Chapter 5 test for the sect

Feng Lu scanned the youths before him with keen eyes, observing their reactions to his statement. "Body Refinement is not just about endurance or strength. Only those who have already surpassed the limitations of the third level are ready for our test," he said in a firm tone, his presence dominating the room.

Murms began to fill the crowd. Many youths grew nervous, knowing that their chances ended there. Others, who were above the third level, began to feel proud, seizing the opportunity to stand out.

Feng Lu pointed to the village leader and ordered, "List the names and cultivation levels of all the youths present. Only those who have reached the fourth level or higher will come with us."

The elderly village leader, with trembling hands, called for an assistant to help him. Quickly, he began naming the youths:

- "Jin Mei, 4th level of Body Refinement."

A confident-looking girl stepped forward, maintaining a respectful posture.

- "Zhang Rui, 4th level of Body Refinement."

A robust young man with a determined look walked forward without hesitation.

Finally, the leader paused before saying,

- "Wang Lin, 6th level of Body Refinement."

As soon as the name was announced, looks of surprise and disbelief appeared. Some whispered among themselves,

"How did someone like him manage to reach the 6th level?"

"He must have used some strange method or gotten incredibly lucky."

Lin Wei, clearly uncomfortable, took advantage of the moment to tease Wang Lin. "Look, the 'unlucky orphan' wants to stand out now? Don't worry, Wang Lin. High levels don't make a difference if you don't have real talent," he said disdainfully, as laughter echoed around him.

Wang Lin remained calm, although his eyes revealed a hint of irritation. "Worry about your own weakness, Lin Wei. I'll use this test to teach you a lesson if you need one," Wang Lin replied in a cold tone, cutting through the laughter around him. Feng Lu, sensing the tension, interrupted. "Don't waste time on pointless disputes. Those who want to enter the Immortal Fist Sect need to prove themselves on the battlefield, not with words." He turned to the selected candidates and concluded, "Gather your things. We'll leave at sunset. Those who weren't selected, continue cultivating and perhaps you'll have another chance in the future." The young men who passed were ready for the next stage, while Wang Lin kept a firm and confident gaze. He knew that the 6th level of Body Refinement gave him a considerable advantage, but to him, this was just the beginning of his path to greatness. At sunset, Feng Lu gathered the three people who qualified for the Immortal Fist Sect's test. Without the presence of Lin Wei, who had already been admitted into the Five Element Sect, the atmosphere seemed lighter, although the tension of the unknown still lingered in the air.

Feng Lu took out a flying artifact from his bag, a simple-looking sled, but it was shrouded in a mystical aura that indicated its extraordinary origin. The object glowed faintly as he activated it with a touch.

"Everyone, get in," Feng Lu ordered firmly. "This artifact will take us to the sect's testing grounds. You are honored to be carried on a sacred item of the Lower Celestial level. Treat it with respect!"

Wang Lin, along with the other two young men, climbed onto the sled, looking at the intricate engravings on its surface. Ancient inscriptions emanated an energy that caused the air around it to vibrate slightly.

As the sled gently took off, Wang Lin looked back, seeing his village disappear into the distance. His eyes shone with determination as he muttered to himself, "This is the first step on my path to the top of this world."

The flying sled charged forward at an astonishing speed, cutting through the starry sky toward the testing grounds. Feng Lu, sitting in front, looked at the youths with a smile that was both challenging and expectant. "Seize the moment, young people. The next step will decide who among you is worthy of following the path of the Immortal Fists." Wang Lin, his eyes fixed on the horizon, asked in a cold tone, "How many strong people will participate in the test, senior?" Feng Lu had already expected this question and, with a dark smile, replied, "With all due respect, you are some of the weakest among the participants." He laughed, but his tone carried a cruel weight. "Many geniuses from large families and cities will be competing in this test. Compared to them, you are nothing." Jin Mei, trying to contain the anxiety that was evident in her voice, asked with a naive look, "Senior, what do they have that we don't?" Feng Lu stared at her for a moment, as if she was evaluating whether it was worth answering. Finally, he sighed, his gaze now filled with a bitter coldness. "The difference is the support, girl. These geniuses have rare pills to strengthen their bodies, advanced techniques to ascend to the next stage, and resources that you can't even imagine. They've been honed since birth to become monsters in cultivation." The words cut through the air like blades, and the silence that followed was almost suffocating. Zhang Rui, trying to lighten the mood, laughed nervously, "But that doesn't matter, right? It's not like we're directly competing with them. It's just a test, after all…" Feng Lu interrupted him, his voice now as cold as a blade ready for slaughter. "You still don't understand, boy. This 'test' is a hunting ground. Those who aren't strong enough will be devoured—whether by beasts or by those geniuses who treat survival as a game. Don't kid yourself: here, weakness means death."

Jin Mei clenched her fists, her hands shaking as she tried to process what she had just heard. Zhang Rui swallowed hard, nervousness evident on his face.

But Wang Lin showed no sign of fear. Instead, his eyes shone with something dark, something dangerous. He muttered to himself, barely audible, "They may have all of this, but in the end, only one will survive. And that will be me."

As the sled rolled toward the test site, the twilight light faded, giving way to darkness. That night, everyone there realized that the true test was not just surviving the beasts—but also surviving one's own companions.

As he descended upon the test site, Wang Lin could see dozens of young men, all around his own age. Some had confident and smug looks, while others seemed to be there just to fill in the numbers. Each one carried a distinct aura, but one thing was certain: most of them emanated a pressure that made one's heart beat faster.

Feng Lu jumped off the sled with a wry smile on his lips. "Hmph, looks like we're a little late." His voice carried a carefree tone, but his eyes scanned the area with precision, like a predator sizing up its prey.

The other youths in the field began to notice the group's arrival, their gazes alternating between curiosity and contempt. A tall, golden-haired boy laughed as he whispered to his companions, "Another group of weaklings coming to be crushed. This is going to be fun."

Jin Mei got off the sled with a look of uncertainty, trying to ignore the comments around him. Zhang Rui, on the other hand, had a tense expression, as if trying to convince himself that he could survive here.

Wang Lin was the last to get off. He looked at the surrounding youths, his eyes cold and calculating. While most of them looked uneasy, Wang Lin remained calm, analyzing their every move and expression.

Feng Lu walked over, lightly patting Wang Lin on the shoulder. "Remember, kid: no one will help you here. You are alone." Wang Lin simply nodded, his eyes never leaving the other participants. A faint shadow passed over his face, and he muttered to himself, "Alone is how I have always been. And alone is how I will survive." Feng Lu laughed lightly, but there was something gloomy in his gaze. "Very well then. Let's see how far you can go." Soon after, an elderly man dressed in the black robes of the Immortal Fist Sect appeared in the center of the field. He had an intimidating posture and a voice as firm as a thunderclap. "Welcome to the test of the Immortal Fist Sect! Here, it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or what bloodline you have. The only factor that will define your future… is your strength. And today, it will be put to the test." The surroundings were deathly silent. The true test was about to begin.