Dawn broke over Azure Peak Sect with unusual clarity, as if heaven itself was marking the significance of the day. Fourteen teams gathered in the Grand Formation Plaza—seventy cultivators who would spend the next three months in one of the most dangerous training environments the cultivation world had devised.
Axel stood with his team near the center of the plaza, watching as Elder Wen and three other Golden Core administrators made final preparations to the massive transportation formation that would deliver them to the Ascension Realm's entrance. The formation was a masterwork of spatial manipulation, its intricate patterns covering the entire plaza floor in spiraling geometric designs that hurt to look at directly.
"Nervous?" Liu Feng asked quietly, standing beside Axel in the pre-entry staging area.
"Focused," Axel corrected, though his friend wasn't entirely wrong. Despite the system's ninety-four percent survival projection, that still left six percent probability of death. And statistics meant nothing when you became part of the unsuccessful minority.
"Your team looks solid," Liu Feng observed, watching Feng Yun conduct last-minute equipment checks with military precision. "Better prepared than most groups I'm seeing."
"You're not entering?" Axel realized he'd never asked about Liu Feng's plans.
"Not this cycle. I'm only Core Formation Early, and I need more combat experience before attempting something this dangerous." Liu Feng managed a wry smile. "Unlike you, I prefer to follow normal advancement timelines. But I'll be watching the contribution board to see how your team performs."
"The contribution board tracks trial results?"
"Updates monthly with team rankings based on resources gathered, Qi beasts defeated, and territorial control. It's how the sect determines which teams get priority for the next trial cycle." Liu Feng's expression grew serious. "Be careful in there, Axel. The twenty percent mortality rate isn't just a number—it's friends who don't come back."
Before Axel could respond, Feng Yun's voice cut across their conversation. "Team Seven, final formation!"
Axel joined his teammates, taking his designated position in their tactical arrangement. Zhao Mei stood at the front as primary combatant, her Core Formation Peak cultivation radiating controlled power. Chen Wu positioned himself at center-rear as defensive anchor, his barrier techniques ready to deploy instantly. Lin Shan flanked left as reconnaissance specialist, her enhanced perception already scanning surrounding teams for potential rivals. Feng Yun commanded from center-left as tactical coordinator, her mind undoubtedly running through contingency plans. And Axel took the right flank as spatial controller, his unique capabilities making him the team's mobility and battlefield manipulation specialist.
"Equipment check," Feng Yun ordered, and they ran through their inventory one final time. Storage rings loaded with supplies, emergency talismans secured in quick-access pouches, communication jade slips attuned to each other, sect identification tokens that would trigger automatic extraction if their life force dropped below critical levels.
"Weapons ready," Zhao Mei confirmed, her twin sabers gleaming with barely suppressed spiritual energy.
"Defensive formations prepared," Chen Wu added, his shield already manifesting as a translucent barrier around their group.
"Reconnaissance techniques active," Lin Shan reported, her spiritual senses sweeping their immediate area continuously.
"Spatial manipulation on standby," Axel said, feeling the dimensional boundaries around them with his enhanced perception.
"Team Seven ready for deployment," Feng Yun announced to the supervising elders.
Elder Wen's voice boomed across the plaza, amplified by formation techniques. "Disciples of Azure Peak Sect, you stand at the threshold of the Heavenly Ascension Trial. For three months, you will cultivate in an environment that will test everything you've learned. Some of you will break through to new realms. Some of you will forge bonds of fellowship that last lifetimes. And some of you..." He paused meaningfully. "Will not return."
The stark reminder sent ripples of tension through the assembled teams.
"The Ascension Realm operates under different rules than our world," Elder Wen continued. "Spiritual energy concentration exceeds normal levels by four hundred percent. Time flows differently depending on location—use this to your advantage for cultivation, but remember that three months inside equals three months outside regardless of personal time dilation experienced. The realm contains Qi beasts ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core equivalent, with rare Nascent Soul level threats in the deepest territories."
He gestured toward the formation beneath their feet. "You will be transported to the Outer Ring, where all teams enter. From there, territorial control and advancement are your own responsibility. Monthly supply drops occur at designated locations—teams must compete for these resources. Emergency extraction is available via your life preservation tokens, but using them means forfeiting all trial benefits and contribution points."
"Team coordination is not just recommended, it's essential for survival," Elder Wen's gaze swept across every team. "The twenty percent mortality rate comes almost exclusively from cultivators who separated from their teams or attempted challenges beyond their capabilities. Stay together. Support each other. Survive."
The formation beneath them began to glow, spiritual energy building toward the massive spatial translocation it was designed to perform.
"One final reminder," Elder Wen said, his voice growing grave. "The Ascension Realm tests more than cultivation strength. It tests judgment, adaptability, and the wisdom to know when retreat is more valuable than advancement. Remember this: dead heroes earn no contribution points. Live cultivators do."
The formation activated with a sound like reality tearing open.
Supreme Elder Jiang's POV
Jiang watched from his vantage point on Supreme Peak as the transportation formation engulfed all fourteen teams in cascading spatial energy. The translocation to the Ascension Realm's entrance was always spectacular—seventy cultivators disappearing simultaneously in a burst of dimensional fracturing that briefly connected three separate planes of existence.
"They're away," Elder Shen said, appearing beside Jiang with his usual spatial manipulation techniques. The Formation Master had been observing the deployment with professional interest. "The translocation efficiency was ninety-seven percent—no energy waste, no spatial instabilities, no displacement errors. A perfect launch."
"How many will return?" Jiang asked, though he already knew the historical statistics.
"Fourteen teams means seventy cultivators. If we hold to the twenty percent mortality rate, we'll lose fourteen of them." Shen's expression was carefully neutral, but Jiang could sense the concern beneath. "Team Seven has good composition and excellent preparation. But Axel remains a wild variable. His rapid advancement could be an asset or a liability depending on how he manages it."
"The boy experienced a Nascent Soul glimpse at Core Formation Early," Jiang reminded him. "That's not instability—that's his bloodline preparing him for transformations most cultivators stumble into unprepared. He'll handle the trial's challenges."
"I hope you're right. He's become... important to the sect's future in ways that extend beyond his personal cultivation."
Jiang understood what Shen wasn't saying directly. Axel represented possibilities the Azure Peak Sect hadn't seen in generations—a cultivator with Mythical-grade foundation, ancient bloodline, and advancement speed that defied normal progression. If he survived and continued developing, he could become the kind of powerhouse that elevated the entire sect's standing.
If he survived.
"Three months," Jiang said quietly. "We'll know soon enough if my faith in him was justified."
The Ascension Realm - Outer Ring
The translocation completed with jarring abruptness, reality reasserting itself in a way that made Axel's spatial senses scream warnings. For a disorienting moment, he existed in three places simultaneously—the Azure Peak plaza, the translocation void, and the Ascension Realm. Then the multiplicity collapsed and he was simply here, standing with his team on unfamiliar ground.
The first thing Axel noticed was the spiritual energy concentration. It hit like a physical pressure, so dense that even breathing pulled Qi into his lungs. His Golden Core reacted immediately, spinning faster as it automatically began absorbing the abundant energy. This was what four hundred percent spiritual energy concentration meant—cultivation advanced passively just from existing in this environment.
The second thing he noticed was the time dilation. His Nascent Soul glimpse-enhanced temporal perception could feel it clearly—time was flowing at ninety-five percent normal speed in this location. Not dramatic, but enough that three months here would equal roughly two months and twenty-six days of subjective experience.
The third thing he noticed was danger.
They'd materialized in a clearing surrounded by dense forest that radiated predatory intent. Qi beast signatures emanated from every direction—dozens of them, ranging from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation levels. The Ascension Realm was clearly not interested in gentle introductions.
"Defensive formation!" Feng Yun snapped, and the team moved with practiced precision into their rehearsed configuration.
Chen Wu's barriers deployed instantly, creating a translucent dome around their group. Zhao Mei's spiritual pressure flared outward as a warning to any Qi beasts considering immediate attack. Lin Shan's perception expanded in all directions, mapping threats and identifying approach vectors. Axel extended his spatial manipulation to sense dimensional weak points they could exploit for escape if necessary.
"Situation assessment," Feng Yun demanded, her mind already processing tactical data.
"Thirty-seven Qi beast signatures within detection range," Lin Shan reported. "Mostly Foundation Establishment level, but I'm sensing five Core Formation equivalents. The nearest threat is two hundred yards northeast—Foundation Establishment Peak bear-type beast, probably territorial guard."
"Other teams?" Feng Yun asked.
"Scattered deployment. I can sense three teams within half a mile, all dealing with their own immediate threats. Team Three is engaging Qi beasts already—sounds like they encountered something aggressive immediately after arrival."
"Time dilation status?" Feng Yun looked at Axel.
"Ninety-five percent normal flow in this area," Axel reported. "But I'm sensing variations nearby—there's a zone about a mile west where time might be flowing slower, maybe eighty percent. Good for cultivation, bad for emergencies."
"Spiritual energy concentration is insane," Zhao Mei said, her cultivation clearly accelerating from passive absorption alone. "I can feel my Core Formation Peak starting to approach the threshold for Golden Core. If I cultivate actively for a month in this environment, breakthrough is virtually certain."
"Which is exactly why we're here," Feng Yun reminded them. "But first priority is establishing a defensible position. Lin Shan, identify the best location within a mile for setting up base camp."
Lin Shan closed her eyes, her reconnaissance techniques spreading outward like invisible tendrils. "There's a cliff formation six hundred yards southwest. Natural defensive advantages—stone walls provide cover, elevated position offers tactical visibility, and I'm sensing a spiritual spring nearby that could support cultivation arrays. Only problem is it's currently occupied by a pack of wolf-type Qi beasts, Core Formation Early level."
"How many wolves?" Zhao Mei asked, her sabers already manifesting.
"Six confirmed signatures. Possibly more inside cave systems."
"We can handle six Core Formation Early beasts," Zhao Mei said confidently. "Team Seven has two Core Formation Mid cultivators, one Peak, and good coordination. That's overwhelming force for this engagement."
Feng Yun considered for three seconds. "Agreed. We take the cliff formation and establish it as our primary base. Zhao Mei and Axel handle primary combat, Chen Wu maintains defensive support, Lin Shan provides tactical intelligence, I'll coordinate and watch for complications. Move out in combat formation, double-time pace."
They advanced through the forest with weapons ready and senses alert. The Ascension Realm's vegetation was unlike anything in normal territory—trees that radiated Qi as if they were living cultivation resources, flowers that pulsed with elemental energy, vines that shifted position as if tracking their movement.
"Everything here is spiritually active," Chen Wu muttered, his barriers flickering as they passed through particularly dense Qi concentrations. "Even the plants are dangerous at these energy levels."
"Don't touch anything unless absolutely necessary," Feng Yun ordered. "We don't know what's poisonous, what's reactive, or what might trigger territorial beast responses."
They'd covered three hundred yards when the first Qi beast attacked.
It came from above—a hawk-type beast with Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation and wings that crackled with lightning elemental energy. The creature dove with predatory precision, talons extended toward Lin Shan as the seemingly weakest target.
Axel reacted on pure instinct. His spatial manipulation created a dimensional barrier between Lin Shan and the diving hawk, forcing the beast's trajectory to shift six feet laterally. Instead of striking its intended target, the hawk slammed into Chen Wu's barrier with enough force to send lightning arcing across the protective shield.
Zhao Mei didn't give it a chance to recover. She was in the air in an instant, her sabers flashing in perfect coordination as she executed a technique called "Twin Phoenix Descent." Both blades struck the hawk's wings simultaneously, spiritual energy cutting through Qi-reinforced feathers like they were paper.
The beast shrieked and attempted to flee, but Axel had already positioned spatial anchors around it. When the hawk tried to escape upward, it slammed into an invisible dimensional barrier that trapped it in a twenty-foot cage of folded space.
Zhao Mei's follow-up strike was precise and fatal. One saber pierced the hawk's chest, disrupting its Qi circulation. The beast convulsed once and fell silent, its Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation extinguished in less than ten seconds of combat.
"First blood," Zhao Mei said with satisfaction, retrieving her weapons. "Core intact if anyone wants it for cultivation resources."
"Take it," Feng Yun decided. "Everything we kill becomes team resources to be distributed based on contribution and need. Lin Shan, store the core. Axel, was that spatial cage technique new?"
"Adaptation of my dimensional barriers," Axel admitted. "The Nascent Soul glimpse gave me better understanding of how to anchor spatial boundaries in place rather than just deflecting attacks."
"Useful. Add it to our tactical capabilities list." Feng Yun consulted her internal map. "Three hundred yards remaining to the cliff formation. Expect more engagement attempts—the wolf pack has definitely sensed us by now."
She was right. They'd barely covered another hundred yards when the wolves appeared.
Six of them materialized from the forest shadows with coordinated precision that spoke to pack intelligence. Core Formation Early cultivation in each beast, with the alpha showing signs of approaching Mid stage. Wolf-type Qi beasts with dark fur that seemed to absorb light and eyes that glowed with predatory calculation.
The alpha howled, and the pack attacked.
To be continued...
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