A red sun broke across the Skyrect Mountains, bleeding light into the sky like a celestial wound. Its rays cast long shadows across the Sect's towering spires and ancient halls, awakening beasts, blades, and boundless ambition.
In the heart of the Skyrect Sect, the bell tolled thrice—deep, resonant, and commanding.
The Inner Sect Selection had begun.
For many disciples, this was the day dreams were realized—or shattered. Of the thousands who walked the outer courts, only a handful would ascend. The rest would be cast into obscurity, forgotten and discarded.
For Lin Xun, this was not merely a trial.
It was the battlefield where fate would be forged.
---
Outer Courtyard - Seven Days Later
Lin Xun stood amidst a sea of disciples—each clad in their sect robes, each eye burning with desire or desperation. The arena was a vast circular pit surrounded by towering bleachers and statues of long-dead heroes. Elders observed from floating platforms, their gazes cold and unreadable.
The rules were simple.
Battle in rounds.
Win, and ascend.
Lose, and be forgotten.
Zhao Fan—bandaged but bitter—stood in the ranks with other top outer disciples. His glare toward Lin Xun was venomous.
"You survived last time," he growled. "You won't this time."
Lin Xun didn't respond. His expression was calm, but within his dantian, the frost and flame surged in measured rhythm. He was no longer prey. He was a blade honed by adversity.
---
First Round: Shadow Grove Duel
The names appeared in golden flame across the sky.
> Match 12: Lin Xun vs. Mu Feng
Gasps rippled across the crowd.
Mu Feng was no minor opponent. A thunder-element cultivator in the mid-Nascent Ember Realm, he was one of the strongest outer disciples known for swift, devastating strikes.
As the match began, Mu Feng leapt forward, lightning crackling around his limbs like serpents. His fists struck like thunderclaps, shattering air with each blow.
But Lin Xun moved with grace—frost tracing his steps, fire spiraling in his palms.
"Flame-Frost Weave!"
He twisted, releasing a spiral of opposing elements that confused Mu Feng's aura. The lightning crackled—but misfired.
Then Lin Xun appeared behind him—silent, swift, sovereign.
"Second Petal: Shattered Bloom!"
A blast of concentrated fire and ice struck Mu Feng's back, sending him crashing into the stone floor.
The platform shattered.
Mu Feng lay still.
"Winner—Lin Xun!" the elder judge announced, eyes narrowing as he scanned Lin Xun with mild surprise.
---
The Watching Elders
On a higher platform, several elders sat in silence. Among them was Elder Ji Qinglan, the crimson-robed woman who had kept eyes on Lin Xun.
"He's more stable now," one elder said.
Ji Qinglan nodded. "His elemental control is evolving. He'll be worthy soon… but only if he survives the next round."
Another elder chuckled, sipping wine. "Let's see how he handles the next test. The arena will not show mercy."
---
Second Round: Battle of the Wind Cleft
This round pitted Lin Xun against a pair of twin siblings—Yu Wei and Yu Lin—cultivators of wind and illusion. Their synchronized fighting style was infamous in the outer sect.
As the duel commenced, the wind howled, and clones swirled around Lin Xun.
"Can you fight what you cannot see?" one of them whispered.
Lin Xun didn't answer.
Instead, he sat.
He crossed his legs mid-arena, breathing calmly, ignoring the taunts and illusions.
The crowd murmured—was he giving up?
Suddenly, flame bloomed from his right, frost from his left. The energy expanded in a wave.
"Third Bloom: Elemental Sweep!"
The shockwave exploded outward in a perfect ring—dispersing clones, breaking illusions, and slamming the twins to the ground.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"Winner—Lin Xun!"
The masked girl from the Thousand Lotus Pavilion watched from her hidden perch. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on her jade flute.
"He's ready," she murmured.
---
The Whispering Sect Halls
As Lin Xun meditated in his quarters, recovering between battles, a visitor arrived.
It was a scroll-bearing child.
"Senior Brother Lin Xun, this is from the Inner Pavilion."
He accepted the scroll.
It read:
> "Come to the Moonfallen Garden at dusk. She waits."
There was no signature. But Lin Xun knew.
---
Moonfallen Garden – Dusk
The garden was a secluded sanctuary blooming with silver blossoms that shimmered under the moonlight. Spiritual qi danced in the air, thick and sweet. A pond reflected the stars like glass.
She stood near the center, back turned, wearing lotus-white robes. Her long hair danced with the wind, and her presence was otherworldly.
"You came," she said without turning.
"You called," Lin Xun replied.
She turned slowly, revealing a face as delicate as jade, eyes like starlit frost.
"Do you know who I am?" she asked.
He paused. "You're… from the Inner Sect."
She nodded. "My name is Yun Qingyue. Pavilion Master of the Thousand Lotus Peak."
Lin Xun's heart skipped. That was one of the top three inner sect divisions—far above his current world.
"Why me?" he asked.
"Because you bloom under pressure. Because your flame does not burn aimlessly. And because... the world will soon turn its gaze to you."
He stepped forward, cautious. "And if I refuse your hand?"
She smiled faintly. "Then I'll wait until you reach the peak… and ask again."
He met her gaze, then bowed slightly. "Then let my path prove me worthy."
---
Final Match – Three Days Later
The last match was announced.
> Lin Xun vs. Jin Xuanye
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
Jin Xuanye was the top outer disciple, a peak Nascent Ember cultivator with a bloodline from a noble clan. His sword, Starseeker, had slain spirit beasts and rival sect cultivators alike.
He stood tall and proud, eyes filled with disdain.
"You've had your fun, rat. But this ends with me."
Lin Xun unsheathed his own blade.
"No. This begins with you."
The gong rang.
They clashed.
Sparks exploded as flame met starlight, frost battled wind, and two legacies collided in a tempest of power.
Jin's strikes were elegant yet deadly.
But Lin's were unorthodox—his dual affinity forging unpredictable flows.
Then Lin whispered:
"Fourth Bloom—Lotus of Endless Flame!"
A lotus of pure fire engulfed the arena, blasting Jin backward, but Jin retaliated with a surge of sword intent that split the lotus in half.
Blood sprayed from Lin Xun's arm.
Jin sneered. "You bleed."
"So do stars," Lin Xun replied.
He spun midair, gathered all his essence into one blow.
"Frostfire Bloom—Final Petal!"
The blade struck true.
Jin's sword shattered.
The elder raised his hand.
"Winner—Lin Xun!"
The crowd erupted.
And the heavens, it seemed, watched in silence.
---
That Night
Lin Xun stood atop a quiet peak, win
d whispering around him.
A letter arrived.
> "You are hereby admitted into the Inner Sect of Skyrect. Report at dawn. Glory awaits."
He held the letter tightly.
From ashes, he had risen.
And now—his flame would burn among giants.