The day had finally come.
The Nine Sects Grand Assembly—an event that only occurred once every five years—had begun. From every corner of the mainland, powerful sects had gathered to witness the rise of new talents. The Celestial Blade Pavilion, Flame Dragon Temple, Azure Moon Sect, and other legendary sects were all present, each with their most elite young disciples.
For many, this was the moment their destiny would change.
But for Feng Chan, this wasn't about recognition.
This was about proving that even a "talentless" man—abandoned, betrayed, and broken—could rewrite fate itself.
---
Feng Chan's Arrival
Hundreds of disciples lined up outside the Spirit Arena, where the initial testing phase was being held. Richly robed youths flaunted their sect symbols and high-grade weapons, showing off the power and lineage they had inherited.
Among them, one man stood out.
Wearing simple black robes, with a rusted old sword on his back, Feng Chan walked quietly through the crowd.
"Who's that guy?"
"Some nobody… just another wanderer."
"He's not even registered under a sect."
"Then why is he even here?"
He ignored the whispers, his gaze steady. His path was not one walked by many. He didn't need validation—he needed results.
---
The Spiritual Resonance Test
The first test was simple: touch the Spiritual Resonance Pillar—an ancient artifact that measured one's potential, affinity, and spiritual control. The brighter and more colorful the glow, the stronger the cultivator's core was believed to be.
One by one, disciples stepped up.
A prodigy from the Flame Dragon Temple placed his hand—Golden Firelight burst forth. The crowd roared in approval.
A disciple from the Azure Moon Sect—Dual Blue and White aura. A sign of dual-element affinity. The elders nodded in recognition.
Then… Feng Chan stepped forward.
When he placed his hand on the crystal, there was silence.
Nothing happened for three long seconds.
Then—Black Mist swirled inside the pillar, followed by a sudden burst of Celestial Blue Lightning that crackled through the air.
Gasps echoed around the arena.
"Wait… what? Black and Blue?"
"That's… Void and Thunder affinity?! That's incredibly rare!"
"No clan, no background… how is this even possible?"
Feng Chan remained silent as he stepped away, the strange glow still flickering in his palm.
---
The Hidden Gate Awakens
As the last disciple completed the test, a sudden tremor ran through the arena. The ground quaked, and spiritual energy surged in a wave that left everyone stunned.
From beneath the arena, an ancient circular formation began to light up with radiant inscriptions. A deep, ancient voice echoed in the minds of all present:
> "Those chosen by fate… may step forward into the Heaven's Gate Trial."
All eyes turned toward the center of the arena.
"What's going on?"
"This hasn't happened before!"
Even the elders, who had seen many years of cultivation events, looked shaken.
The Heaven's Gate was a myth—an ancient trial that hadn't appeared in over a thousand years. Yet now, it stood awakened, waiting.
---
Only the Worthy May Enter
Nine radiant symbols appeared on the ground—one beneath each of the chosen. The rest of the disciples were unable to move forward, blocked by an unseen force.
Beneath Feng Chan's feet, a glowing Phoenix-shaped Sigil appeared.
Eight others joined him.
Among them, one figure caught his attention immediately.
A tall young woman with silver hair flowing like a moonlit waterfall, crimson eyes that radiated power, and an aura of absolute authority.
Ying Yue.
The same woman he had dual cultivated with to obtain the ancient inheritance. She met his eyes for a brief moment, her expression unreadable.
And then, she looked away.
---
Inside the Heaven's Gate
The moment they stepped through the portal, everything changed.
They found themselves in a floating realm—ancient ruins hovering in the sky, surrounded by clouds and wild spiritual storms. Broken palaces floated in the distance, and strange spiritual beasts roamed the skies.
A massive stone tablet hovered before them.
> "Only one shall reach the heart. The path is filled with trials—of body, of soul, of fate."
A new test had begun.
This was no ordinary cultivation tournament.
---
The First Trial – Beast of Pride
Suddenly, a thunderous roar shook the skies.
From the mists emerged a Seven-Tailed Lion, its mane crackling with spiritual flames. Its very presence bent space, and its roar attacked the soul itself.
"Damn! It's a soul-beast!" one of the disciples shouted.
A few charged forward, slashing with elemental swords and flames, but the lion deflected them all with a single roar, stunning them mentally.
Feng Chan closed his eyes, steadied his breathing, and stepped forward.
He could feel the pressure—his soul was being tested.
But he refused to bend.
Opening his eyes, he dashed forward and struck with a technique he had barely mastered:
> Void Severing Palm.
His palm struck the lion between the eyes.
With a blinding burst of light, the beast disintegrated into mist.
---
Reactions
The disciples stared in disbelief.
Ying Yue narrowed her eyes. "He's grown stronger… but he still doesn't understand control."
Others began keeping their distance from him. Some out of fear, others out of respect.
But one man—Tian Zhen, the heir of Celestial Blade Pavilion—watched him closely.
"That boy… might become a threat."
---
A Silent Observer
Far above the trial realm, hidden within the clouds, a single figure hovered—masked, silver-robed, arms folded behind his back.
He watched Feng Chan with a calm, approving gaze.
> "Good. Your spirit remains unbroken. Let's see how far you go."
That figure… was none other than Lord Xing Tian—Feng Chan's secret master, and one of the top 2 sect leaders in the world.
Even Feng Chan didn't know his identity yet.