Azreal's eyes widen as he finally peels back the web cocoon. He sees a woman, no older than twenty, with a freckled face and light brown hair tinged with auburn at the tips. Circle glasses rest on her face, visibly dirty from being inside the cocoon.

As he examines her condition, he notices her breathing is very weak, and she hasn’t managed to open her eyes in the few seconds since the cocoon was opened. He gently places his hand behind her head and begins to speak. “Hey! Are you okay? Are you alive? Do you have anything on you that I can heal you with?” He continues to question her lightly, hoping for a response.

“No, I was attacked, and everything was stolen before the spider found me. Please take me to a Sect Elder,” she manages to say before she falls unconscious. Azreal frowns slightly as he contemplates the situation he finds himself in. ‘Is this Sect worth joining? All these people are dying for nothing! Is this an Entrance Examination or a playground for the powerful?’

Azreal lifts her body and manages to get her over his shoulder, something he would’ve never been able to do in the real world. In VR, he finds himself full of strength he never knew was possible. He begins to climb down the tree, which is a bit awkward but not impossible with the young woman on his shoulder.

“Darian, once you’re finished carving up the spider for parts, come over here! We have a slight problem,” Azreal shouts just loud enough for Darian to hear. “I'll be done in a few minutes. Be prepared to move once I’m back,” Darian responds.

Azreal watches over the young lady until Darian approaches. “You seem to have a real talent for saving people as they are about to die, Azreal. Are you good or bad luck, I wonder?” “Hey! It’s not my fault! Do you have any spare medicine we can feed her? Another pill?” Azreal asks.

“Yes, I do, but it’s my last one…” Darian says before mulling over Azreal’s request. After thirty seconds of contemplation, Darian relents. “Fine! Don’t give me those eyes, Azreal. I can’t be selfish if you look at me like that!” He laughs a bit before fetching out the vial that previously held three minor recovery pills, which is being emptied in less than twenty-four hours.

“Here you go,” Darian says while handing the pill to Azreal. “What do you want me to do with it? I don’t know anything about medicine!” Azreal states.

“Someone’s got to feed it to her in her unconscious state, and I don’t do it unconsciously, so it's all you. You want to save her, so off you go,” Darian responds with a small smile betraying his serious tone. Azreal takes the recovery pill from Darian’s hand and begins to think of ways to feed it to her. “Can’t I just put it in her mouth?” he asks Darian while looking down at the young lady.

Darian simply shrugs at the question. Azreal, after that response, asks for the waterskin Darian and Azreal have been sharing. Azreal grabs the waterskin and takes the pill from Darian before he kneels next to the young lady. He decides to put the pill into her mouth. Slowly, he places his other hand at the back of her head and then guides her up slowly while pouring a small bit of water into her mouth.

A few nervous moments later, Azreal sighs a breath of relief as the young lady’s body's natural reaction swallows the water along with the pill. “Okay, this should help her, but she is still so weak. I will carry her. Let's not stay here longer than necessary,” says Azreal. He stands and, using the fireman’s carry from his world, drapes her over his shoulder, spreading her weight evenly.

“I’ll lead the way. Try to keep up. We should avoid others and monsters now that we’ve got another injured disciple with us,” Darian speaks as he begins to move again. “Even if I get this young lady to the final podium by sundown tomorrow, will she even pass if she’s not awake?” Azreal asks as they move through the forest at a slightly lower speed than before the battle with the spider.

Due to how petite and lithe the young lady is, the only impact she has is on Azreal’s dexterity in moving swiftly. Especially thick parts of the forest cause him to stumble and get his body torn up by the harsh plant life. Another few hours pass, and the lively sounds of the forest begin to die down as the first signs of morning light begin to break over the mountain and pierce through the trees' foliage.

“How good does the sun feel on your skin, Azreal? I fucking love this feeling of seeing the dawn after the darkness of the night almost enveloped us,” Darian asks, clearly in high spirits that he is alive and surviving the night in the forest. “Fuck, I am sore and tired, Brother Feldspar. I feel a sense of accomplishment, but I have never worked so hard in my entire life,” Azreal complains. After all, in real life, he has never had the health to run, let alone push his endurance to the limit as he has since joining the Heavenly Universe.

“It is only in moments like this, where there is nothing but yourself and your sense of determination, that we truly discover who we are. I don’t know about you, but I won’t give up just because I’m tired and sore!” Darian shouts at the top of his lungs, like this was his prime prerogative and sole reason for living.

Azreal can't help but grin, watching Darian's figure forge ahead with vigour that seems to ignite his own determination. 'Stop whining. This is it—the moment I’ve longed for, fought for, yearned for with every fibre of my being. A robust, fully functional body. Embrace this gift, you fool, and break free from the confines of your own thoughts!'

For Azreal, his mind has always been a sanctuary, a constant amidst his depressing and frail life, leading to endless internal dialogues. Yet, his deepest desire was to venture beyond his mental fortress, to engage with the world and its myriad inhabitants rather than remain ensnared in solitude.

Fuelled by this newfound resolve, Azreal quickened his pace, swiftly closing the distance between him and Darian. "Come on, Darian, the mountain's base can't be much further," he calls out, a burst of speed propelling him forward, eager to face whatever lies ahead together.

The sight of these two disciples would have made anyone smile. Two young men, whose white robes were ripped, torn, and covered in blood, with cuts and bruises covering their bodies, laughing and smiling at each other as they take turns trying to outdo one another. And to make it worse, one of them looks like he's carrying their dead friend… truly a strange sight.

There's an old man, with short grey hair and a full beard coming down to his chest, wearing black and golden robes. He says, “This year’s intake proves to be the most interesting, don't you think, Great Elder Lu?” in the direction of another old man wearing blue and golden robes, whose white hair flows to the floor and his eyes have clouded over.

“That it is, Sect Master, that it is… I am most impressed with the young man who saved my nephew, and now carries the young lady on his shoulders…” Great Elder Lu replies.

“You would be, Great Elder Lu, you’ve always been too soft towards new disciples, especially those related to you. We should teach them strength so that we can crush our enemies like the ants they are!” A middle-aged man with red hair wearing red and gold robes sneers his words at Great Elder Lu.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Elder Nilxan, do you really think your dwindling stock of disciples will be filled with this disciple pool? Your grandson has pissed off half the participants, and the other half have seen him commit these acts…” Great Elder Lu sneers back. “What makes you think any of them will follow you, Lu? What could you even teach them? How to be weak???” Elder Nilxan laughs, smacking the table with his hand as he does.

“Can both of you be quiet? I’m trying to watch and find potential good seedlings,” a loud feminine voice resounds. Elder Lu and Elder Nilxan immediately become silent, glaring at the beautiful woman, a tinge of embarrassment visible on both their faces.

“Apologies, Elder Juhee,” both say before turning back and focusing on the screen.

‘That young man is carrying an unconscious person and still pushing the son of the cultivation family in endurance and speed. Who is he?’ Elder Juhee thinks to herself. Azreal and Darian have been running faster and faster for over an hour at this point, each taking turns to taunt the other when they stumbled or slowed down, igniting the others' fire for competition.

Both young men, now covered in sweat and looking like they’ve barely survived with their lives from the night spent in the forest. “Hey! Darian, do you see that up ahead? Looks like a wooden platform with a few people sitting around a circle table! What the fuck is that doing out here?” Azreal asks.

“Shut up, you idiot! Those are some of the most powerful Sect Elders… Don’t let them hear you question them,” Darian snaps back with a pleading look in his eyes. Azreal quickly raises his only free hand in defeat. “I won’t, I promise, Darian. We’ve come too far for my mouth to get us killed.”

Both Darian and Azreal continue to run until they reach the platform where the Elders are seated. They are all viewing a holographic-like map of the forest being projected from a small blue crystal ball. As both begin to slow down, they finally come to a stop just before reaching the platform. The elderly man in blue and golden robes stands up and makes his way over to them.

“I am Elder Lu, a Great Elder of this Sect and the head of the medical and special operations division in the Sect. I have to give you my thanks, young man. With your selflessness, you’ve not only saved the son of a dear friend of mine, but you also saved this young lady’s life… Truly remarkable for someone who’s only spent a day or two with a cultivation base. Now, can you please tell me your name, young man?” Elder Lu smiles as he speaks.

“My name is Azreal. Thank you for the kind words, Elder Lu,” Azreal says as he slightly bows. “Darian, you have grown into a fine young man. You would’ve made your grandfather proud today, and if you don’t believe me, you should’ve heard what happened on his Entrance Examination,” Elder Lu laughs harder than either Azreal or Darian expected.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I'll take this young lady and get her healed up. Visit me and her in a few days at the medical building. I have no doubt she will want to thank you for saving her life,” he says as he gestures with his hand, and his Qi shoots out of his body, covering the young lady on Azreal’s shoulder. He lifts himself and her into the air and begins to fly towards the south side of the mountain.

Azreal nods his head before looking at Darian. “How am I meant to go to the medical building if I haven’t been accepted into the Sect yet… Don’t I have to climb the mountain by the end of today?!?!” Darian looks at him with wide eyes and shock on his face before beginning to laugh. Azreal looks at him strangely until he hears another person from the wooden platform walking over.

Elder Juhee, whose initial encounter with Azreal at the outset of the entrance examination left a lasting impression, stands before him once more. Elder Juhee is an ethereal beauty that seems timeless, her age impossible to discern, a common trait among high-level cultivators who have transcended the ordinary bounds of ageing. Her violet eyes, deep and perceptive, shimmer with a deep well of power and her raven black hair which is softened by the lightest colouring of violet,. She is clad in attire reminiscent of a character from a favourite video game, 'Chun-Li', the traditional and elegant cut of her garment, coupled with its functional design, accentuates her formidable presence and martial grace.

The sight causes a warmth to spread across Azreal's cheeks, his face tinting with a shy blush as he gazes upon the Sect Elder who now approaches him. Elder Juhee moves with a fluidity that speaks of her mastery, closing the distance between them effortlessly. She then crouches down on the platform, her face drawing near to his, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that seems to peer into the depths of his soul.

Her appearance, a harmonious blend of strength and elegance, underscored by the subtle yet unmistakable aura of power that surrounds her. Her hair, meticulously tied back, not a strand out of place, symbolises her discipline and the control she wields over her own energy. Her robes, a deep indigo, though reminiscent of a video game icon, are imbued with symbols and motifs that speak of her achievements and standing within the sect, each pattern a testament to battles won and trials overcome.

As she examines Azreal, her expression remains composed, yet there is a kindness in her gaze that belies the strict demeanour she presents to the world. In this moment, as Azreal beholds Elder Juhee in all her complexity, he realises he is in the presence of not just a powerful cultivator but a mentor whose depth of character and mastery commands respect and admiration far beyond his initial understanding.

“Did you seriously think we will make you run all day and night, fight each other and monsters, then once you get here make you climb a mountain?” She smiles at him while standing.

“I know your brain is in there somewhere. Start using it,” Elder Juhee says. “Now, take this.” She throws a small wooden token at Azreal, who just manages to catch it as the force it was thrown with was much stronger than he expected.

Elder Juhee begins to walk away and, after taking a few steps, looks back at Azreal. “Welcome to the Sect. I will take you as my disciple, much to the dismay of the old men here, but they owe me one or two… I will see you at your assigned dorm tomorrow morning at 6 am. You better be ready; your hell is just beginning.”

Azreal turns to Darian. “We did it, Darian. We are in!” Darian gestures to indicate he hasn’t received his token yet, and the smile wipes from Azreal’s face. As he turns to look at the Elder, they hear the same extremely powerful voice, from the start of the exam, sound throughout the area.

“For all those who have gotten here so quickly, I want you to know I am extremely impressed. If you’ve received a wooden token from one of the elders, you can consider yourself lucky and feel proud you are worthy of their direct attention and training. If you have not, do not feel sad, for tomorrow there will be a competition between all of you to show your talents again.”

‘That must be the Sect Master; he is truly powerful if his voice carries that much weight,’ Azreal thinks to himself. “If you haven’t received a wooden token from the Elders, line up with the other disciples and receive one from the inner disciples standing on the other side of this clearing. Once you’ve got your wooden token, you can make your way to the Sect and find the room assigned to you based on your token,” the same powerful voice resounds.

Darian smiles at Azreal before speaking. “You go ahead. I will catch up with you in the Sect. What is your room number? I will use it to find you.” Azreal looks at his wooden token before responding, “I have room number 151? I have no idea where that is.”

Darian’s smile freezes. “D-did you say 151? That can't be right… rooms are assigned based on your ranking in the disciples of the Sect, from the lowest which should be in the thousands... to number one. Show me your wooden slate!” Azreal hands his slate over, and Darian inspects it. “Woah, it really is room 151!” Darian says before handing it back.

“Good luck with that one, Azreal. I will see you soon… Just try to keep your head down and everything should be fine…hopefully,” Darian says before he begins to run off to the inner disciples who have been handing wooden slates to the new disciples who’ve made it through the Entrance Exam. A small line begins forming as about twenty new disciples attempt to get a wooden token, knowing they need to rest before the competition tomorrow.

‘Not many of the few thousand that I saw earlier have made it here yet. This Entrance Examination is extremely harsh,’ Azreal thinks to himself as he begins walking toward the Sect. After injecting a small amount of Qi into the wooden slate, Azreal feels a string of information enter his mind. Much to his surprise, he quickly knows how to make his way to the Sect.