Wu Tian returned to the Emerald Moon Sect as the first light of dawn painted the sky. The mountain mist coiled around the sect grounds like silent specters, a reminder of the trials ahead. With the Fourth Gate—Iron Marrow unlocked, his very bones had transformed into something beyond mortal limits. Yet, he knew power alone was not enough.
The sect trials loomed, and with them, his battle against Jiang Yue.
The moment he stepped past the outer disciple quarters, he felt their eyes on him. Whispers. Murmurs. Fear. Word had spread of his rapid rise, of his unnatural endurance, of how he had walked away from battles that should have broken him.
But among the fearful stares, there were others—hungry gazes, filled with resentment and challenge.
Wu Tian exhaled slowly. This was only the beginning.
The Strength of the Sect Officials
While the outer disciples struggled among themselves, the true pillars of the sect remained untouched by these minor conflicts. Wu Tian had spent years watching them from the shadows, listening, learning. Now, as he prepared to claim his place among them, he needed to truly understand their power.
The hierarchy of the Emerald Moon Sect was as follows:
Sect Master—Daoist Iron Cloud (Pseudo-Core Realm, Late Stage)
The undisputed ruler of the sect.
His body was rumored to be as unyielding as divine steel.
Possessed Heaven Piercing Qi, capable of rupturing the earth itself.
Grand Elders (Pseudo-Core Realm, Mid & Late Stage)
Masters of forbidden techniques, each wielding devastating combat arts.
Rarely interfered in sect politics unless the sect was truly threatened.
Inner Elders (Spirit Awakening Realm, Mid & High Stage)
Oversaw sect affairs, including the training of outer and inner disciples.
Their Qi mastery allowed them to manifest energy weapons and shields.
Elder Rong, who had recognized Wu Tian, was one of them.
Core Disciples (True Qi Formation Realm, Late Stage)
The prodigies of the sect, groomed for leadership.
Their Qi was so refined that even outer disciples could feel its pressure from a distance.
Jiang Yue, though still an outer disciple, was rumored to be nearing this level.
Outer Disciples (Qi Refining Realm to True Qi Formation, Early & Mid Stage)
The lowest-ranked cultivators, but still leagues beyond mortals.
Most spent their entire lives trying to break into the Inner Sect.
Wu Tian was different. He had no Qi core, no dantian filled with energy. His power came from within—his very body was his weapon.
And soon, he would prove it.
The Day of the Trials
The outer sect arena was a grand stone coliseum, its ancient walls lined with the banners of the Emerald Moon Sect. Today, it was filled to capacity. The trials were an event of prestige, where rankings would be decided and potential future inner disciples were identified.
Jiang Yue stood across the arena, arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto him. Unlike the others, there was no fear in her eyes—only the quiet confidence of someone who had trained endlessly for battle.
"Wu Tian," she called out, her voice carrying through the arena. "Tell me, do you understand the difference between talent and fate?"
Wu Tian smirked. "Enlighten me."
She tilted her head. "Talent is what you're born with. Fate is what's decided for you. People like me—we shape fate. People like you—you fight against it, but ultimately, you will lose."
The elder presiding over the trials raised his hand. "Wu Tian versus Jiang Yue. A match to determine the strongest outer disciple. Begin!"
Jiang Yue vanished.
The Battle of Cultivation and Flesh
Wu Tian barely had time to react as a gust of wind rushed past his face. Jiang Yue's Qi-infused foot struck his ribs, sending him sliding back across the stone floor.
But his bones held firm.
Jiang Yue landed gracefully, her body surrounded by a faint aura of manifested Qi. Unlike Liu Heng, she wasn't just using her energy for brute strength—she was controlling it, refining it into a deadly weapon.
Wu Tian inhaled sharply. This was an entirely different level of combat.
She rushed him again, and this time, Wu Tian moved. Iron Marrow surged through his limbs, his reflexes sharper than ever before. He blocked her strike, their collision sending out a shockwave.
The crowd gasped—he had stopped her attack.
Jiang Yue's eyes narrowed. "Not bad."
She twisted midair, her palm glowing with concentrated Qi before she launched it forward. Wu Tian dodged at the last second, but the energy wave carved a deep gash into the stone where he had just stood.
He grinned. "Alright, let's stop playing."
Jiang Yue's lips curled into a smirk. "Agreed."
Both fighters surged forward—Qi versus raw physical power.
The battle had truly begun.