came swiftly.
The candidates were brought to a massive circular arena carved from white stone, with runes pulsing faintly along its perimeter.
"This is a test of combat skill," Elder Mo declared. "You will fight in pairs. Defeat your opponent or force them to yield. Lethal strikes are prohibited."
Lin Feng was paired early. His opponent, a tall youth from a lesser-known border sect, stepped forward confidently.
"I am Tan Long. Qi Condensation Layer 9. You're nothing compared to the real geniuses."
Lin Feng smiled slightly.
He didn't reply.
The match began.
Tan Long launched forward with a blazing palm technique, attempting to overpower Lin Feng with brute force.
Lin Feng sidestepped, flickered into his blind spot using Windstep, and tapped the youth on the back of the neck with his saber hilt.
Tan Long crumpled.
It had taken four seconds.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Elder Mo's eyebrows raised slightly. Other disciples—and even inner sect watchers—began whispering.
"Did you see that?"
"His footwork… it's like he vanished."
"Wind Affinity?"
"No. That was technique."
Lin Feng stepped off the platform, expression calm, but inside he was buzzing.
Combat Proficiency Increased
Perk Gained: Flowing Blade – Beginner
+10% damage when chaining movement into attacks
Each trial was feeding the System.
And in turn, he was growing stronger.
He won his second match just as easily—against a young woman who wielded ice talismans. He respected her control, but her formation was too slow. He shattered her defense before she could deploy a single attack.
By the end of the day, Lin Feng was undefeated.
And watched.
A cloaked figure stood at the edge of the arena, arms folded, his face hidden. Elder Mo nodded to him subtly.
"Promising, isn't he?" the man said.
"More than that," Elder Mo murmured. "He hides his strength too well. The sect master will want to see this one."