Chapter 6 The first challenge

In a vast training field of the li sect,the floor made of an unknown black metal,which looks tough and was charred by scars of previous battles. Telling the tales of the many battles fought on it,by the li sect disciples. Each scar, each gash, each mark left behind speaks of the strength and determination of those who dueled here before, of clashes that tested both body and will, of young disciples who grew into powerful cultivators and elders who passed down the sect's legacy through combat and trial.

The metal itself is cold to the touch, heavy and unyielding beneath the feet of all who gather here, a constant reminder of the weight of responsibility that comes with wearing the sect's robes.

On one portion of it,were youths,both male and female,clad in grey robes and in large numbers, about a few thousands,seems to be patiently waiting for something or someone. Without much noise as most minded their business,why some who seemed to know themselves,or were acquaintance whispered quietly. The grey fabric of their robes is plain and unadorned, marking them as unofficial disciples still proving their worth to the sect. Some stood with their backs straight and heads held high, faces set with determination; others fidget with their hands or glance nervously at their neighbors, unsure of what lies ahead. The quiet whispers pass between small groups – old friends from nearby villages who traveled to the sect together, or fellow recruits who bonded during the initial screening process – sharing rumors of what the first mission might entail, of the dangers that await beyond the sect's walls, of the rewards that come with becoming an official disciple.

Amidst of these youths,Sat Icaros,quietly on the bare floor with his eyes closed,and a battle axe attached to his back. He had acquired the axe,the previous day after the journey at the library, when he learnt from a fellow unofficial disciple, that they can get to chose a free weapon,although not something magical or for spirit realm cultivators, but just made of good material and of good quality, which is still relevant for those at the body refinement realm. Meaning it is useful against mortals and those in body refinement realm and useless against those in spirit realm level. As Icaros discovered from the library,the spirit realm,was the realm after body refinement,it was said to be the actual beginning of cultivation.

The axe head is broad and sharp, its handle wrapped in thick leather that fits snugly in his palm. The fellow disciple who told him of the weapon choosing had pointed out rows of swords, halberds, sabers, and more – all laid out in the sect's armory, each one crafted with care by the sect's smiths. He had explained that while these weapons could not compare to the the power of magical treasures wielded by spirit realm cultivators, they were reliable tools for those still building their foundation,that is,blood,bones and flesh,able to withstand the force of body refinement strikes and cut through mortal armor with ease.

After racking his brain on what weapon to choose out of many types there,swords,halberd,saber and many other,even a maze. It became extra difficult as he didn't use weapons,to fight during his previous life on earth, relying solely on his innate powers,in the end,he chose the battle axe,for the sole purpose of that it looks cool, a reason that makes Icaros chuckle, anytime he remembers it. He had spent a long while walking up and down the armory aisles, holding each weapon in turn to feel its weight and balance. Swords felt too light in his hands, halberds too cumbersome, sabers too familiar to the weapons used by warriors he had seen on Earth. Even the maze – heavy and blunt – had seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Then he had spotted the battle axe, leaning against a rack in the far corner, its steel head catching the light of the armory torches. The moment he picked it up, he knew it was the one – not for any practical reason, but simply because it suited him, because it looked impressive hanging at his back, because it made him feel like he belonged in this world of cultivators and weapons. The thought of his choice still brings a quiet smile to his face, a small reminder of the freedom he once had on Earth to make decisions based on nothing more than what felt right.

"Li Han is really taking long", Icaros couldn't help but think,as the orders from li Han was to be at the training ground early in the morning and prepared,that they will soon be shortly setting off,for their first mission and assessment,to see if they're worthy of becoming official disciple of the sect.

He had woken before dawn, as instructed, and made his way to the training field with plenty of time to spare. The sun has been slowly climbing the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and gold, and still there is no sign of Li Han or any other sect official to guide them. Icaros used the time to settle his mind, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing, letting the sounds of the crowd wash over him – the soft shuffle of feet on metal, the quiet murmur of voices, the distant cry of a bird in a far distance. He thinks of what he has learned from the library books, of the body refinement stages and the four great sects, of the spirit qi that flows through this world and gives its cultivators their power. He wonders what Li Han is doing, why he is late, if something has gone wrong with the mission preparations,and due to the knowledge he acquired from the library. A little question he had previously was solved in his mind,it turns out young master Deimos wasn't surnamed li,due to the fact,that all direct descendant of the li sect master,the wielder of the Nega bands,had no surnames,and the children,will fight against each other for the position of sect master after the passing of the current one. Although there wasn't much information on how they will fight against each other,but what Icaros was sure about,was that for an item,said to be one of the most powerful on the world,a huge amount of blood bath will be done for it,concluded from his past life experiences on earth,as people die for riches. He also found out,that due to the li sect being a sect,disciples weren't restricted to the li surname,meaning the "li" in the name,was more of a symbol of the first wielder of the Nega bands,and to honour his name,as so,you can still retain your surname after joining the li sect. Although you can still change your surname to "li", which will earn you more attention from the sect upper echelons, as it's considered as a sign of loyalty. But for the clans out there,only members of the family are part of it.

Just as Icaros was about to say something to one of the youths around him,who he had gotten acquainted to.

His enhanced sight,as he casually focused on the horizon,saw what he will basically consider a beauty.

Jade like skin, beautiful and well placed facial features, that will make any man not to ignore her, and a small red cherry like lips to top it all,her graceful curves can be seen from time to time,but staid hidden by the green robe she was wearing, and as she rode on what seem to be a large magical flying handkerchief,a thought couldn't help but appear in Icaros mind," an inner disciple,and a beauty at that",he soon snapped out of it and noticed the speed at which the flying handkerchief was moving.

Within the short time Icaros had seen it,with his enhanced sight,the others had already started to notice the flying projectile, but still couldn't see it clearly.

The woman is moving faster than any mortal could run, her flying handkerchief gliding through the air, leaving no trail behind it. Her skin is smooth and pale as polished jade, her eyes bright and clear. Her green robe flows around her as she moves, the fabric shifting with the wind to reveal the shape of her body beneath – curves that are capable of arousing the hidden desires of any man,Icaros knows immediately what she is: inner disciples wear green, and only spirit realm cultivators can use magical treasures,which grant cultivators many magical abilities, even the four greatest weapons can be considered as magical treasures.

Is that the ship,we are living in? Someone muttered,as many suggestions,flew around, but one of the guys,who just recently got acquainted to Icaros, couldn't help but ask him,as he felt he's different from their previous chit chat,"what do you think that is?",Icaros who suddenly had a small quirk to surprise him surprisingly answered with a smirk,"a flying beauty".

The crowd around them was already starting to stir, pointing at the sky and wondering aloud what the object could be. Some couldn't help but say it was a ship sent to carry them to the mission site, others thought it was a magical beast coming to test them,while some even though of it,as elders from other sect coming to witness the assessment.

Huh, the youth was about to respond with a stunned expression from Icaros answer,when he saw the flying beauty indeed,flying towards them. His jaw couldn't help but drop at the magical sight, maybe a little amplified by the lady's beauty. The other youths couldn't help but gasp at the sight,and many other reactions,which Icaros all took in. As the large magical handkerchief slowly flew downwards before stopping.

Gao's mouth opens and closes without making a sound, his face a picture of shock and awe. Around them, the crowd erupts – some cheering at the sight of the inner disciple, others gasp in wonder at the magical handkerchief, many stare with admiration at the woman's beauty. Icaros watches them all, noting how some of the male recruits straighten their robes and tried to look more impressive, how some of the female recruits narrow their eyes with determination or jealousy, how everyone's attention is now completely focused on the woman who has just arrived. The handkerchief descends slowly, its edges rippling like water in the wind, before coming to a steady stop a few feet above the ground. The woman steps off with a lightness that seems impossible for a human, landing on the metal floor without making a sound.

She motioned to the handkerchief, which rapidly reduced in size before returning to the size of a normal one,she gently wiped her face before looking up at the crowd. By now the crowd had already recognized her,as an inner disciple, due to her use of magical treasure (the flying handkerchief), which one can only acquire and use after entering the spirit realm.

Which is the requirement to be an inner disciple,and loyalty to the sect,but the obvious one was the green robe she wore,which was the sign of an inner disciple.

As such the crowd could be heard greeting,"Senior",with a gentle bow.

Even though they all looked to be about the same age group,young and youthful. It does not matter that many of them are the same age as the woman – in the cultivation world, age means nothing compared to strength and rank. Icaros couldn't help but bows with the rest,his eyes still watching her, noting the way she holds herself,the confidence in her movements. He can feel a faint pressure in the air around her, a hint of the spirit qi that flows through her body.

It is different from the cosmic energy his optic blast was made of,but it carries the same weight of power.

The lady in question, displayed no shyness,but spoke with an air of authority and icyness,"The li sect doesn't accept mediocrities,there is no space for mediocrities in the li sect" she paused for a while and looked around the crowd,as if to challenge them,before continuing.

"As such the sect's upper echelons has tasked me with the burden of making sure of that". Her voice is clear and strong, carrying across the field without needing to be raised. There is no warmth in her tone, no hint of friendliness – only the cold certainty of someone who knows their power and their purpose. She looks at each part of the crowd in turn, her eyes meeting those of the recruits as if to judge their worth on the spot. Icaros feels her gaze pass over him, and for a moment he feels as if she can see through his lies, as if she knows he is not just a mortal with unusual strength. Then she moves on, her eyes scanning the rest of the crowd, and the feeling passes.

She threw up the folders handkerchief again,as if,she didn't have any intent of leading them. The handkerchief expanded magically in the air as it floated steadily, then the lady with a gentle tap of her toes,ascended the handkerchief.

which sent questions spiraling into Icaros and the other unofficial disciples head,Icaros couldn't help but wonder,she clearly didn't fly, so how did that gentle tap,not seemingly containing much force launched her to the flying handkerchief. He himself was only able to do that in his past life,by utilizing his ability to fly and just quietly fly or float around,but just as he was about to grow a grey hair from thinking too hard,he remembered the requirement for an inner disciple, being a spirit realm cultivator,after a cultivator enters the spirit realm,they gain access to spirit qi. I guess the spirit qi have to take all the blame, Icaros thought as he chuckled quietly, but it only served to made him more interested in this mysterious spirit qi. And maybe somewhere in his heart,a hidden desire to possess it quietly appeared.

She said coldly, "I am going to fly back to the ship that we will depart in,you guys try to catch up,there will be a timer after I arrive at the ship,if it goes off and you're not there,you're officially eliminated". Her voice cuts through the quiet of the crowd, sharp and final. There is no room for argument, no chance to ask questions – her words are a command, and the recruits know they must obey. Icaros feels a flicker of excitement mixed with caution – this is the first real test of his ability to fit in,not that he needed to.

Contrary to his other abilities, Icaros running ability was actually same with normal human being,not anywhere like super speed,but fast enough.

With a wave of hand of the lady,the noisy crowd instantly grew silent. She said calmly but this time with a smirk on her face,"am going to lower my flight speed, enough for you guys to have a chance. Don't fail to impress me,the first challenge starts now!".