The sun rose high over the Heaven's Gate Sect, casting long shadows across the Inner Disciple Grounds. Disciples gathered like bees to nectar, drawn by rumors that had spread overnight like wildfire.
"Su Chen returned from the Hall of Origins alive." "He awakened a flame aura never seen before." "The outer sect genius defeated the core disciple Fang Li in one move!"
By the time Su Chen stepped onto the dueling platform, a crowd of nearly five hundred had formed.
He didn't wear his outer disciple robes anymore. He now wore plain black cultivation garb, a silver trim at the edge—not assigned by any rank, but earned through presence alone. His eyes glowed faintly with a heat that wasn't just spiritual power. It was purpose.
Among the crowd, many looked at him with awe. Others with envy. And a few… with fear.
Above them all, on the balcony of the Inner Elders' Pavilion, three figures watched silently.
Elder Meng, the stoic Formation Master. Elder Li, cold and calculating, fingers steepled together. And Elder Zhou—who was smiling.
"Quite the spectacle," Elder Li muttered, his gaze sharp. "He's attracting too much attention."
Elder Zhou shrugged. "Maybe that's exactly what this sect needs. Someone to stir the waters."
As Su Chen reached the platform, a voice boomed.
"You're not even Core Tier, yet you strut like a Phoenix. Let me see if you're worth the whispers."
The crowd parted as Huo Lin, an inner disciple ranked in the top thirty, leapt onto the stage. His crimson robe were laced with golden patterns of fire dragons. His Qi flared instantly—mid-Foundation Realm, with dual flame attributes.
Gasps erupted.
"Huo Lin is challenging him?" "He's one of Elder Li's direct disciples!" "This will be one-sided…"
Su Chen simply looked at him. "If you want to lose, step forward. If you want to be crippled, stay where you are."
The crowd silenced instantly.
Huo Lin's face twitched. "You dare—!"
A bell rang. The match began.
Flames erupted from Huo Lin's hands, forming twin fire serpents that lunged at Su Chen, tongues of heat flicking like whips. The air warped around him, dust lifting in spirals.
But Su Chen didn't move.
Until the serpents reached him.
Then—he raised one hand.
Starfire.
A flicker of dark-blue flame danced to life on his fingertip. Silent. Cold. Beautiful.
The fire serpents hissed—and vanished mid-air, devoured by the tiny star of blue flame.
"What?!"
Huo Lin blinked.
Too late.
Su Chen stepped forward, his palm glowing with condensedfire. He struck Huo Lin's chest—not with killing intent, but precision.
A boom sounded as Huo Lin flew backward, crashing into the platform's edge.
Silence.
Then whispers.
"What flame was that?" "His Qi signature—it's not natural fire!" "That's not even Heaven-grade! That's… something else."
Su Chen stood still. Calm. Unbothered.
> [System Notice: Battle XP Absorbed – Flame Qi Enhanced] [Starfire Rebirth (Tier I): Progress 17% → 21%]
Su Chen's body surged with warmth. The new flame art, awakened from his trial, grew stronger with every opponent he crushed. A perfect loop. Battle. Burn. Grow.
Huo Lin groaned, spitting blood. "You… freak…"
"I gave you a choice," Su Chen said, stepping off the platform.
No applause. No cheers. Just stunnedsilence.
And fear.
Behind the scenes, Elder Li narrowed his eyes. "That flame… it's not from any sect manual."
Elder Zhou chuckled. "Perhaps he found something in the Hall of Origins. Are you going to report him?"
"No," Li said coldly. "I'm going to test him."
That night, Su Chen sat cross-legged beneath the moons.
The courtyard was quiet. His mind replayed the Hall of Origins, the battles, the whispers. Power was rising—but so were the eyes on him.
> [System Notification: Anchor Ready – Set New Reset Point?]
He hesitated.
He could anchor now, securing all progress—flame arts, realm growth, memories.
But setting it meant this version of himself was the new default. Any death from now on would return him here.
"I'm not done yet," he whispered. "I haven't seen the realenemy."
> [Anchor Postponed – Progress Unstable]
He opened his eyes, flames flickering behind them.
"Soon," he murmured. "Very soon."
And above, in the dark clouds, a crimson raven watched.
A scout. A spy. Sent by an unknown force.
It cawed once.
And vanished.