The first trial's arena shifted before my eyes.

Formations activated, transforming the space into a battlefield simulation. Targets materialized, training constructs similar to the Crimson Wastes guardians, but these moved with deliberate intelligence.

"First Trial: Combat Proficiency," Elder Hu announced. "Defeat all constructs. Time limit: ten minutes. Excessive damage taken results in failure. Begin!"

[TRIAL ONE: COMBAT]

[ENEMIES: 10 CONSTRUCTS, STAGE 6-7 EQUIVALENT]

[TIME LIMIT: 10 MINUTES]

[DAMAGE THRESHOLD: MODERATE INJURY = FAIL]

[SIMULTANEOUS ATTACK INCOMING]

Five constructs charged immediately while the other five circled to flank positions. Coordinated tactics, just like real combat.

[COMBAT ASSIST: ACTIVE]

[ANALYZING PATTERNS...]

[RECOMMENDATION: VOID STEP FOR POSITIONING]

[THEN OVERWHELMING OFFENSE]

I activated Void Step, flickering out of the converging attack. The constructs crashed together, momentarily confused. I reappeared behind the group, Serpent's Flow making my sword dance through their formation.

Two constructs fell before they could recover.

[CONSTRUCTS: 10 → 8]

[TIME: 9:12 REMAINING]

The remaining eight adapted, splitting into pairs that attacked from different angles. More sophisticated. Testing my ability to handle multiple threat vectors.

Infinite Tide Scripture flowed through me. I met one pair head-on, redirecting their attacks into each other while Tsunami Fang eliminated a third from an unexpected angle.

[CONSTRUCTS: 8 → 5]

[TIME: 7:44 REMAINING]

The final five formed a defensive circle, forcing me to approach through their coordinated guard. Smart. Testing patience and tactical thinking, not just raw power.

'System, weakness analysis.'

[SCANNING...]

[FORMATION WEAK POINT: NORTHEAST CONSTRUCT]

[IF ELIMINATED, FORMATION COLLAPSES]

I feinted toward the south, drawing their attention, then used Void Step to appear directly behind the northeast construct. My sword pierced its core before it could react.

The formation collapsed. The remaining four constructs attacked individually, exactly what I needed.

Serpent's Flow and Infinite Tide Scripture combined into a flowing dance of destruction. Each construct fell within seconds.

[CONSTRUCTS: 0]

[TIME REMAINING: 5:23]

[TRIAL ONE: COMPLETE]

[DAMAGE SUSTAINED: MINIMAL]

[SUCCESS]

The arena shifted back to normal. Elder Hu nodded. "Trial One: Passed. Efficient combat, minimal wasted movement. Proceed to Trial Two."

The second arena materialized, a maze of formation arrays and Qi puzzles.

"Trial Two: Strategic Thinking and Formation Knowledge," Elder Qin announced. "Navigate the maze, disable three core formations, reach the exit. Time limit: fifteen minutes. Triggering defense mechanisms results in penalty."

[TRIAL TWO: PUZZLE/STRATEGY]

[MAZE: COMPLEX]

[FORMATIONS: DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE]

[THIS TESTS INTELLIGENCE, NOT POWER]

The maze activated. Walls of Qi formed intricate patterns, paths appearing and disappearing based on formation logic. Defense mechanisms hummed ominously, touch the wrong array, face consequences.

'System, can you map this?'

[ANALYZING FORMATION PATTERNS...]

[MAZE STRUCTURE: MAPPED]

[OPTIMAL PATH: CALCULATED]

[CORE FORMATIONS: IDENTIFIED]

[FOLLOW MY GUIDANCE]

I moved carefully, following the system's directions. First core formation appeared, a complex array powering a section of defensive walls. I studied it, identifying the key nodes based on Chen Rou's teachings and the materials Yang Chen provided.

"Disable by disrupting the Qi flow at convergence points," I muttered, channeling precise Qi strikes to three specific nodes simultaneously.

The formation collapsed.

[CORE FORMATION ONE: DISABLED]

[TIME: 12:07 REMAINING]

The maze shifted, paths rearranging. The system recalculated instantly, guiding me toward the second formation.

This one was trickier, layered defenses with decoy nodes designed to trap hasty dismantling attempts. I took my time, testing each node carefully before committing.

[CORE FORMATION TWO: DISABLED]

[TIME: 8:34 REMAINING]

The final formation was hidden behind multiple false paths and defense mechanisms. Several times I had to backtrack, avoiding triggers that would've penalized me.

When I finally reached it, the formation was the most complex yet, interlocking arrays that reinforced each other. Direct dismantling would take too long.

'System, there has to be a master control.'

[ANALYZING...]

[FOUND: CENTRAL NODE]

[HIDDEN BENEATH SECONDARY ARRAY]

[DISABLE IT, EVERYTHING COLLAPSES]

I focused on the central node, threading my Qi through the defensive layers with surgical precision. One wrong move would trigger the entire system.

Carefully... carefully...

The node accepted my Qi disruption. The entire formation network collapsed like a house of cards.

[CORE FORMATION THREE: DISABLED]

[TIME: 4:12 REMAINING]

[MAZE EXIT: ACCESSIBLE]

I sprinted to the exit, clearing the maze with time to spare.

"Trial Two: Passed," Elder Qin said, sounding impressed. "Formation analysis and dismantling completed with unusual efficiency. Proceed to Trial Three."

The third trial was different, no combat arena, no maze. Just me, standing in an empty circle.

Elder Liu stepped forward. "Trial Three: Qi Control and Refinement. Demonstrate mastery of three different Qi manipulation techniques. Precision is key."

[TRIAL THREE: TECHNICAL SKILL]

[DEMONSTRATE: QI SHAPING, QI PROJECTION, QI INFUSION]

[THIS TESTS FUNDAMENTAL CULTIVATION CONTROL]

"First: Shape your Qi into a perfect sphere. Maintain stability for thirty seconds."

I gathered my Qi, compressing it into a sphere. The Infinite QI constitution made this easier, I had power to spare. Maintaining perfect spherical shape while it wanted to expand or dissipate required constant micro-adjustments.

Thirty seconds passed.

"Acceptable. Second: Project your Qi to strike a target three meters away without physical contact."

A target materialized. I extended my Qi, forming it into a concentrated lance that shot forward and struck dead center.

"Acceptable. Third: Infuse this formation stone with exactly 100 units of Qi. No more, no less."

She handed me a calibrated stone that would measure precisely. Too much Qi would overload it. Too little would fail the test.

I channeled carefully, feeling the stone's capacity, matching it exactly—

[QI INFUSION: 100 UNITS]

[PERFECT CALIBRATION]

[SHOW OFF]

The stone glowed steady blue, perfect infusion.

Elder Liu raised an eyebrow. "Precise control for someone with abnormally large reserves. Trial Three: Passed."

"Trial Four: Sect Loyalty and Character," Elder Hu announced.

This trial was verbal, I was presented with scenarios, forced to make decisions that revealed priorities and values.

"Scenario One: You discover a fellow disciple stealing sect resources. They're from your faction. What do you do?"

"Report them," I said immediately. "Sect law applies to everyone, including faction members. Loyalty to friends doesn't override integrity."

"Scenario Two: An elder orders you to abandon wounded teammates during a mission. The elder outranks your objections. What do you do?"

Harder question. I thought about Team 7, about Feng Yue's team.

"I follow the order under protest, but I document everything and report to the Disciplinary Hall afterward. If the order was wrong, the elder should face consequences. If it was right, my report proves I acted correctly."

[DIPLOMATIC ANSWER]

[SHOWS LOYALTY BUT NOT BLIND OBEDIENCE]

[GOOD BALANCE]

The questions continued, ten scenarios testing everything from resource distribution to life-or-death choices. I answered honestly, based on what I'd learned from the Crimson Wastes and Team 7's example.

"Trial Four: Passed," Elder Hu said. "Your answers show maturity beyond your experience level."

"Final Trial," Elder Qin announced. "Endurance and Will."

The arena shifted one last time. Pressure descended, artificial but intense, simulating cultivation breakthrough resistance multiplied tenfold.

"Maintain your cultivation stability under pressure for five minutes. Qi deviation or collapse results in failure. Begin."

[TRIAL FIVE: MENTAL/SPIRITUAL ENDURANCE]

[PRESSURE: EXTREME]

[MAINTAIN STABILITY: 5 MINUTES]

[DIFFICULTY: MAXIMUM]

The pressure was crushing. It felt like standing under an ocean, weight pressing from all directions. My Qi wanted to scatter, my concentration wanted to break, my body wanted to collapse.

[BOSS, FOCUS]

[USE INFINITE TIDE SCRIPTURE'S FLOW]

[REDIRECT PRESSURE INSTEAD OF RESISTING]

I shifted tactics. Instead of fighting the pressure, I let it flow through me. Infinite Tide Scripture's philosophy, redirect, adapt, flow like water around obstacles.

The pressure remained but became manageable. My Qi stabilized, forming patterns that accommodated the external force rather than opposing it.

[CULTIVATION STABILITY: MAINTAINED]

[TIME: 3:47 REMAINING]

[YOU'RE DOING IT]

The final minutes felt eternal. Sweat poured down my face. Every second required complete concentration. But I held.

Five minutes passed.

The pressure vanished.

I collapsed to one knee, gasping, but my cultivation remained perfectly stable.

[TRIAL FIVE: COMPLETE]

[ALL FIVE TRIALS: PASSED]

[CORE DISCIPLE STATUS: ACHIEVED]

Elder Hu stood. "Lin Tian. You have passed all five trials with exceptional performance. By the authority granted to me by Sect Master Liang, I hereby promote you to Core Disciple status, effective immediately."

The arena erupted in applause and shocked murmurs.

[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: CORE DISCIPLE]

[AGE: 17 (BODY AGE)]

[TIME IN SECT: 3 MONTHS]

[YOUNGEST PROMOTION: LAST 50 YEARS]

[REPUTATION: LEGENDARY]

I stood, bowing deeply to the elders. "This disciple is honored."

"Don't be honored yet," Elder Hu said. "Core disciple status brings greater responsibility. You'll be expected to represent the sect in inter-sect competitions, mentor junior disciples, and undertake dangerous missions. Are you prepared?"

"Yes, Elder."

"Then welcome to the core disciples, Lin Tian." A slight smile. "Try not to advance to Nascent Soul before you're twenty. Some traditions should be maintained."

Laughter rippled through the audience.

As I left the arena, Team 7 mobbed me. Yun Xia threw her arms around me. Su Mei cheered. Han Feng lifted me bodily off the ground.

"Core disciple!" Zhou Ming shouted. "You're actually core disciple!"

[VICTORY: COMPLETE]

[FRIENDS: CELEBRATING]

[STATUS: TRANSFORMED]

[THREE MONTHS: CANNON FODDER TO CORE DISCIPLE]

[IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY: COMPLETED]

I looked at their faces, genuine joy, pride, celebration.

Three months ago, I'd died to a vending machine.

Now I was core disciple of a cultivation sect.

And this milestone?

Worth celebrating.

[CORE DISCIPLE: ACHIEVED]

[ALL TRIALS: PASSED]

[NEW STATUS: ELITE]

[NEW RESPONSIBILITIES: SIGNIFICANT]

[NEXT: CORE DISCIPLE LIFE AND CHALLENGES]

[CONGRATULATIONS, BOSS]

[YOU EARNED THIS]

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