Chapter 71 – Trial by Brotherhood, Baptism of Chaos

"From the strongest iron, we forge the blades of fate. But only those who survive the crucible… will lead the war to come."

Chaos Sect – Inner Core Training Grounds

The dawn within the Chaos Core Realm came not with sun, but with radiant pulses of chaos qi rising from the land itself. It illuminated the grand coliseum—an arena carved from meteorite stone, surrounded by floating viewing platforms and divine statues of the founding Chaos Saints.

Today marked the beginning of an ancient tradition long lost in time: The Gathering of Chaos Flame Disciples.

The top ten trialists—now Inner Core members—stood at the center. Dressed in black training robes embroidered with silver streaks, they emanated power, promise, and tension.

❖ [Participants: Asha Rani, Arya Kapoor, ShadowBlade, Yi Feng, Runesaint, Li Yao, Fira, Anji, Marek, Zehn]

❖ [Combat Formation Tier: Initial]

❖ [Team Bond: None Established]

At the arena's edge, a powerful woman descended from the sky on a silver platform. She wore robes lined with star metal threads and carried a double-bladed glaive shaped like a crescent moon.

Her aura was that of a peak Mythic Ascension cultivator.

She was Elder Zhua Lin, commander of the Chaos Combat Division.

"Today," she said, her voice sharp, "you will bleed. You will curse. And by the end, you may even kill each other. But if you survive, you'll be the first generation of Chaos Vanguard disciples in 800,000 years."

The disciples didn't flinch.

Zhua Lin smirked.

"Then let's begin."

First Segment – Chaos Combat Synchronization

Circular training arrays lit up below each disciple.

A voice echoed:

❖ [Initiating Chaos Combat Drill]

❖ [Objective: Engage in pair duels – rotation system – full contact]

❖ [Vital Restrictions: 50% limit imposed, death prevented, pain unchanged]

❖ [Hidden Ranking Algorithm Activated]

Round 1: Asha Rani vs. ShadowBlade

As the signal flared, ShadowBlade lunged in with his twin daggers, channeling Flame Qi and Lightning Blink. His footwork was rapid, creating mirror images.

But Asha moved like still water.

She let the first strike come within an inch of her neck—then exploded into an icy spiral that froze all seven clones in a single breath.

Her palm pressed into ShadowBlade's chest—gentle, like snow landing.

❖ [Technique Activated: Winter Heart Pulse – Chill Layer 3/5 Applied]

ShadowBlade staggered back, spine frozen.

"Ice doesn't move," Asha said. "It waits."

Round 2: Arya Kapoor vs. Li Yao

Arya stood calm, hands behind her back.

Li Yao blurred into a lightning dash and struck from the left.

An array rune flared under Arya's feet.

The blow missed entirely.

Li Yao blinked in confusion—then dozens of tiny needles exploded around his arms.

❖ [Array Activated: Fractal Trap – Internal Circuit Explosion Mode]

Arya tapped her saber once on the ground, and Li Yao collapsed in pain.

"Predictable," she said coldly.

Rivalries Emerge – Alliances Begin

After five rounds, the rankings showed:

Asha Rani Arya Kapoor Yi Feng Runesaint ShadowBlade Fira Zehn Anji Marek Li Yao

Murmurs passed through the group.

Zhua Lin watched them all carefully. "Now, form teams of five. Your next mission will be done in squads."

Immediately:

Asha, Arya, Runesaint, Yi Feng, and Fira gathered—forming a balanced and powerful core. ShadowBlade led another team with Li Yao, Zehn, Anji, and Marek.

Asha looked toward Arya. Their eyes met—cold and cautious.

"We'll lead together," Arya said.

Asha nodded. "Fine. But I don't follow orders. I follow results."

Hidden Watchers – A New Threat Within

Unknown to all, one of the ten disciples—Zehn—was not who he claimed to be.

Within his soul sea, a fragment of abyssal energy pulsed.

❖ [Abyss Seed Active – Host Identity: "Zehn" – Masked Soul Construct: 92% Integration]

❖ [Mission: Disrupt Chaos Vanguard from within – Eliminate the Ice Phoenix inheritor]

From behind his friendly smile, Zehn glanced toward Asha and grinned subtly.

Soon, Ice Girl. Your soul will burn.

Chaos Sect Throne Hall – Assignment of Vanguard Missions

Later, the selected teams stood before the floating elders in the Hall of Chaos Will. Zero stood before them, still masked.

Elder Su Yin opened a jade scroll.

❖ [First Vanguard Mission: Clear the Ashen Mist Ruins]

❖ Objective: Destroy residual corrupted cultivators who once belonged to fallen sects.

❖ Secondary Objective: Recover relics lost in pre-Abyss invasion.

❖ Reward: Chaos Merit Points + Core Advancement Tier

Zero stepped forward and raised his hand. He marked five names with golden sparks:

Asha Arya Yi Feng Runesaint Fira

❖ [You have been selected for Special Observation – Vanguard Alpha Unit]

❖ [Personal interest noted: Overseer – Chaos Sect Master]

Asha blinked. Her heart fluttered.

Arya narrowed her eyes.

"Why only us?" she muttered.

"Because we're the strongest," Asha replied, not looking at her.

Zero turned his back, walking to his throne.

Now they begin to move. My sword… my eyes… my future leaders.

Epilogue Scene – The War Begins

That night, far from the Chaos Sect, in the Abyssal Veins—

A man cloaked in molten bone and shadow sat atop a burning throne.

A messenger kneeled.

"They've formed the Chaos Vanguard."

The man smiled, lips curling with hunger.

"Then the hunt begins. Start with the girl who wields the Phoenix Frost."

He turned to a mural behind him—depicting a destroyed version of the Chaos Sect.

"Let the past burn again."