The Eyes That Watch

High above the chaotic battleground, atop a stone platform overlooking the trial grounds, Elder Bai stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the mass of fighting disciples below. Beside him, the Academy's instructors observed in silence.

"Disappointing." Instructor Han, the combat master, scoffed as he watched a group of students gang up on a lone participant. "So many rely on numbers rather than skill. Weaklings pretending to be strong."

Instructor Mei, clad in her crimson robes, remained unfazed. "Survival requires more than just strength. A good mind knows when to fight and when to retreat."

Elder Bai let out a small hum of agreement. "Still, there are a few promising ones." He gestured toward a young man wielding a black spear, moving through the battlefield like a shadow. Every strike was precise, each movement filled with trained efficiency.

"Jiang Hao of the Black Moon Clan. Only fifteen, yet already using the Shadow Spear technique to near perfection."

Instructor Han nodded in approval. "A real warrior."

Further ahead, another disciple caught their attention. A girl dressed in white, her blade a blur as she cut down an opponent effortlessly. The way she moved was almost elegant, her strikes leaving no room for waste.

"Liu Qingxue, daughter of the Frostblade Manor. Her swordplay is refined, her movements disciplined. She will be a force in the future." Instructor Mei remarked.

Elder Bai's gaze then shifted to a more chaotic area, where a group of students were engaged in an intense skirmish. Among them, a youth with a longbow loosed arrows with deadly accuracy, striking his opponents from afar before they could retaliate.

"Zhang Yu of the Golden Hawk Clan," Elder Bai noted, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I heard his precision is unmatched. He's a master of the long-range."

Instructor Han's voice was laced with approval. "Impressive. He'd make an excellent scout for any army."

Elder Bai turned his attention back to the battlefield, where a loud crash echoed as a participant was sent flying back, landing heavily. He looked closer and saw the figure of a large, muscular boy charging through a group of opponents with bare fists, causing them to scatter in fear.

"Wang Jian of the Iron Fist Clan," Elder Bai observed with a small chuckle. "He's a tank, to say the least. No finesse, but overwhelming strength. If he can learn to control that power, he'll be a monster."

Instructor Mei gave a thoughtful hum. "He may be too direct for some situations, but his power is undeniable."

Elder Bai's gaze then fell on a pair of swift figures darting through the battle. A pair of siblings, their movements blindingly fast as they struck their enemies and disappeared into the shadows, leaving confusion in their wake.

"The Silver Moon Clan," Elder Bai said with recognition. "Those two must be Xue Mei and Xue Zhi. Their speed is almost legendary—more ghosts than students."

Instructor Han smirked. "I imagine they'll all pass without breaking a sweat since they have reached The Second Realm."

The Second Realm is where cultivators begin to gather and manipulate Qi. At this stage, they learn to channel their Qi into their bodies, improving their martial abilities and starting to perform energy-based techniques. While this is a huge advantage to gain it is also a challenge as it requires control over the flow of Qi.

The sound of crackling lightning suddenly interrupted their conversation, and the instructors turned to see a boy surrounded by a surge of raw electric energy, moving with lightning speed as he fought off a group of attackers.

"Lei Feng of the Thunder Strike Clan," Instructor Mei commented. "He's reckless, but that speed... it's like he's a human storm. If he learns to control his impulses, he could become unstoppable."

The instructors watched closely as the battle unfolded below them. Elder Bai's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something different, a figure that didn't fit the mold of the others.

A lone boy, his body barely able to keep up with the chaos around him. His swings were sloppy, his footwork untrained. And yet, despite being at a clear disadvantage, he refused to stay down.

Jian Mu.

Instructor Han frowned. "That one… he doesn't fight like someone trained."

Instructor Mei observed closely. "No form, no structure. He doesn't even seem to know how to balance his own movements."

One of the other elders, Elder Hui, stroked his beard. "Yet he is still standing."

Just as they were discussing Jian Mu, a voice cut through the air from below, a sneering voice that stood out above the others.

"Pathetic," came the mocking voice of Jian Yuren, Jian Mu's half-brother, from among a group of students. He was standing tall, his movements poised and practiced as he effortlessly defeated his opponents. "Doesn't he know it's better to just give up than to embarrass himself further?" His laughter echoed across the field.

Jian Yuren, a favored son from one of the more powerful clans within the Heavenly Demon Sect, barely spared a glance at Jian Mu, his superiority radiating from every step. He was effortlessly dispatching his opponents, using the signature Moonlight Saber Technique, a family martial art that made him one of the most skilled disciples of his generation.

Instructor Mei raised an eyebrow at the display of arrogance. "His brother does seem to be... less than impressed."

Elder Bai's eyes narrowed, his tone cold as he spoke. "That's to be expected. Jian Yuren has always looked down on him. But the boy... Jian Mu is showing something others might overlook."

The instructors continued to observe as Jian Yuren made his way through the battle, sending disdainful glances at Jian Mu's struggle. Jian Yuren's dismissive attitude was clear, as if it was beneath him to even acknowledge the mess his half-brother was making.

"What do you think, Elder Bai?" Instructor Mei asked. "Will he pass?"

Elder Bai remained silent for a long moment. Then, with a small smirk, he answered.

"We shall see."

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End of Chapter 5