Ryan sat calmly in the royal hall, his gaze fixed on the king and the nine guardians, who looked at him with expressions ranging from curiosity to scrutiny. The atmosphere was charged with an unseen energy, as if everyone was waiting for the next move.
The king finally smiled and said, "Leader of the Heavenly Sect, it seems you're not afraid of power."
Ryan replied calmly, "Respect is earned through strength, not fear, Your Majesty."
One of the king's eyebrows rose slightly, while some of the nine guardians showed signs of interest. One of them—a man with a long beard and sharp eyes—cast a sideways glance at the king, as if he found the situation intriguing.
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The First Trial: Willpower
The king smiled and said, "Since you're here, you must know that the kingdom does not deal with the weak. We need to know if you're truly fit to lead a sect that might become a force in the future."
As soon as he finished, one of the guardians raised his hand, and a terrifying aura burst forth from him, pressing down on Ryan like a mountain had collapsed upon him.
The pressure was so intense that the ground beneath Ryan began to crack, and a hidden wind swept through the hall. One nearby guard swallowed silently, while some of the officials in the back watched the scene in astonishment.
But Ryan didn't move. He didn't even blink.
The pressure intensified, and even Luo Ming, Jing Fei, and Ling Xuan began to feel the crushing force, their foreheads bulging with veins as they struggled to resist.
Ryan kept his gaze fixed on the guardian, showing no sign of weakness. For a moment, their eyes met, and the guardian saw something in Ryan's gaze… It wasn't just defiance—it was unwavering certainty.
Moments later, the pressure gradually eased. The guardian slightly lowered his head and said, "Your will is… not ordinary."
The king nodded slowly, then said, "Very well. You've passed the first trial. But there's more to come."
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The Second Trial: Combat Prowess
The king gestured toward one of the nine guardians—a massive man with white hair and piercing eyes—and said, "This kingdom was built on strength. If you intend to remain here as a key player, you must prove yourself."
The towering guardian stood and said in a deep voice, "I will use only twenty percent of my strength. If you can withstand ten blows, we will consider you worthy."
Ryan gave a faint smile and said, "And am I only supposed to endure them?"
Surprise flickered across the guardian's face before he laughed loudly and said, "Good, good! I like your spirit!"
He moved with sudden speed, throwing a punch directly at Ryan. But Ryan wasn't naive enough to just take the hit.
At the last moment, he raised his arm, channeling his physical strength and an enhancement technique. Their clash created a shockwave that rippled through the hall.
The guardian took a step back, then smiled. "Good strength!"
But Ryan didn't wait. He seized the opportunity and lunged forward with a swift counterattack. The guardian was caught off guard for a moment but managed to block just in time. Still, a small scratch appeared on his forearm, causing him to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
The battle continued, each strike between them generating fierce gusts inside the hall. As time passed, it became clear to everyone that Ryan was no mere leader of an obscure sect—he was someone with true potential.
After the tenth strike, Ryan stood still, while the guardian looked at him with admiration.
The guardian gave a slight bow and said, "You've passed the trial."
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The Truth the King Wanted
After Ryan passed the trials, the king sat back on his throne and took a deep breath before saying, "It seems you possess great potential, which makes me wonder… What is it that you truly want, Leader of the Heavenly Sect?"
Ryan looked straight at the king and said, "I want my sect to remain free—not a tool in the hands of any power."
Silence filled the room for a moment, before the king smiled and said, "An interesting answer."
But one of the guardians narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "No one in this world can stay neutral forever, Leader of the Heavenly Sect. Sooner or later, you'll have to choose a side."
Ryan didn't respond immediately, but he felt that the guardian's words carried a hidden warning—something greater was unfolding behind the scenes.
He knew this night wasn't over… and what awaited him might be more dangerous than the trials he just endured.
— End of Chapter!
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