The inner sect's Trial Grounds loomed like a ruined battlefield of ancient wars. Jagged peaks clawed at the clouds, and blood-soaked sands crunched under Kai Lin's boots as he stepped forward.
Disciples gathered in a semi-circle, most sneering or whispering.
"That's the outer trash who got in through Elder Shen's backdoor."
"He hasn't even awakened a core spirit…"
"Let's see how long he lasts."
Kai Lin ignored them. His eyes were calm — too calm. As if every word they spoke was dust in the wind.
A cold, mechanical chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Sign-In Location Detected: Inner Sect Trial Grounds
Conditions: Spill blood from 5 inner sect disciples.
Time Limit: 2 incense sticks (30 minutes)
Reward: Silent Saber Manual – Tier 3 Earth Rank
His lips curled ever so slightly.
"So be it. Let the silence begin."
The signal to begin rang out.
A jade gong echoed once. The trial had started.
Before anyone could react, Kai Lin's figure blurred — vanishing like smoke.
A scream tore through the air. One disciple fell, his shoulder sliced open by a hidden arc of qi.
"Wh–what was that!?"
Another turned, eyes wide — only to be met by Kai Lin's fist slamming into his jaw, snapping his neck mid-spin.
Two down.
The remaining three disciples hesitated. Kai Lin didn't.
He charged, not like a man, but like a beast unleashed. No spells, no fancy techniques — just killing intent sharper than any blade.
"S-Stop! This is a test, not a death match!"
The final disciple stumbled back.
Kai Lin's hand reached for his belt. A flick — cold steel glinted.
A dagger? No… a piece of sharpened spirit ore, raw and unstable.
He slammed it forward, piercing the disciple's shoulder, pinning him to the rock behind him.
"You said it. This is a test."
"And I passed."
Blood pooled. The watching elders exchanged glances — some disturbed, others impressed.
Ding!
Sign-In Complete.
Reward Acquired: Silent Saber Manual – Tier 3 Earth Rank
A black scroll quietly slipped into his inventory.
Kai Lin turned away from the wounded, the whispers, and even the elders.
He didn't speak a word.
Only silence followed him.