The three intruders wore the distinctive outer disciple robes of the Azure Sky Sect, white fabric with silver cloud patterns. The leader, a tall man with a sharp nose and narrowed eyes, stepped forward. His companions flanked him – a stocky woman with close-cropped hair and a thin youth with a scar across his left cheek.

For a moment, Kai's hand twitched, instinctively trying to bring up his status window. But nothing appeared. The familiar blue screens that had become second nature to him were absent.

This feels wrong. I've gotten so used to seeing stats pop up for everyone. Without my system...

The tall man's voice boomed across the room, silencing the confused murmurs of the disciples. "Listen up, you pathetic worms! When you enter the Azure Sky Sect, you'll need protection. We're here to offer our... services."

"Protection?" one of the braver participants spoke up. "From what?"

"From us, of course. The sect can be a dangerous place for newcomers. Accidents happen all the time. But with our... generous offer, you'll be safe.” the woman beside the leader sneered. “Consider it an investment in your future."

Kai's eyes narrowed as he watched from the sidelines.

This scenario... it's like something straight out of a cultivation novel, he thought. The bullies arrive to extort the new disciples, setting the stage for the protagonist to swoop in and save the day. Is this what the trial is testing? Our willingness to stand up against injustice? But then again this could be real, it is a cultivation world, after all...

Liu Wei shifted nervously beside him. "Master," he whispered, "what should we do?"

Before I do anything, I need to confirm if this is really part of the trial. If it's just a test, being righteous is the smart play. But if it's real... I'd rather not get involved in unnecessary drama.

"For now, we wait and watch," Kai murmured back to Liu Wei. "Let's see how this plays out."

Zhi-Zhi puffed up his chest. "Hmph! In my day, we didn't need protection from anyone! Why, I once faced down an entire army of spirit beasts with nothing but my impenetrable shell and my razor-sharp wit!"

Kai raised an eyebrow at the spirit tortoise. "Is that so? And how did that work out for you?"

Zhi-Zhi deflated slightly. "Well... I may have spent most of that battle hiding in my shell. But it was a strategic retreat!"

Kai’s eyes widened slightly at Zhi-Zhi’s response, he did not expect the tortoise to actually admit that.

As the Foundation Establishment cultivators began moving through the crowd, demanding "protection fees" from the terrified participants, Kai observed their behavior closely.

The thin man approached a trembling young woman. "You there! Hand over your spirit stones if you know what's good for you!"

The woman fumbled with her pouch, nearly dropping it in her haste. "P-please, I’m from a small clan, I don't have much..."

The stocky woman sneered at a group of young men huddled together. "What's the matter, boys? Too scared to stand up for yourselves? Pathetic!"

One of the men, his face pale with fear, stepped forward. "We... we don't want any trouble. How much do you want?"

Something's off here. Why aren't they paying any attention to me? In every story I've read, the protagonist always gets singled out in situations like this. Kai glanced at Liu Wei and Zhi-Zhi, who were watching the scene with a mix of fear and indignation. And why aren't they targeting my companions? That would be the easiest way to provoke me.

"This is outrageous!" Liu Wei whispered. "Someone should stand up to these bullies!"

Zhi-Zhi nodded. "If I were in my true form, I'd show these upstarts the meaning of real power!"

Kai patted the spirit tortoise's shell absently, his mind still working through the puzzle. "I'm sure you would, Zhi-Zhi. But let's watch for now.”

As the Foundation Establishment cultivators continued their intimidation tactics, more inconsistencies began to pile up in Kai's mind.

If this were real, wouldn't the sect elders have noticed by now? This has to be part of the trial. But I can't let on that I know. I need to act as if this is real... while still making the 'right' choice.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted as Sun Jun stepped forward, his face flushed with anger. "How dare you treat us this way! Do you know who I am? I am Sun Jun of the Sun Clan!"

The tall leader turned slowly, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Oh? And you think your family name means anything to us?"

Lu Chen moved to stand beside his friend, his voice cold and calm. "You're making a grave mistake. Our families have deep connections within the sect. This behavior will not go unpunished."

The stocky woman laughed. "Big words from such little boys. Why don't you show us what you can do?"

This doesn't make sense. Foundation Establishment cultivators shouldn't be picking fights with young masters who have powerful backing. Unless...

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Before Kai could complete the thought, the leader moved with blinding speed. His hand shot out, striking Sun Jun squarely in the chest. The young master's eyes widened in shock as he was sent flying across the room, crashing into the far wall with a sickening thud.

"Sun Jun!" Lu Chen cried out, his usual composure cracking. He turned to face the attackers, his hands glowing with qi as he prepared a technique.

But the thin man was already moving. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a wave of invisible force that slammed into Lu Chen. The young cultivator managed to land on his feet, but he skidded backward, his face pale with the effort of remaining upright.

Gasps of horror echoed through the room. Liu Wei grabbed Kai's arm, his voice trembling. "Master, we have to do something!"

Zhi-Zhi had retreated partially into his shell, only his eyes visible as he peeked out. "Perhaps... perhaps a strategic withdrawal is in order? To plan our counterattack, of course!"

This can't be real. Those young masters have connections that far outstrip mere Foundation Establishment cultivators. No one would dare treat them like this, unless it's all an illusion or they were courting death.

The concept of "courting death" was deeply ingrained in cultivation society. Only fools or the truly powerful would dare to offend scions of major clans so blatantly. These Foundation Establishment cultivators were either suicidal or...

It has to be an illusion, Kai concluded. In a real xianxia world, those cultivators would be asking for swift and brutal retribution from the Sun and Moon clans. No one with a functioning brain would risk that unless they had the backing of an Immortal powerhouse.

Kai glanced at Liu Wei and Zhi-Zhi, noting their reactions. And despite their comments, these 'bullies' aren't paying us any attention. If this were real, they'd have noticed us by now. But it looks like they're not putting Liu Wei or Zhi-Zhi in danger because it's obvious I'd defend my friends. This is about seeing if I'll stand up for someone I don't like when they're being treated unjustly.

Normally, I wouldn't lift a finger to help Sun Jun, Kai thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips. But since this isn't real and it's just a test, I can play the hero without any real consequences. And they can't tell that I know it's an illusion, so they won't think I'm faking it.

The tall leader advanced on the fallen Sun Jun, who was struggling to rise. Qi began to swirl around the man's fist, coalescing into a swirling vortex of energy.

"Let's see how tough you are now, young master," he sneered, raising his fist.

Time to make my move, Kai thought, his body tensing.

In a flash, Kai activated his Swift Wind Step technique. The world blurred around him as he crossed the distance in an instant, materializing between Sun Jun and the attacker.

"That's enough," Kai said, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. He poured his qi into a barrier, forming a shield of energy just as the Foundation Establishment cultivator's attack landed.

The impact was tremendous. Kai felt his barrier shatter almost instantly, the force of the blow sending him staggering backward. He managed to stay on his feet, but his arms trembled with the effort of absorbing the shock.

Damn, that hurt more than I expected, Kai thought, gritting his teeth. Even if it's an illusion, they're not pulling any punches.

As he slowly straightened up, facing the shocked expressions of the "bullies" and the other participants, a new thought occurred to Kai.

Wait a minute. Why isn't the trial over yet? I made the 'right' choice, didn't I? Do they expect me to actually fight these guys to the death?

The leader's eyes narrowed as he regarded Kai. "Well, well. Looks like we have a hero in our midst. You've got guts, kid. But do you have the strength to back it up?"

This is getting complicated. How far do I need to take this to pass the trial?

Kai could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him, waiting to see what he would do next. Liu Wei and Zhi-Zhi were calling out to him.

"Master Kai, be careful!"

"Show them the power of my disciple, Kai! Er... I mean, the power I've bestowed upon you!"

Sun Jun, still on the ground behind Kai, looked up with a mixture of surprise and grudging respect. "Why... why are you helping me?"

Kai didn't turn around, keeping his eyes fixed on the three attackers. "Because it's the right thing to do," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. And because it's probably what the trial expects of me, he added silently.

The stocky woman cracked her knuckles, a predatory grin spreading across her face. "Ooh, I like this one. He's got spirit. Let's see how long it lasts!"

As the three Foundation Establishment cultivators began to advance, Kai fell into a defensive stance.

If this is still part of the trial, I need to show courage and determination, even in the face of overwhelming odds. But if it's real... well, I'm in serious trouble.