The commanding voice from afar froze the air above the martial arena. Feng Li furrowed her brow and angrily retracted her whip, letting out a cold snort. "Chen Tianji, you won't escape today!"
Chen Tianji seized the moment to steady his breath, a faint, cold smile flickering in his eyes. He murmured under his breath, "If I can't fight head-on, I'll retreat for now."
Silently, he navigated around Feng Li, relying on his heightened senses as a blind man to find the arena's exit. Every tiny detail—the cracks between stone slabs, the direction of the wind, the movement of dust—became a clue guiding his path.
"Stop!" Feng Li shouted furiously, chasing after him. Her whip struck like a bolt of lightning, the pressure in the air seeming to freeze time itself.
Chen Tianji twisted his body just in time. The whip grazed his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through him, but he gritted his teeth. His feet glided over the gaps in the stone slabs like a ghost, finally surging out of the martial arena and vanishing into the misty courtyard of the sect.
Outside the arena, Chen Tianji leaned against an ancient tree, gasping heavily. The jade pendant in his hand pulsed faintly, as if responding to the anxiety in his heart.
"I didn't expect Feng Li to be so relentless…" he muttered to himself, silently calculating his next move. As a newcomer in the Sacred Sword Sect, his cultivation was far from enough. Only by growing stronger could he face more formidable foes in the future.
At that moment, a notice appeared on the stone stele of the sect:
"The Sacred Sword Sect trials for novice disciples are about to begin. Trials will test swordsmanship, array techniques, and spiritual energy control. Those who succeed will be promoted to full disciples."
Chen Tianji's heart stirred. This was his chance to prove himself. He gently touched the jade pendant, determination hardening in his eyes. "No matter how difficult it gets, I will stand out in the trials. The treasure, my cultivation, even Feng Li—I will win everything with my own strength."
Twilight descended, and the aftermath of battle still lingered over the arena. Chen Tianji stepped into the deep training grounds, sword intent surging through his body like waves crashing against his heart. He knew this was only the beginning; the real test had just begun…