The arena thundered with noise as outer disciples gathered. Today was the start of the Inner Disciple Selection Trials.
Every year, a few chosen insects crawled their way into the inner sect.
But this year was different.
A man stood at the edge of the arena in plain black robes. Dust clung to his boots, blood crusted one sleeve. His hair was darker than midnight, his eyes gleamed crimson like fresh-forged bloodstone. He didn't speak. He didn't move.
But he was felt.
The crowd's laughter died.
"He… who is that?"
"Never seen him before."
"That aura… why does it feel like my soul's being suffocated?"
From the platform, Elder Han frowned. "No identification token, no sect robes… throw him out."
But before the guards could move, Li Xuan stepped forward.
One step.
It echoed like thunder.
In front of him stood Fang Yao — last year's champion of the outer sect. A peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Muscles like stone, veins of iron, and a spirit beast with a bloodline.
He grinned. "You must be lost, rat. This arena isn't for beggars."
Li Xuan didn't answer.
Fang Yao sneered and charged, palm erupting with blazing qi.
But the moment his foot struck forward—Li Xuan moved.
One punch.
A straight, ruthless blow.
Fang Yao's entire chest caved in. Bones shattered. His body launched backward like a broken kite and crashed into the platform's wall, embedding there with a sickening crunch.
Silence.
Blood dripped.
"…what just happened?"
"D-Did Fang Yao just—?"
"He's dead. With a single punch."
Elder Han rose from his seat in fury. "This is a sect trial, not a slaughterhouse! Who are you?!"
Li Xuan's gaze flicked to him.
Red. Cold. Merciless.
"I don't answer to dogs."
In the pavilion above, the inner sect disciples had risen to their feet.
Xiao Yue gripped the railing so hard it cracked beneath her fingertips. Her heart thundered in her chest.
"That man… I've seen him."
She remembered now. The Bone Quarter. The chains. The refusal to bow.
Even then, he hadn't looked at her. He had looked through her.
She bit her lip. "What is he?"
[System Notification — Silent Mode Active]
Emergency breakthrough detected.
Body refinement limit exceeded.
Host's physique: Nine Pulse Dragon Vein (incomplete).
Soul Type: Devouring Flame Variant — Classification: Forbidden.
New Trait Acquired: Crimson Heaven Vision
Description: Allows the host to see through illusions, spirit veils, lies, and suppressed qi.
The message vanished instantly.
He said nothing. No change in expression. The crowd could only stare as he stood there, still as stone, surrounded by silence.
Three more disciples challenged him.
Three more bodies hit the ground.
None of them moved again.
At the edge of the arena, Mei Lin—once Li Xuan's only friend—watched with shaking hands. She recognized him now. The quiet boy from the Bone Quarter. The one who had disappeared after the elder beatings.
"Li Xuan…?"
He didn't look at her.
The Sect Head was informed. A decision had to be made.
Elder Mo was sent to suppress the scene. His cultivation was deep in the Core Formation realm. His presence alone could rupture flesh and collapse lungs.
He descended with a roar. "So you're the wild dog causing trouble?"
Still, Li Xuan said nothing.
"Bend the knee, and I might consider sparing your life."
The arena froze. The outer sect disciples looked at one another. Even the elders narrowed their eyes.
Would he?
Li Xuan stepped forward again. The ground cracked.
His voice was low. Cold.
"I kneel to no one beneath the heavens."
Elder Mo's face darkened. "Then die!"
His hand shot forward. Thousands of threads of spirit qi coiled around Li Xuan.
But in the next instant—
Li Xuan vanished.
A boom followed.
When he reappeared, his fist was buried in Elder Mo's stomach.
The old man's eyes bulged. Blood poured from his mouth.
Li Xuan spoke again. One word.
"Trash."
He yanked his hand free and walked past the collapsing elder as if he didn't exist.
[System Notification — Tribulation Triggered]
Heaven's wrath has been provoked. Initiating backlash protocol…
Warning: Host's realm is unstable.
Tribulation Level: Red-class (Fatal)
Storm clouds roared over the mountain.
Purple lightning clawed the sky.
Elders panicked. "A tribulation?! At Qi Condensation?!"
"Impossible!"
"It's divine wrath—he angered the heavens!"
Xiao Yue's mouth went dry.
She had cultivated for years, slaughtered dozens to reach her realm.
And yet this man…
He stood beneath the storm, shirt torn, arms exposed. Muscles coiled like steel, bloodied from the elder's strike.
Still standing. Still silent.
The first bolt struck.
He didn't block.
The second followed. Flesh split. Bones cracked.
Still he stood.
On the third, he roared—and the roar shattered every window in the arena.
The lightning curled around him like a dragon meeting its king. It didn't strike—it circled.
And then… it vanished.
The sky cleared.
The silence was louder than any applause.
[System Notification]
Host has absorbed Red-class tribulation energy.
Hidden Trait Activated: Dragon Soul Resonance.
+12% resistance to Divine Will.
+1 Creature Slot unlocked.
New Companion: Bone Devouring Flame Serpent (Hatched)
A tiny serpent flickered to life near his shoulder. Black scales, glowing crimson eyes. It slithered around his neck and hissed at the crowd.
The sect was silent.
Li Xuan turned and walked away.
Not a word.
Not a glance.