The sun rose above the distant mountains, casting a fiery glow over the Azure Sky Sect. Lin Feng stood among the other recruits at the base of the Peak of Trials, the jagged mountain that loomed like an unspoken threat over the sect grounds. For centuries, the Peak had been a proving ground for new disciples. Few who entered left unscathed, and even fewer succeeded without leaving a piece of themselves behind—physically or mentally.
The senior disciples lined the perimeter, their stern gazes scanning the recruits. Among them was Elder Mu, a middle-aged man with sharp features and an even sharper aura. His deep voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd like a blade.
"The Peak of Trials is not just a test of strength but of survival," he began, his hands clasped behind his back. "Each of you will face three distinct challenges. The first will test your resilience against nature. The second will measure your ability to combat opponents stronger than yourselves. And the third..." He paused, a cruel smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "The third will confront you with your greatest fears. Those who succeed will earn a place among the sect's true disciples. Those who fail... well, let's just say failure is not an option."
Lin Feng felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at the recruits around him. Some faces were pale with fear, others masked their unease with determination. He gripped the Flame Lotus Sword at his side, its familiar weight a small comfort in the face of the unknown.
The recruits were divided into small groups and sent into the Peak one by one. When it was Lin Feng's turn, he stepped forward, his heart pounding. A portal shimmered before him, swirling with a chaotic mix of colors. Without hesitation, he walked through, bracing himself for whatever lay on the other side.
---
Lin Feng emerged in a dense forest, the air thick with humidity and the scent of damp earth. The trees towered above him, their gnarled branches interwoven like a natural cage. The faint hum of spiritual energy buzzed around him, and he quickly realized that this was no ordinary forest.
The first challenge was apparent almost immediately. The ground beneath his feet shifted, roots and vines writhing like living things. A sudden roar echoed through the trees, and Lin Feng spun around just in time to see a massive Ironhide Boar charging toward him. Its tusks glinted like steel, and its red eyes burned with rage.
Lin Feng barely had time to draw his sword before the beast was upon him. He sidestepped the initial charge, slashing at its flank as it passed. The Flame Lotus Sword glowed faintly, its blade leaving a fiery streak across the boar's tough hide. The beast howled in pain but showed no signs of slowing down.
The fight was brutal. Lin Feng dodged and struck where he could, but the Ironhide Boar's sheer strength was overwhelming. Each charge shook the ground, and each swipe of its tusks came perilously close to ending the battle. Lin Feng's breathing grew ragged, and his body screamed in protest, but he refused to back down.
Finally, with one last burst of strength, Lin Feng unleashed a powerful strike, channeling every ounce of his energy into the Flame Lotus Sword. The blade ignited with fiery brilliance, and the strike cleaved through the boar's tough hide, leaving it writhing on the ground. Lin Feng collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The beast's body disintegrated into motes of spiritual energy, a sign that the first challenge had been completed.
But there was no time to rest. The forest began to shift around him, the trees pulling back to reveal a rocky canyon. Lin Feng pushed himself to his feet, his legs trembling as he moved forward. The second challenge awaited.
---
The canyon was eerily silent. Lin Feng's footsteps echoed off the jagged walls, the sound amplified by the oppressive stillness. He could feel the weight of something watching him, though he saw no sign of movement. His grip tightened on the Flame Lotus Sword as he pressed on, every sense on high alert.
Without warning, a figure stepped out from the shadows ahead. It was a man clad in black armor, his face obscured by a helmet. The aura radiating from him was suffocating, far stronger than anything Lin Feng had faced before. This was no ordinary opponent—it was a spiritual construct, a manifestation of the sect's will, designed to test recruits.
The armored figure wasted no time, lunging at Lin Feng with a massive broadsword. The force of the attack sent shockwaves through the canyon, and Lin Feng barely managed to block the strike. The impact sent him skidding backward, his arms numb from the force.
The battle that followed was a desperate struggle. The construct was relentless, its strikes precise and unyielding. Lin Feng fought back with everything he had, his movements fueled by sheer willpower. But it wasn't enough. The construct was too strong, its power a constant reminder of the gap between Lin Feng and the sect's true disciples.
As the fight dragged on, Lin Feng's vision blurred, his strength fading. He stumbled, barely able to lift his sword. The construct raised its broadsword for a final strike, and Lin Feng braced himself for the end.
But just as the blade descended, a surge of energy erupted from within him. The Flame Lotus Sword blazed to life, its fiery aura consuming the blade and spreading through Lin Feng's body. His exhaustion melted away, replaced by a fierce determination. He dodged the strike with newfound agility, countering with a flurry of attacks that forced the construct onto the defensive.
With one final, earth-shattering blow, Lin Feng shattered the construct's sword and drove his blade into its chest. The construct froze, its body disintegrating into fragments of light. Lin Feng fell to his knees once more, his chest heaving as he struggled to process what had just happened.
The energy from the sword had saved him again, but at what cost? Lin Feng could feel the strain on his body, the limits of his strength pushed to their breaking point. He knew he couldn't rely on the sword forever—he had to grow stronger on his own.
---
The third challenge began without warning. The canyon dissolved around him, replaced by a void of darkness. Lin Feng felt a chill crawl up his spine as he realized he was no longer alone. Whispers echoed in the void, voices taunting him, dredging up memories he had long buried.
"You'll never be more than a struggling nobody," one voice sneered.
"You're weak. You'll always be weak," another said, its tone dripping with contempt.
Lin Feng clenched his fists, his breathing uneven. The voices grew louder, their words cutting deeper than any blade. He saw flashes of his past—his father's death, the ridicule of the villagers, the countless nights spent training in vain. The weight of his failures threatened to crush him, but he refused to give in.
"I am not weak," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I will prove them wrong."
The Flame Lotus Sword flared to life, its light piercing the darkness. The voices fell silent, and the void shattered like glass. Lin Feng found himself standing on the peak of the mountain, the night sky stretching endlessly above him.
He had survived the Peak of Trials, but he knew his journey was far from over.