Jin Mu-Yeon stood at the edge of the cold, stone training cave, his body trembling. The air was thick with the scent of stone and sweat, and the flickering torches along the walls barely illuminated the harsh environment. This was the Demonic Sect's training cave, a place where young recruits were shaped into tools of power. And today, Jin was one of them.

He was just a child, barely eleven years old, but he had already learned that in the Demonic Sect, weakness was a death sentence. He had been stolen from his home, brought here, and now he was being forced to prove his worth.

"Mu-Yeon, step forward."

The voice broke through his thoughts, and Jin quickly moved toward the front. His heart raced as he approached the teacher, a middle-aged man in black robes. His eyes were sharp, his face stern but human—an experienced instructor of the Demonic Sect. The teacher's presence was imposing, exuding an air of authority and power that Jin couldn't help but notice.

"You've made it this far," the teacher said, his voice cool and calculating. "But this is where you prove your true worth."

Jin's eyes flicked to the other children standing behind him—children like him, stolen from their homes and brought to this brutal place. They had all been chosen to be trained in the ways of the Demonic Sect. Some looked eager, others terrified, but all of them were about to face the same trial.

The teacher held out a scroll, the corners of it worn and tattered, yet the power it contained was undeniable. "This is the Sect's cultivation technique. It is the foundation of our power. You will learn it now, and if you succeed, you will pass the first test."

Jin's fingers shook as he accepted the scroll. It felt heavy in his hands, its presence almost suffocating. He unfurled it and studied the markings—ancient symbols that resonated with a strange energy. As he focused on the text, a surge of Qi stirred inside him, something he had never felt before.

"Do not waste time," the teacher barked, his voice cutting through Jin's thoughts. "You have one chance to succeed. Start now."

Jin swallowed, trying to steady his breath. He sat down on the cold stone floor, crossing his legs, and closed his eyes. The instructions on the scroll were clear—he had to focus on his Qi, guiding it through his body. The words felt foreign, but there was something instinctive about them.

The pain was immediate. His body rejected the flow of Qi at first, but Jin pushed through it. He had no choice. He focused on the technique, channeling the energy inside him. His chest felt tight, his muscles screamed in protest, but he didn't stop. Slowly, his Qi began to circulate, and he could feel the power, faint but growing stronger with each passing second.

Minutes passed like hours. His body burned with exhaustion, but the technique took root, awakening his Qi, pulling it into shape. Finally, Jin opened his eyes and exhaled, a sense of relief washing over him.

"Enough," the teacher's voice cut through the silence. "You've passed the first test. Your Qi is awakened."

Jin opened his eyes fully, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and accomplishment. He had done it—he had awakened his Qi. His body was still weak, but now he could feel the power within him. It was a beginning.

The teacher nodded, his expression unchanged. "The first test is complete. But this is only the beginning. Prepare for the second."

The teacher turned and motioned for the children to follow. Jin and the others obeyed, moving deeper into the cave. They came upon a large, open space, where a handful of older disciples waited, their faces filled with determination.

"Your next test will be combat," the teacher explained, his voice steady. "You will face one of the older disciples in a battle. Survive, and you move on. Fail, and you are discarded."

Jin's stomach churned. He had just awakened his Qi, and now he was to fight an older disciple? He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. But there was no turning back now.

The teacher gestured to one of the older disciples, a young man with a fierce gaze and a mocking smile. "You, fight him."

The disciple stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if the Third Rate has any fight in him."

Jin's heart hammered in his chest. He had no choice. The battle began with a sudden rush, the older disciple moving with speed and power. Jin barely had time to react as the disciple's attack came at him, but his instincts kicked in. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow.

His Qi surged within him, and though it was still weak, it gave him the edge to stay on his feet. Jin's body ached, his muscles strained, but he wasn't going to give up. He focused on the technique he had just learned, channeling his Qi into a swift counterattack.

The older disciple hesitated for a brief moment, surprised by the child's resilience. But he quickly recovered, attacking again with greater force. Jin had to move fast, his mind racing. Every moment counted.

Jin focused, using the basic techniques from the scroll. He wasn't strong enough to defeat his opponent, but he could survive. With a swift move, he managed to dodge and land a strike to the disciple's side, sending him stumbling back.

"Enough!" the teacher's voice rang out. "Mu-Yeon survives the second test."

Jin stood there, panting, his body sore and exhausted. The teacher's words barely registered in his mind. He had done it—he had survived. But this was only the beginning.