The sun had barely risen over the jagged mountains surrounding the Iron Cloud Sect when I realized that surviving the entrance test was only the beginning. My arms still ached from the brutal physical trials, and my chest burned from holding my breath too long during the qi detection test. The crowd was thinning, leaving only the ones who had passed—and those who would soon regret it.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and scanned the field. Wealthy disciples laughed, flexing their muscles and showing off their ornate robes. Every fiber of their being screamed, I was born for this. And here I was—dust on my shoes, worn-out clothes, and nothing but determination burning in my chest.
"Hey!" a cheerful voice called from the side.
I turned to see a boy around my age, his robe patched in a dozen places but his grin wide and confident. He waved at me, unbothered by the scrutinizing eyes of the elite.
"You… you made it?" he asked, voice full of disbelief. "I thought only the rich kids would survive the tests."
I blinked. "Yeah… I guess I did." My voice sounded small even to me.
He laughed, a sound that made the tension in my chest loosen slightly. "Name's Zhou Kai. And you are?"
"Li Chen," I muttered, extending a hesitant hand. He grabbed it firmly, shaking it like we'd been friends for years.
"Good, Li Chen. Don't let those elites scare you. We're the poor ones—they think we'll crumble. Let's show them we won't."
Something about his confidence ignited a spark in me. Maybe I wasn't completely alone here.
The day was spent in orientation and training, though calling it "training" felt like an insult to the concept of pain. The elders were merciless, their eyes scanning for weaknesses, their commands sharp enough to cut steel.
"Focus your qi!" one barked as a group of disciples fumbled through the opening technique.
I concentrated, trying to feel the energy flow through my body, but it was stubborn, sluggish—almost non-existent. My arms shook, and sweat poured down my back. Around me, rich disciples performed the techniques with fluid precision, their qi glowing faintly as the elders nodded in approval.
I wanted to disappear.
"Li Chen!" a voice snapped me out of my spiral. I looked up to see Meng Tao, tall and handsome, his aura radiating skill and privilege. His eyes narrowed, scanning me as if I were an insect on the ground.
"Careful," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with mockery. "Your qi is… weak."
I clenched my fists, heat rising to my face. "I'm working on it," I said through gritted teeth.
Meng Tao smirked and walked away, leaving a trail of arrogance behind him. I wanted to punch something, but I reminded myself—he's a distraction. Keep focus.
By midday, my body screamed in protest. My muscles burned, my joints ached, and every ounce of energy felt like it had been drained. Yet, when I looked at Zhou Kai, I saw him pushing through too. Not because he had to, but because he refused to give up.
"Let's take a short break," he said, leaning against a boulder, his hair damp with sweat. "You don't look so good."
"Neither do you," I said with a faint smile.
He laughed. "Yeah, well, surviving isn't about looking good. It's about refusing to die trying."
That made me grin despite the pain. There was truth in that—something the elites hadn't learned.
The afternoon brought the first real challenge. The elders had arranged a sparring exercise—one-on-one combat to test reflexes, martial arts skills, and qi control.
My first opponent? A stocky, arrogant boy who had been boasting all morning. His qi flowed smoothly, a clear sign of talent. I swallowed hard and focused, trying to recall the techniques drilled into us.
The moment we clashed, I felt the difference between raw talent and stubborn willpower. He struck fast, precise, and punishing, while I barely managed to block each blow. Pain shot up my arm as he landed a heavy punch to my shoulder.
No… I can't fall here. Not now.
I countered with a move I had been practicing secretly, mimicking a technique I saw one of the elders demonstrate. My fist landed awkwardly against his chest, surprising both him and me. He stumbled, giving me the brief opening I needed.
The elders murmured, some frowning, others whispering, intrigued. I pressed on, striking with everything I had left, feeling my qi barely respond but my willpower carrying me forward. By the time the match ended, I had not won—but I had survived, and more importantly, I had earned notice.
As the day wound down, I found myself sitting on the steps of the main hall, exhausted. Zhou Kai plopped down beside me.
"You did good," he said simply. "Not perfect, but… good."
I shook my head. "I'm weak. Everyone else… they're born ready for this."
"Maybe," he admitted. "But you've got something they don't. You don't quit. That counts for a lot."
Before I could respond, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see Meng Tao, his expression unreadable.
"Li Chen," he said quietly, leaning closer. "You're surprising everyone. Don't get cocky… or it'll get ugly."
I nodded, unsure if it was a warning or a threat. Either way, I felt the tension tighten in my chest.
The sun dipped behind the mountains as the elders gathered the disciples for the final part of the day: a mystery exercise. We were instructed to enter a forested area near the sect and retrieve a marker hidden somewhere within. What seemed simple was made dangerous by the hidden traps scattered throughout the terrain.
Zhou Kai grinned, slinging his sword over his back. "Looks like fun, right?"
I didn't smile. "Fun isn't the word I'd use. Painful, probably. And dangerous."
"Exactly! That's why it's fun."
We moved cautiously, alert for hidden pitfalls. It didn't take long for me to notice Meng Tao had disappeared from the group, only to appear suddenly with a smirk, blocking a path.
"Don't get in my way," he said. "I intend to win this exercise."
I glanced at Zhou Kai. He just shrugged. "Then we'll just have to outsmart him."
Hours passed. Traps, minor injuries, and endless obstacles tested every ounce of our endurance. At one point, I almost fell into a pit covered with branches and leaves. Zhou Kai yanked me back just in time.
"Thanks," I gasped.
"No problem. You'd do the same for me."
For the first time that day, I felt something warm inside—a glimmer of hope. Maybe I didn't have much, but I had allies. People who would watch my back, even in this brutal, merciless sect.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I spotted the marker, glittering faintly in the shadows of a cave. Meng Tao was already there, arrogantly holding it in his hands.
I clenched my jaw, stepping forward. "It's mine too."
He laughed. "You? Don't make me laugh."
But Zhou Kai was at my side, ready to back me up. "We'll see about that."
What followed was chaotic—a blur of motion, martial arts techniques, qi bursts, and raw determination. I barely dodged his strikes, countered with every move I could remember, and finally lunged forward, knocking the marker from his hands.
It clattered to the ground. My heart pounded like a war drum.
We returned to the sect gates as the sun vanished completely, casting long shadows over the courtyard. I was battered, bruised, and exhausted, but for the first time, I felt capable.
Meng Tao's eyes narrowed, and I caught a flash of something dangerous in them—jealousy, perhaps, or the realization that I wasn't as weak as he thought.
And somewhere, in the back of my mind, I knew this was only the beginning. Friends, enemies, love, betrayal—everything was just starting.
But for now, I sat on the steps with Zhou Kai, letting the aches in my body remind me that I had survived. That I had chosen myself, again.
And tomorrow, I would take the next step.