Just as the morning fog lifted over the sect, a loud, clear voice echoed across the training grounds.
"All outer disciples, assemble immediately!"
Jin Yue rushed out with the others, his robes half-straightened, still feeling sore from last night's cultivation practice. The murmurs around him grew louder as Elder Zhang stood on the raised platform, arms crossed behind his back, flanked by two unfamiliar elders and a row of cold-eyed senior disciples.
Li Feng stood in the shadows nearby, silent, observing.
Elder Zhang's voice cut through the noise like a blade. "Due to recent surges in demonic beast activity along the southern borders, the sect has issued an early evaluation. All disciples who awakened their Qi will undergo a survival assessment in the wild."
A collective gasp rose from the crowd.
Jin Yue's stomach dropped.
"You will be sent into the outer forest for three days," Elder Zhang continued. "No masters. No protection. Only your scroll knowledge, instincts, and Qi control. Survive, and you advance. Fail…" His eyes swept the crowd. "You return stripped of your cultivation rights."
Someone whispered behind Jin Yue, "This is suicide. Some of us just awakened yesterday!"
Elder Zhang ignored the unrest. "This is the path you chose. Cultivation is not for the weak-willed."
His gaze landed squarely on Jin Yue.
"For those who surprised us yesterday, now is your chance to prove it wasn't luck."
Jin Yue's heart pounded. Was this how cultivators were forged — through pain and fear?
"Prepare to depart by sunset," Elder Zhang finished. "You'll be grouped in teams of two."
Bai Zhen immediately turned, glaring at Jin Yue. "You better not end up in my group," he sneered.
Jin Yue turned away, more nervous than he wanted to admit.
Just then, a voice spoke from the side.
"I'll take him."
The crowd went silent.
Li Feng stepped forward, arms folded. "I choose Jin Yue."
Gasps erupted.
Jin Yue blinked. "Wait… what?"
Even Elder Zhang looked slightly surprised. "Very well," he said after a pause. "Li Feng and Jin Yue — team one."
Bai Zhen's face twisted in fury.
Li Feng turned to Jin Yue with a faint, unreadable smirk. "Try not to slow me down."
Jin Yue could only stare at him, stunned.
What have I just gotten myself into?