Lin Feng's body ached from the trial. His clothes were charred, and his skin stung with the remnants of the fire's wrath. But despite the exhaustion that gripped him, there was a feeling deep within him—a sense of triumph. He had survived the Trial of Fire, and that alone proved that he was not just some helpless outsider in this world. He had fought back against the flames, not just with strength, but with willpower and control.
As he slowly rose to his feet, the other disciples, who had failed the trial, began to stand as well. Most of them wore expressions of frustration or shame, their faces streaked with sweat and soot. They had faltered under pressure, unable to control the overwhelming heat and chaos of the flames.
Lin Feng's eyes moved over them, but his focus quickly returned to the old man who had overseen the trial. The old man gave him a knowing look, one that seemed to assess more than just his physical condition. There was something in the way the man stared at him—a kind of approval mixed with calculation.
"Not bad, Lin Feng," the old man said gruffly. "You survived. Now, get some rest. But don't think you're done. This was just the first step. The Azure Sky Sect does not coddle its disciples. If you want to make it, you'll need to keep proving yourself, day in and day out."
Lin Feng nodded, his breathing labored but steady. His mind was already racing with thoughts of what came next. The Trial of Fire had been a test of survival, but he suspected the trials in this world were far more than just physical challenges. They were about something deeper—about growth, about pushing his limits, about discovering the true potential hidden inside.
The old man eyed him one last time before turning toward the other disciples. "The rest of you—go back to your quarters and rest. Tomorrow, you'll begin your next trial. For Lin Feng, the path is different. You'll begin training under my guidance. Don't waste it."
Lin Feng felt a sense of both relief and dread. On the one hand, he had been chosen to be under the old man's tutelage, which meant that he had passed some kind of unspoken test. On the other hand, the pressure was immense. If this man had the power to train him, he also had the power to break him.
The disciples, including those who had failed the trial, slowly filtered out of the courtyard, some with downcast eyes, others whispering to one another. Lin Feng stood still, his mind still spinning as he tried to catch his breath. The heat of the fire still lingered on his skin, and the thudding in his chest had not yet calmed.
The old man, however, did not give him a moment to rest. "Follow me," the old man ordered.
Lin Feng fell into step behind him, though he couldn't help but glance back at the other disciples who were leaving. Some of them seemed to shoot him envious glances, while others wore faces of resentment. It was clear that Lin Feng was already being marked as someone different. Whether that was good or bad, he couldn't yet tell.
They walked through the grounds of the sect in silence, the air still thick with the scent of smoke and charred wood. The morning sun had risen higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The whole place had a surreal, almost ancient feeling to it. The buildings were sturdy, worn by time but still imposing, with intricate carvings on the walls that spoke of a history Lin Feng barely understood.
Finally, they reached a secluded part of the sect, far from the training grounds. It was a small, simple building, not as grand or imposing as the main structures of the sect, but it had a certain quiet strength about it.
"This is where you'll train," the old man said, unlocking the door and stepping inside.
Lin Feng followed him into the dimly lit room. It was sparse, with only a few wooden dummies scattered around and some training equipment placed against the walls. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, a strange, calming aroma that seemed to help settle the turbulence within Lin Feng's mind.
"Sit," the old man instructed, gesturing to a simple mat on the floor.
Lin Feng obeyed, taking a seat cross-legged as he faced the old man. His mind was still racing, but he did his best to center himself, just as he had during the Trial of Fire. Focus. Control. That was the key.
The old man sat down across from him, his eyes sharp and calculating.
"You've made it through the first trial," he began, his voice low and steady. "But that's not enough. The cultivation world is full of dangers that you can't even imagine. You think surviving fire is the hardest thing you'll face? Think again. The real challenges lie ahead. If you want to survive in the Azure Sky Sect, you'll need to become more than just a survivor. You'll need to become a true cultivator."
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. Cultivator? He had heard the term before, but now it was beginning to make sense. The cultivation world was not just about physical combat—it was about honing and cultivating one's inner energy, one's soul. The path of a cultivator was about mastering the forces that governed the world, about rising above the ordinary.
The old man continued, "You were chosen because of your potential. I saw something in you during the trial, something that many others here lack. But potential alone is not enough. You'll need to train harder than anyone else, and you'll need to do it quickly."
Lin Feng nodded, his mind absorbing every word. He had no choice but to trust this man if he was to survive in this world. And yet, a question lingered in his mind.
"What exactly do I need to do?" Lin Feng asked.
The old man's eyes gleamed, a spark of something dark and calculating flaring in them.
"First, you'll need to unlock your cultivation ability," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "You're currently a blank slate—an outer disciple with no cultivation. But that can be changed. I have the means to guide you through the first stages. But you must be ready to sacrifice everything. Your strength, your past, and your pride. If you want to walk the path of cultivation, you must be willing to lose yourself, only to find something greater."
Lin Feng felt a chill crawl up his spine. This was not going to be easy. The old man was right—cultivation was not just about gaining power; it was about changing oneself, sometimes in ways that were unrecognizable.
"I'm ready," Lin Feng said, his voice firm.
The old man nodded. "Good. The first step in cultivation is learning to sense the energy around you. It's called spiritual energy, and it's the foundation of everything a cultivator does. I will teach you how to feel it, how to harness it. But remember this: it's not enough to simply understand the theory. You must practice, day in and day out, until it becomes second nature."
With that, the training began. The old man instructed Lin Feng to close his eyes and focus. At first, there was nothing. Just darkness. Then, slowly, Lin Feng felt a subtle shift in the air, as if something unseen was swirling around him. It was faint at first, almost imperceptible, but it was there. A soft hum, a kind of pulsing energy that resonated with his very being.
The old man's voice broke through his concentration.
"Feel it. Reach out with your senses. This is the energy that flows through the world. Let it enter you. Let it guide you."
Lin Feng's breath slowed as he focused, reaching out with his mind, feeling the energy that surrounded him. It was like trying to catch the wind in his hands, a delicate, elusive force that seemed just out of reach. But he could sense it, faintly, pulsing with life.
And so, the path of cultivation began—slowly, painfully, but steadily. Lin Feng knew it wouldn't be easy. He would have to face countless trials, more intense and grueling than anything he had experienced so far. But for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a glimmer of hope. He was on the right path. And that, for now, was enough.