The cold morning mist clung to the edges of the Kai Clan estate, swirling around the stone pathways as the first rays of sunlight began to break over the horizon. Kai Xian stood outside the training hall, his mind racing. Today was the day of the Power Check, an annual test that all young cultivators in the clan had to undergo. This would not only determine their cultivation progress, but also where they stood in the clan’s rigid hierarchy. The results of this test could define their future, and for Kai Xian, it was an opportunity to prove to everyone—especially to himself—that he was not the weak, frail child they all believed him to be.
His body still felt fragile, his cultivation base far from restored, but the memories of his past strength surged within him. The Weaver of Fates had whispered of his potential, of his connection to time itself, and Kai Xian had been working diligently to unlock the remnants of his previous power. But he wasn’t sure if it would be enough.
Li Mei, the young girl who had been a steady presence since his arrival at the Kai Clan, stood beside him. Her usual composed demeanor had a subtle edge of concern today, which only added to the weight of the moment.
“The Power Check is a crucial moment,” Li Mei said quietly, her eyes scanning the bustling courtyard ahead. “It’s not just about your cultivation. It’s about your place here. The Kai Clan values strength above all else, and today you must show that you can still stand among them.”
Kai Xian nodded, his heart pounding. The clan’s hierarchy was deeply ingrained, and strength determined everything. The strongest children received the most attention from the elders, were given the best cultivation resources, and most importantly, were respected by their peers. The weak, like Kai Xian, were overlooked, mocked, or worse, discarded.
The courtyard began to fill with other children from the Kai Clan, each one a potential rival. The clan members’ bright robes swirled as they moved in preparation, each participant preparing for their turn at the Power Check. Among them stood Zhao Xing, the arrogant son of one of the clan’s most respected elders. His cultivation base was far more advanced than Kai Xian’s, and he had spent years basking in the clan’s favor. Zhao Xing had always been dismissive of Kai Xian, and his cruel words still lingered in Kai Xian’s mind.
“You should be ashamed, Kai Xian,” Zhao Xing sneered as he passed by, his voice cutting through the stillness. “Not even a year has passed, and you’re already a cripple. How pathetic.”
Kai Xian didn’t respond. He had heard these insults countless times since his arrival. In his previous life, he had once been the pinnacle of strength, a cultivator who could bend time and space to his will. But now, his frail body reminded him constantly of the betrayal he had suffered.
Today, however, he would show them—show them all—that despite his broken body, his spirit remained unshaken. The Kai Clan might not remember the legend of Kai Xian, but he would carve a new path for himself, one step at a time.
The gong sounded, signaling the start of the test. The first event was the Power Check, a measure of each participant’s cultivation. The children stepped forward one by one, each placing their hand on a large, glowing crystal embedded into the ground. The crystal would light up, its color and intensity revealing the cultivator’s strength. The stronger the Qi, the brighter and more intense the light.
Zhao Xing was the first to step up. He exuded confidence, a cocky smile plastered on his face as he placed his hand on the crystal. Almost instantly, the crystal burst into a blazing red light. The ground trembled beneath him, and Kai Xian could feel the heat radiating off of Zhao Xing’s cultivation—a fire-based Qi that surged with raw power. The spectators, including many of the Kai Clan elders, murmured in approval. Zhao Xing was one of the strongest of their generation, and the crystal’s reaction confirmed it.
As Zhao Xing stepped back, the crowd applauded. The test was little more than a formality for him. He had already proven himself time and time again. But for the others—those like Kai Xian—the test was far more significant.
Next, it was Li Mei’s turn. She stepped forward with graceful poise, her eyes calm and unwavering. When her hand touched the crystal, it flickered before glowing a soft blue. The color was peaceful, the hue of the wind and beasts she had bonded with over the years. Li Mei was a talented cultivator, and her results were impressive. The crystal’s reaction confirmed her deep connection to the wind and beast cultivation techniques that ran through her family’s bloodline.
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Kai Xian stood behind them, his turn drawing near. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest as the crowd’s eyes shifted toward him. He had no illusions about his current state. His Qi was still weak, a far cry from his previous powers. But he knew he couldn’t allow himself to be overwhelmed by doubt. He had been through worse—much worse—and he had survived. He would survive this test, too.
Kai Xian stepped up to the crystal, the murmurs from the crowd intensifying. His body felt shaky, but he steadied himself, drawing on the remnants of his cultivation. He pressed his palm against the cold surface of the crystal, focusing all his remaining Qi into it. For a brief moment, there was nothing—no response, no reaction. The crystal lay dormant beneath his hand, almost mocking him.
But then, a faint pulse of light flickered from the crystal, weak and distant. It was nothing compared to Zhao Xing’s fiery brilliance or even Li Mei’s calm glow, but it was something. The crystal shimmered with a pale, silver hue—a sign of his latent connection to time manipulation, though it was barely a shadow of what it had once been. Kai Xian could feel it, deep within his core. The connection to time, to the world’s very flow, was there, but it had been buried, weakened by his rebirth and the injuries inflicted upon him in the Divine Realm.
The crowd fell silent, and whispers spread through the onlookers. Many of the younger cultivators scoffed, some snickering, while others exchanged curious glances. But there was no denying it: despite his frailty, Kai Xian still had the potential to awaken something powerful within him. The Kai Clan’s hierarchy demanded strength, and although Kai Xian was far from strong now, his results suggested that there was more to him than met the eye.
As Kai Xian stepped back, he could hear the low murmur of voices around him. Zhao Xing’s mocking voice cut through the air once more, but Kai Xian held his silence. This was just the beginning. He had shown them that he wasn’t completely powerless. The rest would come in time.
The next test was the Spirit Test, a trial that assessed a cultivator’s spiritual connection and their understanding of the world beyond the physical. Kai Xian had heard rumors about the intensity of this trial, but he had no idea how it would unfold.
The Spirit Testing Grounds lay at the heart of the Kai Clan estate, a place of ancient power where cultivators connected with the deeper realms. In the center of the grounds stood an ornate stone altar, upon which rested a large, shimmering orb. This orb would reveal the depth of a cultivator’s spiritual power, their connection to the world beyond time and space.
Kai Xian took his place before the altar. The orb before him seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, its surface reflecting an infinite depth, as though it contained the very essence of the universe. The challenge was to connect with the orb, to awaken the spiritual energy within and manifest one’s understanding of the deeper forces that governed the world.
Kai Xian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The energy around him seemed to thrum in rhythm with his heartbeat. He focused on the flow of Qi within his body, feeling the cracks in his cultivation, the broken pieces of his former self. As his spiritual energy surged, something within him shifted. He reached out with his mind, seeking the remnants of his previous existence—the memories of his cultivation in the Divine Realm.
For a brief moment, the world around him seemed to vanish. Time slowed, and he felt a deep connection to something vast, something beyond comprehension. The orb before him pulsed with light, and visions flickered within it—images of ancient cities, vast storms, and fleeting glimpses of otherworldly powers. The crystal’s glow was dim compared to the others, but it was a significant sign. The spiritual connection was there, faint, but present.
The test was over, but for Kai Xian, it was clear that his path to full recovery would not be easy. Yet, the flickering glow of his spirit and the strength of his will had not gone unnoticed. The Kai Clan’s hierarchy would not ignore this.
The final trial was the Beast Taming Test, where each participant had to bond with one of the clan’s tamed beasts. The creatures were formidable—dangerous, even—and only those with great spiritual connection could tame them.
Kai Xian approached the beast pens, his heart still racing. Among the beasts stood a Thunder Bear, a massive creature known for its strength and volatility. The bear growled low in its throat as Kai Xian stepped forward. It would take more than just brute strength to tame this beast. It required patience, spiritual attunement, and a deep understanding of the primal forces that governed the world.
Kai Xian took a deep breath, focusing on the Thunder Bear’s energy. It growled again, its eyes locked onto him, but instead of retreating, Kai Xian stepped forward. He extended his hand, not in dominance, but in understanding. Slowly, the Thunder Bear’s growl softened. Its massive head lowered slightly, as if acknowledging his presence.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the Thunder Bear, a creature that had never shown such docility, allowed Kai Xian to come closer. It wasn’t the perfect display, but it was enough. The connection was made.
As the test ended, Kai Xian felt the weight of the moment settle upon him. He had passed, not with brilliance, but with the quiet strength of someone who had nothing left to lose. Today, he had proven that he was still Kai Xian. And his journey had only just begun.