Chapter 15: The lnner Sect Arrives
1550 Words
The heavy footsteps echoed steadily through the ancient corridor.
Every disciple instinctively turned toward the entrance.
The atmosphere inside the hall became suffocating.
A moment later, three figures emerged from the darkness.
Unlike the outer disciples, they wore deep azure robes embroidered with silver clouds. Each robe carried a small golden sword on the chest—the unmistakable symbol of the Inner Sect.
The disciple walking at the front appeared to be around twenty years old. His features were sharp and handsome, and a long sword with a sapphire-blue scabbard rested at his waist.
His gaze swept across the hall before stopping on the floating jade token in Lin Chen's hand.
"So..."
"We weren't too late."
Behind him stood a tall young woman carrying twin swords on her back. Her expression was cold, and her eyes missed nothing.
The third disciple was broad-shouldered and nearly a head taller than everyone else. A massive saber rested across his back.
None of them released their cultivation.
They didn't need to.
The pressure surrounding them was enough to make several outer disciples lower their heads.
Luo Jian whispered,
"They're Inner Sect disciples..."
Lin Chen nodded.
"And not ordinary ones."
Even without sensing their cultivation, he could tell these three had experienced countless battles.
They were completely different from Zhao Feng.
The leading disciple smiled politely.
"My name is Qin Yu."
"I am a disciple of the Inner Sect."
His tone was gentle.
Yet it naturally carried authority.
His eyes settled on Lin Chen.
"You must be the one who opened the inheritance."
Lin Chen neither confirmed nor denied it.
"I merely passed the first trial."
Qin Yu laughed softly.
"A humble answer."
His gaze shifted toward the crystal platform.
"So the inheritance has finally chosen someone."
The mysterious old man quietly watched the exchange from a distance, saying nothing.
Qin Yu suddenly bowed respectfully toward him.
"This junior greets Senior."
The old man smiled faintly.
"You're more polite than the last group."
Qin Yu straightened.
"Our elders taught us to respect those who came before us."
The old man nodded approvingly.
"Good."
"You'll need that humility."
The broad-shouldered disciple stepped forward impatiently.
"Senior Brother Qin."
"Why waste time talking?"
"If the inheritance has recognized him, we simply take the token."
Silence fell.
Several outer disciples nervously stepped backward.
Luo Jian's hand tightened around his sword.
Qin Yu's smile disappeared.
He looked toward his companion.
"Junior Brother Han."
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
Han snorted but remained silent.
Lin Chen carefully observed them.
"Interesting..."
"They're not united."
That was useful information.
Qin Yu turned back toward Lin Chen.
"Junior Brother."
"Would you allow me to examine the jade token?"
Lin Chen looked down at the token resting in his palm.
"It refuses."
Almost immediately, the token released a faint golden glow.
The moment Qin Yu reached toward it, the light intensified.
His hand stopped halfway.
He slowly withdrew it.
"It truly has acknowledged an owner."
The old man chuckled.
"The inheritance chooses."
"No one else."
Han frowned.
"So we just leave empty-handed?"
The old man shook his head.
"The first trial chooses a guide."
"The inheritance itself..."
"...has many more trials."
Everyone's eyes brightened.
Many more trials?
That meant there were still opportunities waiting deeper inside.
Suddenly, the jade token in Lin Chen's hand became warm.
Golden lines spread across its surface.
A section of the wall behind the crystal platform began to tremble.
Rumble...
Dust poured from the ceiling.
Ancient gears hidden within the mountain slowly turned for the first time in centuries.
A second stone gate emerged from the darkness.
Unlike the first entrance, this one was carved with countless lifelike swords.
Some pointed toward the heavens.
Others faced the earth.
Each emitted an indescribable pressure.
The deep ancient voice echoed once again.
"Those who have passed the First Trial..."
"...may challenge the Second."
"Only five may enter."
Immediately, the hall fell silent.
There were more than a dozen people present.
Only five were allowed to continue.
The golden light split into five streams.
One landed on Lin Chen.
Another descended upon Luo Jian.
The third chose Qin Yu.
The fourth selected the cold young woman beside him.
The fifth...
Surprisingly...
Stopped before the mysterious old man.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
The old man scratched his beard awkwardly.
"It seems..."
"Even an old man can't escape fate."
Han's face darkened instantly.
He had not been chosen.
Neither had Zhao Feng.
Nor any of the remaining disciples.
The Second Trial had already made its decision.
The hall fell into complete silence.
Five pillars of golden light illuminated the chosen participants.
Lin Chen.
Luo Jian.
Qin Yu.
The cold young woman.
And the mysterious old man.
The remaining disciples stared in disbelief.
Some clenched their fists in frustration.
Others looked at the chosen five with open envy.
Han's expression was especially ugly.
He had entered the ancient tomb believing his cultivation alone would guarantee him the inheritance.
Instead, the formation had rejected him without hesitation.
His fists tightened.
"What right does a mere Outer Sect disciple have?"
His cold gaze settled on Lin Chen.
"If I can't enter..."
"...then neither can he."
Before anyone could react, Han drew the massive saber from his back.
A powerful aura erupted from his body.
The pressure was far beyond that of any Outer Sect disciple.
The surrounding disciples instinctively retreated.
Only Qin Yu remained where he stood.
"Junior Brother Han."
His voice was calm.
"Put your weapon away."
Han ignored him.
"As long as he dies before entering..."
"The inheritance will choose someone else."
The hall instantly became tense.
Luo Jian stepped in front of Lin Chen.
"I won't let you touch him."
Han laughed.
"You?"
"You're not even qualified to make me draw my full strength."
He took another step forward.
The stone beneath his feet cracked.
Lin Chen rested his hand on the hilt of his iron sword.
Although Han's cultivation exceeded his own by several realms, retreating now would only invite endless pursuit.
If a battle was unavoidable...
Then he would fight.
Just as Han was about to move—
The ancient voice echoed through the hall.
"Violence among the chosen..."
"...is forbidden."
The next instant, an invisible pressure descended upon everyone.
Han's saber became impossibly heavy.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't lift it.
His face changed dramatically.
"What... is this?"
The mysterious old man smiled.
"The master of this inheritance disliked those who relied on force."
"The rules apply equally to everyone."
Han struggled for several moments before finally releasing his weapon.
The enormous saber struck the ground with a loud clang.
His face burned with humiliation.
Qin Yu sighed quietly.
"You've embarrassed yourself enough."
Han lowered his head.
Although resentment still filled his eyes, he said nothing more.
The ancient pressure slowly disappeared.
The five pillars of golden light began moving toward the newly opened stone gate.
The old man looked at the others.
"It appears our path ends here."
Luo Jian swallowed nervously.
"I've never been inside an ancient inheritance before."
The cold young woman finally spoke for the first time.
"Stay close."
Her voice was clear and steady.
"Whatever lies ahead won't be simple."
Luo Jian nodded gratefully.
Qin Yu looked toward Lin Chen.
"You've earned the inheritance's recognition."
"I hope we can cooperate."
Lin Chen studied him for a moment before giving a slight nod.
"As long as our goals don't conflict."
Qin Yu smiled.
"A fair answer."
Without another word, the five stepped toward the second gate.
As Lin Chen crossed the threshold, the jade token in his hand released another pulse of golden light.
The stone gate slowly closed behind them.
Boom!
The sound echoed throughout the chamber.
The remaining disciples were left outside.
Han rushed forward and slammed his fist against the sealed door.
It didn't move.
His face twisted with rage.
"Damn it!"
Inside, the passage beyond the second gate was unlike the first.
The walls were carved from smooth black stone that reflected no light.
Instead, countless tiny crystals embedded in the ceiling emitted a soft silver glow.
The corridor stretched endlessly ahead.
No one spoke.
Even the old man walked quietly, occasionally glancing at the surrounding walls with an unreadable expression.
After nearly fifteen minutes, the passage opened into another enormous chamber.
Unlike the previous hall, this one contained nothing but five circular stone platforms.
Each platform was separated by a deep chasm.
Between them floated narrow bridges made entirely of condensed spiritual light.
At the center stood a weathered stone monument.
Ancient characters slowly appeared upon its surface.
Second Trial.
The Trial of Resolve.
Each challenger must walk alone.
Only those whose will remains unshaken may continue.
The words faded.
Immediately, the five bridges began glowing.
Each connected to only one platform.
There was no choice.
The inheritance had already assigned their paths.
Lin Chen looked across the endless darkness beneath the bridge.
For the first time since entering the ancient tomb...
He felt a faint sense of danger.
Not from enemies.
Not from traps.
But from the trial itself.
The mysterious old man quietly smiled.
"The real test..."
"...begins now."
Without hesitation, Lin Chen took his first step onto the bridge of light.
The moment his foot landed...
The entire world around him shattered like broken glass.
- Writer
