**Chapter 6: The Path to True Discipleship**
Feng Ruoyan had barely settled into her new reality when the sect announced the upcoming grand competition—an event that would determine the next true disciple of the Star Lord. The competition was open only to those with outstanding talent, and the winner would receive not only unparalleled cultivation resources but also direct tutelage under the revered Star Lord himself.
The Star Lord, Tian Xu, was a legendary figure in the cultivation world, a being who had long surpassed the mortal constraints of power. As the Supreme Overseer of the Celestial Star Sect and the undisputed ruler of the Star Domain, his mastery over celestial energy and profound dao comprehension made him one of the most respected and feared figures in existence. It was said that those who became his disciples would gain access to lost ancient techniques, spiritual enlightenment, and a chance to reach the peak of cultivation. The influence of Tian Xu extended beyond the sect—emperors, clan leaders, and even rival sects paid him respect, knowing that his favor could shift the balance of power in the world.
Tian Xu's cultivation techniques were the foundation of his dominance. His primary technique, **Celestial Star Invocation**, allowed him to harness the power of the cosmos, manipulating starlight into devastating attacks and unbreakable defenses. He had also mastered the **Void Astral Step**, a movement technique that made him nearly untouchable in battle, and the **Heavenly Soul Refinement**, which granted his disciples unmatched mental clarity and spiritual resilience. His cultivation realm had long surpassed the known stages, and he was rumored to have reached the **Twelfth Star Ascension**, a level unattainable to all but the most divine beings. Each level of the **Star Ascension Realm** represented a deeper connection with cosmic energy, strengthening the practitioner's lifespan, strength, and control over celestial laws.
**Strength Levels and Phases:**
The cultivation world was divided into various strength phases and levels. Each phase contained multiple levels, defining a cultivator's progression.
1. **Mortal Foundation Realm (1-9 levels)** – The beginning of cultivation.
2. **Core Formation Realm (1-9 levels)** – The formation of an internal energy core.
3. **Nascent Soul Realm (1-9 levels)** – The birth of a spiritual consciousness.
4. **Sky Ascension Realm (1-9 levels)** – Mastery over elemental and spatial laws.
5. **Celestial King Realm (1-9 levels)** – Dominion over celestial forces and spiritual domains.
6. **Star Ascension Realm (1-12 levels)** – The supreme phase where cultivators draw power directly from the universe.
Tian Xu had reached the Twelfth Star Ascension, the pinnacle of cultivation, making him nearly godlike in his abilities. It was rumored that only one in ten million cultivators could ever touch this level.
As the news spread through the Rising Sun Sect, anticipation soared among the disciples. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The sect elders revealed the competition's format, a rigorous series of trials designed to test the mind, body, and soul of each participant.
The competition attracted over five hundred participants, including elite disciples from the sect's inner circle, as well as representatives from the ten famous families. Among them were the heirs of renowned clans such as the Bai, Xuan, and Jiang families, each possessing extraordinary talent. Their presence raised the stakes, as these families had deep-rooted connections and exceptional cultivation techniques passed down for generations.
**Phase One: The Trial of Knowledge**
The first trial was set in the Celestial Pavilion, a vast hall where ancient scriptures and cultivation manuals were stored. Participants had to answer intricate questions about high-level cultivation techniques, decipher esoteric formations, and analyze medicinal properties of rare spiritual herbs. The trial was designed to test not just memory but comprehension, as only those who truly understood the foundations of cultivation could advance.
Elders observed from above, scoring each disciple's performance. Those who failed to meet the passing mark were immediately eliminated. By the end of this phase, less than two hundred participants remained.
**Phase Two: The Combat Arena**
A series of one-on-one duels where only the strongest and most strategic fighters would advance. Each contestant was expected to utilize their unique abilities to defeat their opponents, proving their battle prowess and adaptability. No external weapons were allowed—only one's cultivation and martial skills.
**Phase Three: The Labyrinth of Trials**
A mystical realm where competitors would face spiritual illusions, elemental tribulations, and even their own inner demons. The challenge was not only to survive but to emerge enlightened, proving one's mental fortitude and emotional resilience.
**Final Phase: The Judgment of the Star Lord**
The remaining few would stand before the Star Lord himself, who would assess their essence, potential, and fate. Only one could be chosen as the true disciple, the one deemed worthy to inherit the Star Lord's legacy.
Feng Ruoyan clenched her fists as she studied the rules. This was her chance to solidify her place in the sect and carve a path to greatness. The echoes of her past betrayal and suffering fueled her determination—she would not let this opportunity slip away.
As she prepared for the trials ahead, whispers of her participation spread like wildfire. Some saw her as an unknown challenger, while others recognized the embers of an unstoppable force rising from the ashes of her past.
The competition would soon begin, and with it, the battle for her destiny.