The Forbidden Trial

A sharp gust of wind rustled the training banners strung across the courtyard, carrying hushed whispers between the gathered disciples. The entire sect was abuzz with a single piece of news–the Forbidden Trial had been announced.

It was an event held only once every few years, allowing outer disciples a chance to earn their place among the inner disciples. The trial was brutal, designed to weed out the weak and reward only the most talented. Many had failed. Some had even died.

Xiao Lian stood among the crowd, her expression calm, but her fingers curled tightly into her sleeves. The announcement had come as no surprise, yet the size of it pressed heavily on her chest.

"The trial will take place in three days," Elder Zheng declared from the podium, his deep voice carrying across the courtyard. His sharp gaze swept over the disciples below.

"You are under no obligation to participate. But for those who seek greatness, this is your chance. Victory will grant you status among the inner disciples. Failure… will mean you are not yet worthy."

Xiao Lian felt a dozen eyes shift toward her.

"She has to participate," someone whispered.

"If she refuses, it'll prove she's a fraud."

"She won't last a second. She had won

Xiao Lian ignored them. She already knew there was no choice. If she stepped back now, all her progress would mean nothing.

As the crowd dispersed, a familiar voice spoke beside her.

"They're setting you up," Ji Ren said quietly.

Xiao Lian turned to him. His usual smirk was missing, replaced by a thoughtful frown.

"I know," she admitted.

"The sect elders won't let you back out," Ji Ren continued. "They want to see if you can survive it."

She met his gaze steadily. "Then I'll survive."

He studied her for a moment, then sighed. "You always say things so simply, but this isn't an ordinary challenge. The Forbidden Trial isn't just a test...it's a battlefield. And unlike the last tests, no one will be holding back."

Xiao Lian didn't flinch. "I won't hold back either."

Ji Ren let out a short chuckle, but his expression didn't soften. "Then you'd better be ready."

.

.

Back in her quarters, Xiao Lian sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, her breathing slow and measured. The SIS, her mysterious soul-bound system, had remained quiet for the past few days, as if watching and waiting.

Now, a familiar voice echoed in her mind.

[Analyzing the trial conditions… Probability of survival: 67%. Probability of victory: 43%.]

Xiao Lian frowned. "Not great odds."

[Correct. To increase chances of success, forming temporary alliances is advisable. The trial is not purely individual. Disciples will group together out of necessity, eliminating threats before turning on each other.]

She tapped her fingers against her knee. Alliances were risky. Trust was fragile in a competition where betrayal could come at any moment. Still, she couldn't ignore the logic.

The SIS continued. [Notable disciples to watch: Liu Cheng, aggressive and arrogant, but highly skilled. Yin Hua, deceptive and cunning. Qin Ziyan, a trickster he's good with mind technic, but hard to predict and a simple weakness. Shen Kai, Aggressive but predictable.Wei Long, physically strong but predictable. Ji Ren, powerful, but loyalty undetermined.]

Xiao Lian sighed. "You really don't trust Ji Ren?"

[He operates based on personal interest. His motives are unclear.]

That much was true. But for now, she had bigger concerns. He has been around me lately and who is Qin Ziyan?

.

.

.

The morning of the Forbidden Trial was thick with tension. A large crowd had gathered outside the trial grounds, an expansive valley shrouded in mist, bordered by jagged cliffs and ancient ruins. The perfect place for a battle of survival.

Elder Zheng stood at the edge, his robes billowing in the wind.

"The rules are simple," he announced. "You must navigate the valley and reach the other side. Only those who remain standing will be considered for the inner disciple ranking."

Xiao Lian narrowed her eyes. That was vague. Which meant there were hidden dangers waiting.

The elder's gaze swept over them. "Begin."

A loud gong sounded. The moment it did, chaos erupted. Survival in the Mist

Xiao Lian moved quickly, darting toward the cover of the trees. The first few moments of the trial were the most dangerous, disciples eager to prove themselves launched immediate attacks, hoping to eliminate as many competitors as possible.

A blast of Qi shot past her, narrowly missing her shoulder. She turned sharply, deflecting another incoming strike. Three disciples had already singled her out, moving to surround her.

"She's not so special," one sneered.

Xiao Lian didn't respond. She simply shifted her stance, watching their movements carefully.

The first attacker lunged. She sidestepped, her palm striking his shoulder with just enough force to unbalance him. As he stumbled, she used his momentum to send him crashing into the second disciple.

The third hesitated. That was his mistake. Xiao Lian surged forward, delivering a swift strike to his abdomen, knocking the air from his lungs. He crumpled.

She exhaled, glancing around. More disciples were engaged in combat nearby, the mist growing thicker as the valley's natural defenses came into play.

She needed to move. But just as she turned, a voice called out.

"Xiao Lian."

She recognized it instantly.

Ji Ren.

He was standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, completely unbothered by the chaos around him. Beside him stood another figure—Wei Long.

"I told you to be careful," Ji Ren said lazily. "But you're still out here drawing attention to yourself."

Xiao Lian crossed her arms. "Are you here to fight me or help me?"

Wei Long let out a chuckle. "That depends. You up for an alliance?"

She hesitated. The SIS had predicted this. Temporary alliances were beneficial, but the moment she wasn't useful, they would turn on her. Still…

"You need numbers," Ji Ren pointed out. "Or do you think you can make it through this alone?"

Xiao Lian studied him for a long moment, then finally nodded.

"For now," she said.

Ji Ren smirked. "That's all I needed to hear."

Moving as a unit, their small group made their way deeper into the valley, avoiding unnecessary conflicts. But as expected, other alliances had formed as well.

It wasn't long before they encountered another group...Liu Cheng's faction.

"Well, well," Liu Cheng sneered. "Look who's still standing."

His group consisted of six disciples, twice their number. Xiao Lian felt her muscles tense. This would be their biggest challenge yet.

Ji Ren cracked his knuckles. "Looks like we don't have much of a choice, huh?"

Xiao Lian nodded. "We fight."

The battle was swift and brutal. Xiao Lian moved like flowing water, dodging strikes and redirecting energy with precision. Ji Ren fought with calculated aggression, his attacks sharp and controlled. Wei Long held his ground, matching brute strength with sheer endurance.

One by one, Liu Cheng's allies fell. Until only he remained. Panting, he glared at Xiao Lian, hatred burning in his eyes. "You think this means anything?" he spat. "You're just a fraud."

Xiao Lian met his gaze, unshaken. "Then why are you the one on the ground?"

Liu Cheng's face twisted in fury, but he had no more strength to fight. The trial wasn't over yet, but she had proven herself.

And she wasn't done. Not yet.

"Bullying your seniors...little one?" A voices said behind them and a swift of anger immediately settles on Ji Ren's face.

With fear, Liu Cheng muttered. "Qin...Qin Ziyan..."