The moon hung over the night sky, casting its silver glow over the forest where Shen Yuan had secluded himself for the past year. His once frail and sickly form had transformed into one of power and poise, his eyes sharp with confidence, and his aura radiating a cold, menacing energy. The Dark Qi Condensation Art had proven to be more than just a technique—it was the foundation that propelled his cultivation beyond what anyone could have imagined in such a short time.

He was at the 6th layer of the Foundation Establishment realm, which would normally take someone at least seven years.

He opened his eyes slowly, feeling the qi flowing smoothly through his meridians and dantian, almost as though it were a part of him. He stood up from his meditation, his long black hair flowing behind him. The air around him shifted slightly, as if he were the storm that would ravage the world.

"A year," he muttered, staring at his hands, now brimming with power. "This is only the beginning."

His gaze turned to the horizon, where the moon was finally setting, and the sun was slowly rising. His next goal was Fengyue City's Lotus Cloud Sect, where that mysterious figure had told him to go.

Going there was a crucial step in his path of revenge, but there was one thing he had come to understand clearly—nothing came without hardships or effort.

He prepared himself for the journey. The path ahead was uncertain, but the desire for power and revenge in his heart only grew stronger. He wouldn’t let himself stop here, as this sect was but a stepping stone to his grander ambitions.

With sheer speed, he covered over 60 km in just half an incense stick of time, arriving in the city of Fengyue.

Fengyue City was grander than Shen Yuan had anticipated. Towering buildings carved from jade and stone lined the streets, bustling with cultivators of all ranks. Merchants sold rare herbs and weapons, their voices ringing through the crowded marketplace. The city was alive with activity.

This made Shen Yuan remember the old days, when he was just a mortal with nothing to worry about, living happily with his grandfather and the citizens of his now-gone home. This memory made Shen Yuan slightly depressed, but soon enough, he returned to normal, with his desire for revenge fuelling him even more.

The sect's headquarters loomed above the rest of the city, a fortress of stone and spirit arrays that shimmered in the sunlight. As he approached the gates, a sense of anticipation brewed within him. But as he neared, the sight of countless other aspirants, all waiting to be admitted into the sect, brought a wry smile to his face.

"So, even the outer disciple selection is this competitive," Shen Yuan thought, scanning the crowd. "This will be interesting."

A senior disciple, wearing the sect’s silver robes, stood at the gate, his voice booming over the gathered crowd.

“All of you here wish to join the Lotus Cloud Sect, but understand this—our sect does not accept the weak or unworthy. To become even an outer disciple, you must pass a trial, proving your strength, intellect, and resolve. Those who fail, leave immediately.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some of the weaker aspirants looked worried, while others stood tall with confidence. Shen Yuan, however, remained indifferent. Then one of the stronger disciples, a tall, tanned young man, approached Shen Yuan with a mocking smile.

“What’s this? A weak 6th layer Foundation Establishment brat like yourself, doing here?”

Shen Yuan looked at him coldly and said, “Yeah, it’s not like you’re any better. You’re just at the 7th layer of Foundation Establishment.”

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“A weaker brat like you dares talk to me, Ao Jie, in this way—the steward of Master Tang Jiyan!” The tall, tanned man known as Ao Jie scoffed.

The other disciples gasped at hearing the man’s name. He was obviously famous, and anyone who had some knowledge would recognize the man beside Ao Jie, wearing an expensive blue robe. He had blue eyes filled with righteous light. He was Tang Jiyan, a bigshot in the city, as he came from one of the five great families.

Ao Jie spoke, “Since you clearly don’t know how to respect your superiors, let me give you a lesson!”

Ao Jie’s body unleashed his aura. It was very intimidating to anyone below the 6th layer of Foundation Establishment, but exceptions always exist. Shen Yuan wasn’t even fazed and only smirked.

“If that is how much you can get in the 7th layer, then you’re done for...” Shen Yuan let his aura go berserk. Even some 8th layer Foundation Establishment cultivators got chills down their spines, and Ao Jie was so intimidated that he swung his fist toward Shen Yuan out of fear.

Then the man in blue, Tang Jiyan, jumped between them with elegance and stopped Ao Jie’s punch with just his index finger. The aura coming from Tang Jiyan made Ao Jie stop as he knelt before him. His aura even intimidated Shen Yuan. He could clearly see that this person was at the peak of the 9th layer of Foundation Establishment, basically one step away from the Qi Gathering Realm.

The two finally stopped as Tang Jiyan looked at the gates of the sect again, ignoring Shen Yuan completely. This made Shen Yuan’s blood boil. How dare he ignore him!

The seniors, now back with a few elders, gave a signal.

The senior disciple spoke, “The trial will begin in the outer courtyard. You will face both physical and mental challenges. Only the best will earn a place as outer disciples. Follow me!”

The crowd surged forward, eager to prove themselves. Shen Yuan moved with them, his mind calm, already assessing what lay ahead. The test didn’t matter; whether it was combat or a puzzle, he would pass it. He hadn’t come here to fail—especially not to that obnoxious Tang Jiyan, whom he already hated.

In the outer courtyard, the trial began with a test of combat. Pairs of aspirants were selected at random to face each other in one-on-one duels. Those who lost were immediately disqualified.

Shen Yuan waited patiently for his turn. He observed the others, noting their techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. Most were mediocre at best, relying on brute force or simple Qi manipulation. He felt no concern.

Then, finally, a name was called that made him nervous—Tang Jiyan!

An elder spoke, “Tang Jiyan and Ao Jie, come forward to the platform.”

Both followed as instructed. Ao Jie, slightly nervous, spoke, “Master Tang Jiyan, please go easy on me.”

Tang Jiyan nodded, and their duel began.

Ao Jie coated his fists with qi and rushed toward Tang Jiyan. Tang Jiyan was silent and didn’t move, even as Ao Jie came dangerously close. Then he finally acted.

Tang Jiyan moved his fist as if it were water, punching Ao Jie’s abdomen. Ao Jie collapsed. Everyone was stunned. They knew that the famous Tang Jiyan was powerful but not this powerful.

The elders passed Tang Jiyan, and he stepped down from the platform.

Even Shen Yuan was shocked. Tang Jiyan’s speed was at least twice his.

Finally, the awaited moment arrived. His name was called.

“Shen Yuan, you’re up. Your opponent is Zhao Kun.”

A tall, muscular man stepped forward, sneering at Shen Yuan. “You look weak, boy. I’ll make this quick.”

Shen Yuan said nothing, only stepping onto the platform, his gaze cold and indifferent. Zhao Kun charged at him with a roar, his fists coated in fiery Qi. The crowd watched, expecting Shen Yuan to crumble under the force of the attack.

But Shen Yuan didn’t move. He waited until the last moment, then sidestepped, letting Zhao Kun’s punch pass by harmlessly. Before Zhao Kun could react, Shen Yuan struck—a single palm infused with dark qi.

Zhao Kun’s face twisted in agony as the dark energy spread through his body, freezing his movements. He collapsed to the ground, his limbs trembling uncontrollably.

The courtyard went silent.

Shen Yuan dusted off his hands and turned to the senior disciple, who stood watching with a raised eyebrow.

“I assume I passed?” Shen Yuan asked, his voice calm, but the coldness in his tone sent chills through those nearby.

The senior disciple nodded slowly. “You’ve passed. Proceed to the next stage.”

As Shen Yuan walked past Zhao Kun’s writhing form, he couldn’t help but smile slightly. This was only the beginning, but already, the sect was starting to understand that Shen Yuan was no ordinary aspirant.

Lotus Cloud Sect would be his stepping stone to power—but first, they would need to see the depths of his true potential.