The man's gaze bore into Lei Tian, his presence suffocating and heavy, like a looming storm. Every instinct told Lei Tian to run, yet his feet remained planted firmly. The Void Sovereign's voice echoed within him, calm yet resolute.
"Steady yourself. Fear weakens the mind, but resolve sharpens it."
Lei Tian clenched his fists, drawing upon the energy of the Void. The faint hum of power steadied his breathing. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice firmer than he expected.
The man smirked, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "What do I want? To test the limits of this... anomaly. You've stirred energies beyond your understanding, boy. The Crimson Ember Sect cannot allow such disruptions to go unchecked."
Lei Tian's heart raced. The Crimson Ember Sect was infamous, their cultivators ruthless and unrelenting. If they deemed him a threat, they would stop at nothing to eliminate him.
"I'm no threat to you," Lei Tian said cautiously. "I'm just a villager trying to cultivate."
The man laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the forest. "A mere villager? Don't insult my intelligence. The energy you wield—it's ancient, potent, and chaotic. That's no accident. Either you're lying, or someone has gifted you power beyond your comprehension."
Lei Tian said nothing, his mind racing. Revealing the truth about the Void Sovereign could make him a target, but denial might provoke the man further.
"Do not reveal my presence," the Sovereign's voice warned. "He seeks knowledge he does not deserve."
The man took a step forward, his aura pressing down on Lei Tian like a physical weight. "Here's my offer, boy. Prove your worth to me. If you survive, perhaps I'll let you walk away. Refuse, and I'll ensure this village never speaks your name again."
Lei Tian's jaw tightened. The threat wasn't just to him but to the entire village. He couldn't afford to back down.
"Fine," he said, his voice steady. "I accept your challenge."
The man grinned, stepping back to clear a space between them. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a small flame that hovered above his palm. The heat it emitted was unnatural, searing even from a distance.
"Don't die too quickly," the man said, his tone mocking. He hurled the flame toward Lei Tian.
The world seemed to slow as the fireball hurtled toward him. Lei Tian reached deep within, grasping at the energy of the Void. It responded like a flowing river, rushing to his command. He extended his hands, willing the energy to form a shield.
A translucent barrier of shimmering blue light materialized before him, absorbing the impact of the flame. The explosion sent ripples through the air, but Lei Tian stood his ground, his shield holding firm.
The man's smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of intrigue. "Interesting. You're not entirely untrained. But can you attack?"
Without waiting for a response, he lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. Flames erupted around him, swirling like a fiery tornado. Lei Tian barely had time to react, dodging to the side as the firestorm scorched the ground where he had stood moments earlier.
"Do not fight on his terms," the Sovereign's voice instructed. "The Void is not a blunt weapon. It is an infinite expanse—adaptable, unpredictable."
Lei Tian nodded internally, focusing on the Void's energy. He visualized the calm, endless expanse the Sovereign had described. The energy flowed differently this time, not as a shield but as a ripple extending outward.
The ground beneath the man shifted suddenly, the soil liquefying into a swirling vortex. He stumbled, his balance disrupted, and Lei Tian seized the opportunity. Summoning a burst of energy, he directed it toward the man's exposed side. A pulse of blue light shot forward, striking the man and sending him skidding backward.
The man rose to his feet, his expression now one of genuine annoyance. "You dare?" he snarled, the air around him igniting in a blaze of fury.
Lei Tian braced himself, the energy of the Void pulsing stronger within him. He had bought himself a moment, but the fight was far from over.
The clash continued, each exchange more intense than the last. Lei Tian's movements grew sharper, his control over the Void's energy more refined. But the man's power was relentless, his flames scorching the earth and forcing Lei Tian to stay on the defensive.
Finally, with a roar, the man unleashed a massive wave of fire that engulfed the battlefield. Lei Tian's heart pounded as he poured every ounce of energy into a barrier, the Void's light shimmering like a star. The flames roared against the shield, but they did not break through.
When the firestorm subsided, the man stood panting, his robes singed. Lei Tian lowered his barrier, his own breath ragged but his resolve unbroken.
"Enough," the man said, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "You've proven yourself... for now. But don't think this is over. The Crimson Ember Sect will be watching you, boy."
Without another word, he turned and vanished into the forest, leaving Lei Tian alone in the scorched clearing.
As the adrenaline faded, Lei Tian collapsed to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. The Void Sovereign's voice resonated once more.
"You have done well, Lei Tian. But this encounter is a reminder: your journey will not go unnoticed. Prepare yourself, for greater challenges lie ahead."
Lei Tian nodded weakly, his determination unwavering. He had survived the Crimson Ember Sect's challenge, but the path of ascension was just beginning. The echoes of power stirred within him, a reminder of the legacy he had inherited—and the trials he would face to claim it.