The Outer Disciple Meeting Hall thrums with the cacophony of anxious whispers, the high, arched ceiling amplifying every sound. The air, thick with the scent of sweat and anticipation, presses down on the assembled disciples, the weight of the coming competition bearing heavily on their shoulders. Misheard snippets of conversation swirl through the crowd, rumours spreading like wildfire among the over five hundred gathered Outer Disciples. The tension is palpable, a living thing that coils around each disciple, tightening its grip with every passing moment.

A hush falls over the disciples as they slowly begin to notice four figures standing in front of the intricate yet powerful carving. The Sect Leader, in his black golden robes, stands in the centre, flanked by Master Juhee in her violet robes, Great Elder Lu in his sky blue colours, and Great Elder Nilxan whose displeased expression clearly shows the disciples why he is often referred to as the Crimson Pig.

He is truly a disgusting sight. I cannot wait until I become strong enough to face such an enemy.

Azreal's hateful glare is well hidden behind his calm smile, not wishing to risk Great Elder Nilxan spotting him in the crowd. Azreal glances at his teammates, Darian and Xiara, with concerns they will let their emotions run wild and show on their faces. A sense of admiration runs through Azreal, as he examines Darian who is maintaining his calm demeanour in the face of his father's murder.

Darian, sensing Azreal's gaze, turns to him and they lock eyes for only the briefest of moments. Azreal understands Darian's intentions and turns to face towards the Great Elders and Sect Leader. The four heads of the Sect stand there, silently, their domineering gaze sweeping over the hall with every disciple feeling a chill run up their spine. Azreal feels the gaze of each Great Elder and Sect Leader linger on him for longer than expected, a feeling of immense danger filling his heart.

Master, I really hope you can save me if Great Elder Nilxan wishes to gut me.

"Disciples!" declares the Sect Leader, "I am the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Root Sect, Zhan Tianlong. I also serve the Sect as the Branch Leader of the Celestial Defense Pavilion." His voice booms through the hall, commanding immediate attention. Sect Leader Tianlong is an imposing figure, his presence commanding immediate respect and reverence. Clad in all black robes with intricate golden trim, his attire speaks of his supreme authority within the Heavenly Root Sect. On the front of his robe, an etching of a golden tree encircled by a weave of a serpent eating its own tail symbolises his mastery over the Celestial Serpent Dao. A powerful body standing well above average in height, with a long, wispy grey beard, which he often twists with his left hand while his right hand is perpetually placed behind his back. His eyes, deep-set and piercing black, his irises a reflection of the symbol etched into his robes.

Azreal stares in amazement. Sect Leader Tianlong is truly a cut above the rest of the Great Elders. Believing that he may be at the apex of the First Heaven, an unbelievable sense of confidence fills Azreal, knowing that this man leads his Sect. An unwavering desire to fight for him wraps around Azreal and every disciple present.

"I have gathered all of you here today for one reason, to announce the Outer Disciple competition will begin in two hours," says Sect Leader Tianlong, his voice booming through the hall. A low murmur of discontent begins to rise within each of the outer disciples, some expecting an outcome like this, others shocked, with most disciples feeling a sense of fear and lack of preparation.

"As an outer disciple of our Sect, most of you have received very little guidance or resources. This is an amazing opportunity to prove your worth and ensure you are chosen to enter the Violet Sanctum, a place of inheritance and abundant Qi. Those who enter the Sanctum, if their luck is high enough, will have the chance to increase their potential and talents, find mystical treasures or inherit cultivation methods beyond our realm. Do not take this competition lightly, every disciple here is at risk of death during this competition. Yet this will be nothing compared to what you will face if you manage to enter the Violet Sanctum," The Sect Leader's words carry into the hearts of every disciple present, the desire for power and treasures growing with every word.

"Today's competition will be unique. I hope you've made companions within the Sect as this competition will be team-based. For those who do not wish to be a part of a team will have to compete fairly and will not be given extra credit or protection. For those who haven't formed teams, you've been given two hours to ensure you do not stand alone," The Sect Leader's gaze scans the crowd of disciples and nods slowly as he notices groups have been formed and as he speaks of teams, the division between groups becomes a little larger.

If I die in this world, does anything happen to my real body? This world feels so real, if there is no physical damage to my real body, there must be negative mental effects from experiencing a life like death.

Azreal’s mind, scrawling through the tremendous information he read online regarding Heavenly Universe, yet nothing mentioned any impact on real life. A sudden thought sprang into his mind.

If people claim they can cultivate in the real world, at a minimum there is a link between the two worlds.

Azreal’s mind starts to connect the information he has gleaned over the course of his time in and out of Heavenly Universe.

Just don’t die, it’s simple Azreal. He tells himself on repeat, before his thoughts are broken by a booming voice.

"Inside the Tianlong Mountain, a mystical forest exists in the hollow mountain. The Lingxi Grove serves a dual purpose for our Sect. Lingxi Grove infuses the mountainside and surrounding area with a deep and rich Qi which was one of the reasons the Sect was founded here. It also serves as a sacred ground of the Heavenly Root Sect. We use this as a place to undertake intense training for core disciples and peak inner disciples. No outer disciples have ever stepped foot in here before. I advise you to relish this opportunity," Sect Leader Tianlong's voice thunders around the room, ensuring every disciple understands their extreme luck in partaking in this event.

"As for the competition, you will form teams and enter the Lingxi Grove to hunt the monsters we've captured and released inside. Each beast or monster core will be allocated points and the teams will be ranked on total points at the end of a twenty-four hour period. I will also forewarn each of you, death is real and inside the Lingxi Grove many of you will face life and death situations. Great Elder Lu, continue for me," The Sect Leader steps back and motions for Great Elder Lu to step forward, which he does with pace and grace, almost floating above the floor.

His usual demeanour is calm and kind, yet every disciple feels a sense of intensity emanating from his stern expression, "As the Lingxi Grove is used for training disciples much stronger than yourself, there will be monsters within that are far above your realm. I will now educate you on the ranking of monsters and beasts that you will find within."

Great Elder Lu spends the next ten minutes educating the disciples about the rank of the monsters and beasts that exist in the Lower Heavens.

The ranking of beasts is as follows: mortal tier, mystic tier, noble tier, sovereign tier, and divine tier. A monster is an abomination created from an unknown fusion of Qi and a foreign source of power. An example is a Flame Hawk, a commonly used scouting beast used by the Twilight Flame Sect. Now, if this Flame Hawk comes into contact with a treasure or devours a strong enough cultivator's body, this new Qi or Soul Essence melds with the beast and the infusion of new Qi creates one of three outcomes.

First, the beast dies due to a massive surge in Qi which causes its body to explode or crumble. The second outcome, the beast evolves into an advanced form increasing their tier and potentially adapting a new Affinity. The third outcome is a mutation. No one currently knows what causes this outcome, there are many theories but no one has been able to prove any theory.

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If this outcome occurs, the beast often contorts into a monstrous form, corrupting its mind and changing its physical form in horrifying ways. Great Elder Lu gives a warning to the disciples: A mortal tier monster or beast can easily kill a Martial Adept, do not be foolish and fight one alone unless you are extremely confident in your skills. Beasts' utilisation of Qi in their body is countless times higher than our own, causing their flesh and blood to be infused with Qi.

"Now, you have two hours to prepare. I suggest you spend this resting, cultivating, training, forming teams or if your heart is wavering leave this hall and train until you become strong enough to face your own fears," Great Elder Lu's words shatter the tense breath held by every outer disciple in attendance, causing an awkward moment before groups begin to discuss with each other.

Darian, the first to move, turns towards Azreal and Xiara. "So, what's the plan?" he asks.

"I would like to cultivate. I have a monster core from the Entrance Exam I haven't cultivated with yet. So I hope I can get it done in time," replies Azreal, a calmness in his tone.

"Azreal, it usually takes days to absorb the Qi from a beast core and you want to do it in two hours?" asks Xiara, stifling a small laugh. Azreal scrunches his face at her question. "That long?"

"Yes, but if it's you, who knows?" Xiara says while shrugging her shoulders, causing Darian to laugh heartily.

"Yeah, give it a go you freak of nature, nothing makes sense around you anyway," says Darian once his laughing dies down.

The trio makes their way to one of the large stone pillars towards the back of the hall. Only a few other teams of disciples linger nearby, engrossed in their own planning or cultivation.The stone pillar is cool against Azreal's back as he sits down, the rough surface pressing into his skin. Azreal sits with his back against the stone pillar, with his legs crossed as he retrieves the Venomous Spider core from his spatial ring.

Beast cores, perfectly round in shape, their size and colour dependent on the Qi affinity and beast type, are considered the easiest to cultivate and absorb. They have a small chance for the cultivator that absorbs the Qi and Soul Essence of the core to receive a technique, ability, trait or bloodline from the beast defeated. Monster cores are often in strange shapes and sizes, mutated by a foreign source, the beast core undergoes a similar mutation to the beasts themselves. These are exceedingly rare and incredibly dangerous to cultivate and absorb. There is a higher chance of receiving a technique, ability, trait or bloodline from these cores. But the downside is the higher demand it places on the cultivator's mind, dantian and body. Many have crumbled and mutated themselves in an attempt to absorb these beast cores.

Azreal, staring at his Venomous Spider core which sits in the palm of his hand, not much bigger than a reasonably sized pebble, pulses lightly as power emanates from the core towards Azreal's hand. His brow furrows as Azreal could swear he had seen the spider appear briefly inside of the core.

Azreal takes a deep and heavy breath, freeing his mind from the congestion of thoughts that plague his mind as the competition rapidly approaches. Circulating his energy, his eyes close as he reaches out with his senses to connect with the pulsating core. The air around him becomes denser, the various disciple teams surrounding them and ambient noises of the hall fading into the background as his focus is wholly on the core in his hands.

The Venomous Spider core emits a faint, eerie glow, casting Azreal's face in a spectral light. His breathing slows, each inhale and exhale syncing with the rhythmic pulse of the core. The beast core pulses in his hand, its energy thrumming against his skin like a second heartbeat. With every breath, the glow intensifies, threads of Qi visibly weaving from the core into Azreal's hands, wrapping itself up his arms, before it begins to penetrate his skin, his veins faintly glowing under the skin with each pulse of Qi being absorbed.

Xiara and Darian watch with bated breath, aware of the dangers involved in such a rapid absorption. The risk of Qi deviation is high, and the consequences could be dire. A sense of trust in Azreal beating the unbeatable, the only force stopping them from interfering.

"Focus, Azreal. Draw it in slowly," Darian murmurs under his breath, even though he knows his words won't reach Azreal. Minutes tick by like hours, the core's light reaching its zenith, enveloping Azreal in a blinding sphere of earth green energy.

Azreal's mind flashes with imagery of the Spider's life. Absorption of a core always has a risk of altering a cultivator's mindset. This is one of the many reasons not to absorb a core which is too far above your level, the loss of your own mind and the birth of a monster mix man, a nightmare tale cultivators tell their children as a scary story. Azreal, however, not growing up in this world, does not know of this fact and is almost shaken out of his cultivation due to the imagery of seeing Darian and himself attacking the spider from the angle of the victim rather than the memory as an aggressor.

Azreal, once again bombarded by notifications, smiles internally as his absorption rate is monstrous compared to absorbing ambient Qi in his dorm.

The messages seem endless, the two hours allotted for preparation slipping away in the blink of an eye. Darian and Xiara are approached by over twenty disciples seeking to join their team. Each is declined as they either don't know them or the disciples do not seem to be of noteworthy strength. Time for Darian and Xiara passes by much slower, watching their team member and designated team leader consume a beast core far beyond the recommended speed. A sense of awe and fear fills both as they patiently wait.

Just before the two hour mark, two Great Elders, Lu and Nilxan, walk towards Darian and Xiara, causing Darian to swallow nervously. His heart races, a mixture of fear and anger coursing through his veins. The sight of his greatest protector and greatest threat standing side by side sends a chill down his spine, memories of his father's murder flashing through his mind. He clenches his fists, fighting to maintain his composure. Questions swirl in his head - why is Great Elder Nilxan here? What does he want? Darian takes a deep breath, forcing a small smile and a polite bow. "Disciple greets the Great Elders."

Xiara matches Darian's action. "Disciple greets the Great Elders."

"Bah! Do not fuss with this etiquette, everyone here is aware that there is no love lost between us, Darian. Look at me," Great Elder Nilxan says, his tone warmer than one would expect.

Darian, who is still staring at the ground, slowly raises his head and meets the Great Elder's eyes. "As you wish, Great Elder," replies Darian. He knows he must tread carefully, the fate of his team resting on this moment.

"Tch!" The Great Elder clicks his tongue. "I came over here for your sake, not mine. I may never forgive the young man behind you. But I am still a Great Elder of this Sect. I want us to stand above the Heavens. And to achieve my goal of bringing this Sect to the peak of the First Heaven, I must allow the young seedlings to grow and put roots down. Tell Azreal that I will not challenge him, interfere with him or hinder him in any way until he is powerful enough to face me in a duel. Mid level Martial King realm. Once he reaches this level, tell him to seek me out or I will do what he has done to me," declares Great Elder Nilxan, while Great Elder Lu's eyes plead forgiveness.

"I will pass your message. Thank you, Great Elder Nilxan," says Darian, his calm face remaining unwavering. Xiara, ensuring her presence is barely noticeable, releases her held breath as the Great Elders walk away. "Darian, are you okay?" she asks.

He nods, turns towards Azreal while crossing his arms on his chest. "I'll be fine once he wakes up."

Azreal, feeling the beast core has been fully absorbed into his body and he has successfully cultivated the Venomous Spider core.

"Status page," Azreal mumbles.