The following morning, the gates of Frostcloud Village opened with a deep creak, and Long Feng stepped out onto the mountain path dressed in new robes. They were simple, black with red stitching along the cuffs, yet the way they hung from his frame made him look like a warrior out of myth.
A group of young men and women followed behind—selected talents heading to the Crimson Flame Outer Sect for the regional trials.
Some looked excited. Others were nervous. And a few kept glancing toward Long Feng like he was a beast in disguise.
None dared speak to him.
Only Mei Ling stood close, her eyes watching his steps like she feared the world might swallow him whole.
"You'll do well," she said softly as they passed through the final gate. "Just… don't get killed."
Long Feng smiled. "I've already died once. It's not so interesting the second time."
She blinked. "W-What?"
"Never mind," he said with a chuckle. "Thank you, Mei Ling. You're the only one who saw me when I was nothing."
"And now?" she asked.
"Now?" He turned his gaze to the distant mountains. "Now the world will see me for everything I am."
---
⛰️ Crimson Flame Sect Outpost – Trial Grounds
The outer sect trial grounds stretched like a valley carved from crimson stone, with training towers and arena platforms scattered around like forgotten gods' relics. Hundreds of young cultivators from dozens of villages gathered beneath fluttering flags, each bearing their family crests.
In the center stood a stone platform, etched with an ancient formation.
Above it floated a hovering stage carved from jade—the Disciple Selection Arena.
An elder in scarlet robes addressed the crowd with a booming voice.
> "Welcome, cultivators of the Outer Ring! You stand before the gates of the Crimson Flame Sect—one of the Six Great Outer Pillars of the Flame Domain! Only the strong may enter! Only the worthy may live!"
Cheers erupted.
The elder raised a hand, and silence fell.
> "Three trials await:
1. The Flame Path – to test your endurance.
2. The Spirit Vein Pool – to test your soul's purity.
3. The Combat Stage – to test your strength.
You must pass at least two to enter the sect as outer disciples."
Long Feng stood near the back, arms folded. His golden eyes scanned the crowd.
He could already feel it—at least ten of these "genius" participants had hidden weapons. Three were Qi Condensation stage 5 or higher. One was even carrying a mid-grade spiritual beast egg.
But none of them mattered.
Not anymore.
---
🔥 Trial One: The Flame Path
The Flame Path was a narrow stone bridge suspended over a river of molten lava. Spiritual fire constantly lashed out, trying to burn the bodies and minds of anyone crossing.
Most cultivators would use fire-resistant talismans or spirit energy barriers.
Long Feng used neither.
"Next! Long Feng of Frostcloud!"
He stepped forward.
A few participants snickered. "Isn't that the trash from the Long Clan?"
"I heard he barely has a cultivation stage."
"He's done for."
But Long Feng simply walked onto the path.
Immediately, fire whipped toward him like living serpents. His skin darkened slightly, but the Vermilion Ember in his core responded. Flames that would have melted skin danced around him like loyal pets.
He walked casually.
Step by step.
The lava itself seemed to recoil as he passed.
Even the elder overseeing the trial leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Is he… absorbing the fire?"
Within five breaths, Long Feng reached the other side.
No wounds. No talismans. No sweat.
The crowd fell silent.
> ✅ Trial Passed: Flame Path Mastery
---
💧 Trial Two: The Spirit Vein Pool
This trial involved sitting cross-legged on floating stones inside a pond of purified spiritual water. The pond could sense one's innate Dao alignment—those with murky souls would be rejected or thrown off the platform.
One by one, cultivators entered.
Some meditated peacefully. Some were knocked out mid-trial. Some screamed as their worst fears were revealed by the pond's reflection.
Then came Long Feng's turn.
He sat.
The pond glowed with blue light, forming a mirror over the water's surface.
His reflection shimmered… then split.
It showed two images—a divine war god in golden armor and a blood-drenched alchemist surrounded by corpses and ruined pills.
Gasps came from the crowd.
The elder's eyes widened. "He… he has dual Dao?"
Dual Dao cultivation? Even inner sect elders struggled to walk two Dao paths simultaneously. It was believed to be unstable—most who tried ended up crippled or mad.
But the pond didn't reject Long Feng.
It bowed.
The water stilled completely.
> ✅ Trial Passed: Soul Alignment Purity – Dual Path Recognized
---
⚔️ Trial Three: Combat Arena
Long Feng was paired with a proud cultivator from the Yu Clan—Yu Zhan, a Qi Condensation stage 4 disciple armed with a spiritual dagger and wind-element martial arts.
"I don't want to fight trash," Yu Zhan sneered as they stepped into the ring. "But if you insist on dying early, I won't hold back."
Long Feng yawned.
"Can you talk less? The wind spirit root must've gone to your mouth."
The referee barked, "Begin!"
Yu Zhan vanished.
Wind-style footwork—fast, unpredictable.
He appeared behind Long Feng, dagger flashing toward his spine.
CLANG!
The dagger met… stone?
Long Feng had summoned a blazing wall of flame around his body—Ember Ignition Shield.
The Vermilion Ember burst forward.
Long Feng moved like a god descending—his palm struck Yu Zhan's chest with a burning spiral of Qi.
BOOM!
Yu Zhan screamed as flames exploded over his body. He crashed out of the ring, rolling in agony.
Long Feng stepped down without looking back.
> ✅ Trial Passed: Overwhelming Victory
---
🌟 Sect Elder's Response
After all three trials, the selection stone displayed Long Feng's name at the top of the ranking list, glowing in gold.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"He passed all three trials?"
"And he's only in Body Tempering?"
"He beat a Qi Condensation cultivator?!"
In the elder pavilion, discussions were tense.
"That boy is dangerous."
"He has a divine flame and dual Dao?"
"Do we report him to the Inner Sect?"
But the head elder, an old man with fiery red eyes, simply stroked his beard.
"No," he said. "Keep him close. Watch him. Let him grow... and then, when the time is right—either bring him in... or remove him."