The mountain winds howled softly across the peak of Ji Xia Sect as silence settled over the courtyard. The mysterious cultivator in black robes stood calmly outside the gate, their presence alone pressing down upon the disciples like an invisible mountain.
Yan Fu did not move.
Behind him, the disciples struggled to steady their breathing. Even those who had trained for weeks under the intense aura of the divine guardians found this pressure different. It was colder… heavier… and far more dangerous.
The visitor slowly stepped forward.
With each step, the spiritual energy of the entire mountain trembled slightly, as if the land itself recognized the arrival of a terrifying existence.
"A mortal accepted by two Divine Beasts as its owner… interesting," the figure repeated, their voice echoing across the courtyard.
The hood of the cloak shifted slightly, revealing faint silver eyes glowing beneath the shadows.
Yan Fu's gaze remained calm.
"Observation is one thing," Yan Fu replied steadily. "Trespassing into another sect's territory is another. If you have come to test Ji Xia Sect, then speak clearly."
The figure chuckled.
"So bold."
A wave of pressure suddenly exploded outward from the stranger.
BOOM!
The ground beneath the courtyard cracked as an immense aura spread across the mountain like a storm. Several disciples fell to one knee instantly, their spiritual veins trembling under the weight.
Li Fei clenched his fists.
"This pressure…!"
Even the elders immediately circulated their cultivation techniques to resist the force.
Yet Yan Fu remained standing.
His white robes fluttered in the wind as he planted his staff firmly against the stone floor.
A golden aura slowly began to spread around him.
The Celestial energy of his cultivation surged outward, colliding with the visitor's pressure.
BOOOOM!
Two invisible forces clashed in the air like titans meeting.
The mountain trembled.
The mysterious visitor tilted their head slightly.
"Oh?"
"You are stronger than I expected."
Behind Yan Fu, Vorath stepped forward slowly.
The massive black lion's claws scraped against the stone as his amber eyes glowed fiercely.
A deep growl rumbled through the courtyard.
Rrrrrrr…
The sound alone made several disciples shiver.
Aetherion also stepped forward gracefully, his glowing white body radiating soft celestial light.
The divine energy flowing from him felt calm and pure, yet overwhelmingly powerful.
Above the courtyard, Tianlong spread his enormous wings.
Lightning crackled along the dragon's scales.
The sky above Ji Xia Sect darkened slightly as thunder rolled across the clouds.
The visitor finally stopped walking.
For a moment, silence filled the courtyard.
Then the stranger laughed.
"Three divine guardians…"
"Now this is becoming interesting."
The visitor raised one hand.
A faint silver flame suddenly appeared above their palm.
It looked harmless.
But Yan Fu's eyes narrowed immediately.
"That flame…"
The energy inside it was terrifyingly condensed.
"Careful," Aetherion warned calmly. "That technique is not simple."
The visitor flicked their finger casually.
The silver flame shot forward like a meteor.
WHOOSH!
The attack tore through the air at incredible speed, heading straight toward the courtyard.
"Formation!" Elder Huoran shouted instantly.
The disciples reacted immediately.
Weeks of training under Ji Xia Sect's strict discipline now showed results.
They quickly formed a defensive formation, combining their spiritual energy into a single protective barrier.
A glowing shield appeared before them.
But the moment the silver flame touched the barrier—
BOOOOM!!!
The entire formation exploded apart.
The disciples were thrown backward as the shockwave blasted through the courtyard.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Li Fei's eyes widened.
"That was just a casual attack?!"
The visitor crossed their arms calmly.
"You have potential… but your disciples are still weak."
Yan Fu's staff slammed against the ground.
CLANG!
Golden runes erupted from the courtyard floor.
A massive defensive formation activated instantly.
The Celestial Barrier expanded outward, absorbing the remaining energy from the explosion.
The dust slowly settled.
Several disciples stood again, breathing heavily but unharmed.
Yan Fu looked directly at the visitor.
"You've made your point."
"Now it's my turn."
The air around Yan Fu suddenly changed.
A powerful wave of Celestial energy surged from his body, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to spiral violently.
Golden light wrapped around his staff.
Ancient runes appeared along its length.
Li Fei's eyes widened in excitement.
"Master is going to attack!"
The visitor smiled faintly.
"Good."
"I was hoping you would."
Yan Fu stepped forward.
In a single instant, he disappeared.
WHOOSH!
The next moment he appeared directly in front of the mysterious cultivator.
His staff swung downward with tremendous force.
BOOM!
The air shattered like glass.
But the visitor moved faster.
With a simple motion of their hand, they blocked the attack.
CLANG!!!
The collision sent a massive shockwave across the mountain.
Trees in the surrounding forest bent violently under the pressure.
The visitor's eyes glowed faintly.
"Impressive strength."
Yan Fu did not reply.
Instead, his body suddenly split into three identical afterimages.
The three Yan Fu figures attacked simultaneously from different directions.
A Celestial movement technique.
The visitor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
"Now this is interesting."
The attacks landed at the same time.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions erupted across the courtyard as the battle truly began.
Above them, Tianlong roared.
Lightning struck down from the clouds.
Vorath lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Aetherion's horn glowed with celestial light.
For the first time since Ji Xia Sect was reborn…
A true battle had begun.
And the mysterious visitor had finally forced Yan Fu to reveal his strength.
But the stranger still had not drawn their weapon.
Which meant one thing.
They were still testing him.
And the real fight… had not even started yet.