Every year, the Bone-Fist Pavilion held a trial called the Test of the Nine Rings.
It was a joke to the greater sects of the realm—one of many pitiful rituals performed by a sect past its prime. But to the disciples here, it was everything. A chance to be seen. To be selected. To rise above mud and rot.
This year, the stakes were different.
A guest had arrived.
The elders stood at the edge of the martial ring, bowing respectfully as Elder Su Jing, a golden-robed emissary from the Flowing Sky Sect, took his seat on the judging platform.
Sharp eyes. Silver beard. A spiritual aura that hung like a sword over the courtyard.
He was here to observe.
And to poach.
Xu Shen stepped into the gathering quietly.
He wore plain black robes, his saber tied in cloth across his back. The whispers around him were no longer dismissive.
"They say he broke Jian Wu's nose with one strike."
"Didn't he kill a beast in the outer woods last week… alone?"
"No one's sure where he learned his techniques…"
Xu ignored them.
His eyes were on the stone arena.
Elder Mo Lin raised his hand.
"The Trial of the Nine Rings will begin."
The rules were simple: one-on-one matches across three stages.
Stage One: Physical strength
Stage Two: Martial technique
Stage Three: Free-form battle
Failure in any stage meant elimination.
Victory in all three? Inner disciple promotion. And if you impressed Elder Su Jing… perhaps more.
Xu Shen's first opponent was announced:
Wei Long, rank #8 disciple, Earth Qi Layer, known for his brute-force Windhammer style.
Wei grinned, stepping into the ring. "You've made a lot of noise, Xu Shen."
"Step forward," Xu said calmly. "Let's begin."
The gong rang.
Stage One: Physical Strength
A massive stone pillar stood between them. The goal? Shatter it using only raw power.
Wei Long stepped up first. He let out a growl and slammed his fist into the stone.
Crack!
Half the pillar shattered.
The crowd cheered.
Xu Shen stepped up. No sound. Just a deep breath.
He raised one hand.
"Ironbone Sutra. Chi thread to elbow. Surge from heel. Exhale at impact."
BANG.
The entire pillar split down the center—cleanly.
Wei's smile faded.
Stage Two: Martial Technique
Both fighters would display one martial form. Precision and power would be judged.
Wei unleashed a flurry of blows—hammer palms and wide-arc smashes. His chi flared brightly, each move echoing through the courtyard.
Xu stepped forward, drew his saber slowly.
He flowed into the first form of Bone-Wind Saber: Storm-Fang Sweep.
The air screamed.
A gust burst across the arena, slicing thin scars into the ground.
Gasps rippled through the audience.
Elder Su Jing leaned forward.
"That's not Bone-Fist Style…"
Stage Three: Free-Form Duel
No rules. First to fall or bleed loses.
Wei roared, lunging in with full-force hammer fists.
Xu flickered sideways—Ghost Step—then countered.
Storm Fang Slash.
Wei blocked with his forearm, but the saber sheared through his defense like paper.
Blood sprayed.
He hit the stone with a grunt, clutching his chest.
Xu didn't chase.
He's done.
The crowd stood silent.
Then—thunderous applause.
After the trial, Elder Su Jing approached Xu.
"You're not from this sect," he said bluntly.
Xu offered a shallow bow. "No, Elder."
"That saber technique—where did you learn it?"
Xu looked him in the eye.
"Life taught me."
Su Jing narrowed his gaze, intrigued but unsatisfied. "You've awakened something ancient. Dangerous. Be careful who sees you use it."
Then he walked away.
That night, Xu sat by the river again.
[Memory Sync: 4.9%]
[New Fragment Available — Life #12: Crimson Lotus Palm]
He smiled faintly.
"I'm only beginning."
But in the mountains to the north, a messenger knelt before a hooded figure.
"Master. The Devourer has passed the trial."
"I see," said the voice. "Then begin the purge."
"We burn Bone-Fist Pavilion to the ground."