The courtyard of Falling Shadow Sect reeked of steel, sweat, and blood. Not the scent of fresh battle, but of countless duels fought in silence, where victory meant survival and defeat meant being fed to the mountain beasts.
Feng Xieyun stood at the edge of the training ground. Disciples gathered, their eyes sharp, curious, hostile. Some whispered his name, others scoffed.
"Another outsider."
"They say he carries a strange bone."
"Bah. He won't last a week."
The Sect Master's decree had been swift: the crimson child joins the sect, but his shadow must be tested. And so, here he stood, about to face his baptism.
A burly youth stepped forward, bare-chested, scars lacing his flesh. His grin was cruel. "Name's Hu Lang. I'll be your welcoming hand, boy."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Xieyun's eyes narrowed. His Demon Bone pulsed faintly, but he suppressed the flame. He couldn't reveal everything here—not yet.
Hu Lang cracked his knuckles. "Rule's simple. You bleed, you bow. Or you don't get up at all."
The elder overseeing the courtyard raised his hand. "Begin."
---
Hu Lang moved first, his body a blur despite his bulk. His fist came down like a hammer, the ground cracking under the blow. Dust clouded the air.
But Xieyun was already gone. He slid to the side, crimson sparks flickering faintly around his feet. His movements were sharp, efficient—not flashy.
Hu Lang snarled. "Fast, but not fast enough!"
He swung again, a wide arc of brute force. Xieyun ducked low, palm striking Hu Lang's ribs. A muffled crack rang out.
Hu Lang staggered, spitting blood. Rage twisted his face. "You dare—!"
He surged with qi, muscles swelling, skin darkening like iron. His bloodline stirred—a beast's shadow flickering at his back.
The crowd roared approval. "The Iron Wolf awakens!"
Xieyun exhaled slowly. "So be it."
---
The System chimed in his mind.
> [Trial Detected: Falling Shadow Sect—Baptism of Shadows.]
[Optional Bonus Objective: Defeat Hu Lang without using Black Lotus Flame. Reward: Shadow Techniques Archive (Tier I).]
Xieyun smirked faintly. A challenge.
Hu Lang lunged again, claws extending, qi howling. But this time, Xieyun didn't dodge. He stepped in, meeting the attack head-on.
His fist shot forward—precise, ruthless. It struck Hu Lang's jaw with the weight of every betrayal, every corpse, every vow burned into his bones.
The Iron Wolf crumpled. His body skidded across the ground, spitting teeth and blood, before lying still.
Silence fell.
The crowd gaped. Some in awe. Others in fury.
The elder nodded once. "Victory."
---
Xieyun turned, eyes sweeping the disciples. "If bleeding makes me bow, then this sect will never see my knees touch the ground."
Murmurs rippled. Some sneered. Some clenched fists. But all remembered.
The crimson child was no prey.
---
That night, in his quarters, the System chimed again.
> [Mission Progress: Baptism Complete.]
[Reward: Shadow Techniques Archive (Tier I) acquired.]
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step.]
Xieyun exhaled, testing the movement. His body flickered briefly, leaving only a whisper of presence behind. Useful. Deadly.
Lian Zhi entered silently, her violet eyes scanning him. "You made enemies today."
"I always do," he replied flatly.
She tilted her head. "Do you know why Falling Shadow Sect endures while others die?"
He frowned. "Why?"
"Because every disciple is both weapon and sacrifice. This sect doesn't protect its children. It sharpens them—until they cut themselves to pieces."
Her words lingered, heavy with warning.
Xieyun smiled coldly. "Then I'll sharpen myself until I cut Heaven."
But in the shadows beyond the courtyard, unseen eyes gleamed. The Sect Master watched, his expression unreadable.
"Good," he murmured. "Grow, crimson child. Grow until the heavens bleed. Then we shall see if your shadow belongs to you… or to us."
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✨ End of Chapter Twenty-Three ✨
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