Chapter 4: Without Your Help

After a long and exhausting journey, Yanzhi finally stood before the grand gates of the Tianhan Sect. Towering stone pillars rose into the sky, etched with carvings of swirling dragons and clouds that seemed almost alive. The air felt cold despite the sun still shining.

A guard dressed in a blue uniform bearing the sect's emblem on his chest stepped forward, eyeing Yanzhi sharply.

"Who are you? What business do you have here?"

Yanzhi lifted his chin, though his breath was still ragged.

"I've come to take the entrance exam."

The guard paused, then gave a small nod.

"Follow me."

He led Yanzhi into a large hall within the sect complex. Inside, several other aspiring disciples had already gathered, their faces a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Suddenly, a man with jet-black hair and sharp eyes entered the hall. His stance was upright, and his presence radiated a strong, undeniable aura.

"I am Senior Lu Ming," he announced with a firm yet friendly voice. "I'll be overseeing your entrance exams. Anyone wishing to join the Tianhan Sect must pass three stages: physical strength, energy control, and mental endurance."

Yanzhi gave a slight nod, eyes filled with determination.

"The exam begins tomorrow morning," Lu Ming continued. "Rest well tonight. You won't only be tested by the trials—but by the limits of your own ability."

Inside Yanzhi, the fire spirit stirred. Its voice, laced with sarcasm yet hiding a deeper intention, whispered.

"Make sure you get enough rest. I'd hate to step in just because you overslept."

Yanzhi frowned, biting back irritation.

"You think I need you to babysit me? I'm not some child who needs watching. If I fail, that's on me, not because I was sleepy."

He stood tall, eyes sharp with resolve.

"I can handle this myself."

After that minor inner quarrel, Yanzhi took a deep breath. He knew—even if it annoyed him—that the fire spirit's words were more of a reminder than a taunt.

The next day, the training hall of the Tianhan Sect buzzed with candidates preparing for the entrance trials. Yanzhi stood among them, focused, though tension lingered in his chest.

Some of the candidates were showing off their skills—bursts of wind, sparks of lightning—while the hum of spiritual energy filled the air.

Yanzhi took a deep breath. He remained still. He knew his strength wasn't much. Especially with the fire spirit inside him still volatile.

"Try not to be too tense," Lu Ming's calm voice echoed across the hall. He stepped up to a small platform, observing the crowd with a composed gaze.

"The exam begins when the sun reaches its peak. Use this time to prepare—not to show off."

Some immediately stopped their displays. Others looked more anxious than before.

Yanzhi closed his eyes, trying to feel the flow of his energy. But deep inside, a familiar heat stirred.

"If you mess up just because you're nervous, I'll laugh at you for the rest of the day," the spirit muttered.

Yanzhi opened his eyes, staring straight ahead.

"Relax. I won't give you the satisfaction."

Soon after, a large gong sounded from across the hall, shaking the floor beneath their feet.

Lu Ming stepped forward.

"All candidates, move to the outer courtyard. The first trial: physical strength."

Yanzhi tightened the sash of his robe and walked alongside the others. Outside, a vast stone courtyard awaited them. The sky was clear, but the pressure in the air felt heavy.

Senior disciples stood at the edges of the arena, watching with sharp eyes.

"The first test: defeat a giant stone puppet and shatter its core. Power without aim is wasted energy. Use your head as well."

Three stone puppets stood tall at the center, each twice the height of an average man. A faintly glowing core was embedded in their chests.

One by one, candidates were called forward. Some failed completely—their attacks barely scratched the puppet. Others left cracks, but none deep enough.

Yanzhi's name was finally called.

He stepped forward. The stone puppet groaned mechanically and began to move.

"Don't use my power," the fire spirit warned him calmly. "This trial is about your own strength. Show them what you're capable of."

Yanzhi didn't reply. He focused ahead, then moved—his steps swift and calculated. Dodging the puppet's swing, he leapt onto its shoulder and struck the core with a solid punch.

A crack formed.

The senior disciples observed in silence. Lu Ming gave a slight smile and made a note.

Yanzhi landed lightly on the ground, breathing hard but standing firm.

"Not bad," the spirit commented. "But still not enough to impress me."

Yanzhi smirked faintly.

"I wasn't trying to impress you."

After the first trial ended, the candidates were given time to rest. Yanzhi sat under a large tree at the edge of the courtyard, wiping sweat from his brow. His breathing hadn't quite recovered, but his eyes stayed alert.

"That strike was amazing," a new voice said.

Yanzhi turned. A cheerful-looking young man with reddish-brown hair stood nearby, holding a water flask.

"I'm Ren Jie. Just came from Tanpo village. First time I've seen someone crack the core like that."

Yanzhi nodded and accepted the water.

"Yanzhi."

Ren Jie sat beside him comfortably.

"You seem like someone who's used to danger."

Yanzhi only shrugged.

"A bit of experience."

Soon, a girl with braided hair and bright eyes joined them. Her expression was sharp but full of energy.

"I saw you two from the back row. Ren Jie the chatterbox, and you, the silent type. I'm Shi Lian."

Ren Jie groaned.

"Hey, don't label people that quickly…"

They all chuckled lightly. For a moment, the tension and competition faded. A small sense of friendship flickered among them.

"Hmph... I didn't expect you to blend in so easily," the fire spirit whispered. "Humans do fall apart quickly when alone."

Yanzhi didn't respond, but for the first time since arriving at the sect, he allowed himself to relax.

The next day, the second trial began. The candidates lined up in the sect's inner courtyard, each standing before a shimmering crystal known as the Jingshen Stone—used to measure spiritual purity and energy control.

Lu Ming addressed them from the front.

"Now you'll demonstrate your energy control. Channel your energy into the crystal. If it's too weak, nothing will happen. Too chaotic, and the crystal will shatter. You have only one attempt."

Yanzhi stared at the crystal. Slowly, he lifted his hand. Holding his breath…

"Control the flow. Don't force it. Guide the current—don't push it," the spirit whispered again. "What, need me for this too?"

Yanzhi ignored him and focused. Energy trickled from his body into the crystal, slow and steady.

The crystal began to glow... red-gold.

It held steady—bright, not explosive, but far from weak. Just at the edge of what Lu Ming had called "ideal."

Yanzhi exhaled.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Ren Jie's disappointed expression—his glow was faint. Meanwhile, Shi Lian's crystal shone a pale white—a rare sign of precise control.

After the trial, the trio met again near the field. No more laughs, only quiet nods.

"Guess we're all getting serious now," Ren Jie muttered.

Yanzhi looked at the sky. He knew that friendship in this sect would always live in the shadow of rivalry.

After the glow faded, Yanzhi walked away calmly. But once alone, he clenched his jaw.

"You sure know how to make someone look strong… without them actually doing much," he grumbled in his mind.

"Of course," the spirit replied lazily. "If I hadn't helped, your crystal might have cracked or done nothing at all. Your own power? Still unripe."

Yanzhi lowered his head, fists clenched.

"I want to pass through my own effort… not with help from something I barely understand."

"How amusing. You want to pass, yet refuse the one reason you're still standing."

Silence.

Then the spirit's tone dropped, almost as if murmuring.

"Fine. Prove it. Don't rely on me in the final trial."

Yanzhi lifted his head slowly, eyes scanning the crowd of students still chatting about their results. His face was calm, but his jaw tightened. The spirit's words stung—but they also lit a fire buried under layers of hesitation.

"Alright," he muttered. "The final trial… I'll pass it on my own."

The spirit said nothing more. No snide remarks, no sarcastic jabs—just silence. But somehow, Yanzhi knew he was still watching.

Moments later, a girl approached him with a friendly face.

"Hey, you're the one whose crystal glowed red-gold, right? That was impressive," she said with a smile. "I'm Mei Lin."

Yanzhi paused, then gave a small nod.

"Yanzhi."

Mei Lin chuckled.

"Quiet type, huh? Careful. During the last trial, people might think you're overconfident."

"Let them think what they want," Yanzhi replied evenly. His voice wasn't cold—just honest.

Mei Lin nodded like she understood.

"Then… see you at the final stage. Good luck."

Yanzhi watched her walk away, then clenched his fists again. This time, not in frustration—but in determination.

Only one trial remained. And Yanzhi had already sworn…

He would face it alone.