Chapter 23 - First encounter with a genius
Jin's boots crunched against the sunbaked gravel of the Southern Crossroads as the crowd swelled around the registration platform. Flags of the three great sects flapped overhead: the blazing crimson phoenix of the Blazing Phoenix Sect, the howling tempest emblem of the Howling Storm Sect, and the silver mountain sigil of the Luminous Peak Sect. The scorching southern wind carried with it the scent of sweat, dust, and unspoken ambition.
He'd arrived early, but so had a hundred others. Cultivators of varying strength gathered in knots—some confident, some wary, many like Jin, silently assessing the competition.
Most of the hopefuls were Initiate Realm cultivators. Jin stood quietly at the edge of the plaza, his aura suppressed. He was now in the early Adept Realm, and it would do no good to attract attention before necessary.
A large platform at the plaza's center bore three elder adjudicators, one from each major sect. They looked over the crowd with cold scrutiny. Their presence kept the gathering from descending into chaos. On a raised dais beside them stood a youth in sleek blue robes embroidered with lightning patterns—Stormfang's golden child, Tavren Zeil. Rumors said he had dual affinities for wind and lightning and was already in the late-stage Initiate Realm.
"That's Tavren," someone whispered behind Jin. "Recruited by the Howling Storm Sect last year. They say he killed a mid-tier beast by himself."
Jin narrowed his eyes. Tavren's cultivation was strong, but not unbeatable.
"The three sects will be testing for combat proficiency this year," a robed elder bellowed. "Only those who last through the trial or defeat their opponent will be considered. You may declare which sect you wish to impress before entering the ring."
Murmurs ran through the crowd.
Jin inhaled. He hadn't come all this way to cower.
The first matches were announced, and one by one, cultivators stepped into the ring.
A few moments later, Jin heard his name.
"Jin of the Aegis Sect, early Adept Realm," the announcer called, pausing briefly as a murmur spread. "Opponent: Tavren Zeil, late Initiate Realm."
The plaza exploded with chatter. A boy from a lesser-known sect versus a star protege?
Jin strode forward, calm and focused. He stepped into the stone ring, hands at his sides. Across from him, Tavren smirked.
"You're in the wrong ring, country rat," Tavren sneered. "Backwater sects should stay hidden."
Jin didn't respond. His mind replayed every mission, every betrayal, every drop of blood spilled in the forests of Aegis.
"Which sect do you wish to impress?" the elder asked.
Jin met the elder's gaze. "Blazing Phoenix."
The elder nodded. "Begin."
Tavren moved first. A sweep of his hand summoned howling winds, sharp as blades. Jin slid back, fire flickering to life in his palm.
Wind? Not surprising.
The cutting gusts rushed at him. Jin ducked, rolled, and retaliated. A column of fire erupted from his palm, twisting forward like a serpent. Tavren grinned and summoned lightning, fusing it with his wind to create a spinning vortex.
Jin flared his own essence, grounding his stance. He focused not on raw output, but control.
He angled the fire to split around the vortex, reducing its effectiveness. Tavren widened his eyes as flames licked through his defense and scorched his shoulder.
"You'll regret that," Tavren growled.
Lightning crackled around him. He dashed forward with terrifying speed, palm coated in crackling essence. Jin reacted just in time, raising a wall of fire that burst between them like an explosion.
The crowd gasped.
Jin leapt back and drew a circle with his hand, a blazing sigil forming in the air. It spun rapidly, gathering heat.
Tavren snarled and launched a spear of condensed wind. Jin launched his sigil forward. The two attacks met with a blinding explosion that sent waves of energy across the platform.
When the smoke cleared, both fighters were still standing. Tavren's robes were singed, and his arm trembled.
Jin's heart pounded. The fight wasn't over.
Tavren lunged again, this time with a blade of lightning in hand. Jin countered with flame-coated fists, each strike forcing Tavren back. Sparks and embers clashed violently as fists met blade.
Tavren tried to gain distance, but Jin closed in. Fire erupted from his fists in controlled bursts, using them to feint and maneuver.
Finally, he caught Tavren off-guard with a sweeping kick, sending him skidding across the stone.
The crowd roared.
Tavren coughed, blood on his lip. "How... how are you this strong?"
Jin didn't answer. He stepped forward, fire surging around him.
"Enough!" the elder from Blazing Phoenix stood. "That is sufficient."
Tavren glared, but he didn't argue. Jin extinguished his flames and stepped back.
The elder's gaze was locked on Jin. "Name?"
"Jin. Formerly of the Aegis Sect."
The elder nodded. "We will speak after the trial."
Jin bowed and turned, walking off the ring. Eyes followed him, whispers rising.
He had done it.
For the first time since arriving in the south, the name Jin had weight.
---
Later that evening, in a side hall of the Blazing Phoenix Sect's temporary camp, the elder who'd called the match stepped into the tent where Jin waited.
"You showed restraint and control," the elder said, pouring tea. "But more importantly, you adapted."
Jin accepted the tea with both hands. "Thank you, Elder."
"Tavren is no easy opponent. He's been cultivated with the best resources and training."
"He was strong," Jin admitted. "But predictable."
The elder smirked. "Indeed."
He stood. "We will offer you probationary admission to Blazing Phoenix. Should you accept, you will undergo our inner sect trials."
Jin bowed. "I accept."
As he stepped out of the tent into the firelit night, he looked up at the southern stars. For the first time in years, the path ahead wasn't shrouded in mist. There would be more trials, more danger.
But Jin would rise.
Like a phoenix from the ashes.