When I finally crossed the trial grounds, drenched in sweat, the elder from the Iron Wind Pavilion gave me a long, scrutinizing look.
"You've got decent bones, boy," he said at last, stroking his beard. "Rough. Unpolished. But stubborn. That's what we like."
A surge of relief crashed over me. I had passed. I had really passed.
The elder raised his hand, his voice booming over the plaza. "Those who crossed the trial grounds have been accepted as outer disciples of the Iron Wind Pavilion! Your journey begins now!"
A quiet cheer broke out among the few of us who had succeeded.
I glanced around.
Many who had failed still lingered, bitter but respectful, knowing they would have another chance next year—or perhaps never again.
I turned to find Uncle Tian in the crowd. His arms were crossed, but I could see the small, rare smile tugging at his lips.
I walked up to him, my legs still trembling from the strain.
"I did it," I said, still half in disbelief.
His grin widened. "Of course you did, you little beast."
I couldn't help it—I laughed. A strange, wild laugh, the kind that bubbled up from deep inside. It wasn't just about passing a trial. It was the first crack in the walls that had caged me my whole life. For the first time, I had chosen something. I had stepped into the unknown.
Uncle Tian patted my back—a bit too hard. "You've taken your first step, boy. Don't let them break you."
I looked back at the sect's recruitment elders, my heart racing with excitement and nerves.
"I won't."
The elders handed us simple iron tokens marked with the emblem of the pavilion. These tokens were proof of our admission and would guide us to the sect grounds in a few days.
For now, I had time to return to the village—to prepare, to tell the others, to quietly dream about what lay ahead.
That evening, Uncle Tian prepared a meal—simple but hearty. Some of the neighbors who had also gone to the city came by to celebrate, though none had been admitted.
For a while, the fire crackled, the scent of roasted meat filled the air, and laughter echoed through our little village.
It felt like the end of something.
And the beginning of something far greater.
I didn't know then that this path would change me. That the road I had just stepped onto would eventually lead me to the edge of the universe… and beyond.
But that would come later.
For now, I was just a boy—celebrating his first victory under the quiet stars of Xianyu.