The forest behind the eastern cliff was darker than it had any right to be. No moonlight pierced its canopy. The air tasted like silence wrapped in blood. I arrived just before midnight, as ordered, blade strapped across my back and fire coiled in my palm like a pet waiting to bite.
Lu Shen was already there, of course. Leaning against a boulder like he'd been born with patience. His arms were crossed, and his eyes glinted under the hood of his robe.
"Took you long enough," he said.
"You didn't say I had to run," I replied, stepping into the clearing.
He chuckled once. "Good. If you'd rushed, you would've walked into the formation I set. You're learning."
I scanned the area. Traps. Subtle ones. Spirit glyphs carved into tree roots, layered with concealment seals. Only visible to someone who knew how to feel for the faint hum of twisted energy.
"You didn't drag me out here just to compliment my caution," I said.
He nodded slowly. "Correct. I'm going to kill you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
He didn't smile. "This time, I won't stop. You survive, you pass."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already moving.
The first blow came like lightning—fast, silent, brutal. I barely dodged, stumbling backward as his foot cracked the earth where my head had been. A tree behind me exploded into splinters.
I rolled, summoned fire to my palm, and launched a blast. He swatted it aside like smoke. Then he was in front of me, fist swinging. I caught his forearm, the impact sending a spike of pain up my arm.
"You said no breaks," I grunted. "But this is excessive."
He grabbed my collar, lifted me off the ground, and slammed me into a tree.
"No disciple of mine walks the path without earning their scars."
I coughed, tasting blood. "I already have a full collection."
"Then collect more."
The fight blurred. Fists. Fire. Shattered bark. I lost count of how many times I hit the ground. I stopped trying to predict him. I just adapted. Reacted. Let instinct take over.
When I finally landed a clean punch into his ribs, he grunted—but didn't stagger. Instead, he smiled.
"Finally," he said. "Now it begins."
I barely had time to react before he unleashed his spirit pressure. It wasn't like the trial field. This was personal. Focused. A tidal wave of intent meant to crush the soul, not the body.
I dropped to one knee. Flames erupted around me as I pushed back, blood dripping from my nose, my bones vibrating.
"Stand," he ordered.
I clenched my fists. "No need to shout," I growled. "I'm not deaf."
I rose, inch by inch, fire wrapping around my arms, swirling with the silver light of my Divine Flame. Something cracked inside me—some barrier I hadn't noticed. A flood of spirit energy surged forward. Not chaotic. Not violent.
Controlled.
Lu Shen stepped back, finally lowering his hand. "Breakthrough. Early Spirit Root Phase. Hmph. I expected it three days ago."
I swayed slightly. "Sorry for the delay. I was busy surviving."
He nodded. "Go back. Rest. You've earned tonight's breath."
Before I could turn, he added, "Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to the others. You'll need allies. Even wolves hunt in packs."
I limped back to the barracks under a sky that had never looked clearer.
For the first time since entering the sect, I didn't feel like an outsider.
I felt like a blade finally pulled from its sheath.