When the first ray of sunlight illuminated the mountains, many of the new young disciples were already gathered in the courtyard. No one dared to be late.

The air still carried the sharp edge of the sect's defensive formation, making everyone feel extremely alert, as if under forced training.

Kyrian was the first to leave his room, walking with firm steps toward the central square.

On the way, not long after he began walking, he met Yanyu, who was waiting for him with Luz sitting close to her feet as if she owned the place.

"Did you sleep well?" Yanyu asked, adjusting her hair slightly.

"Well enough." Kyrian replied with a faint smile, his eyes scanning the surroundings. For some reason, Kyrian felt that something would happen today, but he couldn't say what it was.

Luz, in turn, perked her ears and stared at Kyrian firmly, boldly. Kyrian immediately understood her. The little beast was, in fact, charging him for the silent promise that still existed between them.

The two then arrived at the same courtyard where they had landed yesterday. Before they could speak further, everyone's attention was taken by Mei Ran's presence.

She walked slowly and calmly into the courtyard, carrying the same authority as always.

She wore a lighter green dress than before, and the two swords still hung at her waist.

Mei Ran's gaze swept across the group… and seemed to pause a moment longer on Kyrian.

He felt her gaze weigh on him. It wasn't hostile, nor was it friendly. Just deep, as if she were evaluating something within him that even he himself did not yet understand.

Kyrian narrowed his eyes slightly but calmed down. He had no idea why, but if he needed to know, he would sooner or later. It was nothing to be concerned about.

"Follow me!" Mei Ran said once she was standing in front of them all.

Without further explanation, she led them through the living corridors of the sect. They passed through pavilions, courtyards, and incomparable arenas and training grounds where many disciples were already awake at the foot of the mountain.

Soon, they reached the great staircase that wound its way toward the sect's inner structures.

They climbed quickly, following the elder. Along the way, they crossed paths with other disciples also ascending.

Here, the disciples' gazes shifted. These were no longer the youths of the Qi Accumulation Realm like most of them.

Each disciple from this point onward exuded at least the pressure of the Qi Liberation Realm.

Their postures were different, straighter, sharper. Even more confident. Some didn't even bother to hide the arrogance in their eyes as they looked at the newcomers, many of whom would never climb those stairs again after today.

"This place…" Yanyu, at Kyrian's side, murmured when she suddenly felt the invisible, cutting pressure hanging over everyone intensify.

Kyrian remained silent, merely observing. Taking in every detail that measured the sect's hierarchy.

The walk ended at a massive pavilion raised at the heart of the valley. The walls were covered with leaves carved in stone-like cuts. As if each leaf were a blade. Many of the carvings were hidden beneath enormous vines that stretched down from the towering trees above the valley.

When they arrived, the place was empty. But as soon as the group drew near, other sect disciples suddenly began to appear, slowly filling the area.

Soon, whispers, stifled laughter, and curious looks emerged among them. Everyone wanted to see the new disciples and whether there would be any special results this year.

Mei Ran stopped before the pavilion gate and declared clearly.

"This is the Leaf Sword Pavilion. It will test each of your affinities with the sword."

"The trial is simple. You will enter and remain inside for as long as you can. The pavilion will cast you out on its own when you can no longer endure."

A silence fell over the group, who now looked at the pavilion with doubt.

With that said, the test began.

The first youth entered with hesitant steps. The moment he crossed the threshold, he was thrown back out in less than a second, falling to his knees amid the muffled laughter of some watching disciples.

Others followed, most not lasting even three seconds.

"How pathetic…" one inner disciple laughed, shaking his head.

The expressions of the newcomers grew darker with each attempt. One after another, they were spat out by the pavilion.

Some managed four, even five seconds. But the average looked disgraceful.

Then came the turn of the crown prince. He stepped forward with a confident, calm expression. He entered the pavilion without hesitation.

Time passed. Five seconds… eight… ten… When he passed ten seconds, murmurs arose.

From within the pavilion, the prince was finally ejected, panting, yet still with a faint smile.

"Ten seconds!" Mei Ran nodded slightly.

That simple gesture was enough for the rest to understand. Ten seconds was a good result.

After him, only ten others managed to reach the ten-second mark, with one or two reaching up to fifteen seconds. These were those who had already stepped into the Qi Liberation Realm.

Then, it was finally Yanyu's turn.

She took a deep breath, her eyes wavering for a moment. Since arriving, she had realized how ordinary her cultivation was and questioned if she truly deserved to be there. After all, she had only passed thanks to Luz's help.

Kyrian, who was watching her from the side, spoke.

"Go, don't overthink. Just do what must be done."

She looked at him, nodded slightly, and then entered with renewed determination.

And so, as soon as she entered, time began to flow.

Five seconds…

Ten…

Murmurs echoed at that moment.

Fifteen…

Twenty seconds…

Now, the gazes of the inner disciples shifted, some even standing in surprise.

When she reached twenty-five seconds, Mei Ran smiled for the first time during the tests.

Yanyu then emerged from the pavilion, gasping, her face slightly pale. Mei Ran stepped forward and said clearly, so all could hear.

"Twenty-five seconds. Well done."

It was the first and only praise Mei Ran had given after so many youths had attempted the test.

Kyrian observed in silence, but a strange warmth grew within him. He was happy for her, and a small smile crossed his face.

When Yanyu stepped aside, the murmurs grew even louder. The attention fixed on her only shifted when Mei Ran called the final name.

That was Kyrian. The last to enter the pavilion.

All eyes then followed his steps as he entered without hesitation.

Then silence fell. Only one question remained, how far would he go?

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