---
Three days after my challenge to represent the Xiao Clan, I stood atop a lonely hill beyond Wu Tan City's northern edge. The grass here was long dead—burned to ash in a long-forgotten skirmish between Dou Shi mercenaries.
Fitting.
This place would be my forge.
---
Early Morning – Xiao Clan Training Ground
The clan had no choice but to arrange a test. I was still viewed as a recovering disgrace, despite crushing Xiao Ning and winning the outer-ring combat trials. Elders whispered behind closed doors, unsure of how to explain my growth.
So they offered me a trial—defeat a Class-1 Magic Beast, alone, no pills, no aid.
I accepted immediately.
But I made one demand: "Let me choose the beast."
---
The Beast: Stonehide Armored Tiger
Rank: Class 1 Peak
Strength: Bone-Crushing Physical Power
Element: Earth
Defense: Extremely High
Speed: Moderate
Weakness: Fire
---
> "A foolish choice," Elder Shan muttered. "Even a Dou Zhe must struggle with Stonehide armor."
> "Then this is a lesson in folly," I replied, and walked into the arena.
---
Combat Trial Grounds – Noon
The tiger snarled from its containment rune, chained and drugged to control its fury. When I stepped into the ring, the runes vanished, and its chains clattered to the stone.
It saw me.
And charged.
> Fast.
Its weight shook the stone with each bound. I slid backward with Ember Step, letting the flame trail beneath my feet scorch a crescent into the ground.
My system flared.
> Combat Initiated: Class-1 Beast – Stonehide Tiger
• Dou Zhe Match Advantage: Moderate
• Environment: Neutral
Recommendation: Target joint seams with precision strikes.
I narrowed my eyes. "Let's see if that hide can handle this."
---
I raised my palm.
> Flame Fang.
A thin, gleaming spike of violet fire shot forward like a lance.
The tiger roared—and ducked low, avoiding the strike entirely. Clever.
It pounced, and I barely twisted in time. Claws scraped along my back, tearing cloth, drawing blood.
> Warning: Minor Injury Detected
> Activating Burning Recovery
A soothing warmth pulsed across my muscles. The bleeding stopped. Pain faded.
I turned and faced it again.
"Alright, big guy," I muttered. "My turn."
---
> Ash Phoenix Martial Style – Phase 1: Ember Echo.
I struck the ground with my heel. Flame poured into the stone, exploding beneath the beast's paws as it leapt.
It stumbled midair.
And that was my opening.
> Flame Fang – Center Mass
This time, I aimed not for its chest—but the exposed under-joint of its front limb, where no armor plating grew.
The spear of fire pierced deep. The beast shrieked, buckled, and dropped.
I didn't wait.
I rushed in, palm glowing bright, heart beating with fury and fire.
> Flame Palm Strike – Amplified by Phoenix Core Sync
With a roar of my own, I struck the tiger's jaw. Its head snapped sideways, body twitching.
Then—it collapsed.
Silence.
Then a shout from the stands: "He killed it!"
"No… look—he crippled it."
I stepped away from the unconscious beast. My body ached. But inside me, the flame sang.
---
System Notification:
> Trial Complete
• Dou Zhe (2-Star) Achieved
• Phoenix Core Sync: 33%
• Trait Unlocked: Ash Cloak (Passive)
> Increases resistance to physical impact by 10% when flame is active.
Martial Technique Unlocked: Phoenix Step – Tier 1 Movement Art
Short-range teleport within 3 meters using compressed flame trails.
Cooldown: 12 seconds
---
Later That Night – Xiao Clan's Inner Courtyard
Xiao Zhan sat across from me, a bottle of good wine between us. He'd watched the trial without comment. Now, in private, he spoke plainly.
"You're not the same boy I raised."
"I'm still your son," I replied.
"No… you're more," he said, studying me. "Tell me… who taught you this flame?"
I didn't answer.
He laughed softly. "Good. Keep it that way. Even from me."
He poured two cups.
"One day," he said, "you'll leave Wu Tan behind. This place is too small for you."
I nodded.
> "And when I do… I'll burn my name into the sky."
---
Far Beyond – Tagan Desert
In the ruined shrine of an ancient serpent goddess, a statue cracked for the first time in centuries.
And deep in its hollow heart, a single violet ember flickered into being.
A woman with seven-colored pupils stirred in the shadows of her own mind.
> "Who… burns like that?"
---
[End of Chapter 5]