The situation was tense. Everyone had come after years of training, but no one knew what kind of test awaited them.
Suddenly, the sky shimmered. An elderly person appeared, floating high above. At the same time, twelve red and white doors appeared before the crowd, each glowing faintly.
The elder's voice echoed through the air.
"From the Red Flower Dimen Association, choose the door of the faction you wish to join. The name of each faction, their test, and their specialty will be displayed above every door."
Instantly, the crowd burst into motion. Everyone rushed toward their chosen faction. Most people entered the Light Flower Faction's door — after all, most resonate humans loved battle.
Niear Cia struggled through the crowd, but after trying hard, he finally managed to step through the Light Flower Faction's glowing doorway.
In the next moment, his body vanished, and he was teleported into a wide, isolated arena surrounded by mountains and mist.
---
The test's content was simple — battle.
Fight against everyone in the arena. Your opponent's name and ticket number would appear on the large screen above. Only the top 10,000 participants would be selected to join the Light Flower Faction.
The first match began. Two names flashed across the screen, drawing everyone's attention.
A scholar-looking person stepped onto the stage. He wore a yellow robe, golden jewelry gleaming around his wrists and ankles. His slightly long hair danced in the wind, and a second-dimensional aura flickered faintly from his body.
His opponent stood opposite him — a pale-skinned young man with long hair that reached down to his belly, his aura just as strong and oppressive.
Everyone could tell these two came from rival families — true enemies. The excitement in the audience rose instantly.
The scholar-like man attacked first. A white slash of light shot down from the sky toward the young man. But his opponent blocked it easily. The two continued to clash fiercely, neither willing to back down.
---
Time passed. Niear Cia watched from the stands, bored.
"It's already been more than an hour since the fight started," he sighed. "If they keep going like this, when will my turn even come?"
The battle continued. Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared behind the young man, and he barely managed to dodge it. But as he moved, another slash came from above.
This time, he wasn't fast enough — the attack hit him squarely, leaving a deep wound across his shoulder. The young man staggered, blood dripping. His strength was gone.
The scholar-looking man raised his sword proudly as his subordinates cheered loudly.
"Hahaha! Lord, we knew you would win!"
"As expected from our lord!"
Meanwhile, the young man's followers stood silently, their faces pale with disappointment.
The victor began boasting loudly in his mind, laughing. "Hahaha, that damned Yan Sahu finally lost to me! I've gained so much from this battle!"
On the other side, the defeated young man — Yan Sahu — clenched his fists.
"I need to defeat Tiara Hei soon," he muttered under his breath. "If I don't, my reputation will keep falling… my family will punish me again…"
---
Back in the arena, one battle followed another. Time passed quickly.
"It's been almost a full day since the test began," Niear Cia muttered with a hint of excitement. "Finally, it's my turn."
Niear Cia stepped onto the arena stage. Instantly, all eyes turned toward him. Previously, no one paid much attention — he had just been another quiet observer among thousands. But now, under the arena lights, he stood out.
His flawless skin and calm eyes drew everyone's gaze. The boys looked at him with jealousy, while the girls couldn't help but whisper and hope he might notice them.
His opponent appeared across from him — a fat man radiating a first-dimensional peak-stage aura. He smiled politely and bowed slightly.
Niear Cia returned the gesture. A sign of a friendly duel.
---
The match began.
Their auras clashed, shaking the ground beneath them. The fat man's strength was impressive, but Niear Cia's movements were smooth and precise. Within fifteen minutes, the fight ended — Niear Cia won.
The audience erupted in cheers. His name spread quickly across the arena.
Though many fighters were stronger, none carried themselves with such grace and presence. Niear Cia's reputation soared after that battle.
---
The rounds continued.
First round: Niear Cia won.
Second round: Another victory after steady effort.
Third round: He struggled hard but still managed to win.
Fourth round: The battle lasted six hours. Niear Cia gave everything he had — but finally, he lost.
By the fifth round, Niear Cia was officially eliminated.
When the tests ended, the eliminated participants were escorted out of the area.
Niear Cia's final ranking was 5,493rd place — an impressive achievement among tens of thousands of competitors. His name spread quickly throughout the faction. His fame wasn't because of his performance, but because of his appearance — ethereal, noble, unforgettable.
During the event, Niear Cia also made valuable connections with several influential and wealthy individuals.
---
When Niear Cia exited through the glowing door that led out of the testing area, a middle-aged man was waiting for him.
The man handed him a small wooden token engraved with his name and ID number: 500443.
"This is your identification token," the man said in a calm tone. "Keep it safe — don't lose it. I am the Light Flower Faction's outer helper. Follow me."
Niear Cia nodded quietly and followed him...