The dawn broke crimson over Jade City, painting the training grounds in a faint gold hue. The air shimmered with restrained power — twenty-eight figures stood in two tight formations across from each other, armor gleaming, weapons drawn, and eyes locked. The tension was thick enough to bend the morning air.
Alaric stood on a raised stone platform, arms folded, his black training robe fluttering in the gentle breeze. His gaze swept over his soldiers — his brothers in arms, yet now competitors in a trial that would decide their place in strength and spirit.
"This is not a spar," Alaric's voice boomed, echoing across the yard. "This is a war without death. Push your limits. Break them. Show me your true strength!"
A roar erupted from both sides.
"Begin!"
The explosion of motion was immediate.
Fifteen men charged forward from each formation, weapons gleaming, qi flaring like wildfire. The ground split under the pressure of dozens of cultivators unleashing their might at once.
Liang Chen led the left formation — his silver spear danced like lightning, every thrust sharp enough to tear the air apart. Yue Rong commanded the right — calm, graceful, her sword weaving arcs of shimmering ethereal energy that flowed like mist but struck like thunder.
When the two sides collided, the entire courtyard quaked.
"Formation Break: Wolf's Fang!" Liang Chen shouted, spear glowing silver as he pierced forward with terrifying precision. The air around him rippled with concentric waves, and the men behind him synchronized their qi into his attack, magnifying its power severalfold.
Yue Rong's eyes flashed. "Counter — Mist Veil!"
Her team's aura erupted in unison, creating a swirling field of pale mist that swallowed the left formation whole. Visibility dropped instantly — but the killing intent inside only sharpened. From within the fog, the sound of steel meeting steel echoed like a war drum.
Griffin, wielding twin blades, slashed through the mist with wind energy spiraling off his strikes. "You'll have to do better than that, Rong!"
His blades found a target — Gao Wei's axe — and the two clashed, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Sparks rained as they locked weapons, muscles straining, veins bulging from the pressure.
"Not bad, Griffin," Gao Wei growled, a grin splitting his scarred face. "But your guard's wide open!"
He twisted, using brute force to send Griffin flying back. Griffin rolled midair and landed in a crouch, blood trickling down his lip, but he was grinning too.
Across the field, Audrey's ethereal energy flared violet as she launched a rain of light spears at Liang Hao. "Your defense won't hold against this!"
Liang Hao's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that!"
He slammed his palm into the ground, conjuring earthen walls in rapid succession. The first spear shattered the barrier, the second pierced through the next, and the third grazed his shoulder — but by the fourth, he had found her rhythm. His sword ignited with golden qi, and he slashed through the remaining projectiles, charging straight for her.
All around, chaos reigned. Fists met blades, qi exploded in bursts of flame, wind, and lightning. The weaker members fought with raw desperation, while the stronger ones guided their teams with strategy — intercepting blows, redirecting attacks, and supporting one another.
On the sidelines, Alaric watched every movement, his sharp gaze reading them like an open book. Liang Chen's leadership is solid… Yue Rong's control is frighteningly precise… Griffin's instincts are wild but effective. They're finally thinking like soldiers, not just fighters.
A cry pierced the din — one of the early Desolate Lords was blasted off his feet by a combined strike from two opponents, his armor cracking. Before he hit the ground, two of his teammates caught him and pulled him out of the battlefield's center, sealing his wounds with healing talismans.
Good. They remember the rule: protect your comrades, even in competition.
In the thick of battle, Yue Rong and Liang Chen finally met.
Spear and sword collided with a deafening clang, their energies erupting into the air in a golden and azure explosion. They blurred into motion, trading blows faster than most could follow. Sparks danced with every strike, each attack threatening to shatter the very ground beneath them.
"You've improved, Chen," Yue Rong said between strikes, her voice calm despite the whirlwind of power. "But I won't lose to you again."
Liang Chen's grin was sharp and fierce. "We'll see who gives first!"
He feinted left, spun his spear low, and launched a thrust that glimmered silver with compressed qi. Yue Rong barely twisted out of the way, the spear grazing her armor. She retaliated instantly, her blade flashing upward in a crescent slash that forced him to leap back.
"Dragon Fang Spear — Third Form!"
"Ethereal Mist — Phase Split!"
The two unleashed their techniques at once. The explosion that followed shook the training field, throwing several bystanders off balance. When the dust settled, both were panting, weapons still raised, eyes burning with mutual respect.
Finally, Alaric raised a hand, signaling the end.
"That's enough."
The remaining combatants froze, panting heavily, armor cracked, qi flickering from exhaustion. Slowly, they lowered their weapons and straightened. Half the courtyard was in ruins — but the fire in their eyes was brighter than ever.
"Good," Alaric said after a long pause, his voice low but filled with satisfaction. "This is what I wanted. Real combat. Real fear. Real unity."
He turned to the panting squads. "You've all fought well. Rest. Tomorrow begins the next stage — seven versus seven. Only the sharpest blades move forward."
The soldiers saluted, battered but proud. As they dispersed, Alaric's gaze lingered on the two leaders, Yue Rong and Liang Chen.
They'll be my captains when this is over, he thought. If they survive what's coming next.