send him to the ground.
"You're slow!" the recruit taunted, pushing Lin Feng back with a powerful blow. "Just give up already. You don't belong here."
Lin Feng stumbled, barely keeping his footing. He could feel the eyes of the other recruits on him, could hear their whispers of doubt. His breath was coming in ragged gasps, his body screaming for rest, but he refused to stop. This wasn't just a fight for his life—it was a fight for his future.
Then, as the recruit raised his sword for a final strike, something inside Lin Feng snapped. His grip on the Flame Lotus Sword tightened, and for the first time, he felt a surge of energy—a connection to the sword. His vision blurred, and in that moment, the world seemed to slow.
With a single movement, Lin Feng swung the sword upward, parrying his opponent's strike and knocking his weapon out of his hands. The recruit staggered back, eyes wide in shock.
Lin Feng stood tall, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The energy coursing through him was overwhelming, but it was also exhilarating. He had done it. He had won.
The senior disciple overseeing the trials watched in silence, his expression unreadable. The other recruits whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. Lin Feng had just done something they hadn't expected—he had shown that he was more than just a struggling recruit.
The senior disciple finally spoke. "Impressive. You may have potential after all, Lin Feng."