Chapter 26: The Summit Trial’s Final Gate

it Trials arrived cloaked in silver mist, the sky overhead rumbling softly as if heaven itself held its breath. On the horizon, a blood-red sun began to rise—its light spilling across the sect grounds and catching the sharp edges of jade pagodas, sword towers, and wind-chimes that whispered ominous notes with each gust.

All eyes were on the central arena.

Not just from the outer and inner sects—but from the Core Pavilion, the elders' terraces, and even the secluded peak where only the most powerful cultivators dwelled.

This round wasn't merely for prestige.

It was the ascension gate—the final test that separated disciples from mediocrity and marked them for something far greater.

Only ten remained.

And Lin Feng was among them.

The Arena Transformed

When Lin Feng arrived at the dueling grounds, he froze for a heartbeat.

The once-stone arena was gone. In its place rose a massive floating platform made from black spiritsteel, suspended in mid-air by glowing spirit runes. Four massive obelisks—each carved with ancient celestial script—hovered at the corners, humming with energy.

Below them, thick clouds swirled like an endless sea of mist.

If you fell—you wouldn't be found again.

A booming voice echoed from the sky.

"Welcome to the Final Gate."

Elder Mo, his presence cloaked in swirling astral light, stepped forward.

"You are the ten who defied expectations, shattered records, and earned the right to stand here. But know this—what you face now will not be other disciples."

"You will face yourselves."

With a wave of his hand, ten beams of light surged from the platform and struck the candidates. Lin Feng felt his body lift from the ground as space twisted around him—until he stood in a new place entirely.

Alone.

Trial Space – Mind's Mirror

This was no illusion.

The space around Lin Feng shimmered like broken glass, fragments of stars suspended in an obsidian void. A mirror floated before him—tall, ancient, and covered in cracks. At first, he saw only his reflection.

Then the reflection moved.

It stepped out of the mirror.

And smirked.

"You really think you're strong, don't you?"

It was him—but different. His reflection wore robes laced with dark gold. Its aura pulsed with raw spiritual energy, but it was twisted—corrupted. Cold. Arrogant.

"I'm what you'll become. The Lin Feng who chooses power over people. Glory over humility. Dominance over compassion."

"The System wants you to become me."

Lin Feng stared in silence. His heart felt like thunder trapped in his ribs.

He clenched his fists.

"No. The system gave me power. But it doesn't choose my path—I do."

His reflection tilted its head. "Then prove it."

It attacked.

Battle of the Self

The false Lin Feng moved like lightning, casting martial techniques Lin Feng had only begun to learn. The Comet Step, the Heaven-Devouring Palm, even the Blue Lotus Flame—but each was enhanced to terrifying levels, empowered by a dark variant of the system interface.

[System Alert: Host Recognized Corrupted Echo Construct – Generating Counterbalance.]

[Activating Trait: Unshackled Spirit – All mental resistance increased. Soul clarity +200%.]

Lin Feng's vision sharpened. His mind cleared like fog burning away at dawn.

He deflected a burning fist strike, spun, and retaliated with a palm of pure internal qi—calm, not fueled by rage.

A shockwave burst between them, flinging the false Lin Feng backward. But it didn't stay down long.

"You can't beat me with restraint," the reflection spat. "You need to be more."

"I need to be true."

He gathered his spiritual force—not for destruction, but for restoration. It wasn't a skill from any scroll.

It was something new.

Something his system hadn't taught.

[User has initiated Original Technique – Still Heart Manifestation]

[New Technique Registered. Analyzing…]

Lin Feng's palm glowed with a serene blue light. He stepped forward as the corrupted version roared and struck downward with both fists.

Their palms collided.

Silence. Then…

The mirror behind them shattered.

The false Lin Feng dissolved into ash.

Victory and Revelation

Lin Feng opened his eyes and found himself back on the platform.

But something had changed.

Where the other nine disciples stood—only three remained.

Six had failed.

Two were panting from their own battles. One was smiling.

And that one—Shen Yao—was watching Lin Feng with an expression somewhere between interest and contempt.

Elder Mo raised his hand again.

"Only four pass this Trial."

"You will be known henceforth as True Disciples of the Azure Sky Sect."

Applause erupted across the spectator terraces. But Lin Feng barely heard it.

[System Alert: Milestone Achieved – Inner Turmoil Conquered.]

[Reward: +3000 EXP, +1 Skill Core, +Trait Unlocked – Mind of the Infinite.]

[WARNING: New spiritual presence detected. Unknown entity observing.]

He frowned.

Unknown entity?

He looked toward the sky.

Something watched from beyond the clouds.

Later – Beneath the Stars

That night, Lin Feng sat atop a spirit-forged cliff that overlooked the sect grounds. The wind was soft, rustling the trees gently.

Su Xue arrived with food—but didn't speak right away.

Finally, she said, "They'll send you to the Inner Sect tomorrow."

"I know."

"You'll be different," she whispered. "It'll be harder. More dangerous. Even lonelier."

Lin Feng stared at the moon above.

"I don't need it to be easy," he said quietly. "I just need to keep walking forward."

She handed him a wrapped box.

"What's this?"

"My father's talisman," she said. "He used it during the war with the Fiend Cults. It can block a fatal blow."

Lin Feng blinked. "Su Xue…"

"Just take it, idiot."

He accepted it without another word.

Then, somewhere far in the distance, a bell tolled.

A summons.

From the Inner Sect.

And from the shadows beneath the stars… a raven circled once and vanished into the night.