Perfect. Here's Chapter 8 of your novel, where the Taichu Holy Land Disciple Ranking Competition begins. Below the chapter, I'll include a summary of cultivation realms, weapon ranks, and MC's panel for reference.
---
Chapter 8: The Broken Sword Trial Begins
Boom!
The golden drums of the sect echoed through the mountains. From every peak of the outer sect, inner sect, and core disciple region, disciples soared into the skies and gathered atop the central Trial Dao Arena.
Today marked the beginning of the Taichu Holy Land's Disciple Ranking Competition.
A vast formation floated above the arena, projecting names, ranks, and scores. The top 10 would earn entry to the Evergreen Secret Realm, and the champion would become the next Quasi Holy Son.
---
Xiao Tian stood at the edge of the crowd, expression calm.
He wore simple white robes and a black wooden sword strapped to his back. No one noticed him, and yet… he felt all their threads of fate.
> System Notification:
[Competition Begins: First Round – Sword Trial]
Location: Broken Sword Trial Arena
Objective: Survive against Sword Puppets, resist Sword Will, awaken intent. Bonus rewards hidden within.
---
Inside the arena, stone doors creaked open, revealing a dim cavern of broken statues and ancient swords stabbed into the ground.
The disciples entered in groups of ten.
Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed as he spotted Lin Chen and Mu Yuyan entering ahead of him.
"They'll trigger the outer trial… but I'll go deeper," he whispered.
He stepped into the arena.
Immediately, sharp Sword Qi surged from the shattered swords.
"Argh!" A nearby disciple collapsed, coughing blood.
Xiao Tian's gaze sharpened. He activated the Nine-Star Sword Body to 2-Star level, and his physique began to glow faintly. The swords calmed.
As he walked deeper, a faint golden aura pulsed beneath the rubble.
> You've entered the Hidden Zone: Star Sword God's Legacy Chamber
[One trial remains. Opportunity: Supreme Sword Grass, Starfall Edge (High Spiritual Rank Weapon)]
[Estimated Danger: Mortal Martial Completion Stage Sword Will]
---
Meanwhile, outside—
Disciples and elders watched the rankings flash on the floating screen.
Lin Chen: Passed Outer Trial
Mu Yuyan: Awakened Sword Intent – Mid Blue Grade
Jiang He: Survived 80 breaths – Green Score
Xiao Tian: Location Unknown
"Where is that handyman disciple?" someone sneered.
Elder Mo narrowed his eyes. "He hasn't emerged… Did he die?"
But far below, Xiao Tian stood in the darkness, surrounded by sword light and a single pedestal where a glowing silver herb fluttered—the Nine-Star Supreme Sword Grass.
Behind it, a sword hovered, silent and proud. Its edge shimmered with constellations—Starfall Edge.
He breathed slowly.
Time to face the true trial.
---
[MC PANEL]
Name: Xiao Tian
Cultivation: Mortal Martial Realm – True Qi Stage (7th Stage)
Physique: Nine-Star Supreme Sword Body (2-Star activated)
Sword Intent: Beginner (6%)
Flame Control: Basic – Sword Flame Heart Technique
Fate Rank: White (Hidden Gold and Red Threads)
Weapon: Starfall Edge (Acquisition Pending)
System: Life Script System (Can see Fate, Destiny, Opportunity)
---
[Cultivation Realms Overview – Current World]
Mortal Realm:
1. Mortal Martial (1st – 10th): Qi Refining to Completion
2. True Martial (1st – 9th): Surpasses mortals, +1,000 years lifespan
3. Extreme State: Spirit > Soul > Tempered (each with early-mid-late stages)
4. Nirvana Tribulation (1st – 9th): Gain Nirvana Power, +10,000 years lifespan
Immortal Realm: (Locked for now)
5. Immortal Human
6. Immortal Monarch
7. Immortal King
8. Saint (1st – 9th Revolutions)
9. Saint Immortal
10. Saint Monarch
11. Saint Venerate
---
[Weapon Rank Chart]
1. Mortal Grade
2. Spiritual Grade
Low, Mid, High
3. Earth Grade
4. Heaven Grade
5. Dao Grade
6. Supreme Dao Grade
7. Origin Divine Artifact (Myth-level)
Starfall Edge: High Spiritual Rank (capable of evolving with Sword Will)
-