The extravagant prizes heightened the anticipation, especially among the stronger candidates. Some shifted impatiently, eager to prove themselves.
On the platform, the supervisor raised his voice again. "The first round of the entrance exam will now begin. The stone pillars will measure the strength of your attack. One inch of light represents 50 kg of force. To pass this round, you must exceed 500 kg of force. Each candidate will have three attempts. As long as you qualify once, you may proceed."
His gaze swept across the crowd. "To demonstrate, Zhao Tianlan, please step forward."
A tall, gaunt man emerged from the crowd and ascended the stage. His sharp eyes gave him an intimidating presence, and the murmurs among the crowd stilled as all attention focused on him.
"Is that Zhao Tianlan?"
"I heard he broke through to the Eighth Layer of Muscle Transformation Stage last year," another whispered.
Zhao Tianlan, a tall figure with a composed demeanor, stood before the stone pillar. Without a hint of urgency, he raised his right hand and delivered a casual strike.
Boom!
The pillar shook violently, and the light beam surged upward before stabilizing at one hundred thirty inches (10.83 foot)—a staggering 6,500 kgs!
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"If he used his full strength, wouldn't he surpass even that?" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief.
Yu Xuan, observing from the sidelines, nodded in silent acknowledgment. For someone at the Eighth Layer of Muscle Transformation Stage, which rivaled the Mid Stone Core Stage, Zhao Tianlan's feat was remarkable.
While the average Mid Stone Core cultivator boasted strength between 5,000 and 9,000 kgs, Zhao Tianlan had reached 6,500 kgs with casual ease.
The elder overseeing the trial raised his hand and declared, "The Foundation Strength Trial begins now!"
The candidates were brimming with excitement, their eagerness palpable. However, their enthusiasm quickly turned to frustration as many faltered.
"400 kgs, 450 kgs, 470 kgs. Three attempts failed. Next!"
"472 kgs, 429 kgs, 487 kgs. Failed. Next!"
The stone pillar became a silent arbiter of dreams and despair. Many of the participants were barely at the Vital Essence Stage, their strength wavering between 400 to 500 kgs. Nerves and exhaustion dulled their performance, dooming most to failure.
Occasionally, a candidate's success broke the monotony.
"672 kgs! Qualified!"
A young man who passed the test celebrated wildly.
"598 kgs! Qualified!"
"499 kgs! Failed!"
For every cheer of success, there were far more sighs of defeat. Those who succeeded exuded elation, while others walked away, their spirits crushed.
Suddenly, a commotion rippled through the crowd. Yu Xuan's attention was drawn to a youth in simple grey robes standing before the stone pillar, gathering his strength.
"That's Ren Kaiyang from Hundred Miles City," someone whispered. "Fourth Layer of Vital Essence Stage. They say his strength is fierce!"
Ren Kaiyang stepped forward, his movements sharp and deliberate.
Bang!
The impact reverberated through the square, and the light beam surged upward, stopping at twenty six inches (2.16 foot)—1,300 kgs!
Gasps and exclamations filled the air.
....
Just like that, the test continued. Then came a name that turned every head in the crowd.
"It's Liang Shen from Jadefall City!"
A ripple of anticipation spread through the candidates. At just fourteen, Liang Shen wasn't only younger than most; he also possessed a High-Grade talent.
All eyes were on him as he approached the pillar. His calm, focused demeanor silenced the murmurs. Liang Shen exhaled deeply and struck the pillar with fluid precision.
Bang!
The stone pillar shuddered, and the light climbed steadily before halting at twenty four inches (2 foot)—1,200 kgs!
The crowd erupted into chaos.
"Fourteen years old and this strong?" someone muttered in awe.
As the trial progressed, more candidates stepped forward. The Azure Cloud Combat Sect maintained strict rules: participants had to be between thirteen and eighteen years old.
Now, it was finally Yu Xuan's turn.
Stepping forward, his gaze was calm. His movements were measured, his breathing steady. As he stood before the towering stone column, his body seemed to transform—his relaxed posture coiled into a taut spring, every muscle brimming with latent energy.
Lowering his waist slightly, Yu Xuan channeled the power of his legs into his core. In one explosive motion, he struck the column.
"Bang!"
The impact reverberated through the square like a thunderclap. All eyes snapped to the column as the light beam soared upward, climbing with relentless momentum before stabilizing at a dazzling height: 1,700 kgs.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"My god, 1,700 kgs!"
"That's insane! He's not just strong—he's like a beast in human form!"
"This kid came out of nowhere. How did someone this powerful not make a name for himself before?"
"I don't know where he's from, but he's definitely not ordinary. Who could have trained him to this level?"
"If he pushes just a bit more, he could rival someone at the Sixth Layer of Vital Essence Stage!"
Even Ren Kaiyang, who had previously stood as an unchallenged figure among the participants, couldn't hide his frown. His eyes narrowed, studying Yu Xuan with suspicion.
"Where did this guy come from?" Ren Kaiyang muttered under his breath. A cold gleam flickered in his eyes. "So he wants to steal the spotlight? Hmph. There are still two more trials. Let's see if he can keep up."
Despite the whispers and scrutiny, Yu Xuan remained composed.
It was clear he hadn't used his full strength. If he had, his force would easily exceed 25,000 kgs. Such a strike would completely destroy the pillar. Instead, Yu Xuan chose to display just enough power to surpass Ren Kaiyang, keeping it reasonable for someone his age while ensuring he secured the top spot in the Foundation Strength Trial.
The Trial concluded by noon. Candidates who had passed were given a short rest before the next stage of the entrance exam was announced.
The old supervisor, his voice steady and authoritative, addressed the crowd. "We will now proceed to the second trial: the Soul Reflection Trial. This test will measure the strength of your inner heart."
The crowd buzzed with curiosity and apprehension.
"The Soul Reflection Trial?" Yu Xuan murmured, somewhat interested. He had heard of such tests existing in this world—trials that delved into a cultivator's inner psyche, testing their resolve and exposing their fears.
The old man gestured for the group to follow him. "Come with me. We're heading to the Emerald Reflection "
The group of passed participants trailed behind the old man as he led them through the towering gates of the Azure Cloud Combat Sect.
The gates themselves were monumental, carved with intricate patterns of soaring clouds and martial figures, exuding a sense of awe and solemnity. Every step beyond them felt like entering another world.
The sect sprawled across the rolling hills, its beauty both simple and profound. There were no ostentatious towers or grand palaces, only endless expanses of verdant land and streams, punctuated by elegant pavilions.
The flowing curves of the roofs, the smooth texture of the walls, and the surrounding natural scenery blended seamlessly.
As the group walked, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant melody of a flowing stream accompanied their footsteps. The journey took ten minutes before they reached their destination.
Before them stretched a lake, its surface a vibrant shade of green, like living jade. The water was unnervingly still, a perfect mirror reflecting the sky.
At the heart of this emerald expanse was the Emerald Reflection Altar, an altar that seemed to hover above the water. Four narrow bridges extended from the terrace to the shore, their graceful arches giving them the appearance of floating. The entire scene resembled a dream, a world out of reach of the mundane.
The old man leading the candidates stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. "This is the Soul Reflection Trial. You will sit upon the platform, defend your mind, and face the seven tribulations. Only those who endure shall pass."
The candidates exchanged uneasy glances. Despite their pride as the brightest talents of their generation, their confidence wavered. The Soul Reflection Trial was infamous—its elimination rate was brutal, often as high as 90%.
Yu Xuan stood at the edge of the altar, his face serene, though a sense of anticipation stirred within him as he wondered what the trial would entail.
"Sit upon the terrace. In five breaths, the trial will begin!" The old man's voice cut through their thoughts.
Yu Xuan sat cross-legged on the smooth altar. As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the world around him began to change.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing alone in a vast and empty expanse. The sky above was dark and oppressive and the ground beneath him was cracked. The silence was suffocating.
"Where am I?" Yu Xuan whispered, the words barely leaving his lips before they were swallowed by the emptiness.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before him. It was a man, though his features were obscured by a thick fog. The man stood with his back turned, motionless.
"Who are you?" Yu Xuan called out, but the figure did not respond.
A voice echoed in his mind. "You are nothing. You will never be more than you are now. Your efforts will always be futile. Why do you continue to struggle?"
The figure slowly turned around, revealing a face Yu Xuan knew all too well. It was his own face, but twisted, distorted by the shadow of self-doubt. The image of himself smirked cruelly, its eyes full of disdain.
"What is the purpose of your struggle, Yu Xuan?" the apparition asked, its voice dripping with derision. "You fight, you strive, but to what end? Are your efforts not but a fleeting speck of dust in the wind?"
Yu Xuan regarded the doppelganger with a mix of intrigue and skepticism. It seemed the trial revolved around facing questions and providing answers that resonated with the core of one's heart.
On the surface, it resembled a simple question-and-answer session, though shrouded in a grim and oppressive atmosphere. If the trial turned out to be nothing more than this, Yu Xuan knew he would feel deeply let down.