Chapter 3
Seven days.
That was all the time Xio Xun had to prepare for the Clan Trials—an event designed to test the younger generation's strength, spirit, and qualification to carry the Xio name. In the past, it had been ceremonial, but this year… the stakes were different. For Xio Xun, it was a matter of survival.
He stood shirtless in the courtyard as dawn broke, his body drenched in sweat. Every morning began with three hours of intense physical training—push-ups on stone, stances held until his muscles screamed, punches thrown until his knuckles bled.
> "System Update: Body Refining Stage – Second Layer achieved. Strength: +15%. Reaction Time: +12%."
But raw power wouldn't be enough. He needed skill.
---
Day 2: A Blade in Hand
Xio Xun made his way to the clan's neglected armory, a dark and dusty place filled with weapons dulled by time. Most disciples sought flashy swords from merchants or forged spiritual tools—but he needed something simple, something real.
His hand paused over a short, worn-out blade. It was plain, heavy, unbalanced.
Perfect.
> "Weapon Acquired: Iron Fang Blade. Type: Mortal Tier. Durability: 58%."
In an open glade behind the clan grounds, he practiced daily. Slashes, thrusts, parries—repeating each move hundreds of times, burning them into muscle memory. The system occasionally chimed in with guidance, correcting his stance or advising on breathing rhythm.
But it didn't make it easy.
It was his sweat. His blood.
---
Day 4: Ghosts of the Past
At midnight, Xio Xun sat cross-legged before an ancestral shrine, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows across his face.
He wasn't meditating.
He was remembering.
His past life—the nights working through exhaustion, the hunger, the loneliness, the regrets. The world had abandoned him once. He wouldn't let this one do the same.
> "System Notice: Due to Host's psychological fortitude, Mental Resilience increased."
> "Special Trait Unlocked: Iron Will – Reduces impact of spiritual illusions and fear-based techniques by 30%."
His fists clenched tighter.
"I will rise. I have to."
---
Day 6: Whispers in the Dark
"Hey," came a hushed voice outside his training quarters.
Xio Xun opened the door to find Mei, the servant girl, holding a small, leather-wrapped bundle. Her hands trembled.
"I-I shouldn't be here," she whispered, "but I overheard the elders… they don't want you to pass the trial. They're afraid of you."
She pushed the bundle into his hands. "This might help."
Inside was a small jade vial.
> "Item Acquired: Bloodroot Elixir – Temporarily boosts Qi circulation and muscle control. Risk: severe backlash if overused."
"Why are you helping me?" he asked quietly.
She looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Because… when I was sick, no one visited me except you. You brought me rice and sat with me until I healed. Even when you were still weak yourself."
Xio Xun blinked. He didn't remember—but apparently, his body's former self had done something right.
He gave her a soft nod. "Thank you."
---
Day 7: The Trial Begins
The central training ground had been transformed into a ceremonial arena—an octagonal stone platform surrounded by clan elders, inner disciples, and curious onlookers. A blood-red banner fluttered above, marked with the ancient sigil of the Xio Clan.
The Patriarch, Xio Tian, sat atop a jade throne at the edge of the ring, robes flowing like black fire.
"Young disciples," he announced, voice echoing, "today, you will prove your worth. Survival is not guaranteed. Glory is not promised. Only those who fight with soul and steel shall endure."
Xio Xun stepped into the arena as the other participants eyed him with a mix of confusion and disdain.
"Isn't that the sickly heir?"
"Didn't he almost die last week?"
"He's just trying to save face…"
He ignored them all.
The gong sounded.
The first round began.
---
Battle One: Xio Ren
Xio Ren was a brute—massive, wild-eyed, and already at the peak of Qi Refining. He rushed like a bull, twin axes spinning in his grip.
Xio Xun ducked the first blow, sidestepped the second. He moved like smoke—fluid and unreadable.
> "Battle State Activated. Reflex boost: 8%."
He waited, timed the third strike—and struck low, a deep slash across Ren's thigh. The brute howled and stumbled.
Before Ren could recover, Xio Xun's blade was at his throat.
"Yield," he said coldly.
Ren spat blood and fell to one knee. "I… yield."
Cheers erupted from the younger disciples. Even the elders exchanged murmurs.
Xio Tian only raised an eyebrow.
---
Battle Two: Xio Yai
A graceful girl with long red ribbons in her hair. Fast, agile, and deadly with twin daggers.
She struck from blind spots, leapt between shadows, her attacks nearly impossible to track.
Xio Xun bled—three slashes across his shoulder, one across his thigh. She was better than him. Faster.
But not smarter.
He feigned a stumble.
She took the bait, leaping forward to land a finishing blow.
He dropped, spun low, and swept her legs. As she fell, his blade kissed her neck.
"End it," she gasped.
He withdrew the blade. "I'm not here to kill."
She stared, stunned, and nodded. "You're not like the others…"
---
Final Round: Unexpected Opponent
The arena grew quiet.
"Final match," Xio Tian announced. "Due to a change in rankings… Xio Xun will face an Inner Disciple."
Gasps spread like wildfire.
A man stepped forward from the crowd—tall, robed in gray and silver. His cultivation pressure was like a boulder, suffocating.
"Meet Xio Fei. Foundation Forming First Layer."
"That's not fair!" someone shouted.
Xio Xun said nothing. He stepped forward.
Fei smirked. "You're brave. But foolish."
> "System Alert: Major power gap detected. Recommend use of Bloodroot Elixir."
Xio Xun stared at the vial in his belt.
"…No," he whispered. "I need to know if I can win as I am."
Fei struck like lightning. His palm glowed with golden Qi.
Xio Xun blocked, bones rattling from the impact.
Second blow—dodge.
Third—countered.
But the fourth struck home.
He flew across the platform, coughing blood.
> "Warning: Internal injury. Vital signs critical."
He rose slowly, vision swimming.
"You're still standing?" Fei asked, incredulous.
Xio Xun roared, surging forward in a blur. He had one chance—one moment.
He baited the attack, twisted his body midair, and slammed his elbow into Fei's chin—raw and reckless.
Fei stumbled.
Xio Xun slashed, drawing a thin line of blood across his opponent's chest.
The crowd was silent.
Fei growled, raising his palm for a finishing strike—but Xio Tian raised a hand.
"Enough."
The match was over.
---
That Night
Xio Xun lay in his room, wrapped in bandages, his blade resting beside him.
> "System Notice: Trial Completed. Result: Victory."
> "Reward: [Heir's Ring] – Access to Clan Secret Vault."
> "System Upgrade Unlocked: Technique Absorption Function."
> "Cultivation Speed +20%"
He smiled faintly.
One step forward.
Many more to go.
But for the first time in two lives—Xio Xun wasn't surviving.
He was becoming.
---
To be continued...