Chapter: The Token That Changed Everything
Sabre stood before the towering gates of the Black Lightning Sect, his feet planted on the stone road as people passed by him from both sides. The sect was massive, far larger than anything he had imagined. Tall walls stretched endlessly, carved with deep lightning patterns that faintly glowed as if alive. The air itself felt sharp, charged, and heavy with pressure.
He tugged lightly at his torn clothes, suddenly feeling the weight of every stare around him.
Cultivators entering and leaving the sect wore clean robes, some decorated with lightning symbols, others carrying weapons on their backs. Their steps were steady, confident. Compared to them, Sabre looked completely out of place.
He took a breath and stepped forward.
Before he could reach the gate, a harsh voice cut through the air.
"Hey! You there—stop."
Two outer disciples stood guard, their arms crossed, eyes scanning Sabre from head to toe. One of them frowned deeply.
"What do you think you're doing?" the disciple asked.
"I… I was told to come here," Sabre replied calmly. "I'm looking for the Black Lightning Sect."
The disciple stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter.
"This is the Black Lightning Sect," he said mockingly. "And you think you belong here?"
The second disciple scoffed. "Look at his clothes. Did you fall into a ditch on your way here?"
Laughter rose around them. Several cultivators slowed their steps, turning to look. Whispers spread quickly.
"He looks half-dead."
"Did he even cultivate?"
"Probably ran out of the jungle."
Sabre clenched his fists. His nails dug into his palms, but he said nothing.
From across the street, familiar voices rang out.
"Well, well… isn't this the jungle boy?"
Sabre turned his head slightly.
The same group of girls from earlier stood nearby, dressed neatly, their expressions filled with amusement and curiosity. The one who had mocked him the most stepped forward, arms crossed, eyes sparkling with interest.
"So this is where you ran to?" she said. "The Black Lightning Sect? You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Her friends giggled.
"I thought he'd faint before reaching the city," one of them added. "But now he's trying to join a sect?"
Another shook her head. "Dreaming too big can get you killed."
The outer disciples smirked, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Kid," one of them said coldly, "leave before we drag you out ourselves."
Sabre lowered his head slightly. For a moment, the noise around him faded. He remembered the elder's calm voice. Endure. Show it only when needed.
Slowly, Sabre reached into his pocket.
The laughter didn't stop at first.
Then he pulled out the badge.
The moment the black metal caught the light, everything changed.
The lightning symbol carved into it seemed to pulse faintly. The crescent mark was unmistakable.
Silence fell.
The outer disciple's smile froze. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost.
"That… that badge…" he whispered.
The senior disciple stationed near the gate noticed the sudden change and hurried over. The moment his eyes landed on the badge, his face stiffened.
The mocking girls froze.
"What's that?" one of them whispered.
The senior disciple swallowed and bowed slightly. "May I see it?"
Sabre handed it over.
The man examined it carefully, then returned it with both hands, his attitude completely different.
"You may enter," he said respectfully.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
The girls stared, mouths slightly open.
"That… that symbol…" one of them murmured. "Isn't that—"
"The Black Lightning Sect's inner authority mark," another said quietly. "But those are rare…"
The girl who mocked Sabre earlier clenched her fists. Her face burned with disbelief.
Sabre walked past them without a word.
For the first time since arriving in the capital, no one laughed.
Inside the sect grounds, the atmosphere changed completely. Lightning qi flowed naturally through the air, brushing against Sabre's skin like static. Stone paths stretched far and wide, leading to towering halls and training grounds.
The senior disciple led him to a wide circular platform.
"This is the outer testing ground," he said. "Anyone entering through special recommendation must face a trial."
Sabre nodded. "I understand."
Several disciples gathered around, curiosity filling their eyes. Among them were the girls, who had followed quietly, their expressions no longer mocking but tense.
"What kind of trial?" Sabre asked.
"A Trial Shade," the senior disciple replied.
The ground trembled.
Dark mist poured from the center of the platform, swirling slowly before condensing into a tall humanoid figure. Its body was formed of dense shadow, with faint, twisted lightning patterns crawling across its surface.
Sabre felt his chest tighten.
The Trial Shade lifted its head.
And locked eyes with him.
The platform sealed shut.
The test began.
The Shade moved first.
It vanished in a blur and reappeared in front of Sabre, swinging a shadowy fist crackling with unstable lightning. Sabre barely managed to roll aside, the blow shattering stone where his head had been.
Gasps echoed from the spectators.
"He dodged it?"
"He's fast for someone untrained…"
Sabre pushed himself up, breathing hard. He felt the astral energy stir inside him, but it was wild, hard to control.
The Shade attacked again, faster this time.
Sabre raised his arms instinctively. Lightning sparked weakly around his body as the blow landed, throwing him backward. Pain exploded through his back as he crashed onto the ground.
The girls watched with tense expressions.
"He's going to die," one whispered.
Sabre struggled to his knees, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His vision blurred slightly, but he forced himself to stand.
"I won't fall," he muttered.
The Shade roared and charged.
This time, Sabre didn't dodge.
He clenched his fists and focused inward.
Lightning burst out of his body in a raw, uncontrolled surge. The impact sent both of them sliding backward. The platform cracked under the force.
The Shade staggered.
Shock spread across the crowd.
"That lightning…"
"It's different…"
Sabre didn't stop. He moved forward, throwing punch after punch, lightning flashing wildly with each strike. The Shade retaliated, shadow and lightning clashing violently.
Pain. Heat. Pressure.
Sabre felt like his body was tearing itself apart—but he kept going.
The Shade suddenly dissolved into mist, reappearing behind him.
Too late.
A heavy blow struck Sabre's back, slamming him into the ground again. He cried out, vision darkening.
The girls flinched.
"Is this really a test?" one of them asked shakily. "This feels like execution."
Sabre lay still for a second.
Then his fingers twitched.
Inside his chest, something pulsed.
Astral energy surged, mixing with lightning in a violent rush. His heart pounded loudly in his ears.
The Shade lunged to finish him.
Sabre roared and pushed himself up.
A burst of black-blue lightning exploded outward, tearing through the shadow figure. The Shade screamed as cracks spread across its form.
With one final strike, Sabre drove his fist forward.
The Shade shattered into fragments of mist.
Silence followed.
Sabre collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath.
The platform slowly opened.
The senior disciple stared at him in disbelief.
"He passed…"
The girls stood frozen, emotions swirling in their eyes—shock, guilt, and something close to fear.
The boy they mocked had stepped into the Black Lightning Sect.
And nothing would be the same again.