The sun rose blood-red over the Crimson Sect. A fine mist blanketed the peaks, its tendrils clinging to the crimson banners unfurling in the wind. The valley buzzed with activity as disciples—inner, outer, and newly accepted—gathered before the central tournament ground.
Jin Zhen stood at the highest platform, robes flowing in the wind, arms folded behind his back. Behind him stood the four core disciples: Xue Yan, Lan Yuer, Yun Mei, and the newly-promoted Fang Mu, each donning their ceremonial uniforms.
The Ember Mirage Array was already active, veiling half the arena in spiritual illusion. Unbeknownst to the spectators, several formation nodes pulsed just beneath the surface, awaiting a command to test and reveal the participants' true nature.
[System Notification][Public Event: Crimson Sect's Ascension Tournament — Begins][Participants: 482][Dynamic Scaling Active][Hidden Trials: 3 Initialized][Observers Detected: 11 Cultivation Sects, 2 Mercenary Guilds, 1 Unknown Entity]
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed at the last line. "Unknown entity?"
Before he could act, drums thundered across the valley. The tournament's beginning was announced.
Xue Yan stepped forward, his voice amplified by qi:
"Today, under the will of Sect Master Jin Zhen, we open the Ascension Tournament. Those who aspire to join our Sect, step forward and prove your might. Those who seek to challenge us, beware."
A wave of cheers rolled through the valley.
From the lower slopes, dozens of unaffiliated cultivators entered the arena. Some wore the colors of minor sects. Others came as rogue cultivators, warriors, or spirit tamers. There was even a beastman youth clad in jade armor.
Yun Mei glanced at Jin Zhen. "Shall we begin the filter?"
He nodded. "Trigger phase one."
Lan Yuer activated a hidden glyph with her qi. Instantly, a dome of crimson light enveloped the entire arena.
The weaker cultivators began to waver.
A pressure akin to standing beneath a volcano rolled over the stage. Many collapsed instantly, coughing blood. Others activated protective talismans, faces contorted with strain.
Only one-third remained standing.
Among them, a hooded girl calmly stood unmoved, her aura completely concealed.
Fang Mu narrowed his eyes. "That one... she's suppressing her cultivation."
Jin Zhen smiled faintly. "Perfect."
[System Alert][Hidden Talent Detected — Evaluate?]
He dismissed the alert for now.
The pressure lifted, and Yun Mei stepped forward. "The weak have been filtered. The first trial will now begin: The Path of Flames."
The arena transformed. Fiery bridges erupted from the earth, stretching toward the central platform in a crisscross pattern. Illusory beasts emerged on the walkways—lava hounds, flame serpents, phoenix shades.
Yun Mei raised her hand. "Cross. Or burn."
Screams, clashes, and bursts of elemental energy lit the arena. Dozens were thrown into the flame pits below. Others fought tooth and nail, revealing rare techniques and ancestral martial arts.
Xue Yan chuckled. "They're desperate. I like it."
Lan Yuer, as always, recorded every detail with her spirit jade slate.
The hooded girl from earlier leapt forward. Her steps left no trace on the bridge, her movements unnaturally precise. She glided past flame hounds, vanishing from sight, only to reappear near the center.
"Spatial technique," Yun Mei whispered.
"She's not just talent," Jin Zhen said. "She's trained."
At that moment, the flame phoenix illusion locked onto her. With a shriek, it descended.
She raised one palm. A ripple distorted the space around her.
BOOM!
The phoenix shattered into motes of light.
Gasps echoed.
Jin Zhen finally opened his [Status Interface] again.
[Crimson Overlord — Jin Zhen][SP: 10][Realm: Intermediate Foundation (64%)][New Detection: Masked Spatial Cultivator | Rank Unverified]
He tapped the interface.
[Spend 10 SP — Analyze?]
"Confirm."
[Analyzing...][Name: Li Xiang | Realm: Advanced Foundation | Bloodline: Void Serpent (Sealed)]
His smile deepened. "Interesting."
As the trial neared its end, twenty-five cultivators had crossed the bridges. Of those, only twelve had done so with power, finesse, or cunning.
Jin Zhen raised a hand. The ground stabilized, the flames receded, and the audience erupted in cheer.
"Tomorrow," he announced, "the second trial begins."
He turned to his disciples. "Send offers to the top five immediately. Observe the rest. And make sure our dear Miss Li Xiang stays in one of the high wards. I want her monitored... and protected."
Lan Yuer nodded.
Yun Mei smirked. "You just want her on our side."
He didn't deny it.
From his high platform, Jin Zhen watched the sun sink beneath the mountains.
The fire had only just begun to spread.