Chapter 78: The exam begins
Morning mist drifted across the peaks of Azure Sky Sect. Bells rang softly, echoing through the valley. Today, the mountain buzzed with energy — the Authentic Disciple Examination was about to begin.
Disciples filled the courtyards, voices hushed, eyes sharp with anticipation.
Li Ming stood among them, robes neat for once, hair tied properly — though Bai Guo still tried to fix a stray strand.
"Don’t move," Bai Guo muttered. "You’re representing the sect. Try looking less like you rolled out of a fight."
Li Ming smirked. "Hey, I’ve grown. I even meditated before coming."
"That explains why your face looks so calm," Bai Guo said. "Still not sure about your brain, though."
Lan Yue approached, her steps light but steady. "Enough bickering. Li Ming, today matters. The elders will be watching. This is the step that decides your place in the sect."
Li Ming’s expression turned serious. "Understood, Master."
She paused, studying him. "...You’ve changed."
He blinked. "Huh?"
"You’re standing taller," she said softly. "Your energy’s steady. No hesitation in your eyes."
He grinned. "Guess I finally learned what cultivation really means."
Bai Guo folded his arms. "And here I thought you just learned how not to explode every other day."
Li Ming shrugged. "Progress comes in many forms."
---
They walked into the Grand Arena, a vast stone platform surrounded by towering peaks. The crowd parted as Li Ming entered — whispers followed.
"That’s Li Ming?"
"The one from the Borderlands?"
"They say he defeated three Foundation experts at once!"
He ignored the chatter. For once, he didn’t feel awkward. He had earned his place here.
High above, Grand Elder Tian Shu stood on the dais, robes fluttering, voice clear as a bell.
"Today begins the Authentic Disciple Examination! Those who pass will represent our Azure Sky Sect across the realms. They will stand as the pride of our generation."
A hush fell. Even the wind seemed to pause.
"The test will be divided into three parts," the elder continued. "First — Cultivation Assessment. Second — Control and Stability. Third — Battle of Hearts."
Lan Yue’s voice was calm beside him. "Stay focused. This isn’t just about power — it’s about who you’ve become."
Li Ming nodded. "I’ll show them."
---
The first test began.
A large crystal tablet floated before the stage, glowing faintly with runic symbols.
Disciples stepped up one by one, their hands pressed against the crystal. Lights flickered, revealing their current realm. Some bright, some dull — the difference between talent and potential clear to all.
When Li Ming’s turn came, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
He stepped forward, his aura calm and heavy — like a deep sea. Not wild, not unstable. Controlled.
He pressed his hand to the tablet.
The crystal shone gold — brighter than before, steadier than most.
Elder Tian Shu’s eyes widened slightly. "Peak of Third Level... his foundation has deepened."
Gasps followed.
"He’s stabilized that fast?"
"After the Borderlands mission? Impossible!"
Li Ming exhaled slowly, drawing back his hand. He didn’t grin or boast. He simply turned and bowed lightly to the elder.
Bai Guo whispered, "Wow. Look at you, all composed. No dramatic poses?"
Li Ming smirked faintly. "I don’t need them anymore."
Lan Yue watched quietly — pride hidden behind her calm eyes.
---
"The next test," the elder announced, "is the Test of Control!"
With a wave, a massive formation bloomed in the center of the arena. Ten glowing orbs rose, pulsing with raw energy.
"Balance them with your spiritual flow. Guide them through the rings. Lose focus, and they will strike."
A few disciples looked pale. One in the front gulped.
Li Ming stepped forward without hesitation.
Bai Guo muttered, "You sure you’re ready for this?"
Li Ming’s gaze didn’t waver. "If I can survive Borderlands, I can handle a few glowing balls."
He entered the circle.
The orbs rotated slowly, each radiating a faint hum. He lifted his palm, spiritual energy flowing outward — calm, steady, precise.
The first orb responded instantly, rising into place.
Then another. And another.
One by one, they followed his lead — no jerks, no sudden surges. Just smooth, flowing control.
Gasps spread across the arena.
"He’s... guiding all ten at once?"
"His energy feels like water — there’s no resistance."
Li Ming breathed evenly, eyes closed, hands steady. He felt the pulse of each orb, their rhythm syncing with his own.
Even Bai Guo fell silent.
When the final orb aligned, the formation flashed bright. The air trembled — and then stilled.
The elder nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent control. Calm heart, firm will. You’ve grown, Li Ming."
Li Ming opened his eyes slowly, a faint smile on his face. "Guess all that training paid off."
Lan Yue gave a slight nod. "Not bad."
Bai Guo leaned over. "See? No explosions. I’m proud of you."
He chuckled. "Please don’t jinx it."
---
The elder’s voice cut through the whispers.
"Prepare yourselves. The third stage... will test the core of your path."
The crowd murmured. The air grew heavier.
Lan Yue’s expression shifted — a trace of worry in her eyes.
Bai Guo whispered, "This one’s gonna hurt, isn’t it?"
Li Ming’s gaze hardened. "Doesn’t matter. I’m ready."
The elder raised his hand, and the arena floor began to shift, glowing symbols spreading across the stone.
And as the ground shimmered, Li Ming felt a strange pull in his chest — a deep stirring, not of fear, but of memory.
The Battle of Hearts had begun.
----
The arena shimmered with golden light. The formation beneath Li Ming’s feet glowed brighter, symbols swirling like ripples in a pond.
Grand Elder Tian Shu’s voice echoed, steady and calm. "The Battle of Hearts tests not your fists, but your spirit. What you see inside is yours alone to face."
The air thickened. One by one, disciples vanished into streams of light, drawn into the illusionary realm.
Li Ming felt a pull at his chest — warm at first, then heavy, almost suffocating.
Bai Guo flapped beside him. "Don’t go doing anything dramatic in there! Remember, inner demons are like spicy food — the more you fight it, the more it burns!"
Before Li Ming could reply, the light swallowed him whole.
---
When he opened his eyes, everything was quiet.
No crowd. No arena.
Only an endless field of mist and echoing whispers.
He took a slow breath. "Alright... calm heart, steady mind. Nothing here is real."
A soft voice answered, "Not real? Then what are you?"
Li Ming froze. A figure stepped from the fog — his own reflection. Same face, same robes... but the eyes were darker, sharper.
"Who—"
The reflection smiled faintly. "You know who. The one you pretend not to be."
Li Ming frowned. "Great. Another mysterious version of me. What, you gonna challenge me to a fight or give me a dramatic lecture?"
The reflection laughed. "You think everything can be solved with a joke."
Li Ming’s smirk faltered.
The reflection circled him, voice low. "You say you’ve grown, but do you even know why you cultivate? You stumble through battles, survive by chance, and call it progress. Tell me, Li Ming — what do you truly seek?"
The question hit harder than he expected.
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
The reflection tilted its head. "Strength? Recognition? Protection? Or are you just afraid of being left behind again?"
Li Ming’s chest tightened. "That’s not—"
The mist around him flickered, shifting into scenes from his past.
The Sect’s training grounds.
Disciples laughing as he tripped over his own sword.
His first duel — where he lost before even raising his guard.
The countless times he failed, fell, and tried again.
He clenched his fists. "I... didn’t come this far to prove anything. I just didn’t want to stop. I wanted to keep moving, no matter how many times I messed up."
The reflection’s gaze softened, but its voice remained calm. "And if the path ahead is harder? If the world refuses to laugh with you?"
Li Ming looked up, eyes firm. "Then I’ll laugh alone."
The reflection paused — then smiled.
Light cracked through the mist.
"Then walk your path, foolish one. But don’t forget — even a smile can hide pain. Don’t bury yours."
Li Ming blinked — and the reflection was gone.
The mist dissolved.
---
He found himself standing again in the arena, surrounded by other disciples — some shaken, some pale, some quietly proud.
Lan Yue’s eyes met his. "You did it."
Li Ming nodded slowly, still catching his breath. "That... was something."
Bai Guo hovered beside him, tilting his head. "No explosions, no screaming, no running? Wow, emotional growth looks weird on you."
He chuckled softly. "Guess I passed."
Grand Elder Tian Shu raised his hand. "Li Ming of Azure Sky Sect — your spirit remains unbroken, your will steady, your heart clear. You pass all three trials."
Cheers broke through the silence. Even some elders smiled.
Li Ming exhaled, tension finally melting from his shoulders.
He glanced at Lan Yue. "Did I... really do that well?"
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "You did better than you think."
Bai Guo stretched his wings. "Time to celebrate! Or nap. Probably both."
Li Ming laughed — a real, easy laugh. For the first time, he wasn’t unsure of his place. He’d earned it.
---
But before he could even step down, a bell rang through the sky — deep, urgent, and heavy.
Every elder turned sharply toward the horizon. A faint red glow rose over the distant mountains.
Grand Elder Tian Shu’s eyes narrowed. "All disciples, stand ready!"
Lan Yue’s expression darkened. "That aura... it’s not natural."
Bai Guo’s feathers ruffled. "Oh no. Not again. Not right after we finish one thing—"
Li Ming sighed, already tightening his grip on his sword.
"So much for a quiet promotion."
The sky split with crimson light. Something was coming.
And whatever it was — it wasn’t patient.
To be continued...