Baptism Of Fire

The sun had barely risen over the towering peaks of the Four Seasons Sect when Li Yuan stepped out of his wooden hut. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-covered grass and pine, but there was no time to enjoy the peace. He had only three days before the outer sect trial, and failure was not an option. Lin Xue had made it clear—those who couldn't prove their worth were either expelled or left to struggle at the bottom of the sect's hierarchy. Neither was acceptable.

Clenching his fists, he recalled his fight with Zhang Sen. His victory had been more luck than skill, relying on pure instinct. That wouldn't be enough. He needed to understand the power within him, to control it rather than let it explode unpredictably. Strength ruled this world, and without it, he was nothing more than prey.

Determined, he made his way toward the Stone Forest Arena, a training ground used by outer disciples. The path wound through a grove of ancient trees, their gnarled roots twisting over the stone steps. As he neared the clearing, the sounds of combat filled the air—fists striking flesh, swords cutting through wind, the occasional burst of Yuan Qi.

A crowd of disciples were already gathered, engaged in sparring matches under the watchful eye of an elder. Some fought with bare hands, their movements fluid and precise, while others wielded weapons with deadly efficiency. Li Yuan observed them closely. Every movement, every strike contained purpose. Unlike him, these disciples had trained for years.

But he wasn't here to watch. He approached one of the practice dummies—a thick log reinforced with ironwood. Taking a stance, he exhaled slowly, trying to focus on the faint energy inside him. It was there, lurking just beneath the surface, but it felt sluggish, unrefined.

He threw a punch. The impact barely made the dummy tremble, and his knuckles stung from the force. Gritting his teeth, he adjusted his stance and struck again. Still weak. Again. Again. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he repeated the movement, frustration growing with each failed attempt.

Then, something shifted.

On his hundredth strike, the warmth inside him surged unexpectedly, flowing into his arm like a rushing river. His fist connected with the dummy, and this time, the force sent a deep crack through the wood. Splinters flew, and Li Yuan staggered back, breathing hard. His heart pounded. That power—it had responded to his will.

Before he could dwell on it, a voice called out behind him.

"Not bad, for a newcomer."

Li Yuan turned to see a tall, lean young man watching him with a smirk. He had sharp features, dark eyes, and an air of arrogance. Behind him stood a small group of disciples, whispering among themselves.

"You're the one who beat Zhang Sen, aren't you?" the young man continued, stepping forward.

Li Yuan studied him carefully. He could tell just from his posture that this person was far stronger than Zhang Sen. "Who's asking?"

The young man chuckled. "Wei Long, senior outer disciple." His smirk widened. "And unlike Zhang Sen, I don't lose to nobodies."

Li Yuan kept his expression neutral. Wei Long's type was easy to recognize—someone who thrived on power, who enjoyed stepping on others to prove his superiority.

Wei Long crossed his arms. "You've got some skill, but don't get ahead of yourself. The sect isn't kind to newcomers who don't know their place."

Li Yuan met his gaze evenly. "And what exactly is my place?"

The surrounding disciples whispered excitedly. Confronting a senior disciple so openly was bold, if not reckless.

Wei Long chuckled, stepping closer. "You'll find out soon enough. The outer sect trial will separate the strong from the weak." His voice lowered slightly. "I'll be watching."

With that, he turned and walked away, his entourage following.

Li Yuan exhaled slowly. He had barely arrived in this world, and already enemies were lining up against him. This trial was going to be more dangerous than he had anticipated.

As the crowd dispersed, another figure approached. A woman, dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with silver patterns. Her long dark hair was tied back neatly, and her sharp eyes carried a mixture of amusement and scrutiny.

Li Yuan immediately recognized her—Lin Xue.

She studied him for a moment before speaking. "You're drawing too much attention."

Li Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow. "It's not like I'm trying to."

She sighed. "You don't understand how things work here, do you? Strength is everything in the sect. But showing too much strength as a newcomer? That just makes you a target."

He crossed his arms. "Then what do you suggest? That I hide and wait for someone to crush me?"

Lin Xue smiled faintly. "No. I suggest you get stronger. Fast."

Reaching into her robe, she pulled out a small jade token and tossed it to him. "Meet me at the inner courtyard at midnight. If you want to survive, you'll need more than just talent."

Li Yuan caught the token, frowning. "What's this about?"

She didn't answer. With a final glance, she turned and walked away.

Midnight arrived faster than expected. Li Yuan stood at the entrance of the inner courtyard, the jade token clutched in his hand. This area was forbidden to outer disciples. If he was caught, punishment would be severe. Yet something told him Lin Xue wasn't leading him into a trap.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

The courtyard was eerily silent. Lanterns cast long shadows against the stone walls, flickering with each passing breeze. His footsteps echoed against the stone path as he moved toward the center.

"You actually came."

Lin Xue stood beneath a cherry blossom tree, arms crossed. She gestured toward a small stone table nearby, where a scroll lay wrapped in black silk.

"This," she said, tapping the scroll, "is a cultivation technique."

Li Yuan's eyes narrowed. Cultivation techniques were rare, especially for outer disciples. Most were only given basic sect manuals.

Lin Xue smirked. "It's called the Blood Tempest Art. A technique designed to enhance combat speed and power. But it's… unconventional."

His frown deepened. "Unconventional how?"

She leaned forward slightly. "It was created by a rogue cultivator who studied the ancient arts of blood refinement. It requires a strong will to master. And if you fail…"

She let the sentence hang.

Li Yuan studied her carefully. "Why are you offering this to me?"

Her expression turned serious. "Because I see potential in you. And because… I have my own reasons."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, without hesitation, Li Yuan reached out and took the scroll.

A gamble. A risk.

But if it meant survival, he was willing to take it.

Lin Xue smiled. "Good choice."

The outer sect trial was in two days.

And Li Yuan had just taken his first step toward true power.