The First Trial of the Blazing Sky Sword Sect had already begun some time ago. Qi Yuan had now fully restored his qi energy, having exhausted a great deal of it on his journey to the sect. He had spent his time training in the Sword Breath technique taught by Xun Yi and practicing Thunder Dragon Steps to enhance his speed.
The situation in the first trial was starting to heat up. The young cultivators participating in the entrance exam were already engaging in minor skirmishes, pushing each other with their respective strengths.
However, one figure stood out—a stunning woman with long purple hair. Unlike the others, she was not subjected to any rough treatment.
"Whatever you do, don't make an enemy of her," muttered a cultivator who had previously antagonized Qi Yuan, his gaze fixed on the purple-haired woman.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens, she moved with unmatched grace and speed, weaving through the crowd in an instant.
Before long, she had secured the lead among all participants in the first trial of the Blazing Sky Sword Sect.
Minutes passed, and suddenly, an explosive surge of energy erupted from the entrance to the trial.
Boom!
Boom!
The participants momentarily froze, stunned by the immense power. The purple-haired woman, however, immediately recognized its source—Qi Yuan.
"T-That kid?! How can a cultivator at the Qi Foundation Realm unleash such overwhelming power?" exclaimed the same man who had belittled Qi Yuan at the registration area earlier.
Despite their shock, the competitors refocused their gazes on the long staircase before them, hastening their movements.
Qi Yuan, having now fully restored his qi, slowly opened his eyes. He stood before the daunting 9,999 steps of the first trial, his energy surging with renewed vigor.
"Hah… finally, my energy is back! Time to make my move!"
With that thought, Qi Yuan propelled himself forward, his steps igniting with power.
"Thunder Dragon Steps!"
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, Qi Yuan overtook several participants, swiftly ascending past the 821st step in mere moments.
The trial had now been underway for 15 minutes, and Qi Yuan had already reached the 1,000th step.
"Damn! That kid is fast!" muttered one of the participants, who had just been overtaken.
With just a single technique, Qi Yuan had climbed to eighth place.
The purple-haired woman occasionally glanced over her shoulder, observing Qi Yuan—the dark horse of this entrance trial.
"Interesting," she thought, her pace unwavering.
She had already perfected her movement techniques, leaving the other participants far behind.
However, after half an hour of climbing, her eyes widened in shock as someone suddenly surged forward from below, their body engulfed in lightning.
Zzzzt!
Boom!
"I-Impossible! No one should be able to match my speed! My cultivation is already at the ninth level of Qi Foundation, yet…" she murmured, gritting her teeth before accelerating further in pursuit of the one who had just passed her.
Unleashing her full power, she closed the gap slightly, her eyes locked onto her target—Qi Yuan.
"What is she doing?" Qi Yuan muttered, confused by the woman's sudden pursuit.
Then, realization struck.
"Oh, right! This trial has rankings, and the top three participants receive rewards!"
Qi Yuan smirked as he increased his speed to match hers.
"You're fast, miss! Why the rush?" he teased, keeping pace beside her.
Boom!
Even as Qi Yuan pushed his Thunder Dragon Steps to its limit, he still couldn't surpass her.
"Damn it! She's too fast! I can't stay in second place forever… but her cultivation is way ahead of mine. No—there must be a way!"
He wracked his brain for a solution.
Then, inspiration struck.
"I almost forgot about the Holy Dragon Sky-Piercing Art!"
An hour passed.
The first trial of the Blazing Sky Sword Sect had reached its climax. Six participants had been eliminated, flung out of the competition due to clashes on the 9,999-step staircase.
Originally, 20 cultivators had entered the trial. Now, only 16 remained, all at the Qi Foundation Realm.
Among them, those at Qi Foundation Level 1 were already considered prodigies.
Yet, the purple-haired woman stood above them all—her cultivation was at Qi Foundation Level 9.
Despite this, she found herself struggling to keep up with one person.
Qi Yuan.
A mere Qi Foundation Level 6 cultivator had matched her speed.
The trial pressed on, and before long, Qi Yuan and the purple-haired woman had reached 8,000 steps.
"You're impressive," she admitted. "But the one who will take first place… is me!"
Determined, she surged forward.
Qi Yuan merely grinned.
"Not necessarily, miss! Allow me to show you my real speed—watch closely!"
He closed his eyes, channeling his energy.
A terrifying aura surged around him.
Lightning enveloped his entire body, even more intense than before.
BZZZZZT!
BOOOM!
A thunderous roar echoed as Qi Yuan merged Holy Dragon Sky-Piercing Art with Thunder Dragon Steps.
The result?
Qi Yuan blazed ahead, leaving the purple-haired woman in the dust.
She could only watch, wide-eyed.
"For the first time… I've been utterly outclassed in speed… by someone three levels below me," she murmured, awe-struck.
"He's a true genius."
Before the trial ended, Qi Yuan had already reached the peak of the 9,999 steps.
Moments later, the purple-haired woman followed, panting from exertion.
"Hah… hah… you're incredible. What's your name?" she asked, breathless.
Qi Yuan grinned.
"Qi Yuan! I aim to become the strongest cultivator in the world! I'm 13 years old. And you?"
The woman extended her hand.
"I'm Xiao Mei, and I'm 12. From now on, I'll call you Big Brother, since you beat me!" she said cheerfully.
Qi Yuan chuckled, shaking his head at her childish behavior.
"Fine, if that's what you want."
A voice suddenly echoed through the air.
"Congratulations to those who have passed the first trial. I will now announce the rankings."
"First place: Qi Yuan."
"Second place: Xiao Mei."
"Third place: Zhao Ling."
"You three will receive rewards at the end of the entrance exam—whether you pass or fail the upcoming trials."
With that, the first trial of the Blazing Sky Sword Sect had officially concluded.
Of the original 20 participants, only 12 remained.
Before them stood a massive white gate—the entrance to the second trial.
"You have now entered the Second Trial of the Blazing Sky Sword Sect."
What challenges awaited the remaining participants?
What kind of place would serve as the stage for the second trial?
To Be Continued…