Tianyuan Trial

At the end of the rolling mountains, a majestic mountain gate stood tall amidst the clouds. On the archway built of white marble, the three gilded characters "Tianyuan Sect" shone brilliantly in the morning sun, exuding a faint halo as if alive. On either side of the mountain gate were bottomless cliffs, connected only by a stone bridge less than three feet wide. Below the bridge, clouds churned, inspiring awe.

"This is... Tianyuan Sect?" Ning Xiaochuan looked up, his mouth agape. They had climbed a full three thousand stone steps from the foot of the mountain to the gate. Though panting, the sight before him made him forget his fatigue.

Su Linger tidied her damp collar, a hint of relief at returning home flashing in her eyes. "This is just the outer sect. The real Tianyuan Sect is above the sea of clouds."

"Above the sea of clouds?" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes widened. He finally noticed that the pavilions and towers faintly visible between the clouds were not illusions but real structures. "How do we get up there?"

"You'll know once you pass the trial," Su Linger said, stepping onto the stone bridge. "Keep up with me and don't look around."

Ning Xiaochuan swallowed and followed cautiously. The stone bridge, though appearing narrow, was surprisingly stable underfoot. Halfway across, the little dragon Source Soul suddenly emerged from his collar, letting out an excited "Goo-choo" before pouncing towards the sea of clouds!

"Little guy!" Ning Xiaochuan frantically reached out but grasped only air. He watched as the little dragon tumbled and played in the clouds, as if in its element, completely unfazed by the height.

Su Linger glanced back, uncharacteristically refraining from scolding. "Sacred Spirit Young Dragons are born able to ride the clouds and mist. This height is nothing to it."

As expected, the little dragon, having had its fill of fun, flew back to Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, affectionately nuzzling his cheek, still carrying the dampness of the clouds.

Passing through the mountain gate, the view opened up dramatically. A complex of buildings built against the mountain unfolded before them, with upturned eaves hidden among ancient trees. Hundreds of disciples in blue and white robes either practiced martial arts in the square or discussed Taoism in pavilions, exuding an air of immortal grace amidst their orderly activities.

"Senior Sister Su is back!" A young disciple sweeping the ground was the first to spot them and exclaimed in surprise. Instantly, disciples around them gathered.

"Senior Sister, you've been down the mountain for so long, did you complete a mission?"

"Who is this...?"

"What a cute Source Soul!"

Amidst the barrage of greetings, Su Linger merely nodded slightly, pulling Ning Xiaochuan through the crowd. "I'm taking him to see Master. We can talk later."

Leaving the bustling square, the two ascended along a secluded stone path. Ning Xiaochuan couldn't help but ask, "You're quite popular in the sect?"

Su Linger's steps didn't falter. "There aren't many disciples on Xuanbing Peak, and I'm considered Master's final disciple, so..."

Her words suddenly stopped because a tall, upright young man stood on the stone path ahead. The young man was in his early twenties, wearing a dark blue robe, with a handsome face but sinister eyes. A sword as black as ink hung at his waist.

"Senior Brother Han," Su Linger's tone grew noticeably colder.

The young man forced a smile. "Junior Sister Su, I heard you had quite a harvest this time down the mountain." His gaze fell on Ning Xiaochuan, his pupils narrowing slightly when he saw the little dragon Source Soul. "Is this the kid with the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon?"

Ning Xiaochuan felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him, his chest feeling as if a great stone was pressing on it. The little dragon Source Soul immediately bristled defensively, emitting a low growl.

"Han Li, move aside," Su Linger stepped forward, blocking Ning Xiaochuan. "We're going to see Master."

Han Li chuckled. "What's the hurry? According to sect rules, outsiders wishing to enter Tianyuan Sect must first pass the entrance trial." He pointed towards the summit. "Coincidentally, today is the monthly trial day. As the senior disciple of the inner sect, I can arrange it for him personally."

Ning Xiaochuan felt Su Linger's fingers tighten slightly. She whispered, "Don't fall for it, he's deliberately making things difficult for you. The normal trial only requires passing the Path of Heart's Inquiry, but he'll definitely arrange the hardest challenge."

"What? Scared?" Han Li sneered. "Or is it that the so-called host of the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon can't even pass the most basic trial?"

Quite a few disciples had gathered around without them noticing, murmuring amongst themselves. Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and gently pulled his hand away from Su Linger. "I accept the trial."

Su Linger turned to him sharply, her eyes full of warning. But Ning Xiaochuan just smiled at her. "I can't embarrass you, right?"

Han Li clapped his hands and laughed. "Good! Courageous!" He turned and walked towards the summit. "Follow me, the trial is about to begin."

The Tianyuan Sect's trial ground was located on a vast platform halfway up the main peak. Twelve stone pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes stood around the perimeter, and complex, mystical patterns were etched into the ground. By now, hundreds of disciples had gathered at the edge of the field; the news had clearly spread quickly.

"I heard someone is going to challenge the trial personally set by Senior Brother Han?"

"It seems to be the young man Junior Sister Su brought back."

"Is that a Sacred Spirit Young Dragon on his shoulder? It looks so weak..."

Ning Xiaochuan stood in the center of the field, his ears filled with various discussions. Su Linger was blocked from entering the field and could only give him a "Be careful" look.

Han Li walked to a control stone tablet at the edge of the field and announced loudly, "According to the rules, the entrance trial is divided into three stages. First stage, Source Qi Affinity Test!"

He tapped a rune on the stone tablet, and four stone pillars at the edge of the field lit up simultaneously, shooting out four beams of light of different colors that converged above Ning Xiaochuan into a complex light array.

"This is the Five Elements Source Array, which can test the cultivator's affinity with the Source Qi of heaven and earth," Han Li explained. "Judging by the color changes of the light beams, we can determine..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred in the field!

The little dragon Source Soul suddenly flew towards the light array and, with a cheerful "Goo-choo," began to absorb the Source Qi within the array! The four light beams dimmed at a visible rate, while the little dragon's body expanded like a balloon, instantly growing from the size of a house cat to that of a majestic calf!

"This... this is impossible!" Han Li's face changed drastically. "How can the Source Qi of the Five Elements Source Array be absorbed?!"

The crowd at the edge of the field erupted in an uproar. Ning Xiaochuan was also stunned but quickly reacted, trying to communicate with the little dragon. "Little guy, come back!"

The white dragon glanced at him and reluctantly flew back, its size shrinking accordingly. However, the light array had already completely failed, and the four stone pillars were dim and lifeless.

"You cheated!" Han Li shouted sternly. "How dare you damage the trial formation!"

Ning Xiaochuan spread his hands innocently. "Your formation attacked first... uh, I mean, my Source Soul did."

A few suppressed laughs came from the sidelines. Han Li's face turned ashen. "First stage, you pass. Second stage, Combat Test!"

With a wave of his hand, a burly young man leaped into the field. The youth's bare upper body was covered in scars, and a ferocious tiger was tattooed on his right arm.

"Inner disciple Zhao Hu, Source Master third stage, here to play with you," the youth grinned, cracking his knuckles, which made popping sounds like popping beans.

Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. He was only a Source Warrior fifth stage, a whole major realm apart. This wasn't "playing," it was clearly an attempt on his life!

"This is unfair!" Su Linger protested from the sidelines. "The entrance trial has always been a battle between cultivators of the same realm!"

Han Li sneered. "Shouldn't someone who possesses a Sacred Spirit Young Dragon receive some special treatment?"

Zhao Hu didn't wait for the announcement to start; he threw a punch. The fist wind whistled, carrying a faint tiger's roar, clearly indicating he was using a Source Skill.

Ning Xiaochuan dodged hastily but was still grazed on the shoulder, feeling a burning pain. The Source Soul of the little dragon angrily spat out a puff of milky mist, but Zhao Hu was prepared. A talisman flew from his sleeve, transforming into a wall of fire that evaporated the mist.

"It's useless, kid," Zhao Hu pressed forward. "Senior Brother Han gave me a talisman specifically to counter your Source Soul."

At the edge of the field, Su Linger's hand was already on her sword hilt, ready to intervene at any moment. But Ning Xiaochuan's gaze stopped her—it was a determined look that said, "Trust me."

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly changed tactics, no longer dodging. He stood his ground and formed seals with his hands. Seeing this, Zhao Hu rejoiced and threw a full-power punch straight at his chest!

"Ice Heart Art · Condense!"

Just as the fist was about to hit, an ice crystal shield suddenly formed on Ning Xiaochuan's chest. Zhao Hu's fist slammed heavily onto the shield. The ice crystals shattered, but the recoil forced Zhao Hu back half a step.

It was this half-step gap that Ning Xiaochuan seized. He fully activated the Source Qi within him, guiding the little dragon's Source Soul to launch an attack: "Sacred Spirit Breath!"

The little dragon opened its mouth, and a milky white beam of light erupted. Zhao Hu hastily activated another fire talisman, but this time the beam directly pierced the fire wall, blasting him several feet away!

The entire field fell silent.

Zhao Hu scrambled to his feet, his chest scorched black, clearly injured. He roared and was about to charge again, but Han Li's voice stopped him: "Enough! The second trial... you pass."

Ning Xiaochuan let out a long sigh, his Source Qi already depleted by more than half. The little dragon's Source Soul also seemed listless, landing back on his shoulder with a dejected air.

Han Li walked to the center of the field with a grim expression: "The third trial, the Path of Heart's Inquiry!"

He stomped his foot fiercely, and the patterns on the ground lit up with a dazzling white light. The stone slab beneath Ning Xiaochuan's feet suddenly vanished, and he plunged into endless darkness!

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger's cry of alarm came from far above, then disappeared completely.

Darkness. Eternal darkness.

Ning Xiaochuan felt as if he were floating in a void, with no up, down, left, or right. He couldn't even feel his own body. Only his thoughts were still active, but they felt like a trapped insect in amber, unable to move.

"Where... is this?" He wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

Suddenly, a faint light appeared in the distance. The light spot rapidly expanded, transforming into a giant white dragon—the very one he had seen in his dreams. The dragon looked down at him, its eyes filled with infinite vicissitudes and wisdom.

"Bloodline... finally awakened..." The dragon's voice echoed directly in Ning Xiaochuan's mind, shaking his soul.

"Who are you?" Ning Xiaochuan "thought" hard.

"I am the Primal Dragon, the ancestor of all origins." The dragon's body writhed in the darkness. "My power flows through your bloodline, though diluted, it is indeed present."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart trembled: "So my mother really is from the Sacred Origin Tribe?"

The dragon didn't answer directly: "Darkness returns, balance will be broken. The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon chose you; it is both an opportunity and a responsibility."

It suddenly looked up, as if sensing something: "The time has come. Remember, when the Twin Moons are in the Sky, go to the Land of Origin..."

Before it finished speaking, the dragon's figure began to dissipate. Ning Xiaochuan desperately wanted to ask more, but the darkness swallowed everything again.

"Wake up! Ning Xiaochuan!"

A familiar voice pulled him back to reality. Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes to find himself lying in the center of the trial grounds, with Su Linger anxiously patting his cheek. A crowd stood around him, all looking at him with strange expressions.

"What... happened to me?" Ning Xiaochuan struggled to sit up.

"You were in the Path of Heart's Inquiry for a full hour," Su Linger whispered. "Everyone thought you had failed, but..." She pointed to a testing stone pillar at the side of the field, which was now emitting an unprecedented seven-colored light.

Han Li stood by the pillar, his face looking as if he had swallowed a fly: "Path of Heart's Inquiry test... passed."

A cheer erupted from the crowd. Ning Xiaochuan looked at Su Linger blankly: "What does this mean?"

"It means you've made history for the Tianyuan Sect," a gentle old voice came from outside the crowd. The disciples automatically parted, and an old man in white robes walked slowly towards them. The elder had white hair and beard, a kind face, and held a white jade whisk, exuding a comforting and peaceful aura.

"Master Xuanyu!" Su Linger quickly bowed.

Ning Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat—this was the person the woman in green had told him to find!

True Man Xuanyu walked up to Ning Xiaochuan and examined him carefully, his gaze lingering particularly on the Dragon Soul Jade and the little dragon's Source Soul for a long time: "Child, what did you see in the Path of Heart's Inquiry?"

Ning Xiaochuan hesitated: "A giant white dragon. It said... it said its power was in my bloodline."

A collective gasp went through the crowd. A flicker of shock flashed in True Man Xuanyu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "I see." He turned to Han Li. "The trials are over. Do you have any objections?"

Han Li lowered his head: "This disciple dares not."

"Then disperse," True Man Xuanyu waved his whisk, and the disciples bowed and withdrew. He looked at Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger. "You two, come with me."

Xuanyu Peak was located deep within the Tianyuan Sect, the most secluded of the seven main peaks. At the summit were only a few simple thatched huts, surrounded by lush purple bamboo. A gentle breeze rustled through them.

Ning Xiaochuan knelt on a futon inside the thatched hut, holding a warm cup of tea, still somewhat dazed. Su Linger sat beside him, her posture proper. The little dragon's Source Soul flew curiously around the room, occasionally batting at the hanging bamboo wind chimes with its claws.

True Man Xuanyu sat cross-legged opposite them. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he spoke: "Take out the jade slip the woman in green gave you."

Ning Xiaochuan was startled and quickly retrieved the jade slip he kept close to him. True Man Xuanyu took it and lightly tapped it with his fingertip. The jade slip immediately projected a light screen, displaying dense text.

True Man Xuanyu quickly scanned it, his expression growing more solemn. After finishing, he sighed, "As expected..."

"Master, what does it say?" Su Linger couldn't help but ask.

"The secrets of the Sacred Origin Tribe, and..." True Man Xuanyu looked at Ning Xiaochuan, "...the whereabouts of your mother."

The teacup in Ning Xiaochuan's hand fell to the floor with a crack, spilling tea everywhere: "You... know my mother?"

"Twenty years ago, a woman in white came to the Tianyuan Sect seeking an audience with the Sect Master at the time," True Man Xuanyu recalled. "She claimed to be from the 'Land of Origin,' having fled here to escape pursuit. As the Sect Master's junior brother, I had the honor of meeting her a few times."

He rose and retrieved a scroll from the bookshelf. Unrolling it, he revealed a painting of an exceptionally beautiful woman. Dressed in white, she stood among the clouds, cradling an infant. Her serene expression held a hint of sorrow.

Ning Xiaochuan trembled—the woman in the painting bore a striking resemblance to him!

"This is..."

"Your mother, Bai Li," True Man Xuanyu said softly. "Before she left, she entrusted this painting to me, asking that if her child ever came to the Tianyuan Sect, I would look after them."

Ning Xiaochuan's throat tightened. "Is... is she still alive?"

True Man Xuanyu shook his head. "I don't know. She only said she was going to a very distant place to fulfill her mission." He paused. "But she left you a gift."

"Dragon Soul Jade?"

"More than that." True Man Xuanyu pointed to Ning Xiaochuan's chest. "The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon is the guardian Source Soul of the Sacred Origin Tribe. Only those with Sacred Origin blood can fully awaken it. What your mother left you is the hope of the entire Sacred Origin Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan's mind was a chaotic mess. Mother, Sacred Origin Tribe, Primal Dragon... so much information flooded him at once, leaving him overwhelmed.

Su Linger interjected at the opportune moment. "Master, why is the Dark Source Soul Hall so fixated on the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon?"

"Because the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon is the only existence capable of purifying 'Soul Devouring Source Qi'," True Man Xuanyu said with a grave expression. "The Hall Master of the Dark Source Soul Hall cultivates a forbidden technique that requires him to devour various rare Source Souls to maintain his power. The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon's purification ability is precisely his bane."

He stood and walked to the window. "What's more troublesome is that there might be spies from the Dark Source Soul Hall within the Tianyuan Sect."

"Han Li?" Su Linger asked shrewdly.

True Man Xuanyu shook his head. "I'm not sure. But there have indeed been some anomalies within the sect recently." He turned to Ning Xiaochuan. "Child, starting today, you are officially a disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, taken under my wing at Xuanyu Peak. Linger will be responsible for guiding your basic cultivation."

Ning Xiaochuan solemnly kowtowed. "Thank you, True Man, for taking me in."

"No need for such formality." True Man Xuanyu helped him up. "Remember, do not speak of the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon for now. I will announce to the outside world that you are merely a disciple with an ordinary dragon Source Soul."

He handed Ning Xiaochuan a green jade token. "This is your identity token. With it, you can access most areas of the sect. But absolutely do not approach the forbidden grounds behind the mountain, understand?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded in agreement. Just then, the little dragon Source Soul suddenly flew before him, chirping urgently, its tiny claws pointing in a direction outside the window.

"What is it?" Ning Xiaochuan followed its gaze, only seeing another distant mountain peak.

True Man Xuanyu's expression shifted slightly. "It's pointing... towards Xuantian Peak?"

Su Linger explained, "Xuantian Peak is where the Grand Elder meditates in seclusion. Disciples are normally forbidden from approaching it."

True Man Xuanyu looked thoughtfully at the little dragon Source Soul. "The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon is extremely sensitive to Source Qi... could there be something unusual about Xuantian Peak?"

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly made up his mind. "Linger, take Ning Xiaochuan to get settled. I have some things to investigate."

Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger bowed and withdrew. Walking along the bamboo forest path, Ning Xiaochuan couldn't help but ask, "True Man Xuanyu seems very concerned about the little dragon's reaction?"

Su Linger lowered her voice. "The Grand Elder of Xuantian Peak has always been at odds with Master. If he were colluding with the Dark Source Soul Hall..."

She didn't finish, but Ning Xiaochuan already understood the gravity of the situation.

"We're here." Su Linger pointed to a small courtyard deep within the bamboo forest. "This is where I usually cultivate. You'll be staying in the room next door."

The courtyard was serene and elegant, with three bamboo houses arranged in a triangular formation, and a small training ground in the center. Ning Xiaochuan's room, though simple, was clean and tidy. Outside the window was a clear spring, making for an excellent environment.

"Get a good rest today," Su Linger said, handing him a set of blue and white disciple robes. "Starting tomorrow, I will train you rigorously. The Tianyuan Sect is not like the outside world; danger and opportunity coexist."

Ning Xiaochuan took the clothes, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, the dragon in the Path of Heart's Inquiry also mentioned 'Twin Moons in the Sky' and the 'Land of Origin.' Do you know what they mean?"

Su Linger's pupils contracted. "Twin Moons in the Sky is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs once every thirty years. The next occurrence will be in... three months. As for the Land of Origin..." she hesitated, "it is rumored to be the most mysterious secret realm on the Open Source Continent. Only the Sacred Origin Tribe knows its exact location."

She gave Ning Xiaochuan a deep look. "It seems the mystery of your origins is far more complex than we imagined."

Night fell, and Ning Xiaochuan lay on the unfamiliar bed, unable to sleep for a long time. Everything that had happened today flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern—the trial, the Path of Heart's Inquiry, his mother's whereabouts...

The little dragon Source Soul curled up by his pillow, emitting soft snores. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked its scales and murmured, "Little guy, what kind of whirlpool have we gotten ourselves into..."

Outside the window, in the direction of Xuantian Peak, a dark figure silently streaked across the moonlight, disappearing into the depths of the mountain forest.