The heavens above the Azure Lotus Sect trembled with anticipation. Great celestial cranes soared through golden clouds while the sacred bells in the Tower of Announcements tolled across the vast sect. It was the signal everyone had been waiting for—the declaration of the Grand Sky Trials.
Lin Sheng stood atop the Floating Jade Platform, gazing across the horizon. His long robes rustled gently in the wind, and his eyes—deep pools of unfathomable wisdom—were locked onto the sun as it climbed over the distant peaks. Today marked the beginning of something that could change the fate of the cultivation world.
He had returned from the Forgotten Temple not just as a prodigy, but as a chosen vessel of the Origin Flame. His power, already unmatched among his peers, was now evolving into something divine.
"System," he whispered. "Status overview."
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Realm: Mid Nascent Soul
Affinity: Fire (Origin Flame – Divine Grade), Void (Abyssal Path – Unlocked)
Physique: Eternal Incarnate Body (Fragmented)
New Quests Available: Grand Sky Trials, Heir of the Origin Flame (Stage 1), Primordial Memory Fragments
Hidden Trait: Divine Echo – Active
The system's cool voice continued: "Participation in the Grand Sky Trials will trigger world-grade recognition. Warning: Host may become a threat-level entity. Divine Will Entities may intervene."
Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes. "Let them come."
The Grand Sky Trials were not just a sect competition. They were a rite of passage held once every thousand years across all major sects of the continent. It was said that the will of the heavens observed each candidate. Those who succeeded were elevated to Celestial Lord Candidates. Those who failed often perished.
Elder Qiyan arrived beside him, her aura restrained, but Lin Sheng sensed the hidden storm beneath.
"You carry not only the legacy of the sect now," she said. "You carry the judgment of the cosmos. Walk carefully, Lin Sheng."
He bowed. "I understand."
On the day of the trials, a grand coliseum carved into the heart of a floating mountain opened its gates. Disciples from the Azure Lotus Sect, the Nine Springs Sect, the Crimson Moon Temple, and even rogue cultivators under official sanction flooded in.
Xue Jian and Bo Tian flanked Lin Sheng as they entered the central arena. Floating runes hovered in the air, each bearing the names of the participants. Giant illusionary screens displayed rankings and performance. The event was broadcast to millions.
A celestial bell tolled, and the voice of an ancient echoed across the skies.
"Let the Grand Sky Trials commence."
The first trial was Path of the Four Calamities—Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Time. Each participant had to survive all four, emerging with their core intact. Failure meant expulsion… or death.
Lin Sheng was teleported to a plane of pure flame. The ground cracked beneath his feet as rivers of molten lava churned. Fire beasts, born of chaos, surged toward him.
But fire was his domain.
"Origin Flame: Lotus Inferno Bloom."
A massive lotus formed beneath him, petals made of golden fire swirling with ancient inscriptions. As the beasts lunged, the petals ignited in divine fury, incinerating them into nothingness.
Next came Ice.
He was thrust into a void of endless frost. The cold here did not just freeze flesh—it froze thoughts, memories, even soul fragments. Dozens of cultivators failed instantly, their minds collapsing.
Lin Sheng activated his Soul Furnace Technique, cycling warmth through his meridians.
"System," he whispered, lips cracking. "Use Phoenix Core Elixir."
Phoenix Core Elixir applied. Resistance +1000% to Yin Elements.
A surge of warmth exploded from within, forming a blazing aura that shielded his body and mind. He walked calmly across the frozen field, flames trailing behind his steps.
The third test was Lightning. He was suspended midair in a storm of celestial wrath. Bolts of judgment thunder rained down.
Lin Sheng didn't dodge. He welcomed them.
"System: Channel Divine Echo Trait."
Each bolt struck him, feeding into his spiritual core, not damaging but empowering him. His bones rang like bells. His dantian surged with Qi.
The final trial was Time.
He stood alone in a realm of silver mist. A ticking sound echoed from nowhere. Each tick accelerated time. A thousand years passed in one breath.
His body aged. His mind resisted.
"Earth mind… awaken," he murmured.
Images of his old life—subways, neon lights, quiet nights under stars—filled him. Lin Sheng centered his soul. He activated the Eternal Incarnate Body, and his form shimmered with silver-gold radiance.
Time collapsed.
He stood alone at the end, unchanged.
Back in the arena, cheers erupted as his name climbed to the top.
[Rank One: Lin Sheng – All Four Calamities Conquered – 100% Completion]
Even the elders of rival sects were stunned. Murmurs broke out.
"Who is he?"
"A reincarnated ancient?"
"No... something beyond."
A cloaked figure in the crowd smiled. "So the Heir has awakened."
The second trial was a battle royale among the top 100 participants. Lin Sheng stood at the center.
His opponents surrounded him: disciples with bloodline powers, spirit beast tamers, sword saints, even those with elemental fusion abilities.
One charged. Lin Sheng vanished.
"Voidstep."
Appearing behind them, he struck with Twilight Fang, the weapon he had claimed from the Temple.
With precise blows and seamless movement, he subdued ten cultivators within seconds. His speed was incomprehensible. His control? Flawless.
Then came Yao Feng, a genius from the Crimson Moon Temple.
Their clash shattered the ground. Flames met illusions. Blades sang.
But Lin Sheng remained dominant.
In one final flash, his palm glowed with the Mark of Beginning, and Yao Feng was thrown across the arena, unconscious.
The remaining cultivators surrendered.
As the sun set, Elder Qiyan approached him.
"You've made too many ripples," she said. "The world will not ignore you any longer. Prepare."
"For what?"
She looked toward the stars.
"For the Outer World Realms. The trials here are over. But your real test begins there."
High above the mortal realm, where ancient empires of immortals watched, a name began to circulate.
Lin Sheng, Lord of Immortality.
To be continued in Chapter Ten...