The trial grounds had emptied, but whispers still echoed like ghosts in the halls of the Inner Sect.
Su Chen walked alone through the corridor of burning lanterns, his robes singed and spirit strained, but his mind sharper than ever.
He had defeated three candidates, including one who had made a pact with a Forbidden Flame Spirit.
And he had done it not with overwhelming power—but with strategy, instinct, and a system only he understood.
> [System Status: Anchor Solidified – Trial Completion Bonus Pending]
Awaiting Sect Evaluation…
Su Chen ignored the notification. He could feel the change in the air.
The sect had noticed him.
And so had others.
Far above the training peaks, in a pagoda that scraped the clouds, a figure sat cloaked in jade-green robes. His hair was white, his beard long, and his eyes carried the weight of centuries.
Sect Master Bai Yu of the Heaven's Gate Sect.
A wisp of silver smoke rose from the incense burning beside him. He waved his hand, and a formation array shimmered in front of him—a recording of Su Chen's battle.
The old man watched silently as Su Chen severed the spirit pact chain with a targeted Qi orb.
When it ended, Bai Yu narrowed his eyes.
"Elder Lin," he said without turning.
A younger man stepped out of the shadows behind him and bowed. "Yes, Sect Master?"
"Did you verify his background?"
Elder Lin nodded. "Low-born. No noble lineage. Spirit root tested as mid-grade fire and void affinity. Entered Outer Sect a month ago. Since then… eight consecutive duels, three breakthrough attempts, and this trial."
"No master?" Bai Yu asked.
"None," Elder Lin confirmed. "He's independent. But…"
"But?"
"He uses techniques no one taught him. Glyphcraft that predates our sect's current generation. And his energy signatures… fluctuate."
Bai Yu tapped the armrest of his chair.
"This child has secrets."
"Should we—"
"No." The Sect Master's eyes turned cold. "We observe. And we prepare."
Back at the inner disciple grounds, Su Chen stood at the edge of the mountain courtyard, where fresh robes were being handed out by servant disciples.
"Su Chen, right?" a cheerful voice called.
He turned.
A girl stood before him, maybe his age or slightly older. Dressed in pristine azure robes, her demeanor was elegant—but not haughty.
"I'm Yan Qingyu. Inner disciple. And apparently, you've just set the whole sect on fire."
Su Chen blinked. "I didn't start the rumors."
She grinned. "No, but you fueled them. You're the Void Flame boy now. Or the Reset Demon. Depends on who you ask."
He raised a brow. "And which one are you calling me?"
She gave him a sly look. "Neither. I prefer my own names."
Before he could respond, she held out a jade badge.
"Take this. You've earned your inner disciple status. That means your residence moves to the Skywind Courtyard. And… you'll be summoned for your sect evaluation soon."
Su Chen accepted the badge, noting the engraved glyphs along its edge. It hummed with faint Qi.
"Thank you," he said. "But I don't think I caught your rank."
She chuckled. "Top ten inner disciple. But don't worry. I'm friendly. Most of the time."
With that, she turned and walked off.
Su Chen watched her go, then looked up at the looming spires of the Inner Peaks.
That night, he entered the Skywind Courtyard.
It was unlike the barracks of the outer sect—each disciple had a private stone pavilion, complete with spirit arrays, a personal cultivation pool, and a view of the surrounding mountains.
The moment he stepped inside, he felt it.
> [Anchor Node Detected – Establish New Reset Point?]
He nodded.
> [New Anchor: Skywind Pavilion – Confirmed]
He sat in the center of the chamber and closed his eyes.
> [Trial Rewards Calculated – Claim Now?]
"Claim."
> [Rewards Unlocked:]
– Qi Core Expansion: +2 Tiers
– Skill: Flame Immunity (Tier I – Passive)
– New Skill: Memory Echo – View past battles in meditation state
– Reputation Unlocked: Rising Phoenix of the Inner Sect
> [System Upgrade: Reset Limit Extended – 2 Anchor Points Available]
Su Chen breathed out slowly.
Stronger. Smarter. Sharper.
But he wasn't alone anymore. Not really.
Eyes watched him now. From above, from below. From the sect masters, from hidden enemies. Even from his past.
Far beyond the walls of the sect, in the depths of an underground cave carved by ancient energy…
A black-robed cultivator knelt before a coffin sealed with blood-red chains.
"He's awakened," the voice inside rasped. "The one who escaped fate. He resets the path… again."
"And our plan?" the cultist asked, his head bowed.
"Send the dreamers," the voice growled. "Let's see if he remembers the pain of gods."
Back in his room, Su Chen opened his eyes.
He didn't know why, but his heart felt suddenly heavy.
The stars outside were no longer calm.
They were watching.