Wandao 008
To the east of Niupu Village, a mountain ridge sprawled across the land, known as Fulei Ridge. Here, the skies shifted at whim—sometimes clear as crystal, other times ablaze with lightning and thunder. Rumors whispered of an ancient array spirit buried deep within the ridge, resonating with the world's spiritual energies and birthing strange and tempestuous weather.
At dawn's first light, when tree shadows still danced in the mist and cold needles of chill pierced through robes like fine threads of ice, Wan Xiaochuan stood at the entrance to Fulei Ridge. He wore a short robe of pale ash-gray, cinched at the waist with a deep green sash. From that sash hung a small pouch he had crafted himself—a pouch for spiritual insects, within which nestled three newly-hatched Linghuo Qingli Bugs. Though youthful and still tinged with the rawness of inexperience, his gaze held a quiet resolve. His steps were unhurried, flowing naturally with the early wind.
Beside him, Lin Qixian was draped in a long crimson robe, its shoulders padded with protective pauldrons of braided zicao vine, the mark of an alchemist. A faint flicker of spiritual flame danced between his fingertips. He held a spirit staff carved with the patterns of medicinal herbs, and tapping it lightly upon the earth, he chuckled, "They call this trial a combat test, but in truth, it's more a trial of comprehension—grasping the essence of wind and thunder. I'd say it's far more perilous than any duel."
"The wind and thunder within this mountain... there's a profound spiritual root to them. If I can attune myself to it, I may well awaken the essence of my Wind-Thunder Sword." Wan Xiaochuan replied softly, his fingers brushing the faintly glowing sword embryo at his waist. Though the blade had yet to gain spirit or soul, it already sensed the flows of wind, the cries of thunder.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the heavens.
"BOOM!"
A deafening roar cracked across the sky. Birds exploded from the canopy in startled flight.
The trial had begun.
Within Fulei Ridge, the air was thick, tinged with static. Even the blades of grass trembled as though breathing. The two of them followed a path lined with spirit stones, guiding them deeper into the mountain's heart. Vines twisted across their path, tree branches shaped like swords stretched overhead, and from time to time, spirit serpents slithered through the undergrowth, their aura anything but ordinary.
At the end of the mountain trail, a stone platform emerged at the edge of a cliff. There, three older disciples and a blue-robed elder awaited. The elder, named Xiang Chengdao, was a cultivator hired from beyond the village and the appointed overseer of the trial. He stood tall and sharp-eyed, a faint lightning rune flickering behind his back, hovering like a phantom brand of thunder.
"The rules of this trial emphasize insight above all else. Victory and defeat matter not. Enter the Thunder Domain, seek the root of wind, comprehend the will of thunder, and withdraw when the time is right. Force your way through without the protection of a spiritual root, and your sea of consciousness will be harmed," Xiang Chengdao declared, his voice striking the heart like hammer upon iron.
Wan Xiaochuan and Lin Qixian cupped their fists in respectful salute, then each received a talisman of blue and white markings—tools for orientation and spiritual sensing.
As they stepped into the Thunder Domain, heaven and earth shifted hue. Clouds hung like inverted waterfalls, wind cut like blades, and all around echoed the howl of thunder and the whisper of storms. Wan Xiaochuan sat cross-legged upon a spirit stone, gripping his sword embryo in silence. With closed eyes, he guided the slender threads of his inner spiritual energy toward his dantian, attempting to harmonize with the wind and thunder of nature itself.
A moment passed. Then another.
Suddenly, his true qi surged, trembling violently within him. The sword embryo began to hum on its own—a faint, resonant vibration, like the breath of wind riding sword intent. At the same time, thunder echoed from within his core, currents of electricity coursing wildly through him, threatening to breach the gates of his consciousness!
"Ah—!" His brows knit together, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Gritting his teeth, he forced his will upon the storm, seeking to rein it in.
"Thunder harnessed by wind, qi drawn into the sword's marrow... stabilize—now!" he growled low, and in that instant, the sword embryo blazed with interwoven hues of azure and silver. Sword runes flared across its surface, resembling a coiling thunder-dragon and a serpent of wind, dancing in unison.
Meanwhile, Lin Qixian had long since formed seals with both hands. Around him rose a compact spirit array of vines and herbs—sheltering him from the wild wind and lightning. His method was different, perhaps more subtle, yet no less effective. From his pouch flew several Qingli Bugs, forming a spiraling pattern in the air. They merged with the surrounding spiritual energies, their cries blending into a strange, melodic hum that stirred the very thunder around them.
Though the two did not compete directly, their paths of cultivation had now diverged—each beginning to forge their destiny.
Just as the trial neared its end, a thunderous crash erupted from the mountain's midsection. Trees toppled. Beasts howled in alarm.
Xiang Chengdao leapt to his feet. His spiritual sense surged outward as his expression tightened.
"Someone has broken into the Thunder Domain! That beast's aura—it's not ordinary! It's a spirit beast, driven here by force! Be alert—!"
Wan Xiaochuan and Lin Qixian exchanged a glance, hands tightening around their weapons.
The power of wind and thunder had not yet fully settled in their veins, and already danger descended.
The trial was unfinished—yet already, a killing intent had arrived...