The news spread before sunrise.
A massive bell tolled from the central peak of Azure Cloud Sect.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
All disciples froze.
That bell only rang for one reason.
A sect-wide announcement.
The Decree
Outer disciples gathered at the main plaza.
An elder in deep blue robes descended slowly from the sky, spiritual pressure vast yet controlled.
"Three months from today," he announced, voice echoing across the mountain,
"The Azure Cloud Sect will hold the Inner Selection."
Murmurs exploded instantly.
Inner Selection.
The gateway to becoming an Inner Disciple.
Status. Resources. Protection.
Power.
"Only the top ten outer disciples may enter," the elder continued.
"Combat-based evaluation. No restrictions on injury."
The air thickened.
Competition.
Rivalry.
Ambition.
It all ignited at once.
Eyes on Him
Lin Xuan stood quietly among the crowd.
But Dragon Sense activated instantly.
Multiple gazes.
Some curious.
Some calculating.
One… sharp and cold.
Zhao Chen stood on the elevated stone platform reserved for elite outer disciples.
Their eyes met for the first time since the ravine.
No smiles.
No words.
Just understanding.
Zhao Chen finally spoke, loud enough for others nearby to hear.
"It seems Azure Cloud Sect is about to remove the weak."
It wasn't directed openly.
But it was deliberate.
Lin Xuan didn't react.
That silence irritated Zhao Chen more than anger would have.
The Quiet Warning
After the assembly dispersed, a calm female voice spoke behind Lin Xuan.
"You shouldn't participate."
He turned slightly.
A girl in pale blue robes stood a few steps away.
Her aura was stable. Refined.
Not weak.
Her gaze was clear.
"You're new," she continued. "You've already attracted attention."
"Inner Selection will only make it worse."
Lin Xuan studied her.
"And you are?"
"Su Yan."
No arrogance in her tone.
Just fact.
"Ranked seventh among outer disciples."
That explained the calmness.
Lin Xuan nodded slightly. "And you're warning me out of kindness?"
Her lips curved faintly.
"No."
She looked toward the peak where Zhao Chen stood earlier.
"I don't like how he controls everything."
Interesting.
Faction cracks.
Internal division.
Xuánlóng's voice echoed softly.
"Not all hunters serve the same master."
Su Yan stepped closer.
"If you enter the selection… you'll face him eventually."
Lin Xuan's eyes sharpened.
"That's the point."
For the first time, Su Yan looked genuinely surprised.
"You're confident."
"No," Lin Xuan replied calmly.
"I just don't step backward."
A Shift in the Air
High above—
Zhao Chen stood alone in meditation.
A subordinate knelt before him.
"Senior Brother, shall we remove him before the selection?"
Zhao Chen's eyes remained closed.
"No."
Silence stretched.
Then—
"I want to see how far he climbs."
His lips curved faintly.
"The higher he rises…"
"The harder he falls."
Dragon Vein Reaction
That night—
Lin Xuan returned to his quarters.
He sat cross-legged.
The Dragon Vein pulsed stronger than before.
Synchronization: 21% → 24%
The inner realm expanded slightly.
Xuánlóng's massive golden eye opened in the void.
"Conflict accelerates evolution."
Lin Xuan exhaled slowly.
"I can feel it."
"But be cautious."
"The heavens dislike rapid growth."
Lightning flickered faintly beyond the sect's protective barrier.
A distant rumble.
Subtle.
But real.
Heaven was watching.
And somewhere in the darkness beyond the sect—
Something else stirred.
Not human.
Not beast.
Ancient.
Drawn by the scent of dragon blood.
Lin Xuan opened his eyes.
Three months.
That was the timeline.
Inner Selection would not simply decide rank.
It would decide factions.
Enemies.
Allies.
And survival.
The hunters were sharpening their blades.
But the dragon—
Was beginning to grow claws.