The cold winds howled as Xu Tian stepped into the trial grounds, a vast, barren arena surrounded by towering cliffs. A faint, otherworldly glow illuminated the space, casting long shadows that seemed to writhe and move of their own accord.
Ahead of him stood a massive stone obelisk, its surface carved with intricate runes that shimmered with an ancient light. The trial had begun.
A voice, deep and resonant, echoed across the arena, carrying an undeniable weight of authority.
"Xu Tian, unrooted and untethered. To claim a place within the Immortal Sect, you must pass the Trial of Resolve. In this trial, your mind, body, and spirit shall be tested. Fail, and you will perish."
Xu Tian's jaw tightened. He had come too far to falter now. His fingers brushed against the Forbidden Scripture hidden within his robes, its presence a constant reminder of his defiance.
"I'm ready," he said, his voice steady.
The ground beneath him began to tremble. The obelisk pulsed with energy, and the runes flared to life, projecting an image into the sky above. It was a scene from his past—one he had tried to bury.
---
The image showed a younger Xu Tian, standing in the rain outside the village elder's house. His small, frail body shivered as he clutched a bundle of herbs. He had spent hours gathering them from the treacherous forest, hoping to exchange them for a scrap of food.
But the door slammed in his face.
"Leave, you useless orphan!" a voice sneered from within. "You'll only bring misfortune to this village."
The younger Xu Tian dropped to his knees, the herbs falling from his trembling hands. The rain masked his tears, but his shoulders heaved with silent sobs.
---
The memory faded, and the arena fell silent. Xu Tian clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The pain of that moment, the humiliation, still burned within him.
"Your first test," the voice intoned, "is to confront the despair of your past. Will you let it define you, or will you rise above it?"
Xu Tian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The image of his younger self lingered in his mind, a stark reminder of the life he had endured. But he was no longer that boy. He had found strength in his suffering, resolve in his rejection.
"I will rise above it," he declared, his voice firm. "That pain is a part of me, but it does not control me."
The obelisk pulsed again, and the image dissolved. The voice spoke once more.
"You have passed the first stage. Now, face the second: the trial of fear."
The arena shifted, the barren landscape replaced by a dark, oppressive forest. Shadows twisted and writhed among the trees, their shapes grotesque and unnatural. A chilling laughter echoed through the air, sending shivers down Xu Tian's spine.
From the shadows emerged a creature—a towering, skeletal beast with glowing red eyes and claws that dripped with black ichor. Its very presence radiated malice, a primal terror that gripped Xu Tian's heart.
"Will you stand against your fear," the voice challenged, "or will you flee?"
Xu Tian's breath quickened, his body screaming at him to run. But he forced himself to stand his ground. Fear was a powerful force, one that had controlled him for much of his life. But no longer.
Drawing upon the Forbidden Scripture, he summoned the flickering flame of qi within his dantian. It wasn't much, barely a spark, but it was enough. The energy flowed through him, steadying his trembling limbs.
"I will not run," Xu Tian said, his voice cutting through the oppressive darkness.
The beast lunged, its claws slashing toward him. Xu Tian dodged, his movements fueled by a combination of instinct and sheer willpower. He countered with a burst of qi, a crude but effective strike that sent the beast stumbling back.
The battle was fierce, each clash testing Xu Tian's resolve. But with every strike, with every dodge, he felt himself growing stronger. The fear that had once threatened to consume him now fueled his determination.
With a final surge of energy, Xu Tian unleashed a powerful blow, his qi-infused fist shattering the beast into a cloud of shadows. The forest dissolved, and the arena returned.
"You have conquered your fear," the voice said. "Now, the final trial: the trial of sacrifice."
The obelisk pulsed one last time, and a figure appeared before Xu Tian. It was a young girl, no older than ten, her wide eyes filled with fear. She was bound by chains, her small frame trembling as she looked up at him.
"To claim your place within the Immortal Sect," the voice said, "you must sacrifice her. Prove that you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals."
Xu Tian froze, his mind racing. The girl's tearful gaze pierced him, her innocence a stark contrast to the darkness of the trial. He had vowed to defy the Heavenly Dao, to carve his own path. But was this the cost?
"No," Xu Tian said firmly, stepping forward. "I won't do it. My strength is my own, and I will not build it on the suffering of others."
The chains binding the girl shattered, and she vanished, her form dissolving into light. The obelisk pulsed once more, and the voice spoke for the final time.
"You have passed the Trial of Resolve. Your strength, your will, and your heart have been tested. Welcome to the Immortal Sect, Xu Tian."
The gates of the Immortal Sect opened, their golden light washing over him. Xu Tian stepped forward, his heart heavy but resolute. He had faced his past, his fear, and the darkness within himself. And he had emerged stronger.
The path ahead would not be easy, but Xu Tian was ready. He was no longer a boy bound by fate. He was a cultivator, a defier of the Heavenly Dao, and his journey had only just begun.