The Third Trial
The disciples emerged from the mystical portal to find themselves at the edge of the forest, the portal behind them collapsing as it disappeared within a few seconds.
Before them stood Elder Wu, a formidable figure whose eyes seemed to carry the weight of centuries. His presence radiated authority and wisdom, and his words resounded through the ears of those listening.
"Welcome, disciples, to the Third and Final Trial" Elder Wu declared. "In this trial, you will face the inner disciples of the sect that will test your strength, your wits, and your ability against them. I warn you though, they won't be as dumb as a demonic beast with no intelligence."
Elder Wu continued, "Your performance in these battles will determine whether you are eligible to become an inner disciple. If you lose, however. You will be disqualified and stay as the outer disciples of this sect."
Mei Ling, the genius who had caught Lin Jian's attention, displayed a confident smile. She was determined to outshine her peers and secure her position as an inner disciple, as she also believed Jian to be able so as well.
The last trial soon began after a few hours, as the disciples stepped into the massive arena, the sheer scale of the battleground left them in awe. The circular arena was surrounded by towering walls that seemed to reach twice as high as the minotaur from before, and a crowd of thousands of disciples filled the spectator seats.
The top ten outer disciples, including Lin Jian, stood at the center of the arena, their hearts filled with anticipation. The inner disciples they were about to face were experienced and formidable opponents, each with their unique strengths and techniques.
The arena was electrified with anticipation as Zhang Wei, an outer disciple renowned for his exceptional swordsmanship, faced off against Li Hua, a graceful and deadly inner disciple. Their swords gleamed in the spotlight, and the audience braced for a battle of unparalleled intensity.
As the battle commenced, the clash of their swords sent shockwaves through the arena. With each strike, they unleashed waves of power that shattered the ground beneath them. The stone floor cracked and splintered as the two combatants displayed their formidable skills.
Zhang Wei's strikes were a display of raw power, each swing sending shockwaves that left deep gouges in the ground. Li Hua, who had suppressed her realm to Zhang Wei's 6th stage of qi condensation as per the rules, responded with a dance of precision and grace, her swift strikes creating ripples in the air.
Their swords clashed with a resounding impact, releasing sparks that illuminated the arena. The sheer force of their blows sent shockwaves radiating outward, causing the spectators to gasp in awe. The battle was a breathtaking display of martial prowess.
With each exchange, the intensity of their attacks escalated. Zhang Wei's strikes left fiery trails in their wake, while Li Hua's swordplay was a mesmerizing blur of motion. The very air seemed to tremble with the power they unleashed.
At one pivotal moment, Zhang Wei unleashed a devastating downward strike that sent a shockwave rippling through the arena floor. Li Hua countered with a lightning-quick parry, and their clash created a burst of energy that shattered the surrounding stone tiles.
As the battle raged on, it became evident that Li Hua held the upper hand. Her precise and calculated strikes found openings in Zhang Wei's defenses, leaving a trail of blood due to the sliced marks on Zhang's body. With a final, breathtaking maneuver, she disarmed him, sending his sword flying.
The spectators erupted into thunderous applause as Li Hua emerged victorious. Zhang Wei, though defeated, lit with a spark of new-found determination. He had given his all in the battle, and yet...
The first match had set a precedent for the trials to come. The inner disciples were formidable opponents, their mastery of martial arts and cultivation apparent to all. The remaining outer disciples braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that they would need to harness their full power and technique to ascend to the coveted ranks of the inner disciples.
3 hours passed, 8/10 of the outer disciples had been eliminated, the remaining two were Mei Ling and Lin Jian.
It was Mei Ling's turn, her confident expression still intact as she took a quick glance at Lin Jian as if to say "watch me!"
The arena was filled with electric tension once more as Mei Ling, a remarkable outer disciple, stood opposite her inner disciple opponent. Her dual swords gleamed with an aura of deadly determination, while her opponent, a master of qi manipulation and sealing techniques, exuded an air of quiet confidence.
Their battle began with a clash of techniques and raw power that sent shockwaves through the arena. Mei Ling's swords danced with unparalleled precision, each swing sending arcs of energy slicing through the air. Her opponent retaliated with intricate sealing patterns that seemed to conjure bursts of elemental force.
Mei Ling weaved through the barrage of sealing techniques, her nimble footwork and dexterity allowing her to evade each deadly effect. She unleashed a flurry of attacks, slashing through the air with unparalleled speed and skill. Arcs of energy cut through the ground as she aimed to pierce her opponent's defenses.
Her opponent, however, was no slouch. He expertly used seals to create barriers, deflecting Mei Ling's onslaught with a combination of elemental shields and explosive counterattacks. The arena trembled as they clashed, a mesmerizing display of martial prowess and arcane mastery.
As the battle raged on, both combatants displayed signs of exhaustion. Their clothing was torn, and blood dripped from various wounds. Despite the punishing nature of the fight, neither was willing to concede. It was a battle of wills as much as it was a test of skill.
In a final, breathtaking maneuver, Mei Ling closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Her swords blurred with unparalleled speed, carving a dazzling pattern of strikes through the air. Her opponent's sealing defenses crumbled under the relentless assault.
With a final, explosive clash, Mei Ling's blades pierced her opponent's guard, and a surge of energy cascaded over him. He fell to the ground, defeated but not without honor. Mei Ling stood triumphant, her voluptuous chest heaving as she caught her breath.
The spectators erupted into applause, their cheers echoing throughout the arena as they commented.
"Mei Ling is truly a heaven sent, she's probably the only winner of this test!"
Another commented, "I wouldn't be so sure, don't you remember Jian? His power would definitely put up a fight against the inner disciples!"
"That is, true."
Mei Ling had emerged victorious, but the cost of her victory was evident in the injuries she had sustained. Her inner disciple opponent acknowledged her strength with a weary but respectful smile.
Now, it was time. For the last duel, the battle between Lin Jian and a certain ice cold woman...