A Friend’s Shadow

Jian Mu's body ached. His breath came in ragged gasps, his legs barely carrying him forward. His muscles screamed in protest, but he couldn't stop. Not here. Not now.

The trial had become a nightmare. He had expected a test of skill, maybe endurance—but this was something else entirely. Brutality, chaos, and survival.

The other participants had no hesitation. Blood had already been spilled, and the Golden Talismans—the key to passing this trial—were being snatched away with ruthless efficiency. Jian Mu had none.

The only reason he was still standing was him.

A lone figure moved through the battlefield with effortless grace. A boy, clad in dark robes, his movements refined yet lethal. His strikes were precise, his steps measured. He cut through opponents with ease, knocking them unconscious or disarming them without breaking a sweat.

Yan Zhu.

Jian Mu's childhood friend.

Jian Mu had thought he knew Yan Zhu's strength. They had grown up together—Yan Zhu had always been a step ahead, but it was never this wide of a gap. Now, watching his friend fight, he realized how foolish he had been.

Yan Zhu wasn't just strong. He was on an entirely different level.

Even the elders watching from above had noticed.

"Who is that boy?" Instructor Mei asked, eyes narrowing.

Elder Bai smirked. "Yan Zhu. From the Crimson Lotus Clan. A clan that is high in the Heavenly Demon."

Instructor Han let out a low whistle. "His movements… they're too refined, too precise for his age. He's already getting close to The Third Realm, isn't he?"

The Third Realm which is Core formation consists of cultivators condensing their Qi into a core located in the dantian, significantly increasing the purity of their energy. This allows them to perform higher-level martial techniques and boosts their physical capabilities. The draw back though is that maintaining the stability of the core and avoiding internal damage from excessive Qi manipulation can be very challenging and dangerous

Elder Bai nodded. "He's more than just strong. He fights like someone who's already seen battle."

Down below, Jian Mu clenched his fists, watching as Yan Zhu effortlessly took another Golden Talisman.

Yan Zhu turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes meeting Jian Mu's.

Then he threw the talisman toward him.

Jian Mu caught it instinctively, his hands trembling. "You—"

Before he could speak, Yan Zhu vanished, striking down another opponent nearby.

He was helping. But not too much.

Jian Mu gritted his teeth. It wasn't direct assistance—Yan Zhu was making sure he survived but wasn't carrying him.

"Damn it…"

It was humiliating. The difference between them felt like an uncrossable canyon.

A sudden pain shot through his side as a fist slammed into his ribs. He had been distracted.

Jian Mu stumbled, barely dodging the next strike as a burly boy, grinning viciously, swung a sword down at him.

His mind screamed at him to react, but his body was too slow.

The blade came down—

Then, an instant later, the attacker was gone, sent flying across the battlefield.

Jian Mu's vision blurred. He barely saw Yan Zhu standing a few feet away, his hand still outstretched from the attack.

"Get up, Jian Mu." Yan Zhu's voice was calm, but firm.

Jian Mu felt his frustration rise. "I didn't ask for your help."

Yan Zhu's gaze didn't waver. "Then stop needing it."

Jian Mu's fingers curled into fists.

Yan Zhu wasn't mocking him. He wasn't looking down on him. But his words stung all the same.

Jian Mu hated this feeling.

Weakness.

Somewhere deep inside him, something shifted.

A whisper. Faint. Distant.

'Your weak. Relying on others for help. How pathetic.'

He began to feel despair as the voices were true. He was weak and pathetic yet he didn't give up. It was the will to stay alive the hope of revenge that kept him going so he ignored the voices shoved them to the deepest part of his mind and got up.

The ending was closing in soon so he had to stay alive even if it meant relying on others.

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End of Chapter 6