The morning sun cast its first light across Azure Cloud Mountain, bathing its endless steps and palaces in golden brilliance. The mountain's presence alone exuded majesty, its peaks hidden among drifting clouds.
At the base, Aspire Town was emptying. Hundreds of youths—farmers' sons, wandering swordsmen, hopeful cultivators—marched toward the colossal stone gates where the Outer Sect Trials would begin.
Long Chen walked with calm strides, the Zhang siblings trailing behind him. Murmurs rose as hopefuls recognized disciples in azure robes overseeing the process. Some carried jade slips, recording names. Others watched with disdainful eyes, measuring the "trash" below.
The trial ground was a vast square of stone, carved with ancient runes. At its center stood a raised platform, glowing faintly with Qi. Elders in azure robes sat upon jade chairs, their gazes sharp, unmoving.
An elder with white hair stood, his voice thundering:
"Today begins the Azure Cloud Sect Outer Disciple Selection. Three tests await you: Bone Assessment, Combat Evaluation, and Willpower Trial. Pass all three, and you will earn the right to wear Azure Cloud robes."
Cheers, whispers, and gasps filled the crowd.
The elder continued coldly:
"Fail… and you will return to dust among mortals."
One by one, hopefuls stepped forward to the glowing crystal pillar at the platform's edge. Placing their hands upon it, their innate bone quality was revealed—faint red for mortal bones, bright silver for extraordinary talent, and golden radiance for rare geniuses.
A scrawny boy approached. The crystal flickered faintly red.
"Mortal-grade bones. Fail."
The boy fell to his knees, sobbing as guards escorted him away.
Next, a merchant's son pressed his palm. The crystal shone pale silver.
"Pass. Outer disciple potential—low."
Cheers erupted from the boy's family in the crowd.
One after another, youths tested, most barely passing with faint silver light.
Then, a girl in flowing robes touched the crystal. Golden light burst forth, dazzling the square.
"Golden-grade bones! High potential!"
The elders nodded approvingly. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
Finally, Long Chen stepped onto the platform. The arrogant disciple from the teahouse smirked in the crowd, whispering to his peers. "Watch closely. This is the brat."
Long Chen placed his palm on the crystal.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, the crystal trembled violently.
A blinding surge of light erupted—not red, not silver, not gold, but a radiant dragon-shaped aura, coiling upward into the sky. The square shook, disciples stumbling back in shock.
The elders stood abruptly, faces paling.
"This… this is beyond record…"
The crystal cracked, unable to withstand the power. Shards scattered across the platform, glowing faintly before disintegrating.
The System's prompt shimmered faintly before Long Chen's eyes:
[ Hidden Attribute Revealed ]
Bone Quality: Primordial Dragon Bones
Effect: Endless growth potential, devours inferior marrow, evolves without limit.
Gasps filled the square. The elder in charge cleared his throat, trying to mask his trembling. "Candidate Long Chen… Bone Assessment: pass. Proceed."
Long Chen simply stepped down calmly, though his golden eyes flickered faintly. Primordial Dragon Bones… so this is the strength of my bloodline.
The crowd buzzed with awe and fear. The arrogant disciple's smirk had vanished, replaced with clenched teeth.
Dozens of small arenas opened across the trial ground. Candidates were paired randomly, ordered to fight under supervision.
The elder announced: "Victory or defeat will be judged by combat ability. Killing is forbidden. Begin!"
Long Chen's opponent was a broad-shouldered youth wielding twin sabers. His muscles rippled as he sneered, "I don't care what your bones showed. Strength comes from the blade!"
He charged, sabers flashing in a whirlwind.
Long Chen didn't move at first. He studied the arcs, then drew the Iron Fang Blade in one fluid motion. Steel clashed—once, twice—before Long Chen's blade slipped past, striking the youth's chest with the flat.
The boy flew back, landing outside the arena, groaning.
Gasps erupted again.
The elder raised his hand. "Winner: Long Chen."
Whispers filled the crowd. "So strong…" "He didn't even use Qi…"
Zhang Mu clenched his fists in excitement, whispering, "Unbelievable…" His sister Zhang Wei's eyes glimmered softly, though she said nothing.
At last, the remaining candidates stood before a stone monolith inscribed with runes. The elder explained:
"This is the Trial of Will. You will step inside, and illusions will test your heart. If you collapse, you fail."
One by one, candidates entered. Some lasted moments, screaming in terror before being dragged out unconscious. Others endured, emerging pale but alive.
Finally, Long Chen stepped forward.
The world spun.
He found himself in a barren void—the same void where he had first awakened. Shadows coiled, whispering. Voices of doubt, fear, hatred.
"Abandon hope."
"You are nothing without us."
"Bow, and live as a slave."
Long Chen stood tall, his golden eyes unwavering.
I bowed once, in the void. Never again.
The dragon within him roared, scattering the shadows.
The monolith outside trembled violently, glowing so brightly the entire square lit up like dawn. Elders shielded their eyes, muttering in shock.
When Long Chen stepped out, his aura was calm, steady—untouched.
The elder's voice cracked slightly as he declared:
"Candidate Long Chen… passes all three trials."
Cheers erupted among the hopefuls. But among the disciples in azure robes, many faces darkened. Whispers spread like wildfire:
"A monster…"
"He'll threaten the sect's balance…"
"The elders won't let him rise easily."
Long Chen ignored them. His gaze remained fixed on the colossal palace above.
The System chimed faintly:
[ Quest Complete ]
Azure Cloud Sect Trials
Reward: Outer Disciple Identity Token, +10 Spirit, +5 Vitality.
He clenched his fist, silent.
Step one is complete. The dragon has entered the sect.