The first rays of dawn painted the sky in streaks of gold and crimson. Crimson Flame Sect's courtyard blazed with the fiery glow of countless torches, their flames dancing like restless spirits. The air itself shimmered faintly, heated by the sect's fire qi.Azure Heaven Sect's disciples stood in formation at the edge of the arena, tension humming like a drawn bowstring. Their faces were pale but resolute, blades gleaming as they gripped them tightly.At their head stood Lin Xueyao, her long dark hair tied high, robes neat, aura sharp as a blade unsheathed. Her eyes burned with determination, as though she had sworn to carve Azure Heaven's honor into the stones of the courtyard itself.Beside her, Mei Ling adjusted the stack of talismans hanging at her waist. Her smile was calm, but her fingers trembled slightly as she arranged her sleeves. When she caught Lin Xueyao's glance, she straightened, giving a reassuring nod.Behind them, Jiang Hao yawned. Loudly.The sound carried across the courtyard, drawing stares from both Azure Heaven and Crimson Flame disciples.Lin Xueyao nearly spun on him. "Could you—just once—take this seriously?"Jiang Hao rubbed his eyes, his hair slightly mussed as if he had rolled out of bed moments before. "It's barely dawn. Who schedules work before nine? Ridiculous."A twitch developed in Lin Xueyao's temple.Mei Ling quickly stepped in, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter. "Senior Sister, don't worry. Senior Brother Jiang will do what's needed, when it's needed.""That's what I'm afraid of," Lin Xueyao muttered darkly.The Crimson Flame Sect Leader arrived with a retinue of elders, his presence pressing down on the arena like a furnace. His voice rolled like thunder. "Azure Heaven dares claim it comes to aid Crimson Flame. Prove your worth. Stand against our disciples, and we shall see whether your words hold fire."The crowd roared their approval, Crimson Flame disciples pounding spears against the ground, chanting like a storm.From their ranks stepped three figures, young but fierce, flames coiling around them like living serpents. Their qi was hot, heavy, and merciless.One of them sneered across the courtyard. "Azure Heaven. Which lamb wishes to burn first?"Murmurs spread through Azure Heaven's disciples. Anxiety rippled down the line.Lin Xueyao stepped forward immediately, her aura flashing cold steel. "I will."Cheers erupted from Crimson Flame disciples. To them, Lin Xueyao was a prize—Azure Heaven's famed prodigy, pitted against their own rising flames.Mei Ling's heart leapt to her throat. She wanted to stop her, but Lin Xueyao's expression brooked no argument.Beside her, Jiang Hao poured tea into his cup. He blew on it softly, as if the cheers and tension meant nothing at all.One Azure Heaven disciple whispered, "Why isn't Senior Brother Jiang stepping in?"Another muttered, "Maybe he's afraid…"Mei Ling's eyes flickered to Jiang Hao, studying his calm profile. No. Not afraid. He was simply waiting. For what, she didn't know—but waiting all the same.Lin Xueyao and the Crimson Flame disciple stepped into the arena, qi flaring as they bowed. The ground itself seemed to shiver beneath the heat.The Sect Leader's voice boomed: "Begin!"Flames roared to life as the Crimson Flame disciple surged forward, sword a blazing arc of molten steel. Heat blasted across the courtyard like a desert wind.Lin Xueyao moved like lightning, her blade flashing cold light. Steel met fire with a deafening crack, shockwaves rippling through the courtyard. Sparks showered the ground, smoke rising where flames kissed stone.The duel was brutal, elegant, breathtaking. Lin Xueyao's precision cut through the wild storm of flames, but each strike she parried left scorch marks along her blade. Sweat beaded her brow, though her eyes never wavered.On the sidelines, Jiang Hao slurped his tea. Loudly.Several disciples turned, stunned. He looked completely at ease, as though watching a street performance rather than a deadly duel.Lin Xueyao heard it too. Her teeth ground together as she blocked another searing strike. If I lose, he'll never let me live this down.She lunged, her sword flashing like a streak of moonlight. Her opponent's flames flared high—but her blade slipped through the blaze, striking his shoulder. He staggered back, fire dimming.The courtyard erupted in gasps.The Crimson Flame Sect Leader's eyes narrowed.Lin Xueyao stood tall, chest heaving, blade steady. "Azure Heaven does not bow."Jiang Hao clapped politely. "Very efficient."Lin Xueyao flushed, torn between pride and irritation.But the trial wasn't over. Two more Crimson Flame disciples stepped forward, their fire qi rolling like waves of molten lava.The Azure Heaven elder hesitated, scanning the line of disciples. They were tired, uncertain. Only one man looked completely at ease.Jiang Hao.Still sipping tea.The elder cleared his throat. "Jiang Hao. It is your turn."Every gaze snapped toward him. Mei Ling bit her lip, eyes wide. Lin Xueyao's jaw dropped.Jiang Hao blinked. "My turn?""Yes," the elder said firmly.Jiang Hao sighed, setting down his cup reluctantly. "Fine. But this better not count as overtime."He walked into the arena with the air of a man heading to a morning stroll. The Crimson Flame disciples laughed openly."This one's half-asleep.""Does Azure Heaven send fools to represent them?""He'll burn in seconds."Lin Xueyao's nails dug into her palm. Mei Ling clasped her hands tightly.Jiang Hao faced his opponents, posture loose, expression faintly bored. He yawned once more.The Sect Leader raised his hand. "Begin!"The Crimson Flame disciples exploded forward, twin swords blazing like suns. Fire engulfed the arena, a roaring inferno.For a moment, Jiang Hao vanished in the blaze. The crowd leaned forward, eager for the scream of defeat.But there was none.As the flames cleared, Jiang Hao stood exactly where he had been, robes untouched, hair unruffled. He lifted one hand casually.Snap.Both Crimson Flame disciples froze. Their flames sputtered, swords falling to the ground with a clatter.The crowd gasped.Jiang Hao dusted off his sleeve, muttering, "Too loud for this early in the morning."Then he turned and walked away.The silence in the arena stretched on like an unbroken thread.Two Crimson Flame disciples knelt in the dust, their swords lying cold beside them. Their eyes were wide with disbelief, still trying to comprehend how a single flick of Jiang Hao's fingers had reduced their roaring flames to smoke and ash.The crowd of disciples erupted into chaos."What… what did he do?""They didn't even touch him!""Impossible! They're ranked third and fifth in Crimson Flame's inner sect!"Murmurs swirled like storm winds, shock painted across every face.On Azure Heaven's side, the disciples stood frozen, as though struck dumb. Then a ripple of awe passed through them, shoulders straightening, fear melting into fierce pride.Lin Xueyao's chest rose and fell rapidly. Relief mixed with frustration burned hot in her veins. She had fought tooth and nail for her victory, blades ringing, sweat dripping. And Jiang Hao? He hadn't even broken a sweat. He hadn't even tried.She stomped forward, snatching his sleeve as he passed. "You—you—!" Her voice trembled with fury. "Do you think this is funny?!"Jiang Hao blinked, tilting his head at her grip. "Funny? No. A little noisy? Definitely.""You humiliated them without lifting a finger!""They humiliated themselves," he replied with a shrug. "I was just standing there. If someone trips while running at me, is it my fault?"Lin Xueyao's hand clenched tighter. "You—!" She stopped herself, realizing the eyes of both sects were on them. She released him with a sharp huff, turning away before her expression betrayed too much.Mei Ling, standing close, covered her mouth with her sleeve, her shoulders trembling. Laughter danced in her eyes. "Senior Brother Jiang… you really are something.""I'm just efficient," Jiang Hao said solemnly, as if slapping two elite disciples into silence with a finger snap were a mundane chore.On the elevated platform, the Crimson Flame Sect Leader's expression was thunderous. His elders whispered furiously, debating whether to rage at the insult or marvel at the display.Finally, the Sect Leader rose, his fiery aura pressing down on the arena. "Azure Heaven… you bring us an unexpected guest." His eyes narrowed on Jiang Hao. "What is your name?""Jiang Hao," he replied simply.The Sect Leader's gaze sharpened, searching for arrogance, pride, or challenge. Yet all he saw was… indifference."You will face one more," the Sect Leader declared, his voice carrying weight like molten stone. "If you triumph, Azure Heaven will have earned its place in this trial. If you fall, your prior victory means nothing."A ripple of unease swept through the crowd. One more? Who?From the Crimson Flame ranks, a figure stepped forward.Taller, broader, wrapped in a mantle of fire qi so dense it distorted the air. His eyes glowed like embers. He was Zhao Yan, Crimson Flame's strongest inner disciple, a man said to rival even elders in raw firepower.Azure Heaven disciples stiffened. Lin Xueyao's knuckles whitened around her sword hilt. Mei Ling's heart skipped a beat.Jiang Hao rubbed the back of his neck. "Another one? That's… excessive.""Do you yield?" the Sect Leader asked, voice booming."Yield?" Jiang Hao repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I just sat down my tea. Now you want me to start again?" He sighed dramatically. "Fine. But after this, I'm charging overtime."Mei Ling almost choked on her laughter. Lin Xueyao buried her face in her palm.The arena quaked as Zhao Yan entered. His fire qi erupted, heatwaves blasting across the courtyard. The very stones of the arena glowed faintly red beneath his steps.Disciples shielded their faces from the searing wind. Sweat poured down even from the brows of seasoned cultivators.Jiang Hao stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders as if waking from a nap. His calm stood in stark contrast to the inferno approaching him.Zhao Yan sneered. "You humiliated my sect brothers. Do you think you can do the same to me?""I don't think about these things," Jiang Hao said honestly. "Thinking is exhausting.""You'll regret underestimating me!" Zhao Yan roared, his aura bursting into a raging sea of fire.Jiang Hao tilted his head. "Underestimate? No, no. I estimate you're exactly this loud."Laughter broke out among some Azure Heaven disciples, quickly stifled by Lin Xueyao's glare.The Sect Leader raised his hand once more. "Begin!"The air exploded.Zhao Yan charged like a blazing comet, fire coiling into a spear that stretched toward the heavens. His roar shook the arena, his strike carrying the weight of a mountain.The ground cracked. The flames burned white-hot. The crowd screamed.And Jiang Hao—He yawned.
