"Stimulate the mana inside the crystal." The elder's voice resonated through the grand arena, his words carrying an air of finality. Travis stood before the crystal, gripping it tightly in his hand, his pulse steady despite the weight of the moment. The instructions had been repeated for every candidate, but this was his trial, his moment to shine.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, drawing on the full strength of his elemental affinities. His Qi surged, flowing through his meridians and into the crystal. The energy pulsed in response, first faintly, then with growing intensity. A soft glow enveloped the crystal, and then—an explosion of Qi erupted. A gust of pure, radiant white energy spiraled outward, dispersing precisely nine inches from the crystal.
Grade Nine Ascension Spirit Root.
The arena fell deathly silent.
Daoist Rufus, the elderly judge who had overseen countless trials, stared in stunned disbelief. His mouth hung open as his mind struggled to comprehend the display before him. "Nine inches… a perfect resonance," he whispered, barely audible to the crowd.
Then, a soft burst of laughter shattered the stillness, booming across the arena. It came from the envoy of Hidden Dragon Mountain, who had been observing from a seat in the VIP section. Her light, flowery voice echoed with admiration. "Hah! Excellent, boy! With talent like that, you need not even continue with the trials. Our gates are open to you!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The other envoys—representatives of other great sects—exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of awe and mild amusement. It wasn't every day that a new prodigy emerged so unexpectedly.
"Who is this guy?" someone whispered from the audience.
"Not only handsome, but also incredibly talented," another voice added, filled with awe.
A wave of whispers spread among the young cultivators, many of whom were particularly taken by Travis's striking appearance and unmistakable aura. "Why haven't we heard of him before?" one of the female disciples asked, her curiosity piqued.
But Travis, despite the sudden attention, remained calm. His eyes scanned the envoys who were now lining up to extend their invitations. Each of them offered him a place within their respective sects, their voices laced with urgency, their offers a clear acknowledgment of his immense potential.
Still, Travis's decision was firm. He had not come here to take the easy route—he had come to prove himself. His path would not be decided by an invitation, no matter how prestigious. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with the envoys, he descended from the stage, his heart racing but his resolve unshaken.
The first trial was over, but the journey had only just begun.
---
The elder's voice rang out once more, breaking the tension that had settled over the arena. "The first test has concluded. Out of ten thousand candidates, only half remain. Prepare yourselves for the second trial, which will begin in one day."
A collective murmur of excitement spread through the remaining participants.
"The Weapon Dao Pagoda and Martial Dao Pavilion will now open," the elder continued. "You may each select one weapon and one martial skill. Choose wisely—your selection may determine your survival in the next trial. Return here in exactly one day. Latecomers will be disqualified."
The crowd erupted into cheers. Weapons! Martial techniques! This was the moment many had waited for. The excitement was palpable as candidates rushed toward the two key destinations: the Weapon Dao Pagoda for their weapons, and the Martial Dao Pavilion for martial skills.
Travis, however, moved with a focused determination. The martial arts he had inherited from the Yin-Yang Palace were formidable—but also restrictive. They demanded a level of mastery that he had yet to attain. His goal was not just to win—he needed something adaptable, something that could grow with him as he continued his ascension.
First, he headed to the Weapon Dao Pagoda.
Inside the pagoda, rows upon rows of gleaming weapons awaited the eager hands of the candidates. Swords, spears, axes, and more—each weapon was crafted with exceptional care and attention to detail. Yet, as Travis moved among the racks, he felt a growing sense of disappointment. "Common-grade… all of them," he muttered under his breath.
No legendary blades, no divine weapons—just ordinary armaments. Still, there was no reason to despair. This was about practicality, not prestige. Travis selected a well-balanced long saber, its edge honed to a razor's sharpness. It wasn't a divine weapon, but it would serve him well.
Next, he moved on to the Martial Dao Pavilion.
The air inside the pavilion was thick with the scent of aged parchment and leather. It felt different from the slick, modernized facilities at LionHeart Academy. Here, everything was tactile, physical—an environment steeped in history. The library-like atmosphere was soothing, almost meditative, and Travis found himself drawn to the bookshelves that lined the walls.
There was something inherently intimate about holding a physical book, turning each page with anticipation. Spiritual jades may be efficient, but they lacked the weight and presence of a well-crafted tome. With a book, every word could be savored, every concept understood on a deeper level.
He approached a large signboard, which listed the rules of the Martial Dao Pavilion. There were nine floors, each corresponding to a different realm of the Initial Mortal Ascending Stage. The realms were:
Spirit Awakening
Body Tempering
Core Formation
Elemental Gathering
Profound Realm
Origin Realm
Divine core realm
Earth Ruler Realm
Sky Ruler Realm
Each floor contained martial techniques that matched the level of the realm, and higher floors housed more powerful—but also more dangerous—arts. Accessing these floors required contribution points or universal coins from the Ascension System, which added an additional layer of strategy to the selection process.
After studying the rules, Travis made his way to the Body Tempering Realm floor. A massive door stood before him, etched with intricate spiritual formations. Using his Ascension System ID token, he activated the formation, and the door slid open with a soft pulse of energy.
Inside, the shelves were filled with martial arts manuals, each one promising power and potential. Travis skimmed through the books, his eyes scanning the titles and descriptions. Hours passed as he moved deeper into the pavilion, until one technique caught his attention: "Star Devouring Saber Art", Chapter One: Nine Slash Verses.
The description sent a chill down his spine. The art was capable of consuming all things in a single slash, but it came at a great cost. Practitioners risked succumbing to bloodlust, their minds consumed by the unrefined essences of their victims. Ancient prodigies had eventually divided the technique into nine chapters, making it accessible to those with lesser talent—without the risk of losing their sanity.
Travis's fingers tightened around the book. This technique could take a cultivator to godhood. He knew at once that this was the perfect martial art for him.
Without hesitation, he memorized the entire manual, committing every stroke, every diagram, and every verse to memory. When he was certain he could replicate the technique perfectly, he returned the book to its place and exited the pavilion.
The second trial awaited, and Travis was ready. With the Star Devouring Saber Art in his arsenal, he knew that his journey had only just begun—and the path ahead would be one filled with untold power and unimaginable danger.