After the second trial ended....they were not allowed to rest, cause the third trial began immediately.
But the trial could not stop.
The great elders of the Imperial Heaven Sect stood before the heirs, their faces grim yet resolute.
"The third trial begins now," one elder declared, his voice reverberating through the quiet air. "Step forward, and face the Spirit of the Soul Phase Dragon."
The massive arena trembled as a ripple of light unfurled above. A colossal figure coalesced—a dragon of pure soul essence. Its scales shimmered translucent gold, its eyes were pools of deep azure flame. Yet unlike the previous spirits, this one made no move to attack. It hovered, breathing slowly, its wings stretching across the horizon.
Then, its eyes opened fully.
The world seemed to freeze.
A crushing weight descended like an invisible mountain. The heirs gasped as the air thickened, pressing on their bones, squeezing the life from their veins. Some staggered at once, knees trembling, sweat breaking out.
This was no physical battle. This was a contest of will, spirit, and soul.
---
The Heirs Struggle
The Blue Dragon Clan heirs were the first to react. Their bodies flickered with faint blue light, scales forming along their arms as their clan's ancient bloodline fought against the pressure. One of them roared, summoning Azure Sea Tide, a defensive technique that shielded his soul with waves of spiritual essence.
From the Red Dragon Clan, one heir ignited his qi into flames, forming a blazing aura around his body. But even fire bent under the crushing pressure. His flames guttered, his knees dug into the earth, and blood dripped from his lips.
The Black Dragon Clan heirs fared better. Their techniques were steeped in shadow, allowing them to blur their presence and lessen the weight pressing directly onto them. Yet even they strained, veins bulging as they tried not to collapse.
The Phoenix Clan heirs endured with sheer pride. One girl, feathers of scarlet flame sprouting faintly from her shoulders, closed her eyes and let her spirit rise like a songbird against the storm. Her aura flickered dangerously, but her determination held her upright.
The Werewolf Clan heirs growled, their bodies half-transformed. Their raw vitality helped them withstand part of the soul oppression, yet several fell to all fours, claws digging trenches into the stone floor.
And among them stood Veyra Nightveil. Her pale skin glowed faintly under the oppressive light. Unlike others who struggled outwardly, she seemed almost calm, her crimson eyes burning with quiet defiance. She drew upon her Vampire Clan's art—Blood Moon Resonance—shielding her soul with an ancient hymn of the Nightveil line.
Her lips curved slightly, proud. She was enduring.
---
In the midst of the chaos, Jace stood with his hood low, eyes dimly reflecting the golden dragon above. On the surface, he looked no different from the rest: his breathing heavy, his shoulders pressed down. But inside him, the System stirred.
[System Notice: High-Grade Soul Phase Essence Detected.]
[Absorption Possible. Proceed?]
His heartbeat quickened.
He knew this was dangerous. To absorb directly from a Soul Phase Dragon Spirit… it was madness. But wasn't it also the opportunity he had been waiting for?
The weight pressed harder. Around him, heirs coughed blood, some collapsing unconscious, dragged away by attendants. Even the strongest heirs were trembling.
[System Notice: Decision Required.]
[Absorb Now, or Miss the Opportunity.]
Jace closed his eyes. For a moment, hesitation flickered across his face. Then he exhaled slowly.
I can't remain behind them. If I do… I'll be crushed before I even step into this world's true stage.
His will sharpened.
"Absorb."
---
Silent Devouring
A ripple unseen by any eye spread from his body. Threads of golden light, fragments of the dragon spirit's pressure, began to unravel and drift toward him.
No one noticed. The heirs were too focused on survival. The elders watched only for collapse or endurance, not for hidden theft.
[System Notice: Soul Phase Essence Absorption Initiated.]
[Progress: 1%... 5%... 12%...]
The dragon's aura poured into him like molten fire. His soul screamed, yet the System regulated the flow, preventing him from shattering. His dantian roared as if a new sun had ignited within.
[Foundation Establishment (Peak) → Advancing...]
[Late Foundation Establishment Achieved.]
His body shuddered subtly, a faint flicker of light crossing his eyes. Yet he forced his expression calm, biting down the grin threatening to surface.
Outwardly, he merely looked strained. Inwardly, he had leapt realms.
---
Collapse and Survival
One by one, heirs fell. A Blue Dragon heir collapsed, foam spilling from his lips as his soul cracked under the pressure. A Phoenix heir fainted, flames extinguished. Several Werewolves lay sprawled, claws broken on the arena stone.
When the golden weight finally receded, only a handful still stood.
Among them:
Two from the Blue Dragon Clan.
One from the Red Dragon Clan, aside from Jace.
One from the Black Dragon Clan.
Veyra Nightveil of the Vampire Clan.
A single heir from the Phoenix Clan.
A towering figure from the Werewolves.
And Jace—hood still shadowing his face, body calm, eyes glinting faintly with suppressed power.
The elders nodded solemnly.
"Enough. The Soul Phase Dragon Spirit acknowledges you," one announced. "You have endured. You have proven yourselves."
The massive dragon slowly dissolved into motes of light, scattering across the sky like stars.
Another elder stepped forward, his robes trailing golden light.
"The final trial was to test your unity and your adaptability against greater illusions. But with the attack of the Nine Shadows Sect still fresh, and the damage to our barriers, we cannot risk another conjuring."
A murmur spread among the heirs. Relief mixed with regret.
"Therefore, those who endured the Soul Phase Dragon Spirit's pressure shall be admitted into the Imperial Heaven Sect."
At once, beams of light descended. Each heir who had passed was marked with a glowing sigil upon their hand—the symbol of the sect, proof of their right to enter.
---
Quiet Resolve
In his chamber, Jace sat cross-legged, the new sigil glowing faintly on his hand.
[System Notice: Soul Phase Absorption Complete.]
[Hidden Advancement: Late Foundation Establishment.]
[Warning: Concealment Engaged. Cultivation disguised as Peak Foundation Establishment.]
He opened his eyes slowly. The faint glow of power rippled within them before vanishing again.
He clenched his fists.
The others had struggled just to endure. He had not only endured—he had grown.
But he also knew the words of the elders were true. The Nine Shadows Sect would not stop. And someone within these walls had helped them.
As the moon rose above the Imperial Heaven Sect, Jace looked toward the horizon, his hood casting long shadows.
"Let them come again," he murmured softly. "This time, I won't just endure. I'll devour."
The sect's bells tolled in the night, marking the heirs' induction. But for Jace, the real trial had only just begun