Three days passed in a blur for Ling Tian. He successfully broke through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, the peak stage before the Spirit Foundation Realm. Although his level was nominally low, the density and purity of his Primordial Chaos Qi already far surpassed anything a standard Qi Condensation cultivator should possess.
That morning, he left the Ling Clan, bidding farewell to the Patriarch, who now viewed him as a sacred savior. He refused the offer of an escort.
The location for the Sky Cloud Sect Entrance Trial was at the foot of Heavenly Sword Mountain, a towering stone peak that served as the Sect's headquarters. Hundreds of young men and women from across the region were gathered, each carrying the ambition and backing of their respective clans.
Ling Tian arrived on foot, his appearance contrasting sharply with the other participants who arrived in adorned carriages or atop fierce spiritual beasts. His simple grey robes and lack of a noticeable aura made him seem unremarkable amidst the crowd.
However, a few people immediately recognized him.
"That's him! Ling Tian! The trash from Moonlit City they were talking about!"
"Shhh! He's not trash anymore! He's the one who crippled Patriarch Blackwood!"
The whispers quickly turned into murmurs of fear and curiosity.
As Ling Tian walked toward the registration point, a group of elite participants, already in the Early Spirit Foundation Realm, blocked his path. Their leader was a handsome young man in sky-blue silk robes named Xiao Feng, hailing from the rich and prominent Xiao Clan.
Xiao Feng folded his arms, his eyes radiating the arrogance only possessed by those who have always been at the top.
"So, you are Ling Tian," Xiao Feng said, his tone full of disdain. "I hear you insulted the Sky Cloud Sect and demanded the position of First Core Disciple. With the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation? Your courage is disproportionate to your cultivation."
One of Xiao Feng's followers laughed. "He might have decent pill techniques, but here, strength speaks! My Spirit Foundation Realm will crush his 'courage'!"
Ling Tian stopped, displaying no anger, only absolute indifference. He looked at Xiao Feng, then at the speaking follower.
"Move out of my path," Ling Tian commanded, his voice utterly calm.
Xiao Feng smirked. "And if I refuse? You may have defeated an old, weak Patriarch Blackwood, but I am a true cultivation genius of this year. I am at the Second Layer of the Spirit Foundation Realm."
Ling Tian let out a long sigh, a gesture indicating that his time was being wasted.
"I will give you two breaths to step aside," Ling Tian said. "If not, I will not guarantee that your spiritual cores remain intact."
The threat enraged Xiao Feng. "You dare threaten a Spirit Foundation master? Do it, if you can!"
Xiao Feng released his Spirit Foundation aura, attempting to suppress Ling Tian. At the same time, his overly vocal follower attacked, releasing a sword Qi directed at Ling Tian's feet.
Clang!
The sword Qi struck emptiness.
Ling Tian did not move. He simply rotated his hand slightly, and an invisible surge of Primordial Chaos energy enveloped the sword Qi.
Pfffshh..
The sword Qi vanished, like mist blown away by the wind.
"Time's up," Ling Tian stated.
Ling Tian's next move was utterly dismissive. He did not attack. He merely flicked his sleeve.
WHOOSH!
A shockwave of pure, dense Primordial Chaos energy, nothing like Qi Condensation Qi, slammed into Xiao Feng and his follower.
Xiao Feng, a Spirit Foundation cultivator, couldn't even stand for a second. He was thrown ten meters back, landing in agony, feeling his meridians violently vibrating. His follower fared worse; they instantly fainted, blood trickling from their nose.
Ling Tian stepped forward, walking past the fallen bodies, heading toward the registration tent as if nothing had happened.
Everyone in the trial area, including the observing Sky Cloud Sect Elders, fell silent. A Qi Condensation cultivator had just incapacitated a Spirit Foundation cultivator with a single, contemptuous sweep of his sleeve, without using a weapon or formal technique.
At the registration tent, the Elder in charge, a hollow-eyed old man, trembled as he watched Ling Tian hand over the wooden token.
"Ling... Ling Tian. You are registered. Welcome to the Trial of the Dao Heart," the Elder stammered out.
Ling Tian gave a small nod.
"The Trial of the Dao Heart? I will show them what kind of heart I possess," Ling Tian thought with an arrogant sneer. A heart destined to surpass all beings.