The sun had barely risen when Su Chen stepped back onto Inner Disciple Grounds.
But something was wrong.
The usually quiet training field buzzed with tension. Disciples whispered behind cupped hands. Some looked excited, others nervous. A few glanced at Su Chen with undisguised fear—as if he'd become something else overnight.
And in a way, he had.
His time atop Observatory Peak hadn't just awakened fragments of memory or deepened his insight. It had changed the way the world reacted to him.
Even the sect itself felt… more aware of him.
Like the heavens were taking notes.
He had no interest in fame.
But influence?
That was necessary.
"Senior Brother Su," a timid voice called.
It was Zhao Wen, the lean outer disciple who had helped him with spirit herbs a few days earlier. He rushed over, panting, gripping a worn scroll.
"You should know—Senior Brother Ji Liang has announced a special trial for new inner disciples."
Su Chen raised a brow. "Is that normal?"
"No!" Zhao Wen whispered. "It's an old rite—mostly banned now—but he claimed Elder Qin personally approved it. Everyone's gathered at the Crimson Flame Arena."
Su Chen took the scroll and unfurled it.
> Inner Disciple Trial
Location: Crimson Flame Arena
Time: Immediate
Overseer: Ji Liang
Objective: Survive the Trial of the Ashborn Flame.
Reward: Advancement token and 3,000 sect points.
Penalty for refusal: Forfeiture of inner disciple privileges.
A smile tugged at the corner of Su Chen's lips.
Bold. Desperate. Sloppy.
Typical Ji Liang.
"Thank you, Zhao Wen," he said calmly. "You've earned a favor. Collect it anytime."
Zhao Wen's eyes widened. "Really?"
Su Chen simply walked past him.
Toward the flames.
The Crimson Flame Arena sat in a crater of scorched black stone, its walls inscribed with ancient fire sigils. In the center, a massive bronze brazier burned with Ashborn Flame—a rare spiritual fire that could consume the Qi of weak-willed cultivators.
Twenty new inner disciples stood on the edge of the arena, visibly tense. Some had their hands clenched around talismans. Others looked ready to bolt.
At the far end, dressed in silver robes and flanked by two other seniors, stood Ji Liang.
He wore a practiced smile—the kind that didn't reach the eyes.
"Su Chen," he greeted, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Glad you made it. I was worried you'd hide behind some elder's skirt."
Su Chen ignored the jab. "What's the trial?"
Ji Liang spread his arms theatrically.
"Each of you will step into the Ashborn Flame. If your will is strong enough, you'll survive. If not, the flame will consume your cultivation and leave you crippled."
Gasps echoed.
"You can still choose to walk away," Ji Liang added with a grin. "Just know you'll never step foot inside the core halls again."
Su Chen stepped forward.
"I'll go first."
Ji Liang blinked. "What?"
"I said," Su Chen repeated, walking toward the brazier, "I'll go first. You want to test willpower, right?"
He stopped before the flame, then looked back. "Or is this just another trap you don't have the spine to spring yourself?"
A flicker of anger passed over Ji Liang's face, but he forced a smirk.
"By all means, entertain us."
The Ashborn Flame roared as Su Chen stepped inside.
The fire surged up his legs, licking at his robe, yet did not consume it.
Instead, it burrowed into his soul.
> Burn. Submit. Be unmade.
Pain sliced through his mind. Every memory tried to unravel. His Reset System flickered—not activating, just observing.
The flame tested him.
But he had been broken once already. Burned from the inside out. Betrayed. Killed. Reborn.
There was nothing this flame could take from him that hadn't already been stolen.
He stood tall.
And then—
> [Passive Resistance: Threadbreaker – Tier 1] Activated
Effect: Mental Suppression Reduced
Result: Ashborn Flame recognizes Sovereign Will – Attunement initiated
The flame bent toward him.
Then it changed color—from crimson to violet.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"He's… taming it?"
"The flame's changing—what technique is that?!"
Even Ji Liang's smile faltered.
Su Chen walked out of the flame, untouched.
A soft violet fire danced across his fingertips before fading.
"Next," he said calmly.
No one wanted to follow.
But Ji Liang barked orders, and disciples began entering one by one.
Some succeeded. Others crawled out screaming. A few collapsed, Qi crippled and broken.
And through it all, Su Chen watched—memorizing reactions, judging strengths, mentally mapping allies and rivals.
By the time the trial ended, only eight disciples had passed.
Ji Liang looked furious but hid it behind a polite bow.
"The trial is complete. Elder Qin will verify the results later. For now, these eight have earned their place."
He walked toward Su Chen, lowering his voice. "You've made quite the impression. But impressions… fade."
Su Chen's smile didn't falter. "So do flames."
Then he added quietly, "I'll burn brighter."
> [Ashborn Affinity Gained – Tier 1]
Effect: Flame Qi techniques enhanced by 15% / Immune to ordinary flame suppression
> [New System Prompt Unlocked]
Flame Seed Available – Plant it in your spiritual root to cultivate your first Legacy Technique.
Su Chen's eyes gleamed.
Let Ji Liang play his little games.
The real trial had already begun—and Su Chen had just claimed its first true prize.