The inner courtyard of the Core Disciple Sector was quiet — deceptively so.
Dozens of gazes were fixed on the lone girl standing in the center of the white stone platform. Her black robes fluttered faintly in the wind, embroidered with silver moon threads and tightly fitted to her form. A smooth, cold mask concealed her face.
Her name was not Serena.
Not here.
She was Shade, and today, she would carve her name into the Core Disciples with blood and steel.
A grizzled elder with sharp gray brows and an indifferent expression stood above the platform, arms behind his back.
"You wish to join the Core Disciples? Reveal your cultivation."
Without hesitation, Shade stepped forward.
A suffocating wave of Core Bloom Stage 1 cultivation rolled out of her, controlled and measured, but enough to shock many watching from the shadows of the sect's pavilions.
A few outer and inner disciples flinched.
Someone at her age and appearance… already stepped into Core Bloom?
But then again, her aura was unlike anything they had sensed. It was cold and layered in killing intent, like a beast that had learned restraint after drinking from rivers of blood.
"...You will fight three battles," the elder said flatly. "Defeat two. Lose one, and your name will not be remembered. You may choose to yield. You may choose to die. Either way—begin."
He waved his hand.
The first challenger stepped forward.
A youth with fiery crimson hair, dual axes resting on his shoulders. Essence Vein Peak Stage 9.
"Just my luck," he smirked, flexing his arms. "You're pretty small for a Core Bloom. Let's see if that mask hides a coward."
Shade didn't respond.
The moment the bell rang, her scythe was already in motion.
"—Crescent Path: First Form — Moonfall Sweep."
The curved blade of the scythe shimmered with wind-wrapped force as she spun low. The youth's right leg gave a sickening crack before he could even activate his technique.
He screamed — but the scream was cut short.
The shaft of the scythe was already at his throat, pressing.
"I… I yield!"
The elder nodded. "One win."
The youth was dragged off the platform, whimpering.
---
The second opponent stepped up.
She was a girl with silver-blue hair and a bow taller than herself. Her expression was calm, but her movements were sharp — a trained archer.
Essence Vein Stage 9, but with precision and explosive power.
She drew instantly — no time to speak. An arrow glowed red, lightning-infused.
"Storm String — Triple Pulse Shot!"
Three bolts fired in succession. Shade's feet barely shifted as she pivoted, dodging one, slicing the second mid-air with the scythe's curve, and letting the third scrape her sleeve.
Her foot slid back, eyes narrowing beneath the mask.
The bow glowed again.
But Shade had already moved.
"Second Path — Ghost Moon Rend."
She disappeared — or rather, her presence slipped away like a shadow slipping behind clouds.
In the next heartbeat, she reappeared behind the archer.
The scythe tore through the girl's bow — severing the string, the limbs, and nearly her confidence.
The tip stopped at her neck. A strand of silver hair floated down.
"I yield," the archer whispered.
"Two wins," the elder said. "You may enter."
Shade stepped down. Not a drop of sweat on her body.
---
But the elder raised a hand.
"One more test."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"She's already won two," someone whispered.
"She's hiding something…"
Another youth stepped into the ring — but this time, Core Bloom Stage 1 as well. A senior disciple with long purple hair and a sword hanging loosely at his waist. He didn't look surprised. If anything, he looked... eager.
"You'll do," he said.
The elder nodded. "Final battle."
There was no time to hesitate.
The senior disciple dashed forward, sword glowing green.
"Whirlwind Fang!"
A technique infused with wind and blade intent slammed forward. Shade's scythe blocked it, but the force threw her two steps back.
She grinned under the mask. Finally.
"Umbren."
Yes, master? came the silent reply through the mind link. Do you require me?
No. Watch. Learn. Soon.
She gripped her scythe tighter.
"Third Path — Ghost Moon Rend!"
She vanished again, reappearing behind the disciple.
This time, the boy was faster. His sword twisted and deflected her scythe, sparks dancing in the air.
He counterattacked — "Cyclone Split!"
A spinning wave of sword qi forced her back. Her sleeve tore open slightly, blood seeping.
He smirked.
"Finally, you bleed."
Shade's eyes narrowed.
"Second Path — Moonfall Sweep."
She rotated, her blade flashing low then high. He dodged the low sweep, but the rising blade slashed across his shoulder, tearing skin.
They clashed again — once, twice, four more times. Sparks flew. Dust rose. The entire courtyard stood silent.
Until Shade turned mid-spin, letting the scythe go loose like a dancing ribbon.
"Crescent Path — Final Loop."
The scythe twisted, and the blade slammed into the ground, carving a crescent crater at his feet.
Before he could recover, she launched upward, delivering a brutal kick to his jaw, and sent him flying backward.
He coughed blood.
But stood.
He stepped forward again — barely.
Then stopped.
"I yield," he muttered.
Silence.
Then: "Accepted," said the elder. "From this moment forward, you are a Core Disciple."
He tossed a black token toward her. She caught it in one hand.
Shade stood still, letting the tension slowly leak from her shoulders.
She turned and walked away, Umbren's quiet voice brushing her mind.
Beautiful. You didn't even summon me.
Next time, she replied mentally. Let them tremble when they see your wings unfold.