The courtyard fell into an unnatural stillness the moment Su Chen announced his return.
Instructor Han opened his mouth to question him further, but a senior disciple rushed in from the far gate, panting.
"Instructor! The elders request an immediate report on the trial disturbances!"
Han exhaled sharply.
"Of course they do… Come, the sect won't stay quiet after what happened."
He turned to Su Chen.
"You're coming with me."
Yun Mei and Lei Xinyue both stepped forward at the same time.
"We're coming too—"
"We can support him—"
Instructor Han raised one eyebrow.
"You two? Support? This alone is more political than you imagine."
Lei Xinyue stiffened but didn't back down.
"Even more reason for us to be there."
Su Chen's gaze softened.
He knew what they meant—neither wanted him walking into danger alone.
Han sighed.
"Fine. But stay quiet."
---
Hall of Azure Winds – Elder Council Meeting
The hall was vast, lined with ancient blue stone pillars that hummed faintly with formation energy. Elder after elder sat in semicircles—robes fluttering, expressions severe.
When they saw Su Chen enter, the whispers instantly ignited.
"How did a mere new disciple cause such turbulence?"
"Impossible—rookie-level trials don't react like that."
"Is he hiding a forbidden bloodline?"
"Or worse… a demonic inheritance?"
The air thickened with suspicion.
Lei Xinyue's hand slipped toward her sword.
Yun Mei looked ready to argue with the entire council.
Su Chen stayed calm.
Instructor Han bowed respectfully.
"Honored Elders, the disturbance was caused by an unusual manifestation within the trial space—"
An elder with a long white beard slammed his cane.
"Unusual? The formation nearly cracked! Explain how an eighteen-year-old from a minor family achieved such intensity!"
Before Han could speak, another elder leaned forward.
"Boy," he said sharply, "what happened inside? Speak truthfully. Any deception will be treated as treason against the sect."
The room fell silent.
---
Su Chen Takes Control
Su Chen stepped forward.
Inside him, faint remnants of the shadow's power pulsed—the test had changed something.
His voice came out steady and clear.
"I faced a manifestation of myself."
An uproar burst instantly.
"A clone technique?"
"Impossible at his level!"
"That shouldn't even exist in the elemental trial!"
Su Chen continued:
"It tested my identity, my will, and my resolve. When I defeated it… the trial ended."
The white-bearded elder narrowed his eyes.
"Trials do not manifest identity echoes. Not unless—"
Another elder cut in sharply.
"Unless the disciple possesses a karmic anomaly!"
More murmurs.
More fear.
Su Chen exhaled slowly.
He felt something pressing—politics were shifting around him like blades.
---
The First Faction Splits
Three elders stood almost simultaneously.
Elder Feng, of the Martial Peak—stern, battle-hardened.
Elder Lian, of the Administration Hall—calculating, bureaucratic.
Elder Xi, of the Alchemy Pavillion—gentle, but sharp.
Elder Feng spoke first.
"I support taking him under heavy supervision. Anything connected to karmic anomalies must be handled carefully."
Yun Mei clenched her fists.
Elder Lian shook his head.
"No. Such talent is rare. If we teach him properly, he might become a pillar of the sect."
Elder Xi smiled faintly.
"Both of you are talking as if he's already ours to control. Let the boy breathe."
Their arguments ignited the hall.
In seconds, three factions formed:
Cautious Faction – Su Chen is dangerous; restrict him.
Profiteer Faction – Su Chen is valuable; claim him.
Neutral Faction – Su Chen may rise or fall; watch silently.
Su Chen stood quietly, feeling dozens of eyes trying to dissect him.
---
A Quiet Warning
As the chaos grew, Elder Xi motioned subtly.
Su Chen stepped closer.
She whispered almost inaudibly:
"Child, be careful. Exceptional talent attracts knives before opportunities."
Su Chen inclined his head.
"Thank you."
But inside, he felt something darker.
If even elders are split… someone will try something soon.
---
A Sudden Declaration
At last, the Sect Master entered.
The hall fell silent instantly.
He looked young—too young for his position—but his eyes held centuries of experience.
He didn't sit. He didn't even look at the other elders.
He walked straight to Su Chen.
"Raise your head."
Su Chen obeyed.
The Sect Master's gaze locked with his.
A thin smile formed.
"You look like someone who doesn't break easily."
He turned to the elders.
"Enough debates. As Sect Master, I declare that Su Chen will join the Heaven-Selected Candidate List."
Gasps erupted across the room.
"That list is only for monsters!"
"He just joined the sect!"
"He'll draw enemies from everywhere!"
The Sect Master raised one hand.
"I am aware."
He looked back at Su Chen.
"That is why… I will personally watch over his growth."
Even Instructor Han's eyes widened.
Lei Xinyue and Yun Mei exchanged looks—half worry, half pride.
---
New Path, New Dangers
As the meeting concluded, the political storm didn't fade—it only grew more silent, more hidden.
On the way out, Yun Mei whispered:
"Su Chen… this is… insane."
Lei Xinyue added:
"Becoming a Heaven-Selected Candidate means every genius in the sect becomes your rival."
A soft wind brushed through the courtyard as Su Chen looked up at the distant peaks.
He felt no fear—only determination.
"Then I'll surpass them."
Yun Mei smiled softly.
Lei Xinyue looked away, cheeks warm.
But far above, within shadowed towers—
Several elders watched him with unreadable expressions.
And one voice whispered:
"Let us see how long this boy survives… before the real game begins."
---