The wind at the edge of the Imperial Capital bit harder than it had in the mountains. The air was heavy, tinged with spiritual pressure so thick Kai Jin felt it settle on his shoulders like invisible chains.
They had walked for nearly half a day along the polished jade causeway that stretched from the transport array to the capital gates. It wasn't just the size of the walls that overwhelmed—it was the presence. A city built by cultivators, for cultivators, powered by spirit veins and ancient rites. Floating towers hovered like forgotten stars above the skyline, and banners stretched across massive arches embroidered with divine sigils.
Kai glanced at Yue beside him, her lips parted in quiet awe. The others weren't faring much better—many of the top 20 disciples looked just as overwhelmed as outer sect children on their first trip to a major city.
But not Kai.
He felt pressure, yes, but not fear. The voice within—the older version of himself—spoke with soft sarcasm.
"Look at them drooling. A few sky-floating buildings and they forget they're being swallowed alive."
Kai didn't respond aloud, but his lips thinned.
The Imperial gates opened with a low boom, a vibration that passed through bone and breath. The guards stood like statues—faces masked, armor etched with radiant seals. As the disciples passed through the threshold, one word echoed in Kai's head.
Power.
The entrance chamber was circular, polished obsidian, with intricate channels of spirit gold woven through the floor. It was said that even standing here would cleanse minor impurities in one's meridians.
Inside, the Grand Marshal of the Empire awaited. Clad in robes of storm gray and steel blue, his expression unreadable.
"You will not meet the Emperor," he said flatly. "You are not yet worthy."
No one spoke.
"You are here to prove yourselves. The Court does not accept mediocrity, nor entertain arrogance. You will serve. You will train. You will rise—or vanish."
With that, they were dismissed into formation lines.
Kai's placement came without fanfare. He was placed into the Shadow Wing Division, a faction focused on discipline, stealth, and body-centric cultivation. It suited him. He didn't crave glory. He wanted control.
Yue was placed in the prestigious Heaven Pavilion, alongside the top three ranked fighters. Lin Su was placed in Flame Crest, her reputation solidifying as dangerous yet unpredictable.
Kai tried to lock eyes with Yue, but she was too distracted by the pressure of her surroundings. Even she, who had stood beside him against trials, seemed shaken now.
As the sun lowered behind the red imperial peaks, Kai found himself alone in his assigned quarters. The room was simple—stone walls, meditation basin, spirit thread mattress—but it pulsed faintly with built-in formations. He sat cross-legged, letting silence breathe over him.
His hands clenched unconsciously.
They don't see it. None of them.
They think I'm a rock in a river. But I am the damn current.
"You're still pretending you're weak," the older voice said. "Do you think that lie will protect you forever?"
Kai didn't answer.
But deep inside his bones, something trembled.