In the central region of the southern continent a small 2nd rate sect trail ground for young martial artist who is about to open their twelfth meridian after the trail the twelfth meridian is the final limit for a mortal some take years to get to that level but children from any small to large clan are born with 8 meridian open at birth which is a big advantage for martial artist
Forest near the ren sect where a trail for children who hasn't unlocked their 12 th meridian is taking place The trial ground behind Wei Mountain hadn't changed. Same cold stone floors. Same smell of incense, blood, and old moss. The elders said it was sacred, that it was built by the ancestors before the sect wars. But to Ren Bai, it just looked old.
He walked ahead with his hands behind his back, robes dragging slightly along the edge of the carved path. Around him, a group of boys laughed, the kind of boys who'd never worked a day in their lives. He was one of them. Son of the clan head. Treated better than he deserved extremely arrogant and mischievous
"Did you see that fool from the branch family?" someone from the group behind mc sneered. "He couldn't even draw his blade properly last year."
"Still dared to show up," another one said. "I guess some people don't know shame."
Ren Bai didn't laugh, but he didn't stop them either. He was used to it. The bullying, the posturing. It was what they did. What he did.
He wasn't cruel for fun. Not exactly. It was just the way things were. If you were weak, you got stepped on. If you were strong, you didn't ask questions.
He only turned his head when a familiar voice spoke behind him.
"You haven't changed much just as short as the last time i met you not even a little growth spurt."
Ren Bai looked back. The smile came before he could think.
"Brother?"
Ren Xian stood at the entrance to the trial corridor, just beyond the crowd. His robes were plain. His hair shorter than before. His face—calm, unreadable.
"I heard from the elders you returned." Ren Bai stepped forward, a little hesitant now. "Why did you come weren't you secluded cultivation ?"
Ren Xian looked him in the eye. "I came to see the trial."
Ren Bai's smile faded slightly. "Right. Of course."
The walk through the trial ground was silent. The younger disciples whispered as they passed. Most didn't recognize Ren Xian at first. Three years was long enough to forget a face—especially one that didn't smile much.
The trial began as expected. Groups went into their assigned sections. Illusions, beast formations, simple sword tests. Nothing too dangerous. Not yet.
Ren Bai moved ahead with Ren Xian guiding him. The path took them to an older part of the trial ground, a place with cracked walls and crumbling statues. One statue in particular stood tall—a monk with a broken staff. There was a narrow gap behind it.
"A shortcut," Ren Xian said. "You'll avoid the puppet gauntlet."
Ren Bai raised an eyebrow he wanted to ask many question he saw his brother mid trail and was shocked since only people who haven't opend the twelfth meridian can enter the trail why was he here. "What are you doing don't you feel any suppression from the trail ground ?"
Ren Xian gave a strange look, almost distant. "Because you're my brother i had to come ."
"You don't cultivate diligently and fool around this time in trail there are many strange occurrence so i came here to protect you brother"
Ren Bai didn't like the way he said that he got chills when he heard brother although brother is a loving word to call but he never called ren bai brother ever since they were children it will always be little bai or ren bai never brother and coming brother from his mouth felt extremely distant and cold. But he nodded and stepped forward.
Suddenly The ground shifted beneath his feet.
His heart jumped.
Then the push came. Not hard. Not violent. Just enough.
The edge cracked.
He fell.
No scream. No time to react.
Ren Bai tumbled down into the dark, arms flailing once, then again. Rocks scraped his shoulder. Something sharp tore through his sleeve. Then—silence.
Above, Ren Xian stood still.
He didn't move for a long time.
Only when the echoes of Ren Bai's fall had disappeared completely did ren xian whisped, "…I'm sorry."
And then he turned, eyes heavy, walking toward the other people near him with intense killing intent