Core disciple trials loomed like thunderheads, held in the sect's Heartforge—a volcanic crater where lava rivers tempered body and will. Only twenty inners qualified post-tide; Lin Feng, Huo Yan, and a recovering Zhao among them. The trial: survive seven days in the forge, absorbing fire essence while fending spirit flames—manifested trials of inner demons.
Lin Feng entered at dawn, system's upgrade humming: [Shadow Storage: 200 Essence Banked. Fuse for Trials?]
The air scorched, heat waves distorting vision. He stripped to basics, qi cloaking skin. First day: basic survival, flames licking like serpents.
[Quest: Absorb 50 Fire Essence Orbs. Reward: Flame Affinity Skill.]
Orbs floated, drawn to cultivators. Lin Feng chased, Pounce and Step weaving through infernos. One touched—burning ecstasy, qi igniting.
But spirit flames manifested: illusions of fears. His: the clan's massacre, parents' screams. "Weakling! Die forgotten!"
He faltered, flames closing. Thoughts anchored: Illusion. Devour it. Grasp extended, siphoning the manifestation.
[Devoured Illusion. Gained: Mental Fortitude +5%.]
Progress steadied. By night, 30 orbs absorbed, body glowing ember-red.
Huo Yan found him at a lava pool, meditating. "Your qi... voracious. Like a black hole."
Their talk turned personal: her betrothal, a political shackle to the rival Crimson Flame Sect. "I burn for freedom, not chains."
Lin Feng offered: "Devour the chains. My system's... unique."
Intrigued, she shared phoenix lore—bloodline curses amplifying ambition. Dynamic mirror—both chained, both rising.
Zhao appeared, singed but resolute. "Truce holds. But in trials, all's fair."
Day two: group challenges—forge a team against flame golems. Lin Feng, Huo, Zhao formed one, uneasy synergy.
Golems rose, magma fists pounding. Zhao tanked with enhanced Tempest, winds cooling lava. Huo scorched weak points, flames dancing. Lin Feng flanked, devouring golem shards mid-fight.
[Essence +80. New Fuse: Magma Whip.]
A golem's slam buried Zhao; Lin Feng dug him out, pull-technique aiding. "Up—fight!"
Gratitude flashed in Zhao's eyes: "Damn you... thanks."
They triumphed, bonding over shared strains. Zhao's dialogues softened: "I hated you—mirror to my failures. Now? Respect."
Elders watched from above, Tian Long nodding: "Unlikely trio forges strong."
But sabotage lurked. A rival team, backed by demon spies, poisoned their water with debuff toxin. Lin Feng's resistance blunted it, but Huo weakened, visions plaguing.
He devoured the tainted source, purifying: [Antidote Essence Gained.]
Nights brought deeper trials: soul forges, confronting arcs. Lin Feng faced his system's hunger—visions of endless devouring, humanity lost. "Monster?"
"No," he affirmed. "Weapon."
Huo battled her bloodline's rage, nearly self-immolating. Lin Feng cooled her with Tidal, words steady: "Flame without control consumes self."
Zhao confronted his cruelty—ghosts of beaten "weaks." "I became the monster I fled."
Lin Feng: "Change it. Static ends in ash."
By day five, breakthroughs: Lin Feng to Layer 3 (60%), fusing Storm with flames—Inferno Devour.
The final day: rift echo—a mini-tide of forge beasts. The trio unleashed: Zhao's vortex herding, Huo's blaze, Lin Feng's storm absorbing.
A colossal flame dragon manifested, Layer 7 aura. It roared, breaths melting stone.
Xuan Fei joined unbidden: "Together!"
Swords linked, they assailed. Lin Feng pounced to the eye, Grasp devouring core essence mid-strike.
[Devoured: Flame Dragon Spirit. Gained: 100 Essence. Dragon Breath (Basic). Core Promotion Unlocked.]
The dragon shattered, trial ended. Elders descended: "Lin Feng, Huo Yan, Zhao Kun—core disciples!"
Cheers echoed, but Zhao pulled Lin Feng aside: "The demon offer... rejected. But spies remain. They're after your system."
Huo, promoted, hugged him impulsively: "Allies forever?"
His thoughts: Progression binds us—dynamic web.
Back in core quarters—opulent with private arrays—Lin Feng banked gains. [System Level 2: Unlock Ally Scan.]
The larger plot stirred: Crimson Flame Sect's envoy arrived, betrothal demand in hand. Huo tensed; rivals plotted.
Lin Feng gazed at the forge's dying glow: Fire tempers. What next?