The mist curled thickly around, concealing everything from view. A chilling silence hung in the air. Then, a sudden gust of wind tore through the area, scattering the mist. The path ahead revealed itself, but instead of a bridge they had just been crossing, they found themselves in the middle of a desolate, unfamiliar land.
A young man furrowed his brows and looked around.
"Strange... I could've sworn we were just about to cross the bridge."
"Exactly," someone else murmured, glancing about in confusion. "How did we end up here?"
As they were busy trying to process the situation.
"ROAAAARR!!"
A thunderous cry echoed through the air, shaking the earth beneath their feet. From the shadows ahead, three demonic beast lunged forward. Their body was massive and covered in obsidian-black scales. Twin golden eyes glared out from its monstrous face, and two long, curved fangs jutted out from its mouth like blades.
The moment the beast appeared, panic erupted.
"Demonic beast!" someone shouted in terror.
Screams rang out as they scrambled in every direction. Some tripped and fell, others collided in their haste. Dozens of them activated their spirit tokens, forfeiting the trial and disappearing into streaks of white light before the beast reached them.
"Run!"
"This thing's going to kill us!"
"I-I don't want to be an immortal anymore!"
The beasts roared again and charged toward them, its claws tearing into the ground with terrifying speed. More vanished into light, choosing to quit rather than risk their lives.
As the beast closed the distance, ready to strike, the ground beneath them trembled and the scene changed.
Suddenly, the scene shifted.
Now they stood at the base of an enormous mountain that stretched into the sky. The peak was shrouded in swirling spiritual energy that shimmered like a blue flame. At the foot of the mountain stood a tall incense stick, already lit. Smoke drifted from its tip.
A voice echoed from the sky.
"Those who reach the top of the mountain before this stick of incense burns out will pass the trial. Your time begins... now."
They stared at the mountain. Its surface was steep and jagged, with sharp outcrops and no clear path. Violent gusts of wind whipped down from the peak, and the spiritual pressure was overwhelming even at the base.
"Are they serious?" a someone exclaimed, staring up at the rocky incline. "How do they expect us to climb that?!"
"They want to kill us, that's what!"
"I forfeit!" someone yelled, and vanished into white light.
One by one, many others followed. But a few gritted their teeth, steadied their breath, and began climbing.
Every foothold was unstable, and each handgrip risked slipping. The mountain rejected them with each step as if testing their will. Some couldn't keep their grip and slipped down the rocks. Before hitting the ground, they called out "forfeit" and disappeared.
Others weren't as noble.
A few who desperate to be the first, kicked and shoved those near them. Cries of betrayal echoed across the mountainside.
Still, many persevered.
Li Yuen and Fang Bin, climbing side by side. Both had sweat streaking down their faces, and their robes were torn from the sharp rocks.
"Watch your step!" Li Yuen warned as he reached for a narrow ledge.
"I'm fine, wait!" Fang Bin's hand slipped. His right arm dangled off the edge as his foot lost its grip. "Li Yuen!"
Without hesitation, Li Yuen reached down, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him back onto the rock. Fang Bin panted, his heart racing. "Thanks..."
"Just keep climbing," Li Yuen said firmly. "We're not done yet."
But in all the chaos, one person was missing.....Li Cheng.
Unlike the others, Li Cheng stood alone on a black rock surrounded by seething rivers of lava. The ground beneath him pulsed with heat, and molten fire bubbled and spat from nearby crevices. The place was hellish, more like a forbidden zone than a trial ground.
Black mountains rose in the distance, each spewing lava from their peaks. Li Cheng narrowed his eyes at the tallest one, where swirling spiritual energy danced above it.
"That must be the exit," he muttered.
But the problem wasn't getting up the mountain, it was getting to it. A vast moat of lava separated him from the base.
Li Cheng stared at the molten lake, then slowly stepped forward. Cautiously, he dipped his left foot into the lava, and instantly, searing pain shot up his leg. Smoke rose from his foot as he cried out and jerked it back.
He staggered and collapsed to one knee, gritting his teeth.
"This... this isn't an illusion," he realized, his breathing shallow.
He had been here for what felt like an eternity. No path forward. No escape. Only fire and pain.
"Is this where it ends? Am I truly going to be stuck here? After coming so far?"
"No. I won't quit."
A voice echoed suddenly from the burning air around him.
"Boy, that place is a dead end. You must forfeit before it's too late. You'll live. Even if you aren't chosen, your life will still be yours."
Li Cheng turned his head, trying to find the source, but the voice came from nowhere and everywhere.
"Why should I forfeit now?" he growled. "I'm already a step away. I came this far."
He clenched his fists, standing again. His eyes were determined.
"I, Li Cheng....was born without a spiritual root. I was called worthless all my life. But I never gave up. And I'm not giving up now."
He stepped into the lava.
The burning pain returned instantly, and smoke rose from his robes. His skin blistered. His breathing grew ragged.
"Boy! You—" the voice tried again, now panicked.
Li Cheng continued walking. His face twisted in agony, but his feet didn't stop.
This is my path, even if the heavens spit on me, I will walk it. Even if the earth cracks beneath me, I will not fall.
The lava hissed as his body burned, but he kept moving forward, step after agonizing step.
Outside the trial, atop Immortal Peak, Wu Ming stood beside the seven great sect leaders.
* Zhao Lingxu = the sect leader of Baihe sect
* Xue Wancheng= the sect lead of Lingyun Sect
* Shen Wuyou= The sect leader of Shuiyun sect
* Yu Qingxiao = the sect leader of Fengming sect
* Fang Yuheng = The sect lead of Xianzhou sect
* Lan Ruyan = the sect leader of Zhenling sect
* Mo Tianran = The second leader of Qinyun sect
Wu Ming was sipping from his wine jar. He looked entirely unconcerned, as if this trial was merely a festival, and has nothing to do with him.
He tilted the jar back. "Ahh... finished already?"
He shook the jar, then threw it aside. It shattered against the stone floor.... attracting everyone's attention.
Wu Ming pulled out a win gourd (Hùlu) from his waist uncorked it, and tilted it back.
Nothing.
"Empty too?!" he cried. "Damn it!"
He turned to leave. "Elder Mo, I'll be right back. I need to get some wine."
"Wu Ming! You—"
But before Elder Mo could finish, Wu Ming had vanished in a flash of light.
"This old geezer..." Elder Mo muttered, clearly irritated. The others nearby smiled as they shook their heads quietly.
Suddenly, one of senior member of the sect rushed forward and bowed... before the sect leaders.
"Elder Mo! There's a problem!"
Elder Mo's eyes sharpened. "Speak."
"S-someone fell into the lava zone of the formation!"
"What?!" Elder Mo stood upright, eyes wide. "That part of the formation isn't even complete! It wasn't supposed to be included in the trial!"
"I-It was my negligence, Elder... I'm sorry!"
"Pull him out Now!!"
The the man hesitated. "W-we can't. Not unless he forfeits."
Elder Mo's face darkened. "Out of the way!"
He strode forward and vanished in a flash.
Moments later, he stood at the formation's edge, spiritual energy pouring from his palm into the array.
Inside the trial, Li Cheng had reached the base of the mountain. His body was half-burned, clothes in tatters, skin scorched red and black. But his eyes were fixed at the top of the mountain ahead of him.
He began climbing.
Then a second voice spoke....calm, almost pleading.
"Kid....you need to forfeit they is no gain in you dying there, as long as you are Alive you can still cultivate even if it's not under the seven sects in the immortal peak.
Li Cheng didn't reply. His hands gripped the rocky surface as he pulled himself upward. Lava exploded from a nearby mountain, and molten fire splashed over his back and shoulders.
"AAAAHHHH!!" he screamed, but didn't let go.
If he let go now... he'd fall into the lava. There was no turning back.
"Kid, forfeit now while we can still save you!" Elder Mo's voice rang in from the formation.
But Li Cheng didn't respond. Inch by inch, he climbed.
At last, he finally made it at the top of the mountain. The swirling spiritual energy surrounded him like a gentle storm.
He stood tall, trembling
"Mother... Chang'er made it," he whispered with a stiff smile.
Then he stepped into the portal—and vanished.
Back outside, the formation
What a crazy kid... The man in charge of the formation said..in awe
Elder Mo stared in silence, then turned to glare at the man in charge of the formation.
Crazy kid you said?....you are lucky he didn't die, you would have been the one going crazy by now...Elder mo said as he glared at the man.
He turned again, muttering to himself.
"What terrifying willpower... that boy... he will surely be a talent and useful in the future....elder mo thoughts to him self.
Hahahahahah...
He suddenly broke out into a laughter and vanished.