The light receded.
The three of them reappeared in a wide, open stone platform suspended high above a vast, ethereal ocean of clouds. The sky was twilight purple, neither day nor night, and a cool breeze whispered through the open air.
Mira and Aric didn't speak at first. They just stared at Leo.
Finally, Mira broke the silence.
"You saw paths," she said, her voice low, careful. "That wasn't just instinct. That was… the beginning of something else."
Aric nodded slowly, arms crossed. "That was a glimpse of spear intent. You weren't just lucky, Leo."
Leo furrowed his brow. "Spear intent?"
"It's not common," Mira said. "It's a manifestation of mastery—usually only develops after years of high-level comprehension and training. It's like... a resonance between you and the weapon. Seeing the flow of battle, the possibilities. Choosing the one that matters."
Aric studied him closely. "You're sure you've never trained under a sect? No private organization? Some hidden lineage?"
Leo shook his head. "I've never even held a spear before a few days ago. It just… felt right."
Mira exchanged a glance with Aric. "Then it must be your talent."
"What rank did you get after the first trial?" Aric asked suddenly.
Leo hesitated. "There was something about... 'exceptional achievement,' I think. I don't remember the exact wording."
That made both of them pause.
Mira let out a low whistle. "Seriously? I didn't even get touched in that fight and still didn't qualify for that. What the hell did you do?"
She stared at Leo, eyes narrowing with suspicion and curiosity.
Leo grinned, unable to hide his pride. "Forget not getting touched—I killed the warrior." He conveniently left out the part where it had been half a fluke.
At that, both Mira and Aric fixed him with sharper looks. Their expressions shifted—less impressed, more calculating. Suspicion flickered behind their eyes, as if they were suddenly more convinced he had come from some hidden organization.
Before Leo could explain, a voice echoed from nearby.
"Initiates—Mira Valen, Aric Dren, Leo Therin. First to complete Trial Two. You are to be escorted to Verdant Rise, special designation zone for ranked elite cultivators."
A swirling silver portal shimmered into existence behind them. A tall, robed official waited beside it, expression impassive.
"This way."
They stepped through and emerged into a lush valley nestled between towering jade mountains. The temperature was warmer here, and the land was alive—trees with glowing leaves, stone walkways etched with glyphs, and buildings that hummed faintly with energy.
Leo stared, wide-eyed.
There were several elegant structures spread throughout the terraced plateau—training halls, meditation towers, open-air sparring courts, and even a waterfall that shimmered with condensed essence.
Aric murmured, "I've only seen places like this in internal Farseer maps. It's typically only for first place above level 5."
Mira nodded. "I think we may have an exceptional achievement to thank for that." she quipped as she looked back at Leo
A nearby attendant, clad in silver-trimmed robes, approached with a respectful bow.
"You will each be assigned a cultivation chamber, access to the Elemental Wells, and a spirit guide to help with your Foundation progress. Weapons manuals can be requested. You have one month till the next trial"
Leo couldn't believe it.
A few days ago, he was an ordinary kid in sneakers and a hoodie.
Now, he was standing in a sacred space meant for elite cultivators—his breath heavy with qi, his body tingling from the aftershocks of battle, and two of the strongest initiates watching him with a mixture of respect and suspicion.