One by one, the participants nervously stepped forward when called, however, after placing their hands upon the Luminaresce Quartz, one after another, they walked away with their spirits dampened, having lit only a single pillar.

"Circa," came the next call. A young girl, no older than fourteen summers, her legs shaking, approached the stone. The crowd held their breath as she reached out. The first pillar lit up, and a tentative smile touched her lips, she expected no more than this — an outer disciple at best.

But then, a gasp rippled through the crowd as a second pillar burst into light. Circa's heart leapt into her throat. Maybe... just maybe...

As the light crept up the third pillar, the Grand Elders leaned forward in their seats with budding interest. Yet, when it became clear the third pillar would not fully ignite, halting midway, they relaxed, disappointment etched into their features.

Circa, however, couldn't contain her joy. "I did it!" she whispered to herself, a grin spreading across her face. She was going to be an Inner Sect disciple!

"After the completion of the final trial, you will choose your path within the sect," Grand Elder Wyatt stated, a hint of warmth in his otherwise stern voice. Circa nodded, her enthusiasm uncurbed, as she skipped back to her place among the crowd.

For most of the participants, passing the second trial was sufficient, a guarantee of entry into the inner sect. The trial of comprehension that followed was more a matter for the elders — a chance to spot a disciple tailored for their unique cultivation methods.

As participant after participant stepped up to the Luminaresce Quartz, it became a familiar scene — a single pillar lighting up, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, but rarely more than that. The few who managed to illuminate a second were met with nods of approval from the onlookers, mostly young masters and mistresses from the local clans who held their heads a little higher with the acknowledgment.

"Dusty," Grand Elder Wyatt called out for the next participant to come forward.

Dusty, hearing his name, felt his clothes cling to his ample frame like a second skin as he began to trudge forward.

Nomed, seeing his friend uncharacteristically anxious, gave Dusty an encouraging slap on the back, grimacing at the slick of sweat his hand came away with. Like patting a wet whale, he thought wryly, trying to hide his disgust.

Reaching the stone, Dusty hesitated, his hand trembling as he placed it on the cool surface. A hush fell over the crowd, the kind of silence that seemed to amplify the slightest noise. The stone remained dark for a torturously long moment, and whispers began to spread among the other participants.

Seeing no change in the pillars, Dusty's face burned with embarrassment. He said everyone had talent, he seethed internally, what kind of sick joke is this?

Finally, a weak light emerged, barely illuminating the first pillar. It flickered as though it was the last ember of a dying fire.

"Outer Sect," Grand Elder Wyatt announced, his voice tinged with clear disappointment.

Head bowed, Dusty made his way back to Nomed, who enveloped him in a sweaty hug, "Think of all the amazing food you'll find in the Outer Sect," Nomed consoled, trying to keep the hug brief. "Better than anything we had back in the village."

"I guess, but make sure you sneak out some of those fancy Inner Sect snacks for me, okay?" Dusty managed a small wistful grin.

Their moment was cut short by a sneer from William. "Looks like I'll have new servants soon enough. Don’t worry, I can take both of you on."

Nomed's face darkened at the comment, yet he held his tongue. There's a time and place for everything, he reminded himself, and this isn't it.

As the trial progressed, the few notable participants worthy of mention were the three youths from the Jexlarin Clan. Two of which managed to light up two pillars, securing their place in the Inner Sect. As for the third of the Jexlarin Clan, Bryce, he was able to illuminate two and a half pillars, with Grand Elder Tenzin’s intervention he may be able to gain the title of Core Disciple.

“Nomed!”

Nomed straightened as his name was called, it was finally his turn. However, before he could make his way forward, he noticed, from the corner of his eye, Dusty’s sweaty palm approaching him. With a nimble dodge to the side, he avoided the blow leaving his pudgy friend grappling with the air. Unbalanced, Dusty stumbled and tumbled to the ground. Nomed couldn't hold back his laughter; it was more the sweat than his sidestep that was to blame.

"Very funny," Dusty grumbled from the ground, shaking his fist at Nomed's retreating back. Nomed just shook his head with a chuckle, walking towards the stone that would judge his talent.

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He took a deep breath, feeling the hidden mark on his chest—a claw-like scar concealed under his simple village attire—pulse with a faint red light. It was so fleeting that not even the keen eyes of the Grand Elders caught the glimmer. Lucky for me they have no interest in a nobody like me, Nomed thought.

Placing his hand on the stone, he watched as the first pillar light up, followed swiftly by the second. As the third began to glow, the Grand Elders leaned forward, their expressions taut with interest. But then, abruptly, the light from the third pillar snuffed out, leaving only two pillars aglow.

The Grand Elders exchanged puzzled glances. Has the stone malfunctioned? they wondered.

For Nomed, that brief moment when the third pillar fully lit up was heart-stopping. Only when it faded did he allow himself a measured breath of relief. Two pillars is a safe middle ground, he consoled himself.

"Inner Sect," Grand Elder Wyatt announced, his voice tinged with a hint of confusion that Nomed was quick to ignore.

A modest smile played on Nomed's lips as he returned to Dusty, who erupted in cheers. "I knew you had it in you!"

"A shame about that third pillar, though.” Dusty patted his stomach thoughtfully. “Core Disciples probably feast like kings."

Nomed nodded, playing along. "Inner Sect will do just fine," he agreed, while inwardly he repeated, That was far too close for comfort.

Finding no issues with the stone, the Grand Elder called out the next name, "William Wick."

With a haughty smirk plastered on his face, William approached the stone. Let this pill work, he silently prayed, not feeling a tenth confident as he portrayed. He felt the capsule dissolve beneath his tongue. The pill was a rare treasure known as the Celestial Qi Amplifier, a concoction that could temporarily heighten one's affinity with qi.

Just don't scan me too closely, William thought, hoping the Grand Elders would refrain from scrutinizing him with their spiritual sense.

As the pill took effect, William felt a profound connection to the energy around him. His pores seemed to open as if thirsty for the qi that permeated the air. He quickly placed his hand on the stone, absorbing its energy.

Instantly, the first pillar lit up, followed swiftly by the second. A half-hearted glow began to creep up the third pillar, hesitating momentarily before ascending to the full height.

Up in the pagoda, the Grand Elders watched with rapt attention. "We may have underestimated the young Wick," Grand Elder Tenzin remarked, his eyebrows lifting in mild surprise.

"This one might just be cut out for the Disciplinary Hall." Grand Elder Darius grunted in agreement.

Grand Elder Wyatt beamed at William. "You will be considered for a Core Disciple position," he declared. "Should you have a preference for a particular hall, inform us. The Grand Elders will take your wishes into account during the selection process."

"I would like to study under the Supreme Elder," William declared proudly, his voice filled with the hunger of ambition and a tinge of desperation.

Grand Elder Darius' expression soured as a disciple dared to choose the ‘Supreme Elder’ over him, he unconsciously crushed the armrest of his throne, the wood splintering beneath his grip.

Grand Elder Wyatt, however, maintained his composure, offering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "The Supreme Elder is presently... indisposed," he remarked diplomatically. "However, we shall convey your preference and see what arrangements can be made."

With a nod, William headed back to his original position, letting out a sigh of relief once out of the Grand Elders' immediate scrutiny. If only they knew how close I was to not even lighting up three pillars, A bead of sweat rolled down his temple at the memory, death would be his last concern if a demonic sect such as the Black Rose Sect discovered any cheating.

His thoughts then turned towards the pill causing a frown to appear on his face. Father will have to go through great lengths to repay that debt but… if it catches the Supreme Elder’s interest, it will be worth it.

Passing by the lesser beings, Dusty and Nomed, William felt his mood lift and he couldn’t resist falling back into his arrogant young master persona. "Perhaps a servant from the Inner Sect would be more fitting than one from the outer, wouldn't you agree?" he asked Nomed.

Nomed’s jaw tightened, What exactly are the sect's rules on inner conflicts? he pondered, the thought quickly dismissed as an unsettling presence descended from the pagoda.

All heads turned, eyes widening as Grand Elder Wyatt landed gracefully to the valley floor. Whispers rippled through the crowd. What could bring a Grand Elder down among us?

The Grand Elder stopped before the young man draped in white. "Impressive indeed, for one to slip into our sect unnoticed. But what is to stop me right now from extinguishing your life?"

Unfazed, Kalin met the Grand Elder’s gaze head on, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint, assured smile. "Grand Elder, there isn't a soul in this sect capable of that feat."

From within the pagoda, Grand Elder Darius' fury erupted like a volcano. "I shall sever your head myself, you insolent pup!" he bellowed, ready to leap into action.

Yet Kalin remained undisturbed as he leaned close to Wyatt and whispered, "Even the Venerable Black Tree Sect would think twice before raising a hand against me."

The color drained from Wyatt's face as the gravity of Kalin's words settled in. The Venerable Black Tree Sect, a demonic sect situated in the immortal realms, was the backbone of their own Black Rose Sect. T-this youth is no ordinary cultivator, Wyatt realized, a flicker of unease passing through his eyes.

Darius found himself sinking back into his seat. Even he knew, to provoke one with ties that made even the parent sect of the Black Rose Sect hesitate was to court death.

With a forced chuckle, Wyatt smoothed over the tension. "Well, I suppose our sect can always make room for one more, especially one as... unique as yourself." He gestured grandly towards the stone.

Kalin approached the stone, debating internally whether he should conceal his true capabilities. No, subtlety won't serve my purpose here, he concluded, dismissing the thought with a mental wave. To garner the Supreme Elder's attention, he needed to be bold.

The moment his skin grazed the stone, three pillars erupted in a radiant glow, drawing gasps from the other disciples. Without pause, the fourth and then the fifth pillars ignited, bathing the valley with a sight it had never witnessed before.

“F-five pillars! H-how is this possible?!”