The sun had barely risen over the jagged peaks when Luo Zheng and Ling Xi arrived at the Stoneheart Pass, a natural corridor between mountains where many sects held their elite trials. The air was heavy with spiritual pressure; faint echoes of past battles lingered in the rocks like ghosts.
"This is no ordinary trial," Ling Xi whispered. "Here, the strongest from several minor sects gather. Some will test you openly, others silently. You must be prepared for both."
Luo Zheng tightened his grip on his restored sword. The golden runes pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging the challenge ahead.
---
Arrival at the Arena
The pass opened into a vast amphitheater carved by nature itself, with jagged cliffs forming a natural coliseum. Hundreds of cultivators had gathered, ranging from novice disciples to advanced mid-tier cultivators. The air was charged with anticipation.
Luo Zheng's presence did not go unnoticed. Whispers spread quickly:
> "Isn't that the mortal who passed the Tianyun trial?"
"He survived Qin Feng…"
"They say he wields divine power!"
A robed man with silver hair approached, his aura brimming with authority. "Welcome, strangers," he said. "This is the Relic of Trials. Only those worthy may reach its center. Step forward, and let the trial decide your fate."
Luo Zheng exchanged a glance with Ling Xi. "This is it," he murmured. "Another test… but larger than before."
---
The First Opponents
No sooner had they entered the arena than a group of three cultivators moved to intercept them. Each carried weapons crackling with spiritual energy, their eyes cold and calculating.
"You are the one they call Luo Zheng," the tallest said, his sword gleaming with frost-like aura. "We will see if mortal ambition matches mortal skill."
Luo Zheng raised his sword. "I am not here for honor… only to refine my soul."
The clash erupted instantly. Steel rang against steel, energy arcs flashing in golden and blue hues. Luo Zheng's runes blazed as he moved, not just defending but analyzing their movements, predicting each strike.
Ling Xi's eyes narrowed. "He's learning faster than I expected. The fight is sharpening not just his reflexes but his mind."
---
The Hidden Relic
As the skirmish raged, Luo Zheng noticed a faint glow at the far end of the amphitheater. A pedestal, half-buried in stone and vines, emitted an aura that stirred his soul.
> A relic… he thought.
He maneuvered subtly, keeping one eye on his opponents while edging toward the relic. Each step was calculated, blending offense and defense, exploiting openings in the attackers' formation.
The moment his fingers brushed the pedestal, the relic responded. Golden runes rose into the air, circling him in a spiral of light. Luo Zheng felt power surge through his veins—not raw strength, but the kind that sharpened perception, enhanced coordination, and deepened spiritual resonance.
The opponents faltered, sensing the sudden shift in his aura. Luo Zheng took advantage, striking decisively, ending the skirmish.
The crowd gasped. Even Ling Xi looked impressed.
"You've awakened it," she whispered. "The relic recognizes your soul. Few mortals ever reach this stage."
---
Observation from the Gods
High above the mortal plane, Mu Qing leaned forward in her celestial throne, eyes fixed on the amphitheater below.
"Hmph," said Huo Tian, voice crackling like lightning. "He claims the relic so easily. His growth is alarming. The Art within him is surpassing what we anticipated for one so young."
Mu Qing nodded. "And yet, he is still a mortal. He has not faced true death, nor the wrath of those who would oppose him openly. That will come soon."
A shadowed deity spoke from the corner, voice barely audible, like a whisper through stars. "He is a variable… one that could change the path of all realms if allowed to continue."
---
The Trial of Endurance
The trial was far from over. From hidden tunnels and elevated platforms, sect elites emerged, wielding an array of weapons and elemental energies. Luo Zheng's challenge was no longer a single duel—it was a test of endurance, strategy, and adaptability.
Each wave of opponents brought a new lesson:
A swordsman who moved unpredictably, testing his reflexes.
An archer whose arrows bent in midair, testing his perception.
A cultivator who manipulated spiritual barriers, testing his understanding of energy flow.
Luo Zheng adapted. His golden runes flared in harmony with the relic's light, his movements weaving offensive and defensive patterns that no single opponent could predict.
By the time the final wave approached, Luo Zheng's aura was a storm of golden light. Each opponent hesitated, sensing the refinement of his soul and the divine resonance now intertwined with his sword.
--
The Final Confrontation
The last opponent was a tall figure draped in crimson, a sword of flame in hand. His eyes burned with the desire to prove supremacy.
"You are ambitious, mortal," he said. "But ambition without mastery is death."
Luo Zheng raised his sword. "Mastery comes through trial… and I have walked many paths already."
They clashed. Flames met golden light, sparks flying like meteors in miniature. Each strike sent shockwaves through the amphitheater. Luo Zheng dodged, countered, and struck with precision, exploiting a subtle imbalance in his rival's stance.
With a final surge of energy from the relic, he disarmed the cultivator. The crowd erupted in awe and disbelief. The relic floated above him, acknowledging his victory.
Ling Xi's eyes glimmered. "You've not only survived… you've grown stronger."
---
Reflection and Resolve
As the sun set, Luo Zheng stood alone in the center of the arena, the relic's light dimming but its energy remaining within him. He looked around at the spectators, many of whom bowed in respect.
"This path is long," he said softly, "and full of rivals, trials, and forces beyond my comprehension. But each step forward refines my soul, strengthens my spirit, and draws me closer to what I am meant to become."
Ling Xi appeared at his side. "You have passed the Relic of Trials, but this is only the beginning. Greater challenges await—sect leaders, divine schemes, and the unknown. Are you ready?"
Luo Zheng's eyes gleamed with determination. "I am ready. The path of ascension is mine to walk. Mortals may fall… but I will rise. And when I do, the heavens themselves will take notice."
---
The Gods' Whisper
Far above, Mu Qing and Huo Tian observed silently.
"He walks a path that no mortal should tread," Huo Tian said, voice like distant thunder.
Mu Qing's eyes softened. "Perhaps it is time the world saw that mortals can shape destiny… that gods are not the only ones who wield power."
A shadowed deity whispered from the darkness, unseen. "The era of mortals forged by ambition… has begun."
Below, Luo Zheng stepped into the night, the relic's energy still coursing through him. The mortal who would ascend had survived his first true trial—and the world would never be the same.