Dawn arrived with a heavy silence.
The Azure Cloud Sect—normally calm and orderly—
Was now filled with tension.
Today…
Was the day.
Inner Sect Selection Trial.
Only the strongest would pass.
Only the ruthless would survive.
🏔️ Trial Grounds
Hundreds of disciples gathered at the base of a massive mountain range behind the sect.
Towering cliffs.
Dense forests.
Hidden dangers.
This place had a name—
"Fallen Spirit Mountain."
A land where:
Spiritual beasts roamed
Hidden treasures existed
And death… was expected
An elder stepped forward.
His voice echoed like thunder.
"The rules are simple."
"Survive for three days."
"Collect Spirit Tokens."
"Top 20… enter the Inner Sect."
Silence fell.
Then—
"Begin!"
⚔️ Chaos Unleashed
The moment the signal was given—
Everything exploded.
Disciples rushed forward.
Forming alliances.
Setting traps.
Attacking immediately.
Some hunted beasts.
Others hunted…
People.
Lin Ye moved calmly into the forest.
No rush.
No panic.
"…Observe first."
🧠 Hunter's Mind
His senses expanded.
Movement everywhere.
Fights breaking out.
Screams echoing faintly.
"…This isn't a trial."
His eyes darkened.
"It's a slaughter."
🩸 First Encounter
Not long after—
Three disciples blocked his path.
"Hand over your tokens."
Lin Ye looked at them.
Level 4.
Level 5.
Level 5.
"…Together?"
They smirked.
"Smart enough to understand."
Lin Ye sighed softly.
"…Alright."
Then—
He moved.
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He disappeared.
Appeared behind the weakest—
CRACK!
Instant kill.
[+EXP]
The other two froze.
"Wha—?!"
Too late.
BAM!
THUD!
Two more bodies fell.
Fast.
Clean.
Efficient.
Lin Ye crouched.
Collected their tokens.
"…Too easy."
⚠️ A New Presence
Suddenly—
A chill ran down his spine.
"…Danger."
He turned.
A man stood on a tree branch.
Watching him.
Calm.
Cold.
"You're Lin Ye."
Not a question.
A statement.
🧬 First Rival
[Ding!]
[Target Identified]
[Name: Gu Chen]
[Level: 7]
[Status: Inner Sect Candidate – Top Tier]
Stronger.
Sharper.
Different.
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"…Finally."
Gu Chen jumped down lightly.
"No need to test the weak."
His gaze locked onto Lin Ye.
"I'll take your tokens."
Lin Ye smiled.
"You can try."
⚔️ Clash of Geniuses
No warning.
Gu Chen moved.
Fast.
Faster than the last opponent.
BOOM!
A palm strike shot forward—
Lin Ye dodged—
Barely.
"…He's stronger."
Much stronger.
But—
Lin Ye didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He attacked from the side—
But—
BLOCKED.
Gu Chen caught it.
"…Too obvious."
BANG!
A counterstrike slammed into Lin Ye's chest.
"—!"
He was sent flying.
Crashing through trees.
Pain exploded.
"…This is a real genius."
🧠 Adaptation
Lin Ye stood slowly.
Blood dripping.
Eyes sharp.
"…Then I'll adapt."
Gu Chen approached calmly.
"No tricks."
"No escape."
"Show me your limit."
Lin Ye smiled.
"…I don't have one."
🔥 Full Power
He moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
This time—
No hesitation.
BAM!
CRACK!
BOOM!
Their attacks collided.
Force shook the air.
Neither backing down.
⚠️ Breaking Point
But slowly—
Lin Ye was pushed back.
Gu Chen's technique—
Too refined.
His attacks—
Too precise.
"…I'll lose."
For the first time—
The thought appeared clearly.
But—
He didn't stop.
Instead—
He smiled.
"…Good."
🩸 Final Move
Gu Chen lunged—
A killing strike.
Lin Ye stepped forward—
Not dodging.
Not blocking.
Embracing it.
"—?!"
The strike hit—
But—
Lin Ye grabbed him.
Locked him in place.
"Got you."
Gu Chen's eyes widened.
"You—!"
[Blood Absorption – Forced]
"…Impossible—!"
His blood surged—
But—
It slowed.
Stopped.
Gu Chen's aura resisted.
"…Not enough."
Lin Ye's expression darkened.
"…Then more."
He pushed harder.
But—
BOOM!
Gu Chen broke free.
Leaping back.
Breathing heavier now.
"…Demonic technique."
His eyes sharpened.
"Dangerous."
🌒 Interrupted Fate
Before the fight could continue—
A loud roar echoed.
The ground trembled.
Both turned.
A massive beast emerged.
Towering.
Monstrous.
Eyes glowing with killing intent.
[Ding!]
[Beast Identified: Mountain Core Beast]
[Level: 8]
Stronger than both of them.
Gu Chen frowned.
"…Troublesome."
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"…Or opportunity."
They looked at each other.
Silent understanding.
Temporary truce.
⚔️ Alliance of Necessity
Gu Chen spoke—
"Kill it first."
Lin Ye nodded.
"Then we continue."
The beast roared—
Charging toward them.
And just like that—
Enemies became allies.
For now.
🔥 Closing Scene
Two geniuses.
One monster.
Battle about to erupt.
Lin Ye's eyes burned.
"…Now this is a real fight."