Instructor Bai appeared at dawn. His voice was firm, emotionless:
"Today, you will face the Trial of the Latent Phoenix. A traditional technique… that separates those forged by fire from those consumed by it."
The test was simple in theory, deadly in practice.
Disciples had to summon their fire qi upon a special platform—a circular slab carved with runic symbols—and maintain its constant flame, without losing control, as the slab began to heat up. Anyone who lost control of their flame or couldn't withstand the pressure would be removed from advanced training.
"And some… can die if they don't know their limits," Bai said, looking directly at Wu Jian.
Xiu Wang was assigned to platform number 7.
The heat began immediately. Not physical, but spiritual. Her inner flame was forcibly summoned, and for a moment she thought she would lose control… until the jade reacted.
A white flame appeared, weak at first… but steady.
Instructor Bai frowned at it.
"White… fire?"
Meanwhile, from the shadows, Wu Jian was preparing. He had bribed a disciple to alter the glyphs on Platform 7. Once a certain temperature was reached, the central rune would explode into purple flames, impossible to control.
And unbeknownst to anyone… the infiltrating disciple had orders to execute the "Corrupted Flame Seal," a forbidden technique used only by members of the Demon Clan.
But just as he activated the seal… something happened.
Xiu Wang's pendant burned like never before.
A wave of silver fire shot into the sky, disrupting the balance of the glyphs.
The ground shook.
A figure appeared in the smoke.
Covered in a black cloak.
Golden eyes.
In front of him, the flames bent.
He didn't say a word. He just watched Xiu Wang with interest.
Then he disappeared as if he'd never been there.
Wu Jian, from afar, felt something slipping from his grasp.
"Who was that...? How can he command flames without displaying qi?"
Xiu Wang was pulled away before the slab could completely explode. Instructor Bai was visibly disturbed.
"That flame... isn't of this world. And you... shouldn't have it."
But Xiu Wang didn't understand anything. He only felt that something had protected her.
Something that lived inside the jade.
And now... it was no longer fully asleep.