Ling Chen hovered high above the floating islands, his eyes sweeping over the three camps assembled below. In a low murmur only audible to himself, he mused,
"So that's Hou Feng's baby girl. I had heard she possessed great wisdom from an early age—seems the rumors weren't wrong. And those two brats… their bodies are unusually firm for being at the flesh and bone fortication stage. They resemble the qi fusion refinement stage. That one with the scales… perhaps the will of a dragon imperial celestial has been passed down to him. And that white-haired one too—so similar. Such anomalies are rarer than even a bloodline connection."
His gaze shifted slowly across the other two camps, a wry smile playing at his lips.
"These empires truly produce brilliant geniuses. Calamity is coming soon—geniuses are sprouting like bamboos in this generation. A shame that for our own longevity we sacrificed our rights to participate in such matters."
With a subtle gesture, Ling Chen's form shimmered and he began his public announcement, his voice echoing over the vast trial grounds.
"Geniuses of the Three Empires," he declared, his tone both mocking and authoritative, "you have come here for the trial grounds. While your empires have privately paid for your access, this time the rules are different. All three empires will enter at once—so feel free to shed blood and kill each other. I promise, no one here will interfere."
A murmur ran through the gathered warriors as they exchanged uncertain glances. Ling Chen's gaze swept over them, his eyes glittering with unspoken challenge.
"Before the chaos, however," he continued, "know that our own geniuses—those who have earned the right to command these resources—will fight on these very chains. The trial is simple: each group shall battle our Sentinels upon the chains. Your passage is guaranteed if your group makes it across by any means necessary. Should you fall off these chains, well… you know the consequences."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "Some among you may complain that it is unfair—our Sentinels stand at the peak of flesh and bone fortication, and you are outnumbered. But the world is an unfair place. Talent is not always natural; if you are gifted, then so be it. Now, prove your worth."
With that, Ling Chen's form dissolved into the night, leaving behind only his echoing words.
---
Almost immediately, the trial grounds erupted into motion. The Phoenix Cry camp sent forth their 18 brightest geniuses, each stepping onto a gigantic chain that spanned one of the floating islands. Their faces were set, determined to overcome the challenge of the Sentinels.
In the other two camps, groups of over 30 members each followed suit, each team boarding their own massive chain. The chains, suspended in mid-air, gleamed under the pale light of the eternal night.
From the towering entryway of the compound, an army of 200 Sentinels emerged—split neatly into three groups, each unit marching steadily along the chains. These orphans of the Death Knights, trained since childhood in the art of war, wore expressions as empty as their pasts yet exuded lethal precision.
A low rumble of anticipation filled the air as the first confrontation loomed.
On the Phoenix Cry chain, Xue Mor raised her chin and addressed her team, her voice carrying both authority and a tinge of challenge:
"Remember, every step counts. We cross these chains for our empire, and we do so together. No one falls behind."
Nearby, Raikai and Shinryu exchanged determined glances as they took up positions behind her.
From the opposing camps, voices rang out as well. In one group, a confident warrior shouted,
"For our clan—let us show them our might!"
In another, a measured yet steely voice declared,
"Fight not just for survival, but for the future of our people."
The clamor built to a fever pitch, and then, with a deafening clash, the battle commenced.
The Sentinels surged forward, their formation perfect and their movements brutal. Steel clashed against magical defenses, and the sound of battle resounded over the chains. Explosions of qi and bursts of refined power lit the night as each group fought desperately to secure their passage.
On the Phoenix Cry chain, Feng Xuan and Zhao Hui—whose earlier unease had not gone unnoticed—found themselves facing a relentless Sentinel. Their eyes met briefly; in that moment, the weight of expectation and personal inadequacy sharpened their resolve.
Feng Xuan muttered,
"I must prove I belong here… no matter what."
And Zhao Hui replied,
"We do this for Phoenix Cry—together."
Their combined determination bolstered their comrades as they engaged in a deadly dance with their armored foes.
As chaos reigned across the chains, each group battled not only the Sentinels but also the tension of competing against each other, the unspoken rivalries igniting fierce clashes. The floating islands trembled under the impact of combat, and sparks of elemental power lit the darkened skies.
The fate of each group, their pride, and the future of their empires now hung in the balance on those gigantic chains, as the first trial of the Death Knights' domain unfolded in a blaze of conflict and ambition.
---
The battle had only just begun, and with every clash of steel and burst of qi, the chains of destiny tightened around the warriors' fates.