The morning mist in the Ten Sun Sect's inner courtyard clung low, weaving between the stone paths like ghostly threads. Yao Yi stood before the Inner Disciple Hall, his expression calm, but his heart carried the weight of the previous night's encounter.
Ling Yue's words still echoed:"You're not the only one with Ten Sun blood.""Your mother's identity may be more complicated.""Sacrifice... Ascension..."
He exhaled slowly, watching his breath swirl in the cool air. Whatever awaited him next, he would not step back.
The large stone doors to the Inner Hall creaked open. Dozens of new inner disciples stood in line, each in pristine white robes, their expressions a mixture of nervousness and pride.
A deep voice resonated through the hall."New initiates, step forward. Today, you begin your path."
An elder with a flowing grey beard and stern eyes descended the stone steps, holding a bamboo scroll. His gaze swept across the group, lingering momentarily on Yao Yi before continuing.
"You will each be assigned a preliminary task. The inner sect is not a place for idle meditation alone. Field missions, spiritual hunts, escort duties — all cultivate your understanding of the world and yourselves."
The scroll unfurled, names being read aloud one by one.
"Li Zheng — Beast Taming at Green Valley."
"Mu Yan — Escort to the Northern Shrine."
"Yao Yi..."
The elder paused.
A faint murmur ran through the crowd. Yao Yi stepped forward without hesitation.
The elder frowned slightly, then produced a smaller scroll from within his sleeve. "Personal directive. From Elder Silvermoon again."
Even louder whispers followed. Yao Yi kept his expression neutral as he accepted the scroll. He didn't open it immediately.
The crowd was dismissed shortly after, dispersing into small clusters. Some cast wary glances his way. A few tried to approach, only to be pulled back by their companions.
Yao Yi returned to his quiet courtyard, the jade token at his waist cool to the touch. He unrolled the scroll.
"Proceed to the Inner Trial Arena at noon. Do not hold back."
No signature. No explanation.
But this time, he didn't feel surprised.
—
The Inner Trial Arena was carved deep into the mountainside, an open-air coliseum surrounded by towering cliffs. Stone pillars etched with ancient runes circled the ring, pulsing faintly with protective wards.
By the time Yao Yi arrived, a small audience had gathered. Inner disciples of varying ranks filled the stone benches, whispering to one another.
"Is that him?"
"The one who passed the outer trial by defeating three at once?"
"I heard he used some forbidden mirror..."
Yao Yi ignored them, stepping into the ring.
Opposite him stood four figures — three men and one woman, all clad in battle robes, arms folded. None wore friendly expressions.
An elder, clad in light grey robes, hovered above the ring on a spirit platform.
"This is a special combat evaluation," he announced. "A test of combat adaptability, group engagement, and spiritual control."
The elder turned to the four opponents.
"You may engage. Use restraint, but do not insult him with mercy."
They bowed. Then, without warning, the fight began.
The first attacker blurred forward, wielding a crescent blade. Yao Yi shifted to the side, his footwork light, hands raised. He caught the blade's shaft, twisted it, and sent the man flying with a sharp palm strike to the chest.
The second charged in from behind — a spear user. Yao Yi ducked, rolled forward, snatched a stone from the ground, and flung it backward. It struck the attacker square in the temple, staggering him.
From above, a wave of flame descended — the female cultivator, hands glowing red. The temperature surged. Yao Yi summoned his mirror, the surface shimmering. It absorbed the flames, then redirected them upward in a brilliant arc.
The crowd gasped.
The fourth opponent finally moved — a tall man with silver gauntlets. He dashed in with brute force, aiming to crush Yao Yi with sheer power.
But Yao Yi's body moved almost on instinct. He sidestepped, elbowed the man in the ribs, then twisted and landed a heavy kick to the knee. The gauntlet-wearer fell to one side.
"He's reading their movements…"
"No — he's controlling the flow!"
Yao Yi's breath came steady, his eyes cold. The mirror at his side buzzed faintly, responding to his will.
The battle continued, fast and brutal. The four attackers began to coordinate, using formation tactics. They pushed him to the edge of the ring, but Yao Yi never faltered.
In a sudden burst, he leaped into the air, spinning mid-flight, and threw the mirror forward. It split into three afterimages, blinding the opponents. In that moment, he landed, struck two of them down with rapid palm strikes, and deflected the last attacker's blade using only the base of his foot.
Silence fell over the arena.
The elder on the platform slowly nodded. "Pass. With distinction."
Cheers erupted — hesitant at first, then growing louder. Even the previously doubtful disciples began to clap.
Yao Yi retrieved his mirror, nodding to his fallen opponents, who struggled upright. None spoke, but their expressions had changed — not friendly, but no longer scornful.
He turned and walked away.
From the shadows of the upper pavilion, Elder Silvermoon watched, arms folded.
"Interesting…" he murmured.
Beside him, Ling Yue stood quietly. "He didn't rely on the mirror's full power."
"He doesn't even understand it yet," Silvermoon replied. "But he will."
A crow landed silently on the railing beside them, its eyes glowing faintly.
Silvermoon glanced at it, then at the fading figure of Yao Yi.
"The bloodline awakens. We must see how far it will take him — before they find him first."