Chapter:6 Path to As will Sect
The towering gates of the As You Wish Sect loomed before Zhe Tian, radiating an aura of ancient majesty. Surrounding him were thousands of aspirants, each vying for a place in one of the most prestigious sects in the lower realm. Despite the grandeur of the moment, Zhe Tian's focus was unshakable. This was the first step in his journey toward greatness—a journey that would test not only his strength but also his resolve.
Zhe Tian's profound energy swirled faintly around him, its silver-and-golden hue drawing subtle attention from the crowd. Some sneered at what they perceived as arrogance from a seemingly low-leveled cultivator, while others were merely curious about the rare aura he exuded.
The sect's Elder overseeing the selection stood atop a raised platform, his gaze sweeping across the aspirants like an eagle surveying its prey. His voice boomed like thunder, silencing the crowd.
"Welcome, hopefuls, to the As You Wish Sect's recruitment. Only those with extraordinary talent and unwavering determination shall pass this test. Failure means forfeiting your chance to step into our halls."
The crowd stirred uneasily, the weight of the Elder's words sinking in.
---
The Elder waved his hand, and a massive boulder, shimmering with a faint golden light, appeared on the stage. It was the Stone of Will, a treasure designed to test the mental fortitude of cultivators. Aspirants were required to channel their profound energy into the stone, enduring its pressure to prove their determination.
"Step forward, one at a time!" the Elder commanded.
Zhe Tian waited in silence as one aspirant after another approached the stone. Many failed within moments, their knees buckling under the immense spiritual pressure. A few succeeded, earning nods of approval from the observing sect members.
When his turn arrived, Zhe Tian calmly walked forward, ignoring the skeptical murmurs from the crowd. Placing his hands on the stone, he closed his eyes and channeled his profound energy.
The silver-and-golden light of his energy enveloped the stone, instantly causing it to shine brighter than it had for any other aspirant. Gasps echoed through the crowd as the pressure from the stone intensified tenfold.
"Impossible!" one observer exclaimed. "That stone's pressure increases with the user's potential. How is he still standing?"
Zhe Tian gritted his teeth but remained resolute. The mental strain was immense, but his Divine Body of Emptiness granted him an unparalleled advantage. Within moments, the stone's glow stabilized, signifying his success.
The Elder's sharp eyes locked onto Zhe Tian. "Interesting. You may proceed to the next test."
---
The next challenge required the aspirants to prove their combat prowess. A large arena was prepared, and the participants were matched randomly against one another. Victory was the only way forward.
Zhe Tian's opponent was a burly youth with a fiery temper and a cultivation base clearly higher than his own. As the two entered the arena, the youth smirked.
"Little boy, I'll make this quick. You don't belong here."
Zhe Tian remained silent, his calm demeanor further irritating his opponent.
When the fight began, the youth charged forward, his fists blazing with fire elemental energy. The heat was oppressive, but Zhe Tian's profound energy surged to counter it. His movements were fluid yet precise, evading the attacks with minimal effort.
Channeling his energy into his palm, Zhe Tian unleashed a strike that shimmered with both silver and golden light. The force of his attack collided with the youth's fiery punch, instantly extinguishing the flames and sending his opponent flying out of the arena.
The crowd erupted in shock.
---
As Zhe Tian stepped down from the arena, he felt a pair of icy eyes observing him. Turning, he saw a woman standing among the sect's disciples. Her beauty was breathtaking, but her expression was cold and distant. She was clad in the robes of an inner disciple, her bearing exuding authority and power.
"Senior Sister Bai Xue," someone whispered nearby. "Why is she watching him?"
Before Zhe Tian could ponder further, Bai Xue descended gracefully to his level. Her gaze was sharp as a blade.
"You're different," she said curtly. "Your profound energy—it's unlike anything I've seen. What's your name?"
"Zhe Tian," he replied calmly, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, she said nothing, her eyes narrowing slightly. Finally, she tossed a jade token to him. "Keep this. It'll grant you temporary access to the outer sect's resources. Don't waste the opportunity."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Zhe Tian bewildered yet determined.
---
The last test was a trial of endurance. The aspirants were led to a treacherous mountain path filled with natural barriers, from powerful winds to hidden beasts. Only those who reached the summit within the allotted time would be granted entry into the sect.
Zhe Tian faced each challenge with unwavering focus. His Divine Body of Emptiness allowed him to adapt quickly, and his profound energy helped him overcome obstacles that would have otherwise been insurmountable.
When he finally reached the summit, the Elder stood waiting, a faint smile on his usually stern face. "You've passed. Welcome to the As You Wish Sect, outer disciple Zhe Tian."
As the Elder handed him the sect's robe and token, Zhe Tian bowed deeply, gratitude and determination shining in his eyes. This was just the beginning of his journey, but he knew that every step forward would bring him closer to his ultimate goal.
---
That night, Zhe Tian sat beneath a tree on the sect's outer grounds, gazing at the stars. The events of the day replayed in his mind, from the grueling tests to his unexpected encounter with Bai Xue.
The palace spirit's voice echoed in his thoughts.
"You've taken the first step, my lord. But the path ahead will be filled with greater trials. Are you prepared?"
Zhe Tian clenched his fists, his silver-and-golden profound energy flickering around him. "I'll face whatever comes my way. This is my journey, and I won't stop until I've reached the summit of the cultivation world."
The night sky seemed to shimmer in response, as if the heavens themselves acknowledged his resolve.