The scent of pine and fresh soil hung in the air as Tian Shen and Feng Yin stood at the base of Feilun Sect's lower training peaks—rugged hills wrapped in mist, their slopes crawling with spiritual energy.
Dozens of new disciples milled around them, some chatting nervously, others sharpening weapons or meditating quietly in preparation.
A wide stone path led up the mountain trail, where the first part of the trial would begin: the Spirit Beast Hunt.
It was the sect's tradition. Before new recruits could officially enter the inner courtyard or receive direct tutelage, they had to pass a foundational test—surviving three days in the beast-infested peaks, collecting cores from at least three different spirit beasts, and returning with their assigned spirit token intact.
Of course, the unspoken rule was harsher. Most who couldn't fend off at least mid-tier beasts would be considered dead weight, left behind in outer duties or expelled entirely.
